AFRAA, Global Airtech Partnership Seeks to Ease Africa’s Aircraft Component Supply Chain Pains

August 24, 2026 in Business, Companies, Travel & Tourism by Editor

AFRAA’s partnership with Global Airtech strengthens Africa’s aircraft component supply chain, giving more than 40 member airlines improved access to parts, repair management and 24/7 AOG support.

 

The African Airlines Association (AFRAA) has brought Global Airtech International into its Partnership Programme, strengthening the aviation industry’s focus on reliable access to aircraft components and technical materials, one of the less visible but increasingly critical constraints on African airline growth .

The partnership gives Global Airtech a structured platform to engage AFRAA’s more than 40 member airlines as carriers contend with persistent supply-chain pressures, expensive maintenance and the operational consequences of aircraft being grounded while awaiting parts.

“We are delighted to welcome Global Airtech into the AFRAA fraternity as a Partner. Reliable access to quality components and materials is fundamental to airline safety, efficiency and cost management, and Global Airtech brings decades of proven expertise and a truly global network to our membership,” said AFRAA Secretary General, Mr. Abderahmane Berthé. “Their established presence on the continent, combined with their rigorous quality standards and round-the-clock AOG support, makes them a valuable addition to our Partnership Programme. We look forward to a collaboration that strengthens supply chain resilience for African airlines and supports the continued growth and safety of our industry.”

Global Airtech, an aviation asset specialist established in 1989, provides component support ranging from new equipment and critical materials to exchange and loan programmes, repair management, surplus inventory, consignment and base-kit solutions, asset trading and strategic partnerships.

The company is headquartered in Reno, Nevada, with offices in Los Angeles and Miami, as well as Brazil, Uganda, India, Thailand, Singapore and Vietnam. Its Entebbe operation gives it an established foothold in the African market and positions Uganda as one of its regional bases for supporting airlines on the continent.

For African carriers, the significance of the partnership lies less in another supplier joining the industry ecosystem than in improving the availability and movement of components needed to keep aircraft serviceable.

Parts shortages can translate directly into longer maintenance turnaround times, aircraft-on-ground events and higher operating costs. These pressures are particularly consequential for African airlines, many of which operate relatively small fleets and have limited capacity to absorb prolonged aircraft downtime.

Global Airtech operates a 24/7 Aircraft-on-Ground desk and holds ASA-100/FAA 00-56B and ISO 9001/AS9120D quality accreditations. The certifications support its emphasis on traceability, supplier qualification and protection against counterfeit parts—issues that are central to the safety and reliability of the aviation supply chain.

AFRAA Secretary General Abderahmane Berthé said reliable access to quality components and materials was fundamental to airline safety, efficiency and cost management.

He said Global Airtech’s decades of experience, international network, African presence and round-the-clock AOG support would add value to the association’s membership and help strengthen supply-chain resilience.

Global Airtech President and COO Adam Chiamulon and Chairman and CEO Rodney Chiamulon said the company’s objective was to develop longer-term relationships with African carriers and help address challenges affecting aircraft availability and operational continuity.

Under the partnership, Global Airtech will work with AFRAA member airlines on parts availability, repair management and longer-term supply arrangements while expanding its component inventory and support footprint across African markets.

For airlines, the potential benefit is greater access to a globally networked supplier without having to rely solely on distant supply chains for critical components. Faster access to parts can improve aircraft utilisation, reduce downtime and make maintenance costs more predictable.

The development comes as African aviation enters a period of fleet expansion and network growth, increasing the importance of the support infrastructure behind aircraft acquisition. New aircraft orders and additional routes can only translate into sustained capacity if airlines can maintain sufficient levels of fleet availability. That makes the component supply chain an increasingly strategic part of Africa’s aviation growth trajectory.

“We are proud to join AFRAA and to become part of a community that is so deeply committed to the growth, safety and success of African aviation. Africa has been an important part of Global Airtech’s business since our founding in 1989, and this partnership deepens a commitment we have held for decades. We believe our experience, inventory and 24/7 support capabilities can continue to make a meaningful difference for airlines operating across the continent,” Global Airtech President and COO Adam Chiamulon and Chairman and CEO Rodney Chiamulon said in a joint statement.

“Our goal is not simply to supply parts, but to build long-term relationships with African carriers and help them solve the challenges that impact aircraft availability and operational continuity. Through our partnership with AFRAA, we look forward to listening to the needs of its member airlines, expanding our support capabilities in Africa, and developing solutions that help airlines keep their fleets flying safely, reliably and efficiently. We see this as the beginning of a long-term partnership and are excited about what we can accomplish together.”