African Bizav Market Growth Lifts ExecuJet MRO Services

Growth in business aircraft based in South Africa has validated ExecuJet MRO Services South Africa’s ongoing investment in its facility at Johannesburg Lanseria International Airport (FALA), the company said. Recent additions to the country’s aircraft registry include a Dassault Falcon 2000 and an Embraer Phenom 300.

According to ExecuJet MRO Services regional v-p for Africa Vince Goncalves, limited airline service across the continent continues to drive business aviation expansion. Economic growth in some countries such as Nigeria and increasing personal wealth are other factors boosting demand.

Since it was founded in 1991, the maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) provider has expanded its portfolio to include factory-authorized support for business jets produced by its parent company, Dassault Aviation, as well as Embraer and Bombardier. It also provides support and parts for Textron Aviation, including Hawkers and Beechcraft King Air turboprop twins, and also has some experience with Gulfstreams. 

For now at least, Goncalves does not see a direct path to any one MRO provider expanding with facilities in multiple African countries, since growth in service remains highly localized. That said, the ExecuJet team at Lanseria is set up to respond to aircraft-on-ground situations, dispatching assistance to clients with aircraft grounded in other countries. In addition to holding maintenance approvals from regulators in multiple sub-Saharan countries, the company also holds an FAA Part 145 certificate.

ExecuJet MRO Services clients include the South African Air Force (SAAF), which recently extended a contract to provide airframe heavy maintenance and component support for its government transportation fleet of two Dassault Falcon 50s and a Falcon 900. The company also recently completed a C-check on one of the Falcon 50s, including extensive refurbishment of the landing gear and cabin interior.

The Lanseria engineering team also recently overhauled Honeywell TPE331 turboprop engines that power SAAF’s CASA C-212 transport aircraft. This project covered major periodic inspections and repairs. 

Expansion in demand for its services has prompted ExecuJet MRO Services to recruit experienced maintenance technicians and new trainees through its apprenticeship program. Goncalves acknowledged that African aviation service companies often struggle to retain skilled staff with more lucrative remuneration packages available in other markets. 

Along with other parts of the ExecuJet MRO Services group in locations such as Malaysia, Dubai, Australia and New Zealand, the South African operation has been owned by Dassault Aviation since 2019.