ExecuJet MRO Services South Africa Secures FAA and African Approvals

ExecuJet MRO Services South Africa Solidifies Status as Key Regional Hub with Regulatory Renewals

ExecuJet MRO Services South Africa has officially announced the successful renewal of its maintenance approvals from the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) alongside certifications from eight different African civil aviation authorities. This development marks a significant milestone for the facility, located at Lanseria International Airport near Johannesburg, cementing its position as the holder of the most extensive regulatory accreditation network of any Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) provider on the African continent. The renewals follow a series of rigorous audits designed to ensure the facility meets the highest international standards regarding safety, engineering qualifications, and quality control systems.

The renewal of the FAA Approved Repair Station status is particularly consequential for the regional aviation sector. A substantial portion of business jets operating within Africa are registered in the United States, bearing the “N” tail number. This registration strategy is often utilized by owners to maintain higher asset values and facilitate easier resale in the global market. By securing this renewal, ExecuJet ensures that operators of these US-registered aircraft can continue to access heavy maintenance services domestically in South Africa, eliminating the costly and time-consuming necessity of flying aircraft to Europe or the United States for mandatory service checks.

In addition to the American regulatory approval, the facility has re-certified its credentials with Civil Aviation Authorities (CAAs) across a broad spectrum of African nations. These include Angola, Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa (SACAA), and Zambia. This wide-ranging approval network effectively positions the Lanseria facility as a central maintenance hub for both Southern and West African markets. It allows operators in these jurisdictions to utilize a local provider that adheres to their specific national regulatory requirements, thereby streamlining logistics and reducing downtime for regional fleets.

Strategic Implications for the African Aviation Market

The consolidation of these regulatory approvals comes at a time of measurable growth within the African business aviation sector. According to company data, the market currently exceeds 400 business aircraft. The ability of a single facility to service such a diverse range of registries is essential for supporting this expanding fleet. As new aircraft enter service and international charter operators position their fleets in the region to meet rising demand, the availability of compliant, high-standard maintenance facilities becomes a critical infrastructure requirement. The renewals ensure that ExecuJet can accommodate this influx, supporting both legacy fleets and modern ultra-long-range jets.

Vince Goncalves, the Regional Vice President for Africa at ExecuJet MRO Services, emphasized that these renewals are not merely administrative formalities but are indicative of the facility’s operational maturity. The audits required to maintain these certifications scrutinize every aspect of the MRO’s operation, from the traceability of maintenance records to the technical proficiency of the engineering staff. Passing these audits validates the facility’s alignment with global safety protocols, a crucial factor for international operators deciding where to base their assets.

Furthermore, the strategic location of the facility at Lanseria International Airport allows it to serve as a pivot point for the continent. By holding approvals from nations as geographically distinct as Nigeria and Mozambique, the company reduces the logistical burden on operators. Previously, regulatory fragmentation often forced operators to seek maintenance solutions outside the continent, incurring significant ferry flight costs. The current approval portfolio mitigates this, keeping economic activity within the African aviation ecosystem and fostering regional technical self-sufficiency.

“Maintaining these approvals is more than a compliance requirement. It demonstrates our technical capability and the trust we have earned from regulators across Africa.” , Vince Goncalves, Regional Vice President Africa, ExecuJet MRO Services

Facility Capabilities and Technical Enhancements

The physical and technical capacity of the Lanseria facility remains a cornerstone of its service offering. Spanning 9,000 square meters (approximately 97,000 square feet), the hangar space is designed to accommodate up to 14 aircraft simultaneously. This capacity covers a wide spectrum of airframes, ranging from turboprops to large-cabin, ultra-long-range jets such as the Bombardier Global 7500 and the Dassault Falcon 8X. The scale of the facility allows for flexible scheduling, enabling the team to handle heavy maintenance projects alongside routine line maintenance without operational bottlenecks.

