ExecuJet Africa is to attend next week’s annual Mining Indaba in Cape Town from 5-9 February as sponsors and exhibitors for the first time, in an effort to raise the profile of safety developments in mining industry aviation. ExecuJet said it had “identified the event as a distinctive opportunity to raise the profile of services including private and corporate luxury charter specifically to the mining industry, but in addition, to emphasise the relevance of safety in Aviation and the fact that ExecuJet Africa provides a very efficient world class Emergency Response Plan with the associated facilities on site.”

In the last three years ExecuJet Africa states that it has become more valuable as an air transport partner to the mining industry by offering all the safety standards associated with VVIP flights to all types of mining charter services including one-off missions through to Fly-in/Fly-out (FIFO) missions in support of mine construction projects. The company states: “Mining is already a risky business, operating in harsh conditions in remote areas. It is important to reduce travel risk as much as possible by using a reputable, safety conscious aviation company knowledgeable of the region. This has naturally led to an increased focus on aviation safety standards. So we are very proud that ExecuJet can offer a safe way of chartering aircraft for the mining business.” In the unfortunate case of an incident/accident, an approved ERP is activated whereby a team of individuals appointed to the ERP are alerted and man the ExecuJet Response Centre. In conjunction with Blake Emergency Services, ExecuJet is able to efficiently manage all aspects of the situation. “It is important to select an aviation operator who aspires to the same stringent safety policies that most mines do. ExecuJet rates among the best when it comes to safety with regular audits by international, independent Aviation Safety audit organisations such as Hart Aviation and ISBAO.” said Chris Frost, Business Development Manager, Flight Operations ExecuJet Africa.

The company highlighted several trends developing among mining companies where aviation safety is concerned. Many mining companies are closing down their own flight departments in favour of using third party aviation service providers to concentrate on mining. There has been an increase in safety awareness from a plethora of new aviation safety audit professionals and prospective suppliers are audited regularly and thoroughly by aviation consultants. Another trend is that mining companies are starting to discourage the practise of cross-hiring of aircraft and are developing their own aviation safety policies which exceed those of the national Civil Aviation Authorities where they operate. Comprehensive presentations will be hosted at the Westin Cape Town Arabella Quays Hotel during Mining Indaba from 6-8 February at selected times. The focus will be on safety in aviation as well as an overview on the benefits of business aviation and non-scheduled flights.