ExecuJet South Africa Reports Over 2230 Movements During World Cup

ExecuJet South Africa has reported that it handled over 2230 movements during the recent 2010 World Cup.

FBO operations based at Lanseria International and Cape Town International airports handled the vast majority of visiting aircraft during the event which attracted fans from around the world. Business aircraft started arriving a week prior to the World Cup on 11 June with most departing immediately after the final between Spain and Netherlands on 11 July.

ExecuJet’s FBO facility at Lanseria, near Johannesburg, handled over 1430 business jet movements for the World Cup period with all business aircraft visiting Lanseria International Airport at one time or another. Similarly ExecuJet’s Cape Town facility handled over 800 aircraft movements during the tournament, which included 105 out-station movements. A total of 165 business aircraft made use of the world class FBO in Cape Town.

Visitors included numerous Heads of States, FIFA delegates, Government officials, tournament sponsors, Hollywood celebrities and sporting icons. Five of the international teams playing in the tournament made exclusive use of the ExecuJet facility at Lanseria for all their domestic flights to various host cities. Strict security measures were enforced and the facility was declared a sterile area during these departures.

The peak of the tournament with regard to business aviation was prior to the final match in Johannesburg, when an influx of business jets began arriving at Lanseria International Airport from Friday, 9 July 2010. By Sunday, 11 July, an astounding 187 aircraft were parked on the ExecuJet apron, Lanseria Airport’s main apron, freight apron and the parallel runway 06R. The bulk of the aircraft departed again on the same night immediately after the game.

ExecuJet ground personnel worked around the clock, alongside airport staff, to ensure smooth and safe operations at both facilities. Ettore Poggi, ExecuJet South Africa Managing Director, said, “I have very seldom seen, in my entire working career, such dedication, team work, team spirit, motivation and willingness to pitch in and help. ExecuJet South Africa pulled together as one team and handled 99% of all visiting aircraft. The team work and close co-operation between our staff, the airport personnel and all authorities was fantastic and contributed to the success.”

ExecuJet's maintenance division, along with the major OEMs, offered additional in-country support during the event. This included Field Service Representatives, ground support equipment, spares, off-base maintenance support and mobile repair teams available 24 hours a day to support aircraft at all airfields in the country.

ExecuJet South Africa’s charter fleet of over 40 aircraft, ranging from King Air Turboprops through Learjets, Challenger and Global Express business jets were in high demand over the period with many accomplishing multiple trips on any given day.

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