Press Release

Issued by UAS International Trip Support.

October 26, 2015

Leading international trip support provider, UAS, has recruited two station managers, one for Senegal and one for the Democratic Republic of Congo, two critical strategic and economic hubs of the continent. It's part of the company's growth plan to position a station manager in every country on the African continent.

Senegal is a currently a crucial center facilitating technical stops for a growing amount of flights, and as a busy U.N. hub, DRC is in urgent need of a better quality service. The UAS station managers will work side-by-side with local ground handlers with access to all ramp activities at the two locations so they can also ensure quality and timely ground handling services and fuel delivery.

Strategically located at the western-most tip of Africa, the airport of Dakar in Senegal is considered the most important gateway into Africa from the Americas. It's a convenient technical stop location for international traffic and the presence of a station manager will add significant value to the client experience as well as ensuring all flights operate on-time. Johnson Akinrefon has over ten years hands-on experience as a trip support specialist in both the west and central sub-regions. Having previously been station manager at Dakar, he has extensive knowledge of the airport and the region and is perfectly placed to enhance the safety of operations, minimize language barriers, and coordinate credit for aviation fuel and services on behalf of UAS clients. 

The fast-growing economy and geographic importance of the Democratic Republic of Congo, along with a complex network of airports and underdeveloped aviation infrastructure result in complex and often frustrating bureaucratic procedures and opportunity for setbacks. With over a decade of experience in DRC, Kitumaini Pourquoi Rukiko is an expert in flight operations, ground handling, trip planning and support, charters and cargo. With fluent English, French and Swahili, Kitumaini's local knowledge and vast experience will guarantee UAS clients the smoothest transitions in and out of DRC. He will also provide ground presence in neighboring Congo.

UAS has significantly established itself in Africa since opening a continental headquarters in Johannesburg and regional offices in Lagos and in Nairobi in the first quarter of 2014. Also last year a number of industry experts were hired to provide flight and ground support in nine key countries across the continent. “We now have people in Senegal, Congo, DRC, Cameroon, Cote D'Ivoire, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Mali, Nigeria, and South Africa,” said Wynand Meyer, UAS regional director, Africa. “And with a goal to have a UAS station manager on the ground in every country in Africa, this is only the latest investment in what will be an extraordinary foothold in the continent,” he adds.

“It's crucial to have a local and experienced professional who understand the intricacies of the airport and the region,” says Mr. Omar Hosari, co-founder and ceo of UAS. “That is exactly what we are giving our clients; the priceless feeling of not having to worry about a thing. From now on it's going to be a highly enhanced experience flying into these locations,” he adds.

UAS clients can rely on their station manager for reliable and up-to-date NOTAMS, air traffic news and updates, regulatory requirements in addition to any local operational guidance that can affect the success of their mission.