Bestfly retains ISBAO status

Above: Vice-Chair of the African Business Aviation Association (AfBAA) and Managing Director of Bestfly, Nuno Pereira, celebrates ISBAO renewal at EBACE.

The audit, which took a month, was completed by Cyrrus Cayman International Services following an intense review of the Luanda facilities, its team and operational standards.

During EBACE Nuno Pereira, MD of Bestfly, will be showcasing how the business has adapted and adopted international standards to give visiting aircraft and operators the confidence to select Bestfly when landing in Luanda.
 
“We are very proud to have achieved this important recognition again as we continually work hard to meet international expectations. The timing is perfect as we can come to EBACE and demonstrate that the services we provide are as good as any international business aviation company, despite the challenges of operating in Africa,” said Pereira. “It’s been a challenging couple of years for business aviation with the fluctuating oil prices affecting business. However we have seen this as a time to improve our standards across the board, as well as keep training our staff, and improving what we can do for our international clients,” said Nuno Pereira, Managing Director of Bestfly.
 
Since first achieving the ISBAO standard Bestfly has gone from strength to strength to maintain the required levels of service. It has invested in supporting its own dedicated fuel bowser which, working in conjunction with national oil company Sonangol, significantly improves turn-around times for executive jets; it has fixed a three-year ground handling and flight support service agreement with Chevron, which was supported by the initial award of the ISBAO. In response to the growing demand for professionally trained pilots in Africa it has invested in training by establishing a strategic relationship with FlightSafety International as the dedicated training organisation for all Bestfly’s needs. In April Bestfly was also audited by Chevron Safety Audit Group of the USA and on successful completion became the only privately owned operator in Angola to be authorised to fly Chevron top executives and employees.
 
The Bestfly fleet has also expanded, and now includes Gulfstream G550, G450, and G3 types, two Dassault Falcon 900s, a Bombardier Challenger 605 and three Lear 45s, a Dornier 328 Jet, four King Air types including two 350s, a 200 and a ninety as well as a Twin Otter. Pereira is expecting to add a Gulfstream G450 and G650ER by the end of 2017.
 
Pereira is now Vice-Chair of the African Business Aviation Association (AfBAA) and was one of the participants at the first Access Africa event held at EBACE on Monday 22 May. A new initiative from AfBAA, the informal forums detail practical information that aim to inspire and support companies considering operations in Africa.

Bestfly was the first Angolan business aviation company to have been awarded and retained its ISBAO status, which is designed to support aircraft operators and flight departments in achieving the highest levels of safety and professionalism.