Dawit Lemma, founder and CEO of Addis Ababa-based flight support, charter, leasing, MRO solutions and aviation consultancy Krimson Aviation, has joined the International Standards for Business Aircraft Handling (IS-BAH) board. The IS-BAH standards board is the decision-making body for all changes to the standards contained in IS-BAH. This marks a new phase for IS-BAH standards with Lemma's selection representing the first African board member to be appointed.

With seven of the world's fastest growing economies occurring in Africa, complying with international business aviation standards is essential for gaining operator confidence when flying to the continent. Putting Africa on the business aviation map and ensuring its nations are ready to meet the pending needs are among Lemma's goals in this new role.

“As we have worked to grow Krimson, we have worked simultaneously to grow both the physical infrastructure and the quality standards for business aviators flying to Africa,” Lemma says. “African destinations are becoming increasingly popular for business travellers, and we want their experience here to be on par with their other travel experiences. I'm honoured to represent Africa on the IS-BAH standards board. I look forward to spreading the word about all we have to offer and to bringing home best practices that can be deployed across the continent. Africa is perfectly poised for growth.”

Lemma goes on to say that his objectives are to promote and create awareness about IS-BAH on the continent and increase the number of certified handlers. The move to IS-BAH certification will increase safety and overall service standards of business aviation ground handling in Africa: “I am bringing expertise and knowledge of the African continent, and I hope to leverage this insight to break up misperceptions. I want members of the IS-BAH standards board and IBAC at large to understand that African bizav is on the rise and that we are open for business. I am confident we will begin a ripple effect of raising standards, which is our goal.”

Lemma founded Krimson Aviation in 2015. He is a Swiss citizen of Ethiopian origin, and he has lived and worked all over the world, from Zambia to Afghanistan, the USA to Switzerland. He returned to Ethiopia in 2012, after almost 30 years abroad, as he recognised the thriving potential and opportunities being offered by Ethiopia's economic resurgence.

“Dawit's unsurpassed knowledge of business aviation, the international climate, his attention to detail and the opportunities and challenges of operating in Africa make him an excellent choice for the IS-BAH standards board,” comments IS-BAH programme director Terry Yeomans. “He is going to add tremendous value and bring a new voice and perspective to the table. It will be an honour to help him introduce and implement standards throughout Africa, which will support its progress towards becoming a major player in business aviation.”

As an advocate and promotor of the growth of business and general aviation in Africa, Lemma has served on the executive committee of the African Business Aviation Association (AfBAA) as director of membership and events, and he currently serves as a board member of the AfBAA and as the president of the AfBAA Ethiopia Chapter.

IBAC has also inducted Kevin Donnelly from Jet Aviation US and Benjamin Hammond from Duncan Aviation to the board.