Aviation Partners (API, Booth No. 2218) has selected Lanseria, South Africa-based National Airways Corp. (NAC) as the first authorized Blended Winglet installer outside North America.

API said it expects a “significant” increase in Blended Winglet sales due to NAC’s strong relationships throughout the region. To date there are three Hawker Beechcraft Hawker 800 series aircraft with Blended Winglets flying in Africa.

According to the Seattle-based winglet designer, Hawker 800 and 800XP models with Blended Winglets will fly 30 minutes longer, 180 nm farther and 18 knots faster than standard models. Blended Winglets also improve second-segment climb, which equates to a significant improvement in nonstop dispatch between Johannesburg and Lagos, the company said.