UAS, the Dubai-based flight support company that is in the process of setting up offices worldwide, is making inroads in the Far East, the U.S., India and Africa, and is unveiling new software here at EBACE.

“The past 12 months have seen UAS build on its capabilities in the Asia Pacific and Greater China. It has also significantly increased its portfolio of clients at its Americas headquarters in Houston, and is coming closer to realizing its goal of placing a station manager in every country on the African continent,” Mohammed Husary, co-founder and executive president, UAS (Booth E065), told AIN in an interview before EBACE.

A number of important strategic partnerships formed since August 2015 have seen it solidify its foothold in the Asia Pacific region. “Most recently, we have entered a strategic partnership with Aviation Concepts Group that sees us significantly boost service capabilities and offer clients more location options and higher quality in the Asia Pacific region,” said Husary.

He spoke of “tremendous growth” in that region in the previous nine months. “Our clients can access hangarage, technical support and other facilities at Pacific FBOs in Subic Bay, Manila, and Guam. Three strategic partnerships last year with FBOs and service providers T&T Aviation in Vietnam, IASS in Tokyo, and Bali FBO operator PT Sari Biomantara, saw us strengthen service levels to meet increasing client demands.”

Recently, UAS’s regional office in Beijing began operating 24/7 to cope with the rapid increase in demand for reliable trip support solutions in Greater China. Similarly, its regional office in New Delhi, India, has been increasing its market presence since establishment a year ago. UAS also has station offices in 13 African countries, with another two about to open.  

“There is no substitute for the professionalism of local and regional staff who not only have a thorough understanding of local regulations and business culture, but also awareness of international procedures and the support of our extensive global network,” Husary said.

“In Africa, we are steadily building the most extensive ground presence available on the continent. Just this month, we placed a new station manager in Congo, bringing the total to 13, and constant expansion is on our agenda for the remainder of 2016 and beyond.”

From an operational viewpoint, he said challenges existed to ensure compliance with CAA and regulatory bodies for every category of flight operator and purpose.

“Because rules on entry requirements and permit applications change regularly in many jurisdictions, it is our responsibility to ensure we are always aware of the latest requirements in every country worldwide and to remain ahead of the game in this respect,” added Husary.

Emergency situations like the recent Zika and Ebola epidemics, as well as terrorism threats, require operational knowledge and experience to plan around and work through. “We have a vast network of preferred vendors, allowing clients instant access to credit for services at airports they are visiting for the first time or do not operate to regularly. This is something that is vital to clients and a great opportunity for us to excel.”

Most of the current activity is in North America, Asia Pacific and the Middle East. “It is important that the world economy does not experience another serious downturn, [which] remains a possibility at this time,” said Husary.

Saudi Arabia had plans to open FBO facilities in Dammam, while several better-known FBO operators were seeking opportunities to purchase existing FBOs or invest in new facilities. Of late, this activity had also been seen in Europe, the U.S. and South Africa         

Flight Evolution Software

UAS is also introducing a new software tool here at EBACE. “UAS Flight Evolution is a cutting-edge technological development from UAS Evolution, the most comprehensive suite of online and mobile flight-planning tools available for business aviation. It is highly sophisticated, while being easy to use, convenient, and highly efficient,” said Husary. “It provides a new standard of user experience. We’ll be demonstrating its capabilities and features at the UAS booth at EBACE 2016.”