1. July 2015 marks the 10-year anniversary of
Airborne Insurance, the fastest growing aviation
insurance brokerage on the African continent. To
celebrate this significant milestone, the company
will also be moving into its brand new, state-of-
the-art offices overlooking Lanseria Airport.
“We specialise in all aviation related aspects,
such as aircraft, airports, engines, pilots and
even flight schools,” says Director Scott Smith.
“We service a range of clients; from the
individual small aircraft owner to $40 million
jets, as well as airlines in Angola, Nigeria and
the DRC.”
Scott and his ex-partner Ryan Forrester,
started Airborne Insurance in 2005 with quite
literally the help of a laptop purchased from
Makro. “I come from a background of flying
and a passion for aviation, which has been
instrumental in taking me down my chosen
career path,” he says. “My mother worked
for Mission Aviation Fellowship when I was
younger, which flew regularly into Africa to
deliver Bibles, medicine, food and supplies to
war torn and poverty stricken areas. I grew up
always being surrounded by aeroplanes, and
eventually started working at Dennis Jankelow
and Associates, one of South Africa’s first
aviation insurance brokerage firms.”
In 2005 the entrepreneurial bug finally bit
and Airborne was started. “We bought a
laptop and literally started tapping out our own
insurance policies,” says Scott. “We now deal
with only the top underwriters in South Africa
and overseas, including the long-established
specialists Lloyds of London. We are committed
to providing the best aviation solutions for our
clients and have grown from strength to strength,
with four dedicated new business development
specialists as well as gaining a significant
foothold in the international market.”
Airborne’s team of dedicated brokers has
secured the majority of large general and
corporate aviation insurance accounts in South
Africa, and now controls at least 25% of the
market in what is an exceptionally competitive
and cutthroat industry.
Looking back over the last 10 years, Scott is
justifiably proud of what he and his team have
achieved. “What sets us apart from other
brokerages is that we specialise purely in
aviation - it’s how we started and how we intend
to continue. All of our staff have done ground
school training and are passionate about the
industry. Airborne has sponsored the President’s
Trophy Air Race for the past 8 years, with two
of our own ladies taking part in it last month. It’s
very special to be surrounded by a team that is
as passionate about aviation as I am.”
From very humble beginnings, the company
now employs 16 full-time staff members, and in
2013 was bought-out by Cyan Capital. “Our
shareholders and clients are very important to
us, which is why we have made sure we have
a good succession plan in place,” concludes
Scott. “Airborne is a very different company
now compared to when we started, yet we
have always managed to retain our passion,
drive and dedication. Our imminent move to our
new offices is the cherry on the top of what has
been an incredible ride.”
Our original logo designed by Director Scott Smith
INSIGHTS FROM AFRICA’S FASTEST GROWING AVIATION BROKERAGE
A I R B R N E
INSURANCE CONSULTANTS
A DECADE OF INSURANCE EXCELLENCE
LEADING EXPERTS IN AIRCRAFT INSURANCE
CONTACT US ON (011) 467 8577 OR EMAIL: INFO@AIRBORNEINSURANCE.CO.ZA
WWW.AIRBORNEINSURANCE.CO.ZA
Our new offices – a work in progress
AIRBORNE INSURANCE IS MOVING!
We are very excited to announce that our new offices are nearly ready, and we will be moving in on Friday the 31st
July 2015. Please be patient with us on that day – all our telephone lines and email will be down for the duration of the
move, but we should be up and running by Monday the 3rd August. Please pop in for a chat and a cup of coffee when
you are in the area. Our new address is Unit 5, Lancaster Park, Electron Lane, Lanseria Corporate Estate, Pelindaba
Road, Lanseria. All other contact details remain the same. We look forward to welcoming you to our new premises!