Djibouti-based private jet charter and medevac specialist Ivory Jet Services (Djibouti) is expanding with the opening of a secondary base in Côte d'Ivoire and looking to add bigger and longer-range Bombardier Aerospace Global 5000 jets to its fleet to serve a broader market in Africa.

Speaking to ch-aviation at the recent Aviation Africa summit in Johannesburg, marketing manager Charles Emmanuel Aka and business development manager Andrew Stevens explained that the company holds a European air operator's certificate (AOC) from San Marino, which allows it to operate worldwide. Its aircraft are registered in San Marino, which also functions as a base for charter flights within Europe. Alternatively, the aircraft are rotated between Djibouti and Abidjan in Côte d'Ivoire. Another base is planned for Dubai.

The company currently operates four owned aircraft:

  • 1x 13-seater Embraer Legacy 600, T7-NTT (msn 14500941);
  • 1x 12-seater Falcon 50, T7-AWO (msn 178), equipped for medevac services;
  • 1x 14-seater Falcon 7X, J2-HPV (msn 043), flying for the president of Djibouti; and
  • 1x eight-seater Cessna (single turboprop) based in Djibouti, for internal use and pilot training.

The plan is to add a Global 5000 to the current fleet, Stevens said. "To determine our future fleet plans, we analysed current requests from customers and assessed our current aircraft capabilities. The Bombardier Legacy 600 can accommodate 12-13 passengers, similar to a Falcon or Gulfstream, but those models have longer ranges. Aircraft like the Challenger are better suited for shorter runways and challenging terrains, which the Legacy may not handle as well. Meanwhile, larger aircraft like the Global will allow us to reach a wider market due to their long-range capabilities, which complements our existing fleet."

Ivory Jet Services was founded in 2013 by Franco-Ivorian entrepreneur Tommy Tayoro Nyckoss, whose portfolio of companies in Djibouti also includes airline catering provider Délic Air, the Djibouti Air College, solar energy specialist Solar 7, and the Djibouti football club As Arta Solar 7. The main focus of Ivory Jet's business is Africa, although it also operates in Europe, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia.

"We are primarily focusing on meeting the demand for business jet charters in Africa and the UAE, with Africa being our main priority," Stevens explained, adding that Ivory Jet Services is targeting several key regions for growth in Africa. "From our new base in Abidjan, we are focusing on West Africa, particularly Nigeria, a major market for private jets. We're also looking at Senegal and Ghana. In East Africa, we're looking at Kenya and Tanzania - and we're also trying to boost business out of South Africa. In addition, we are tapping into opportunities in Kinshasa and the mining areas in the DRC [Democratic Republic of the Congo]."

Aka emphasised that Francophone Africa is a crucial growth market, as the region is less familiar with private jet travel. Ivory Jet Services aims to change perceptions in Côte d'Ivoire, where people have the means to pay but often view private jets as a luxury or extravagance. "The goal is to integrate private jet usage into their habits; that's also why we have opened a base in Abidjan," he elaborated.

Market and business environment

The charter side of the business looks after government officials, heads of state, musicians, artists, and high-profile businesspeople. "We focus heavily on corporate clients, providing seamless travel to unique locations while minimising the hassles often associated with African airports," Stevens said.

He said the market environment for VIP/business charters in Africa is dynamic, with demand fluctuating throughout the year. "Competition in Africa is growing. A lot of companies are venturing into Africa to bring aircraft here to cater to the needs of the mining companies as well as the executives. So there is always opportunity to grow, to expand, and build clientele."

In the medevac sector, demand remains steady, particularly for transporting patients for medical procedures to countries like India as well as Dubai. "Many existing medevac aircraft in South Africa, like Cessna Citations, have limited range. Our Falcon 50 offers a competitive advantage by being able to travel further and more efficiently," he explained.

Stevens highlighted that operating in Africa can be unpredictable, with challenges like arriving at an airport that may not have fuel despite prior confirmations. This requires careful planning and contingency measures. To streamline operations, Ivory Jet Services partners with Jetex for groundhandling, which allows the charter specialist to focus on catering to its clients and ensuring flights are completed efficiently and on time.