UAS International Trip Support has strengthened its network in China with the appointment of three new station managers at airports in Shanghai (Matthew Zhang), Chengdu (Wayne Zhao) and Guangzhou (Super Zhong). The additional staff will supplement the company’s presence in the Asia Pacific region, which has recently been augmented with the opening of a regional headquarters in Hong Kong and an office in Beijing.

In 2014, UAS, which has its global headquarters in Dubai, supported 65 percent more trips in the Asia Pacific region than it had in 2013. The company remains optimistic that general aviation growth will continue across Greater China.

“With the airport station managers, we now can provide even more immediate assistance to our clients,” said UAS co-founder and executive president Mohammed Husary. “Our station managers will not only be hands on with all cases, but will provide first-hand information to clients on site. This experience and knowledge is absolutely invaluable and enables us to easily deal with last-minute situations or changes.”

According to Husary, China’s vast area spanning 9.6 million square kilometers (3.7 million square miles) and 5,000 km (3,100 miles) from East to West, means that it cries out for the transportation flexibility that business aviation can deliver. “To reach remote and difficult locations, executive travelers will require a level of flight planning experience well above the norm,” he commented, adding that there is still a great need for access to be allowed to secondary and tertiary airports and for private terminals to be provided.

Many of the challenges that UAS helps clients to overcome relate to restrictions on foreign-registered aircraft, which make up around 73 percent of the Greater China fleet. For instance, these aircraft often have to take non-direct routes, find it hard to get landing slots, and face higher charges than locally registered aircraft. UAS prides itself on being able to help operators avoid the worst inconveniences of these restrictions, through sound planning and strong connections with local authorities.

UAS (Booth P581) is now planning further expansion across China and beyond. “We see growth not only coming from China but other emerging economies in Asia,” said co-founder and CEO Omar Hosari. “This is undoubtedly the most exciting continent when it comes to general aviation potential.” o