Press Release

Issued by AfBAA African Business Aviation Association.

May 21, 2013

The African Business Aviation Association (AfBAA) announced today at EBACE 2013, that JETNET, the leading international data and analysis company for commercial and business aircraft worldwide, has become its 20th founding member. "We are delighted to welcome JETNET to our growing family,” said Rady Fahmy, executive director, AfBAA. JETNET joins a strong line up of members and brings valuable intelligence and data to our expanding Association.”

“JETNET salutes the mission and vision of AfBAA and we are committed to play a role in realizing its success,” said Karim Derbala, exclusive agent, EMEA. “We are confident that JETNET's specialized research in the worldwide business aviation industry will provide the Association with a head start in regard to pertinent market intelligence in this fast emerging continent” 

He reports that JENET has seen a 35% growth in the total fleet of aircraft based, operated and owned in the African continent these past five years. With a total 1,425 business aircraft based in Africa effective May 2013 the top 10 leading countries by number operated are: South Africa; Kenya; Nigeria; Angola; Tanzania; Egypt; Morocco; Botswana; Algeria and Zambia. Underlining this, numerous African based companies now feature in the top 10 worldwide civilian fleet operators of various wholly owned makes and models of business jets and turboprops, according to JETNET's statistical analysis reports (STAR).

“While the aviation market research in some of these emerging countries has proven to be challenging owing to the lack of basic infrastructure as well as the absence of an established regulatory environment, JETNET has been continuously striving to monitor and reflect this dynamic market and industry changes as they happen through its 25 years of experience in business aviation market research,” said Derbala. “We will continue to do so, through our mandate as the latest founding member within the African Business Aviation Association.”

The decision to invite JETNET to become a founding member was a strategic one on behalf of the Association as the data expert's membership will add considerable value to future planned research projects. “The need for sourcing professional research and reliable data from Africa sits at the core of AfBAA's goals. JETNET's credibility in researching and handling data within the business aviation sector is second to none,” said Fahmy about the latest member. It is anticipated that JETNET will steer the committee that will be responsible for overseeing the extensive research project agreed at this year's general meeting in Rabat. The research will aim to establish the key areas of African Business Aviation that require major improvement and will make suggestions on how to best advocate for these changes.

Just like other inaugural members JETNET will retain membership until 2015. It will also adhere to the guiding principles, which focus on advocacy, safety, security, integrity, service and training. Launch Members will also have a strong voice within the association and will be responsible for contributing to the future of the Association's activity.