Starlite Unveils New Brand Under Leadership Transition

Starlite, March 09, 2026 - Starlite Aviation announces with pleasure the updating of its brand to reflect the new chapter being embarked upon by the global supplier of bespoke aviation services.

Under the new leadership of Bruce Fraser and Carla de Witt, Starlite is solidifying its strong market share in Humanitarian and Mission Logistics (HML), Firefighting, MEDEVAC, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, Training and Maintenance services in the most austere and challenging environments on the planet.

The new brand reflects a global presence with safety, quality and efficiency at the heart of every deployment and mission the company undertakes.

Together with the proud support of SAF Aerogroup, the owners, Starlite is passionate about offering its high-value services in more places than ever before.

While our logo has evolved, our commitment has not. We continue to deliver responsive, safe, and professional aviation support, anywhere, anytime

Starlite Aviation new logo

Starlite

Helis - Starlite Aviation was co-founded by Slade Thomas and Karl Kebert in 1999 at Virginia Airport in Durban, South Africa. Initially established as a pilot training school, the company quickly pivoted toward complex operational contracts, gaining significant international recognition in 2000 for its critical role in supporting flood relief efforts in Mozambique. This early success transformed the company from a local flight school into a specialist in humanitarian and emergency missions, leading to further expansion into offshore oil and gas support, medevac services, and aerial firefighting.

Over the next two decades, Starlite evolved into a multi-faceted global entity, establishing a European head office in Dublin, Ireland in 2008 and secondary training and maintenance hubs in places like Mossel Bay. The company solidified its position as a major industry player through its acquisition by the SAF Aerogroup in late 2021, which merged Starlite's extensive African and international operational expertise with SAF's European network. Today, the group operates across five continents, focusing on providing high-stakes aviation solutions in some of the world’s most austere environments.