Speaking to ch-aviation at the recent Aviation Africa summit in Johannesburg, marketing manager Charles Emmanuel Aka and business development manager Andrew Stevens explained that the company holds a European air operator's certificate AOC from San Marino, which allows it to operate worldwide.
Its aircraft are registered in San Marino, which also functions as a base for charter flights within Europe. Another base is planned for Dubai. The plan is to add a Global to the current fleet, Stevens said.
The Bombardier Legacy can accommodate passengers, similar to a Falcon or Gulfstream, but those models have longer ranges. Aircraft like the Challenger are better suited for shorter runways and challenging terrains, which the Legacy may not handle as well.
Meanwhile, larger aircraft like the Global will allow us to reach a wider market due to their long-range capabilities, which complements our existing fleet. We're also looking at Senegal and Ghana. Aka emphasised that Francophone Africa is a crucial growth market, as the region is less familiar with private jet travel. The charter side of the business looks after government officials, heads of state, musicians, artists, and high-profile businesspeople. A lot of companies are venturing into Africa to bring aircraft here to cater to the needs of the mining companies as well as the executives.
So there is always opportunity to grow, to expand, and build clientele. In the medevac sector, demand remains steady, particularly for transporting patients for medical procedures to countries like India as well as Dubai. Our Falcon 50 offers a competitive advantage by being able to travel further and more efficiently," he explained. Stevens highlighted that operating in Africa can be unpredictable, with challenges like arriving at an airport that may not have fuel despite prior confirmations.
