Lanseria-based National Airways Corp. (NAC) has partnered with Ultimate Helicopters on a new heliport at South Africa's Midrand Airport, next to the N1 freeway between Johannesburg and Pretoria and opposite the Mall of Africa, set to open by the end of this month. Phase 1 will include 3,100 sq m/33,300 sq ft of hangar space, a terminal building, a fuel farm, and parking for up to 16 helicopters, along with an “EASA standard" final approach and takeoff area, according to NAC.

The new buildings will provide a total of 2,800 sq m/30,139 sq ft for the terminal, which will include several VIP lounges, a restaurant, and crew facilities. “With our new world-class heliport, we can provide a unique and unmatched experience, dedicated to the helicopter community. [It is] in an ideal location, close to Johannesburg, Sandton, Centurion, and Pretoria,” said NAC CEO Martin Banner.

Phase 2 of the development will add pilot training and maintenance to its capabilities, bringing the company’s helicopter operations and training schools from Grand Central Airport (in Midrand) and Rand Airport, to the southeast of central Johannesburg, to “our own dedicated helicopter facility,” said Banner. This will “allow the company to continue to expand and offer even better and more convenient service to our helicopter owners, pilots and charter clients,” he said.

NAC also has extensive fixed- and rotary-wing charter activities in Africa and around the world. In total, it operates approximately 150 aircraft and offers aircraft asset management and leasing through its Awesome Flight Logistics and Awesome Asset Securities subsidiaries.

Internationally, it operates aircraft through FlyNAC, which has offices in Johannesburg and Malta, and it has a U.S. company, Specialized Aircraft Services, in Wichita.

In South Africa, NAC also has operations at Pretoria’s Wonderboom Airport and at Virginia Airport in Durban, and operates helicopters at the Victoria & Albert Waterfront in Cape Town. The company also has a wholly owned aviation training school in Port Alfred, on the southeast coast, offering fixed-wing pilot, maintenance, and ATC training.