Absolute Aviation has become the first business aircraft broker based in Africa to join the International Aircraft Dealers Association (IADA). Founded in 2001 by CEO Neil Howard, Absolute has aircraft dealership facilities in Lanseria and Cape Town, South Africa, as well as in Maun, Botswana; Lomé, Togo; and Zurich, Switzerland. An authorized representative for Beechcraft, Cessna, and Leonardo, the dealer offers preowned and new aircraft sales, flight services, aircraft parts and engine distribution, and maintenance.

IADA executive director Wayne Starling said the addition of Absolute to its membership base “further advances IADA’s global reach and effectiveness.” Howard added, “Absolute Aviation is excited about becoming part of IADA’s expanding international network of aircraft resale dealers who operate with integrity.”

IADA members must commit to a code of business ethics and demonstrate their standards through an accreditation process that is renewed every three years. The association noted that just 7 percent of the world’s aircraft dealers have earned IADA accreditation, but they are responsible for 40 percent of the world's business aircraft preowned sales, averaging more than 700 transactions and $6 billion in volume each year.