UAS launches regional office in Lagos

United Aviation Services (UAS), a provider of international trip support services for flight operators, VIP and government officials, launched a regional office in Lagos, Nigeria today.
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The office will coordinate UAS representatives and services in West and Central Africa, further enhancing its internationally recognized local support.  

Led by Abdul Oricha, (pictured right) an industry veteran with more than 15 years of experience in West Africa, the new office is part of a strategic initiative by UAS to expand its footprint across the continent.  

“With Africa and African aviation on the rise,” says Oricha, “first-class support services will be needed in major hubs as well as in more remote locations.” Oricha’s trip support and airline background extends to countries as diverse as Nigeria, Senegal, Cameroon, Niger Republic, Ghana, Equatorial Guinea, Togo, Chad, and Liberia. He will leverage this experience to initiate, build, and maintain relationships with civil aviation authorities, regulatory bodies, and third-party suppliers in the region.  

“It is an exciting time to be in West and Central Africa,” he adds. “The region’s close relationship with other emerging markets has made it vital to global business and has increased the demand for trip support. While our Dubai and Houston headquarters have provided exceptional service across the continent, a strong local presence is essential, not only to ensure that our clients receive top-level support, but also for demonstrating our commitment to economic and aviation development in the region.” 

The UAS regional office staff in Lagos will report to Wynand Meyer, director of business development Africa. The regional office will be managed from UAS’ Africa Headquarters in Johannesburg, South Africa. 

LOCAL ADVANTAGE 

Staff in the new UAS office in Lagos are all IATA trained and dedicated to surpassing international standards. Working with national UAS representatives and cutting-edge technology, the team can diagnose and anticipate travel and support issues well before they occur. Moreover, real-time monitoring of delays, equipment and fuel availability, gate changes, and trip-plan deviations allow staff to mitigate complications without compromising the level of service.   

“West Africa is a complex and challenging place to do business,” notes Oricha. “The regional office brings us closer to the action, allowing us to directly coordinate local agents and representatives. This means we can provide immediate and direct service – sometimes before clients even realise they need it.”