A Successful Story
Líder Táxi Aéreo was founded by José Afonso Assumpção on November 12, 1958. The company started flight charter operations with only one single engine aircraft, in its headquarter in Belo Horizonte/MG. Less than three years later, the fleet was expanded to twelve aircraft, including the first twin-engine aircraft used in charter flights in Brazil.
Currently, Líder Aviação has five Business Units - Helicopter Operations, Executive Chartering, Maintenance, Aircraft Sales and Ground Handling - that provide an extensive portfolio of products and services, besides aviation insurance, flight simulator training and a Pilot Training Center.
A pioneer in executive aviation, Líder Aviação is a leading company in this segment, found in more than 20 airports in Brazil and holding a substantial fleet of over 60 aircraft.
The company’s continuous growth and improvement is the result of the effort of over 1,500 employees, supported by the company’s pillars – safety, promptness and quality – building a successful story.
The 50s
• 1958
Líder Táxi Aéreo is founded on November 12, in Belo Horizonte/MG, by José Afonso Assumpção.
The company operates with only one single engine aircraft Cessna 170 A.
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The 60s
• 1961
The company’s fleet amounts to 12 single engine Cessna, models 180 and 182.
The company purchases Beechcraft D18S, the first twin-engine aircraft used in charter flights in Brazil.
Líder Táxi Aéreo concentrates its operations in Belo Horizonte and Ipatinga, establishing flights in the metallurgical area in Minas Gerais on a regular basis, supporting the development of the iron ore industry in the state.• 1963
The market witnesses a revolution in the executive aviation segment: Líder Táxi Aéreo introduces three Aero Commander 500B to its fleet, larger aircraft enabling longer non-stop domestic flights.Líder Aviação hangar at Pampulha Airport, Belo Horizonte/MG starts operations.
The company expands its service portfolio: aircraft maintenance, hangaring, aircraft sales and importation assistance.• 1964
The company’s fleet plays a strategic role in the construction of Três Marias/MG and Salto Grande/MG dams, connecting the country’s major cities to the construction sites.
• 1965
Líder Táxi Aéreo becomes a corporation (LLC).Go to the top
The 70s
• 1971
Líder becomes Learjet (aircraft manufacturer) representative in Brazil.
Líder Aviação hangar at Santos Dumont Airport, Rio de Janeiro/RJ starts operations.• 1972
Operations supporting RADAM project in the Amazon area are launched, featuring an aircraft equipped with radars and specific instruments.
Líder Aviação hangar at Congonhas Airport, São Paulo/SP starts operations.• 1973
The company is awarded the bid of providing services to Petrobrás, connecting the oil drilling platforms along Brazilian coast. For this contract Líder purchases eight Sikorsky S-58T helicopters.
Líder Aviação hangar at Brasília Airport, Brasília/DF starts operations.• 1975
Learjet launches turbofan equipped jets model 35 - quieter and more economical – that are incorporated into Lider’s fleet.
The company builds a hangar in Belém, Pará.• 1978
New headquarter office building opens in Belo Horizonte.Go to the top
The 80s
• 1984
Líder becomes the representative of Bell Helicopter Textron in Brazil.
The company reaches a leading position in the executive aviation market in South America.
Líder portfolio is expanded. Besides Learjet and Bell, the company becomes the representative of Bendix King, Rockwell Collins and Honeywell (electronic instruments), and Allied-Signal Aerospace (turbines).
• 1986
Líder opens a base in Macaé, Rio de Janeiro.
• 1988
Bell Helicopter Textron launches sales of military helicopter models. At this time Líder sets a partnership contract with Flight Safety International.Go to the top
The 90s
• 1995
Líder becomes the representative of one of the biggest aircraft manufacturers in the world: Raytheon Aircraft Company, currently Hawker Beechcraft Corporation.
The company builds a new hangar at Congonhas Airport, São Paulo.
Incorporation of helicopters Sikorsky S-76A in the company’s own fleet.• 1997
Líder purchases intercontinental jets Hawker 800.
• 1998
Líder acquires ATP - Aero Táxi Pampulha.
Opening of Hangar III at Pampulha Airport, Belo Horizonte.
Opening of hangar in Manaus, Amazonas.Go to the top2000 - 2008
• 2000
Amounting to 1,000 employees, Líder establishes partnerships with international companies such as BBA-Signature and Composite Technology Inc. (CTI), among others.
As a result of the partnership with CTI, it is established Composite Technology do Brasil (CTBrasil).• 2001
Opening of Jacarepaguá Base (Rio de Janeiro) for maintenance services.
Construction of Hangar IV at Pampulha Airport, in Belo Horizonte.
Incorporation of one more Hawker 800 aircraft in the company’s charter flight fleet.
As a result of the joint venture with BBA, the businesses units Aircraft Maintenance and Ground Handling start to be controlled by Líder Signature.• 2002
The first aircraft Premier I (Raytheon) built with all-composite fuselage arrives in Brazil. This aircraft revolutionizes the executive aviation segment. The technology used in the aircraft’s fuselage provides more internal space and lower operational and maintenance costs. Premier I has a more spacious cabin and the highest speed in its category.
The company’s own fleet reaches 20 airplanes and 27 helicopters.
Belém Base is reactivated and Recife Base is opened.
• 2003
Líder starts representing CAE SimuFlite for the sales of mechanic training program and flight simulators.
Líder terminates the sales representative contract with Bell Helicopter Textron. Líder Signature workshops continue providing all maintenance services for Bell helicopters in the bases of Recife, Brasília, Congonhas and Jacarepaguá, keeping the same quality and reliability as a Bell Helicopter Textron authorized service center.
Líder purchases 10 helicopters Sikorsky S-76C+.
The Helicopter Operations Unit is awarded with the accreditation ISO 9001:2000.• 2004
Líder purchases new 10 helicopters S76-C+ for offshore operations.
Opening of a new hangar in Macaé, Rio de Janeiro.
Líder sets a representation contract for helicopter models of Helibras/Eurocopter.• 2005
Líder changes its branding to LÍDER AVIAÇÃO aiming at showing the comprehensive range of services and products provided by the company.
Ground Handling Unit achieves accreditation to ISO 9001:2000.
• 2006
Hawker Beechcraft Corporation launches three new aircraft: Hawker 750, Hawker 900XP e King Air C90GT.
Hawker 4000 is accredited by FAA (Federal Aviation Administration).
The company opens Líder Training Center, ratified by ANAC (National Civil Aviation Agency). It is the first training center belonging to an executive aviation company to be ratified by ANAC.
Partnership with CEMIG is established, providing inspection and maintenance services in transmission lines, using Bell 206 L4 helicopters.
The company purchases 6 new S-76C++ helicopters for offshore operations.• 2007
Opening of Vitória Base, Espírito Santo and Fortaleza Base, Ceará.
Líder terminates the sales representative contract with Helibras/Eurocopter, keeping the maintenance services as an Authorized Service Center.
Hawker Beechcraft Corporation launches new models: King Air C90GTi and B200GT.
Líder Aviação reaches a sales record, amounting to 55 sold aircraft.
ONEX Partners and GS Capital Partners acquire Raytheon Aircraft Company, being renamed Hawker Beechcraft Corporation.
• 2008
Líder purchases four S76-C++ helicopters for offshore operations.
Líder Aviação celebrates its Golden Jubilee.
The aircraft Premier II is launched.
Jacarepaguá Hangar in Rio de Janeiro is opened.
The aircraft Hawker 450XP is launched.
The aircraft King Air 350i is launched.
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