Universal Aviation, the ground support division of Universal Weather and Aviation, Inc., has announced a new global certification program designed to recognize and distinguish ground handlers around the world which have proven to meet the network’s stringent standards for safety, regulatory compliance, and customer service.

“The Universal Aviation® Certified program is designed to be an extension of our global ground support network and Global Community and will only be offered to the very best of our preferred ground handling partners, which have demonstrated that they share our core values and commitment to exceeding our clients’ expectations on the ground,” said Jonathan Howells, Senior Vice President, International, Universal.

“When our clients operate to a Universal Aviation Certified location, even in remote locales, they can have confidence that they will receive the same level of service and commitment that they would at a Universal Aviation location.”

As a Universal Aviation Certified member, locations will adhere to all Universal Aviation ground handling safety, customer service, and regulatory compliance standards - including compliance with international law such as the Foreign and Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and UK Bribery Act. Adherence to these standards will be managed via recurrent training and regular audits. Universal Aviation Certified members will benefit by being the primary handler on the field for receiving traffic from Universal and its clients. At their locations, they will display Universal Aviation Certified branding and signage, and will still maintain their own independent brand identities.

Universal Aviation Certified Members. (Clockwise) : ACE FBO, Iceland | FBO Aviasur, Chile | Aerohandlers, Malaysia | German Aviation Services, Germany.

Thus far five ground handlers signed agreements to be among the first Universal Aviation Certified locations in the network:

• ACE FBO - Iceland
• Aerohandlers - Malaysia
• German Aviation Services - Germany
• QAS Israel Ltd - Israel
• FBO Aviasur - Chile

“We’re excited to strengthen our relationship with these new Universal Aviation Certified members, and look forward to working with them to continue to support our clients’ critical missions,” said Howells.

For more information on the Universal Aviation Certified program or to discuss global ground handling questions, contact Dea Anne Barrett, Director, Global Partnership Management, Universal, at dbarrett@univ-wea.com