Story ID: 575
Universal Private Transport Expands
By: Curt Epstein
Caption: A year on, the joint-venture between Universal Aviation and Weather and FAM International is now available at over 900 airports worldwide.
Word Count: 465
In the year since its launch at last year’s NBAA convention, Universal Private Transport, the ground transportation joint venture between Universal Weather and Aviation and global security consultant FAM International, has doubled its global reach and is now providing service at more than 900 airports around the world.

The independent company (Booth C10431) draws from Universal’s aviation trip management and logistical expertise and combines that with FAM’s international ground transport network. It conducts thorough vetting of ground transportation providers to ensure professional, courteous drivers and clear communications.

“We launched Universal Private Transport because of the risk and stress this critical service was adding to our customer’s missions,” explained Universal chairman Greg Evans, adding the company averages nearly four ground transportation requests per trip. “What our clients really like is having one contact number for all their ground transportation requests, no matter how many stops they have. They know they’ll get the right car, on time and that when plans change, there’s no ripple effect because we see the entire scope of the mission and adjust accordingly.”

The company’s system allows users to make arrangements and changes via phone, e-mail, SMS or online, and can manage their preferences for receiving information. The company is currently on a pace for a 99.5 percent on-time delivery of all ground transport requests in 2017.

Universal has also launched a website for operators planning on visiting Russia next year for the 2018 World Cup. The tournament is scheduled for June 14 to 15 at 11 locations throughout the country, with the opening ceremony and final match slated for Moscow. It is estimated that as many as 3 million visitors will attend the games.

“Operators should begin pre-planning for this event, as the increased traffic will limit services such as parking and hotels, and create delays at the airports themselves,” noted Dmitry Konovalov, general director of Universal Aviation Russia. His team will be on the ground 24/7 during the event to provide supervision and personal assistance at all key airports.

“Based on our experience with previous high-traffic events like the 2014 World Cup and the Sochi Winter Olympics," Konovalov said, "we anticipate Notams will be issued three to six months prior to the event and slots will be allocated two to three weeks before the opening ceremony.”

The website will be updated as information changes, and experts from its Russian division will be on hand at the company’s booth at NBAA 2017 to discuss planning strategies.

On Wednesday at the show, representatives from Universal Private Transport, Universal subsidiary Air Culinaire Worldwide and RocketRoute will also be demonstrating seamless ordering of fuel, handling, catering and ground transport, between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. at the Universal booth.