By Dipo Olowookere
The fastest growing aviation services provider in the emerging markets, National Aviation Services (NAS), has been awarded the IATA Safety Audit for Ground Operations (ISAGO) certification for its Abidjan operations.
The NAS Abidjan ISAGO certification highlights the company’s ongoing commitment to safety and security across its network.
This is the most recent certification received by the company from IATA.
In 2008, NAS was among the first ground handling providers in the world to receive an ISAGO certification for its Kuwait operation. Since then this certification has been renewed five times.
Speaking on the development, CEO of NAS, Mr Hassan El Houry, stated that, “As we continue our aggressive network growth and expand our portfolio of products and services, we remain focused on high levels of service quality, safety and security.
“We are pleased to have NAS Abidjan ISAGO certified and look forward to getting all our operations ISAGO certified in the coming future.”
In Abidjan, NAS provides ground handling services at the Félix-Houphouët-Boigny International Airport serving 25 airlines and an average of 5,000 passengers per day. These operations are reinforced with more than 800 employees and 300 pieces of ground support equipment.
On his part, Minister of Transport in Cote d’Ivoire, Mr Amadou Kone, said, “By obtaining the ISAGO certification, NAS Cote d’Ivoire reaffirms its position as one of the leading ground handling companies in the world.
“This is the first time that the Felix Houphouet Boigny airport in Abidjan is recognized by ISAGO. This also grows the very short list of West African airports handled by an ISAGO certified handling company.
“I urge you to remain focused on high quality services. This is how we can together embrace, the challenge of making our airport the Hub of West Africa.”
Globally, NAS has a presence in more than 30 airports, handles five out of the top 10 airlines and manages 31 airport lounges in 12 countries across the Middle East, India, and Africa.