National Aviation Services to expand in Indian subcontinent

NAS has expanded at breakneck speed over the past few years and is currently one of the fastest growing airline ground handling companies in the region. Having begun in late 2003 handling one airline, today NAS boasts of handling 20 scheduled international airlines, the likes of British Airways, KLM, Lufthansa, Emirates, Qatar Airways and Jazeera Airways to name a few in addition to handling private charter flights, VIPs and flights for the US Military.

NAS is a company that is changing the face of the industry within the region and although it has gained respect from airlines and government authorizes alike for their exemplary ground handling, passenger, cargo and engineering services, it is always creating new buzz by introducing new or innovative concepts at the airport.

NAS has been credited with introducing several new concepts at the Kuwait Airport for instance the Hala Kuwait Meet & Assist, where departing and arriving passengers are assisted with their check-in, baggage and immigration formalities thus easing their travel stress and making their trip more memorable.

NAS has also re-introduced the concept of proper airport lounges by creating the Pearl Lounge, the first of its kind at the Kuwait Airport with a modern and contemporary look, five star catering and fantastic ambience in addition to a dedicated smoking room, a children's play area and a well equipped business center.

Another new concept being introduced, that is new not only in Kuwait but in the region is the NAS semi-private terminal where-in passengers will be able to check-in, get their baggage screened and expedite their immigration formalities with a help of an able account manager within the confines of the terminal. Scheduled to be officially launched in March this year, the semi-private terminal will cater to the top businessmen of the countries, CEOs, Presidents, Directors, Heads of States, Diplomats and celebrities for whom privacy and ease of use while traveling is of utmost importance.

"We have set new standards and benchmarks at the Kuwait International Airport and these efforts have been recognized by airlines, passengers and even the government authorities & we have been felicitated for our accomplishments" said Al-Askar, who is the Director of Business Development at NAS.

In his short address he commented on how NAS started its operation in Kuwait with KLM and almost four years later has twenty airlines customers who are benefiting form high quality ground handling services from the company.

"We see our addition to the Kuwait International Airport not as a competitor but as a service provider that adds value to the existing market in Kuwait" he said, adding "The Kuwait Airport had a passenger traffic growth rate of 3% before NAS came into the picture. Between 2003 and 2007, the growth rate has increased to 11% while the flight rate has increased from 2% before the year 2003 to 16% in 2007."

NAS has provided a passenger services to over 1.25 million passengers in 2007 which is 40% of the total passengers in Kuwait Airport. If we exclude the passengers of Kuwait Airways, NAS has provided its services to 62 % of Kuwait Airport passengers which is very commendable for a company that started with one airline in 2003.

"We are currently running an efficient operation at the Kuwait International Airport, have a fully operational station handling the Aqaba Air Cargo Terminal at Aqaba, Jordan and will soon be commencing operations in the UAE and the Indian subcontinent." He continued adding "We are very dedicated to providing customized solutions to our airline customers and it is largely due to our efficient workforce with relevant industry experience and knowledge coupled with the foresight and dedicate of our management that we have reached this stage."

"The world is getting smaller and smaller every day thanks for technological advancements and an improving travel industry which we are wholeheartedly a part of and competition is no longer local. In order to stay ahead of the pack we aim to compete with international players. We are not satisfied with our accomplishments as yet and aim to reach the pinnacle of success" concluded Al-Askar.