US corporate-aircraft manufacturer Gulfstream is in the final stages of discussions with South African industrial giant Anglo American to establish a maintenance and service centre, open to all Gulfstream operators in the region.
The base would form part of, Anglo American's aviation division, at Johannesburg International Airport. Gulfstream is expected to provide investment in training, maintenance and parts provision.
The need for a Gulfstream service centre in southern Africa reflects a growing interest in corporate aviation in the region. Of 40 aircraft on display at Aviation Africa 96, over 15 could be classed as corporate.
Dezil White, sales director of South Africa's Execujet, the local Bombardier Aerospace distributor, says: "There is no doubt in my mind that business aviation is on the verge of a boom here."
Gene Rainville, Gulfstream's executive vice-president, international, shares White's optimism, saying that the region is "showing signs of significant growth".
Dassault Aviation's international sales manager for the region, Alain Lemee, stresses the suitability of executive-jet travel where scheduled airline services are not widespread, but he is also ready to point out the reluctance of many prospective customers to invest in business aircraft for sociopolitical and image reasons.
Lemee believes that, for this reason, the market will not grow appreciably in South Africa in the short term, although he says that Dassault runs a Falconair service centre in Cape Town and is about to establish a regional office at Lanseria, near Johannesburg. A total of 195 corporate aircraft are operated in South Africa.
Source: Flight International
