38 Vol. 10 / No. 4 / April 2018 Global Aviator
Aircraft charter
What are the advantages:
Flights are tailored to each individual’s
needs and requirements, whether
it is for a business trip to a mine in
the DRC, a meeting in Cape Town, a
private flight to luxury game lodges
or the coast. A number of companies
charter aircraft when taking staff to a
conference venue or as a reward for
targets met. The passengers comfort is
a major consideration when arranging
catering, deciding on the type and size
of aircraft, refreshments and extras that
may be required. The client is given
every assistance in selecting the aircraft,
advise on destination if necessary,
transport and even accommodation
bookings. A meet and greet service
is available and passengers can relax
in private lounges before the flight.
Many charter companies also
provide ground handling but wherenecessary, a ground handling company
can assist with customised and high
security transportation arrangements,
cleaning services, loading facilities,
recreation and catering. For cross
border charters they provide customs
clearance assistance, visa arrangements
for both crew and passenger if required,
slot or PPR, and aircraft security.
For business aircraft operators,
Africa can be a permit-intensive
operating environment, with specific
documentation requirements and
longer-than-average permit lead times.
It’s important for them to begin the
process well in advance and regional or
international flight should be arranged
with thought given to these processes.Tourist destinations
Before approaching any charter
company, a destination must be decidedon with the most popular being Cape
Town and game lodges. South Africa
has an excess of game and nature
reserves with the Kruger National
Park, Madikwe, Timbavati, Sabi Sands,
Manyaleti and Pilansberg featuring
prominently in the northern part of the
country, Aquila, Addo Elephant and
Shamwari are amongst the many well
known game reserves in the South.
Most have runways, be they registered
airports such as Skukuza or bush strips
which is more often the case. This is
part of the attraction of flying to a lodge- imagine coming in to land with an
elephant or two, or maybe lion, eyeing
you from the surrounding bush with
contemplation in those eyes. Pilots
will fly over the lodge to alert them to
your arrival and then do a pass over
the airfield to check for animals.
Mozambique and Zimbabwe
are also popular destinations and
Charter for business or pleasure