Feras, the American-founded executive flight support company active since 1992 in Eastern Europe, Russia and CIS countries, has inaugurated new facilities to support increased activities, which nearly doubled last year.

While the company does not operate aircraft, its services include assistance with overflight and landing permits, visa assistance, credit and change for air navigation and airport fees, translations, catering, security, lounge and conference rooms and charter arrangements. Feras handles an average of 200 monthly flights.

This year, Feras has opened a new operations center in Kiev, Ukraine, and has moved into larger facilities at both Prague and Moscow. The fourth major facility in Khabarovsk, in Russia’s Far East, continues its operations from its original location. The company has also opened six new support stations in Kazakhstan at Almaty, Astana, Atyrau, Aktau, Aktobe (Aktyubinsk) and at the Baikonur space center. The company has plans for additional major operations centers in Poland and Germany.

On the other hand, Feras has closed its support operation at the crowded Split Airport in Croatia, where airlines get preferential treatment, but will continue serving its customers from nearby Zadar Airport. Overall, Feras has some 100 support stations throughout its territory, in addition to four major operations centers.

Among a long list of planned improvements is the acquisition of a fleet of Mercedes Viano vans for rampside transportation for passengers and crews and the adoption of the NATA Safety 1st program, designed to improve working condition for the ramp staff. The program will be implemented by the end of the year at more than 25 airports where the company is active. Feras is at Booth No. 1426.