Expansion Led by Brazil

Gulfstream Aerospace continues to see significant growth in the size of its customer-operated aircraft fleet in Latin America, especially in Brazil, where the fleet of Gulfstream business jets has nearly quadrupled since 2008. 

On the opening day of the three-day Latin American Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition (LABACE) 2013 in São Paulo, Gulfstream announced there were 176 customer-operated aircraft based in Latin America, including 39 in Brazil. In 2008, those figures were 92 and 10, respectively.

“Brazil’s economic growth has sparked an increase in trade with countries around the world, most notably China,” said Larry Flynn, president, Gulfstream. “The growth in the number of customers operating Gulfstream business jets in Brazil goes hand-in-hand with that desire to conduct business worldwide –– whether it’s in China, Europe or Africa. We have efficient, high-performance aircraft that are well-suited for doing business around the world.”
 
To support the growing fleet in Brazil and the region, Gulfstream operates a company-owned service center –– Gulfstream Brazil –– in Sorocaba, near São Paulo. Earlier this month, Gulfstream appointed Adriano Andrade as general manager of the facility. The Brazil native was formerly general manager/director of Dassault Falcon’s service center in Sorocaba. Andrade has also been a supply chain manager for Gulfstream parts consignment partner Morro Vermelho Taxi Aereo LTDA in São Paulo. Andrade holds a business degree from Universidade Radial in São Paulo and is certified as a mechanical technician.
 
To assist Gulfstream operators in Brazil and Latin America, Gulfstream recently enhanced its product support network with the hiring of regional sales manager Raquel Sacramento, also a native of Brazil. Sacramento, who is responsible for maintenance and avionics sales in South America, was most recently a technical maintenance sales manager for Lider Aviacão, a Brazil-based business jet services provider. She was also the head of quality at Lider Aviacão and served in a similar capacity with Morro Vermelho Taxi Aereo LTDA.
 
Sacramento earned a degree in aeronautical engineering from the University of São Paulo in São Carlos and recently completed Master of Business Administration studies at Fundação Getulio Vargas in São Paulo.
 
“Adriano and Raquel are experienced in many facets of product support,” said Mark Burns, president, Gulfstream Product Support. “They have the technical background and the communication skills necessary to build relationships with customers. We believe they will have an immediate impact and help take our customer service and support in the region to new heights.”

FMI: www.gulfstream.com