Story ID: 
Customs Now Available at Jo-burg's Fireblade FBO
By: Curt Epstein
Caption: The clearance of its first international flight represents a milestone for the $15 million facility which opened in 2014, 
Word Count: 205
Fireblade Aviation, an FBO that opened at South Africa’s O.R. Tambo International Airport in 2014, has handled its first international flight, marking the culmination of years of effort and a rigorous approval process, according to the company. Present at the event were officials from the South African Revenue Service and the South African Police Service to provide the required government clearance for the flight.

“We are excited to service international movements, which will complement our current domestic aircraft movements and enable Fireblade Aviation to fulfill its intended potential,” said company CEO Jonathan Oppenheimer. International handling at the Johannesburg-area FBO is done through a sterile customs and immigration facility designed by and under the control of the government, located on the ground floor of the Fireblade terminal, adjacent to the business lounge.

“Our main terminal at O.R. Tambo International will be freed up for additional capacity when commercial business aviation can use the Fireblade terminal,” the airport authority, Airports Company of South Africa, noted in a statement. “There is also a genuine need for the premium services offered by Fireblade at the largest airport in Africa, since the lack of these facilities had affected our reputation and brand.”