GENEVA—ExecuJet MRO Services Africa, based at Lanseria International Airport near Johannesburg, South Africa, has been approved by Embraer as an authorized service center for business jets.
The appointment is taking place as the Embraer Phenom and Legacy fleet is growing in the region. ExecuJet MRO Services, a Dassault Aviation subsidiary, is thus pressing on with its global expansion strategy.
At Lanseria, the maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) company is now allowed to perform warranty work. The company has locally invested in tooling to support Embraer aircraft. It has already inducted qualified engineers to support the Phenom 300 series.
“We were approached by customers,” says Graeme Duckworth, president of ExecuJet MRO, adding: “Phenom clients will be new to us.”
The delivery of at least one Phenom 300 is expected in South Africa in 2024.
More Embraer business jets are expected in Africa, including in Bostwana, Kenya and Nigeria, says Vince Goncalves, ExecuJet Africa's regional vice president for services.
ExecuJet's Lanseria facility has long serviced Legacy 600/650s and ERJ 135/145s, which all share the same airframe, engines and systems. It is certified for line and heavy maintenance.
“We have been very good at serving thin markets,” says Duckworth. “Look at the early days of Embraer in Australia ... We were recognized for that.”
At Lanseria, Embraer was previously represented by another company (also an authorized service center) that went out of business.
“Embraer Services & Support is prepared to work closely with ExecuJet to offer the best services for our clients”, says Frank Stevens, vice-president at Embraer MRO Services.
In Malaysia, ExecuJet's new purpose-built facility is under construction at Subang Airport. The larger building will help meet demand in the region, notably for aircraft based in China. The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) has approved ExecuJet MRO Services' Malaysia facility for Bombardier's Challenger and Global series, as well as the Gulfstream IV. CAAC inspectors are being awaited for Dassault’s Falcon 7X/8X type.
In Dubai, ExecuJet is transitioning from Dubai International Airport (DXB) to Dubai World Center (DWC) airport. The move is in line with the local authorities' desire to move business aviation activities to DWC. Line maintenance, nevertheless, will continue to be available at DXB.
Owned by Dassault since the airframer took it over from Luxaviation in 2019, ExecuJet MRO Services experienced nervousness among non-Dassault operators about being treated the same as Dassault customers. That was in the early days, Duckworth says, and those operators have since been very positive. Embraer's announcement is testament to ExecuJet's approach, he adds.
For Dassault, company-owned MRO facilities across the world are a source of valuable technical feedback and deeper knowledge of the customer base.
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