Universal Weather and Aviation, Inc. has expanded its growing global presence in Asia with the official opening of its new 24/7 Hong Kong-based trip support office, Trip Support Services Asia.

“Asia-based companies have realized the true value and flexibility their aircraft can provide, resulting in more trips both within and outside the region,” said Charlie Mularski, Vice President, Asia-Pacific Region, Universal. “To keep up with that growing demand, we’ve assembled a dedicated team of professional trip owners with local and cultural knowledge, providing 24/7 expertise to our Asia-based clients in their own time zone and language.

Including TSS Asia, Universal now has more than 200 employees in the Asia-Pacific region, including Universal Aviation ground support offices in China (Beijing, Guangzhou and Shanghai); India (New Delhi, Mumbai); Japan (Tokyo, Narita, Osaka-Kansai, Sapporo; Eastern Russia (Khabarovsk); Singapore; Australia (Sydney, Perth); Hawaii (Kona, Hilo, Honolulu, Kahului, Lanai, Lihue); and a UVair Fuel Operations Center in Singapore. Speaking at ABACE this week, Mr. Mularski has been demonstrating the company's expanding footprint in Asia, along with its complete solutions for the rapidly increasing number of Asia-based operators traveling regionally or outside the Asia-Pacific region. "We’ve been on the ground in Asia for more than 30 years, so we’ve grown with the market. Last year we saw a nearly 20 percent increase in China and regional business aviation movements in 2013 and there’s no slowdown in sight,” he said.

Charlie Mularski, Regional Vice President, APAC, Universal.

“To meet the increasing demand for services, we’re continuing to expand our global presence in the region. That includes adding additional resources and regional expertise to our team who know the region, language and culture, as well as new services and offices like TSS Asia.

Mularski said that Universal Asia-based clients are using their aircraft more and taking more trips outside of the region. Additionally, the company is gaining new clients, who are first-time owners and operators of business aircraft.

“Our clients in this region have high expectations for service and want a complete integrated solution from one provider, including trip management, ground support, fuel and online and mobile trip tools - all in their region, speaking their language. We’ll have our experts available in all of those areas to answer questions and provide one-on-one support at our exhibit.” Mularski added that while business aircraft usage and deliveries are up, the Asia-Pacific region is still a challenging operating environment, especially for new operators.

Edmond Yuen, Head of Trip Support Services Asia, Universal.

“I believe the growth in business aviation in Asia is sustainable, however, there are still challenges that require extensive pre-planning, and we’re here to help, regardless of the size of the aircraft or the scope of the trip,” he concluded.