Story ID: 
Bestfly Quits African Business Aviation Association
By: Charles Alcock
Caption: Association’s board said it is investigating allegations made by its former chairperson
Word Count: 280
Angolan air charter operator Bestfly has withdrawn from membership in the African Business Aviation Association (AfBAA). In a statement issued on April 28, the company said it was “increasingly difficult to reconcile our values and direction with the current beliefs of the association.”
On May 1, Bestfly co-founder and executive director Alcinda Pereira issued a further statement saying that she is stepping down as AfBAA’s chairperson. She said the decision was due to a “series of challenges” she had faced over the previous 18 months.
“While it has been an honor to hold the position as a proud Black woman, I encountered a reality that exposed the persistent issues of prejudice and sexism in the industry,” Pereira said in a LinkedIn post.
In a social media post on May 3, AfBAA thanked Pereira for her contributions and reported that vice chair Craig Middleton will step in to chair the board. “We are aware of the concerns she has raised and as an organization committed to transparency, inclusion, and professionalism, we are investigating the matter thoroughly, through the appropriate channels,” the association commented. “Our strength lies in our diversity, professionalism, and shared commitment to ethical governance and inclusive leadership. We remain steadfast in our mission to advance and advocate for business aviation across Africa through inclusivity.”
The association was founded in 2012 with a mission to promote the positive impact of business and general aviation as an enabler for pan-African economic development.
Bestfly was formed in 2009 and operates a fleet including a Boeing Business Jet, Gulfstream G550 and G450, two Bombardier Global Expresses, Dassault Falcon 900, Cessna Citation Excel, and ATR72-600 turboprop twin.