Story ID: 
South African Bizav Company Fireblade Turns 10
By: Sarah Rose
Caption: Fireblade Aviation aims to be  a one-stop shop
Word Count: 212
South African-based private aviation and charter company Fireblade Aviation is celebrating its 10th anniversary. Initially set up as the Anglo American flight department several decades ago, the operation was rebranded to Fireblade Aviation in 2014. The company said it offers “a one-stop shop for business and leisure travelers, aircraft owners and operators, and tour operators” at Johannesburg OR Tambo International Airport.
“Tourism has been in a transformative space in recent years, with charter services being more accessible not only for business travel but leisure and group leisure travel as well. More individuals are realizing that the cost associated with private aviation is not as prohibitive as one might think,” said Fireblade Aviation managing director Leigh Kretzschmar.
“Driving positive change in our industry starts with expanding our ecosystem, and that means prioritizing sustainability, driving inclusivity and diversity, and driving awareness for the possibilities of a career in aviation amongst our youth, particularly young girls,” Kretzschmar added.
As part of its anniversary, Fireblade Aviation has also launched the first in a series of foundation-phase children’s aviation books, which it said “aims to ignite enthusiasm for aviation, and expose children to the idea that aviation is for more than just pilots and air hostesses.”