Mark Abbott joins Vertis Aviation Africa as Partner

Monday 7th September 2015

Switzerland-based Vertis Aviation announced today that Mark Abbott has joined Vertis Aviation Africa as a Partner, effective immediately.  Mark will be based at the company's Johannesburg office where his primary focus will be to explore new aircraft options to introduce to the market and continue to grow Vertis' presence on the continent.  Vertis Aviation formally opened its doors at Fireblade's state-of-the-art FBO facility at Johannesburg's OR Tambo International Airport in March this year, demonstrating its commitment and investment to this vibrant region.

South African-born Mark has worked in the business aviation sector for 17 years, most recently as Group FBO Director for ExecuJet, based in Cape Town.   He brings a wealth of international experience to Vertis, having worked in Europe, the USA, Middle East and Africa.  For the past 10 years he has helped develop core activities in FBO, aircraft management, charter and maintenance.   He was also actively involved in aircraft sales and was promoted to Group Director in 2009.

In addition to managing the African business development Mark will work closely alongside the existing Vertis Aviation partners, Julian Burrell, Erica Da Veiga, Jeffrey Emmenis and Luca Madone in planning the company's strategic development at an international level.

Mark's customer-centric and consultative management style complements the Vertis ethos and its boutique style approach to the industry.

"We are extremely pleased to welcome Mark as a new Partner with Vertis Aviation Africa - and to the Vertis Aviation family.  His extensive network, consistently high end approach to customer service, ability to identify new opportunities and his comprehensive understanding of how charter, management and operations combine, make him a valued addition to our senior management," commented Jeffrey Emmenis, Partner, Vertis Aviation.

 "I'm delighted to be joining the Vertis Aviation Africa business. Africa is an exciting business aviation market, full of opportunities for a dynamic and forward thinking company like Vertis which is in a prime position to maximise this growth potential," said Mark.

Mark Abbott will make his debut with Vertis as a panellist speaker at this year's African Business Aviation Association AfBAA symposium, during September 24-25 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where he will share his experience on the challenges of aircraft charter in Africa.

Vertis Aviation specialises in long range business aircraft.  It is responsible for the marketing of four aircraft in South Africa, a Boeing 727 VIP, Bombardier Global 6000, a Global Express and a Learjet 45.  This complements its international portfolio of a further 11 aircraft comprising  four Airbus ACJ319s, a Boeing Business Jet BBJ1, Gulfstream G450, G550 and G650, Bombardier Global XRS, Global Express and a Dassault Falcon 7X.