Gulfstream Aerospace has seen “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. According to Gulfstream senior vice president of sales and marketing Scott Neal, 8 percent of the installed Gulfstream base is in Latin America. There are currently 176 Gulfstreams based here in Latin America, including 39 in Brazil. In 2008, these 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 Gulfstream president Larry Flynn. “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.”

To support the growing fleet in Latin America, Gulfstream opened Gulfstream Brazil–a company-owned service center in Sorocaba, near São Paulo–about three years ago. Neal told AIN that Gulfstream Brazil is now stocked with more than $15 million in parts. Earlier this month, Gulfstream appointed Adriano Andrade as general manager of the facility. The Brazil native was formerly general manager and director of Dassault Falcon’s service center in Sorocaba. He also was a supply chain manager for Gulfstream parts consignment partner Morro Vermelho Taxi Aereo in São Paulo.

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. In her new position, she is responsible for Gulfstream’s maintenance and avionics sales in South America. Sacramento previously was a technical maintenance sales manager for Brazil-based business jet services provider Líder Aviacão.

“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.”