UAS International Trip Support has seen business improve in the past six months as it prepares for increased movements at next year's World Expo in Dubai, refines its 13-strong FBO network in China, and continues to make market inroads with its successful Evolution Suite advanced aviation technology.
“The past six months have been good. We see a slight pickup [of late] in the number of flights and movements in business aviation trips,” Mohammed Husary, UAS co-founder and executive president, told AIN at the Dubai Airshow. Official data shared by Dubai South, the operator of Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC), showed a 26 percent increase in business aviation flights to and from Dubai in the first half of the year.
“It's really improving," he said. "This is probably related to the global economic environment that has been there since the tension between the U.S. and China. Also, a big factor contributing to that is the Dubai Expo 2020—I think all eyes now are on the UAE, and Dubai specifically.”
Asked if the Expo would boost the regional business aviation industry with increased movements, Husary sounded optimistic. “I don't have a specific projection, but I estimate that it will be one of the busiest periods in this [region’s history],” he said. “We are making good headway, promoting and pushing our U.S. technology, Evolution Suite. We have good feedback from the clients and the pilots on the quality and efficiency of the system."
Husary said the show was an opportunity for industry players to do business. “Although the Dubai Airshow is mainly for commercial and military, it has still been a norm to have some business aviation presence as well at the venues and meetings. It's always related. For us, it makes sense to be at Dubai Airshow, to do some new things to reach industry colleagues.”
UAS held a ceremony at Jet Aviation’s FBO at Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) on November 18 to honor companies that have helped it by acting as suppliers over the past 12 months. Among companies to win the coveted awards for regional best handlers were Egypt’s Z-Aviation Services in Africa; ExecuJet Middle East in UAS’s home region of the Gulf; and Brazil’s Lider Aviacao for the Americas. Guest of honor at the event was Ali Alnaqbi, founding and executive chairman of the Middle East and North Africa Business Aviation Association (MEBAA).