Getting to ground zero
Now in its tenth year, Solenta Aviation is a specialised aviation company that has been providing the continent with flexible and value-added aircraft leasing solutions and offering a wide spectrum of turbo-prop aircrafts. Solenta Aviation focus on providing superior client service for those in humanitarian aid, tourism, oil and gas and express freight operations.

Conducting business anywhere in Africa or the subcontinent, Solenta is based in Lanseria, SA. Satellite operations in the continent are given attention by the company’s head-office personnel, who are in charge of these bases. The expansion and establishment of bases in multiple countries was done as part of an impetus to gain autonomy in environments in which their clients operate by meeting customer needs and those of local aviation authorities. Each of the 14 operation bases provide aircraft, flight crews and maintenance personnel who are trained and ready to facilitate any number of uniquely challenging destinations.

“Our business is about moving people,” says Solenta Aviation Managing Director, Paul Hurst, bringing with him years of experience in commercial flying. “I am a pilot by trade,” he says. “I have flown in the airlines for tourism industry and had joined the airlines. For years, I flew Boeing 737 and was with Cathay Pacific airlines, flying jumbo 747s.” Hurst still felt there was something more that we wanted to accomplish, and Solenta was a natural fit. “I love being part of creating what we are trying to achieve,” he says, which is to be the best and biggest Turbo Prop operator in the world.

Aviation ambassadors

The humanitarian arm of the company, for instance, does extensive work with global leaders in humanitarian efforts. The company facilitates missions for the UN World Food Program, Médecins Sans Frontières and the International Red Cross. “We work with these organizations in Kabul, Pakistan, Jordan and all over Africa distributing food and aid,” says Hurst. “For instance, a lot of the work is centered on reuniting families, deploying doctors and specialists who rebuild communities and provide care to displaced persons.”

Solenta Aviation has worked in almost all the conflict zones in their regions (such as Liberia, Sierra Leone, the DRC and Somalia), and just about every country in Africa where the humanitarian field require air transportation. These conflict zones are often almost impossible to reach by rail or road, either because of the danger posed or because the road infrastructure is damaged. Therefore, Aircraft is the best means of traveling to these places.

“We also support mining companies from all over the world, such as Canada, Australia, and all of Africa,” Hurst explains.  For the oil industry, Solenta works for six of the biggest oil companies in the world. “We then send up aircrafts with pilots, engineers, spares and we do all of the logistical background performance and customise the solution for these remote destinations.”  All the client needs to do is arrive at the airport.

Landing on a dime

The Turbo Prop planes are used by Solenta for the advantages they possess for these marginal flight zones. Turbo Prop planes use a turbine engine which provides the reliability and modern-day standards of a jet aircraft, but, unlike a jet, this type of aircraft is suited for the shorter runways and remote locations that Solenta can travel to.

“It’s a niche operation we run,” says Hurst, “and the Turbo Props suits our needs and the needs of our clients. It goes where the jets cannot go, and gets us there very safely.”

Safety is a running point in any conversation about Solenta. It is paramount in every aspect of the Solenta Aviation delivery chain. “The key focus is safety and quality standards,” continues Hurst. “We comply with the Oil and Gas Producers (OGP) safety and quality standards, as well as UN standards for safety. Even though we travel to remote airstrips, we are regulated by the same strict airline regulations, if not stricter.”

The company is closely associated with training bodies the ATDF, COMAIR and SAA, which have augmented their cadet training capabilities, which increases the opportunities for pilots from previously disadvantaged groups. Internal needs of the company are also met by these training bodies and the aviation industry in general.

A business in flight

The company has been growing immensely since 2003, when the current Solenta Aviation was formed as the aircraft operating division of the Solenta group. To illustrate the growth, consider this: in 2003, Solenta had four aircraft. Today, it has 34, ranging in size from 10 seats to 66. The Solenta team has grown as well. There are no weak links. Every employee has been in aviation for many years, “Our team are all highly trained in their specific field, be it flying, maintenance or logistic planning,” says Hurst.

Since Solenta is in the business of going off the beaten track, its expertise is in finding and executing the precise solution for the variety and diversity of clients’ needs. The Solenta advantage is customised solutions. Where others see limitations, Solenta sees possibilities.

www.solenta.com

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