The African Business Aviation Association, AfBAA, has signed a memorandum of understanding with Jet Support Services, Inc. (JSSI), the provider of hourly cost maintenance programs for the Business Aviation industry, to raise awareness of the importance of adopting best practices in aircraft maintenance.

The strategic agreement, which was ratified at this year’s National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) meeting, will see both parties cooperating in promoting awareness of programme options to enable best practice across the aviation maintenance sector.

Under the terms of the agreement AfBAA members will receive financial, educational and business benefits when enrolling aircraft onto JSSI Programmes. In addition JSSI will provide a variety of tools and incentives to promote the adoption of certain industry “best practices” including the adoption of hourly cost maintenance progammes for executive aircraft, engines and Auxiliary Power Units (APU). It is anticipated that through encouraging the adoption of hourly cost maintenance programmes, the perception of Business Aviation as an efficient and safe mode of transportation in Africa will be improved.

“We are delighted that we have reached this agreement with JSSI,” said Tarek Ragheb, AfBAA’s Founding Chairman, “This type of arrangement underlines AfBAA’s commitment to providing its members with tangible benefits whilst at the same time encouraging the adoption of best practice for the African Business Aviation industry. We believe this will serve to enhance aircraft values, reinforce a positive perception of the value of African aircraft and will provide operators with an additional layer of expertise in maintenance planning and performance. This is all invaluable for the African market.” The agreement fits with AfBAA’s strategic plan to focus on developing four important pillars of the African Business Aviation sector - Safety, Training, Finance and Advocacy. Taking effect immediately, the agreement will run for an initial five-year period.

Bryan Moss (left) Vice Chairman JSSI, signs agreement with Tarek Ragheb, Founding Chairman of AfBAA.

AfBAA and JSSI will make the benefits available for aircraft based in Africa and that are jointly identified as suitable for the programme.