National Aviation Services (NAS), the leading airport services provider today announced the launch of its operations at Osvaldo Vieira International Airport in Guinea Bissau. In September 2020, NAS signed a 10-year contract for comprehensive ground handling services with the Guinea Bissau Ministry of Transport and Communications. This is a first of its kind public private partnership in the country between the Government and a foreign private company. The only international airport in the country, Osvaldo Vieira is a hub for exports of fresh seafood and agriculture to Europe, as well as tourism into the country. As part of the contract, NAS will provide its expertise in ramp, passenger and engineering services to TAP Portugal, Royal Air Maroc, Air Atlantic, Air Senegal and Asky among other airlines operating at the airport. The services include check-in, boarding, maintenance and cleaning.
Hassan El-Houry, Group CEO, NAS said, “Over the years, NAS has invested heavily in terms of resources and expertise to help put Africa on the aviation map globally. We introduced enhanced services, state of the art equipment, upgraded or new facilities and above all training to develop local talent. By collaborating with the Guinea-Bissau Ministry of Transport and Communication to provide ground-handling services, we have hit another milestone by being a part of the first public private partnership in the country. Considering this was in the middle of a global pandemic makes it even more significant to us as well as the Guinea-Bissau aviation sector.”
With NAS entering the aviation industry in Guinea-Bissau, the country will now offer international and local airlines world class ground handling services. This will help build competitiveness for the airport, develop trade, grow tourism and encourage further foreign investments to drive economic prosperity in Guinea-Bissau. The local population will also benefit with job opportunities and economic stability.
NAS operations are staffed by the existing airport employees who have been trained to match the highest global standards. Continued training and career development is also on the charts for these employees. Safety and security will be a key area of focus for NAS, that is ISAGO, ISO, OHSAS and RA3 certified.
El-Houry highlighted, “At NAS, employees remain at the core of our business. As a part of our development plan in the country, we are committed to investing in training of the existing employees and upgrade of equipment and infrastructure where needed. This ensures that we not only do our job but also deliver a high quality of service both safely and securely, following the best industry standards and practices, to airlines in the region.”
NAS provides ground handling services to over 100 airlines globally. With an average on time performance (OTP) of 98 percent across its operations, the company has demonstrated expertise in supporting local hub carriers across its network. NAS also manages more than 50 airport lounges and offers an expanded portfolio of aviation services that include innovative technology solutions.
El-Houry emphasized, “With the pandemic, the last year has been exceptionally challenging for us but we remain confident about the potential of Africa’s development. The addition of Guinea-Bissau to our network has further strengthened our presence in West Africa where our African hub is located. Our long term goal continues to be the enhancement of the African aviation industry to help drive its economic prosperity.”