In a move to further enhance its service portfolio, the company is currently in the process of securing approval for a newly installed in-house spray booth. This new addition is designed to handle aircraft components up to 1.5 meters in size. The introduction of this capability is aimed at improving turnaround times for cosmetic repairs and touch-up paintwork. By bringing this process in-house, the facility reduces reliance on external vendors for minor aesthetic work, allowing for tighter control over quality and scheduling during maintenance checks.

The facility continues to support a diverse range of Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). Since its acquisition by Dassault Aviation in 2019, ExecuJet has retained its identity as a multi-OEM facility while gaining direct access to Dassault’s technical data and training. The team is authorized to perform heavy maintenance on Dassault Falcon models (including the 7X and 8X) and the Bombardier Learjet, Challenger, and Global series. Additionally, the facility services Embraer’s Legacy and Phenom series, as well as Hawker and Beechcraft King Air models. This multi-platform capability is vital in a market where operators often manage mixed fleets.

“We are witnessing growth with new aircraft entering service, and international charter operators positioning fleets in the region to meet rising demand. This underscores the continent’s growing importance in the global business aviation landscape.” , Vince Goncalves, Regional Vice President Africa, ExecuJet MRO Services

Recent Developments and Operational Context

The recent regulatory renewals are part of a broader trajectory of growth and technical adaptation for the company. In November 2025, alongside the FAA and CAA announcements, the facility successfully completed ADS-B Out avionics upgrades on multiple fleets, including Learjet 45 and Hawker 800XP aircraft. These upgrades were executed to meet new mandates from the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) requiring real-time tracking compliance. This demonstrates the facility’s ability to execute complex avionics retrofits in response to evolving regulatory landscapes.

Earlier in the year, the company expanded its heavy maintenance portfolio. In September 2024, it secured SACAA approval for heavy maintenance on Embraer Legacy 600 and 650 aircraft. This expansion was a strategic move to broaden the service offering beyond Dassault and Bombardier products, catering to the significant number of Embraer operators in the region. This was followed by a record-setting performance in June 2024, where the company reported its highest annual volume of airframe heavy maintenance checks, driven largely by increased activity within the Dassault Falcon fleet.

These operational milestones highlight the facility’s resilience and adaptability. By consistently updating its capabilities,whether through physical infrastructure like the new spray booth, regulatory compliance like the ADS-B upgrades, or certification renewals,ExecuJet MRO Services South Africa is effectively future-proofing its operations. The continued support from Dassault Aviation provides a stable foundation, ensuring that the facility remains at the forefront of the African MRO market.

Concluding Section

The successful renewal of FAA and African regulatory approvals serves as a critical validation of ExecuJet MRO Services South Africa’s operational standards. By maintaining the most extensive accreditation network on the continent, the company not only supports the current fleet of over 400 business aircraft but also positions itself to capture future growth. The ability to service US-registered aircraft locally offers a tangible economic benefit to operators, reinforcing the Lanseria facility’s status as a primary aviation hub.

Looking ahead, the integration of new capabilities such as the in-house spray booth and the continued expansion of OEM support indicates a clear strategy of comprehensive service delivery. As the African business aviation market matures, the demand for localized, high-quality maintenance will likely intensify. ExecuJet’s proactive approach to regulatory compliance and technical expansion suggests it is well-equipped to lead this sector, bridging the gap between international safety standards and regional operational needs.

FAQ

Which countries have approved ExecuJet MRO Services South Africa?
The facility holds approvals from the US FAA and Civil Aviation Authorities in Angola, Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa (SACAA), and Zambia.

Why is the FAA approval important for an African MRO facility?
Many business jets in Africa are registered in the United States (N-registered) to preserve asset value. FAA approval allows these aircraft to undergo maintenance in South Africa rather than flying to the US or Europe, saving time and costs.

What new technical capability is being added to the Lanseria facility?
The company is securing approval for a new in-house spray booth capable of handling components up to 1.5 meters, which will speed up cosmetic repairs and touch-up paintwork.

Sources

• ExecuJet MRO Services