News & Media

NAS CEO Hassan El-Houry Selected as Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum

Kuwait : Tuesday, March 11, 2014

The World Economic Forum has selected Hassan El Houry, chief executive officer of Agility’s National Aviation Services (NAS) affiliate, as a Young Global Leader for 2014. El Houry, 35, has led NAS, an airport and aviation services company, through a period of strong growth in emerging markets countries in the Middle East, Africa and Asia. Under El Houry, NAS has expanded its services to include airport terminal management and airport IT services, in addition to ground handling and other core services. Its strategy is to meet the fast-growing demand for aviation services in emerging markets countries. El Houry is among 214 global executives selected this year to be a WEF Young Global Leader, a group that now includes more than 900 individuals worldwide. The program brings accomplished young executives together and challenges them to address problems by delivering “change of genuine global significance.” “Young Global Leaders are not just exceptional people in their own right: they are leaders that already have a track record in improving the state of the world,” said David Aikman, managing director and head of the New Champions at WEF. El Houry said he was honored and said his selection is acknowledgment of the critical role aviation access and service plays in development. “We believe that aviation is not just an important commercial industry but that it also adds tremendous value to local economies,” El Houry said. “If you are a farmer in the southern Sahara, one of your business objectives is to get your goods to international markets as quickly as possible. The best way to do that is by air. The best way to get medicines, new technology and other supplies is also by air. Business people need connectivity to stakeholders and customers. By providing this access, we are adding tremendous value to people and growing economies.” WEF’s Young Global Leaders must be aged under 40. They are vetted by a WEF team and the blue chip executive search firm Heidrick & Struggles. The final step in the selection process is a screening by a selection committee chaired by H.M. Queen Rania Al Abdullah of Jordan. Young Global Leaders at WEF have three objectives: •Engage in networks and processes that look for forward-looking and innovative solutions to the problems faced by humankind •Learning: to transform the next generation of leaders through personal experiences that build knowledge and engender better understanding of global, regional and industry agendas •Action: to positively impact global challenges by engaging Young Global Leaders in initiative and dialogues related to specific challenges they have identified

About National Aviation Services National Aviation Services (NAS) is the fastest growing aviation services provider in emerging markets and three times winner of the prestigious “Best Ground Handler in Emerging Markets” award. From its initial operations in Kuwait in 2003, NAS has quickly transformed into a leading airports service provider with a presence across three continents. Our portfolio of services includes Ramp and Passenger Services, Cargo Handling, Engineering Services and Line Maintenance, Airport Technologies, FBO management, Aviation Training Center, Travel Agency and the Pearl Assist product which includes lounges and meet & assist services. NAS prides itself in providing world class aviation solutions and is affiliated with leading industry organizations such as IGHC, GASA, ACI & EASA and follows practices of ISO, EMS & OHSAS. As one of the first ground handlers in the world to obtain the ISAGO certification, this illustrates NAS’ commitment to providing a high quality service, with a focus on safety and security. For more information about NAS, visit www.nascorporate.com LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/national-aviation-services Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/nasglobal Twitter: https://twitter.com/HassanElHoury