ExecuJet Aviation Group’s facility in Lanseria, South Africa, has become the first FBO in Africa to be awarded International Standard for Business Aircraft Handling (IS-BAH) accreditation by the International Business Aviation Council (IBAC) and the National Air Transportation Association (NATA).
Arvin Durgapersad, ExecuJet’s Lanseria FBO manager, said, “We are delighted our Lanseria FBO has successfully passed the audit, especially as we are the first company in Africa to be IS-BAH accredited. The IS-BAH program is an enhanced approach to mitigating risk and promoting safety, so naturally ExecuJet plans to implement it across all its FBOs worldwide. We believe this is a clear demonstration of our commitment to safety excellence.”
The group’s repair station at Tianjin Binhai Airport, China, is also celebrating after a successful audit by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) granted the facility Federal Aviation Regulation (FAR) 145 certification.
The certificate is awarded when a repair station complies with the safety standards necessary to inspect and maintain aircraft and aircraft parts, thus ensuring the safety of the maintenance team, passengers and flight crew.
The Asia approval includes the ability to conduct both line and base maintenance activities while ensuring that “N” Registered aircraft operating within the region obtain the desired support.
Paul Desgrosseilliers, general manager, ExecuJet China, said, “We only began last year full operations in our larger facility, located on the west side of the airport, so it is a great pleasure for our maintenance and safety standards to be certified by the FAA so quickly.
“Our operations have always complied with the required standards for FAR 145 certification and we’re delighted our hard work has been formally recognized to this effect. The aviation industry relies on sound maintenance and we, as a provider, have a responsibility to ensure we do this to the highest standards.”
Meanwhile in Europe the company has announced it has grown its managed fleet by 10% with the addition of four large-cabin business jets and one helicopter, all of which are scheduled to enter operation from October 2015 through to early 2016.
The new additions include a Bombardier Challenger 350, Bombardier Challenger 300, Gulfstream 650, Dassault Falcon 7X and an Agusta AW139 VIP.
The new arrivals boost ExecuJet Europe’s managed fleet to 55 aircraft, of which a large proportion is available for charter.