Aircraft leasing firm second Kenyan firm to join IATA

ALS Ltd becomes the second Kenyan airline to join IATA, marking another milestone in the company’s quest to grow its business and improve quality of service.

NAIROBI, Monday Sept. 26, 2011 – ALS Ltd today became the second Kenyan airline to join IATA, marking another milestone in the company’s quest to grow its business and improve quality of service. The International Air Transport Association is the world’s umbrella body for airlines and aviation-related businesses and admission to it is taken as a vote of confidence in air safety standards.

ALS Ltd chief executive officer Cornwell Muleya said the company was admitted to the body on September 12 this year after passing the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA), which is the benchmark in assessing the management and control systems of an airline.

“IATA membership opens new markets with all major international carriers which can only transfer passengers to IOSA-registered airlines  and confirms our position as a safe provider of aviation solutions,” Mr Muleya said after it received the certificate today at the company’s offices at Wilson Airport.

The certificate was presented by Mr Mike Higgins, the IATA regional director for Africa, and Mr Hassim Pondor, the regional country manager East Africa and Indian Ocean region, to ALS Group chairman Aslam Khan and Mr Muleya.

ALS expects to use this new status to further diversify and increase its business through strategic alliances and partnerships. IATA membership also enhances ALS’s standing as a category “A” supplier of aviation solutions, he added. “In East Africa,” Mr Muleya said, “ we are second only to Kenya Airways and Precisionair which are the other members of IATA and we are the first company in general aviation to take this step.”

IATA membership is renewed annually subject to meeting IOSA status and standards. ALS recently signed a one-year lease agreement with Southern Sudanese airline Southern Star for a Sh400 million 37-seater Dehavilland Dash 8 aircraf and is eyeing more passenger and cargo plane businesses in the new state.

IATA officials urged African governments to ensure airlines get the international certification to enhance safety and expand their market opportunities. “We now have only 22 airlines as members from Africa,” said Mr Mike Higgins, the IATA’s regional vice-president for Africa. ‘Safety is paramount and we hope all airlines can strive to attain this status.”

Mr Muleya, who was accompanied by ALS management led by  the Chairman of the Group Mr Aslam Khan, said the company, which has a fleet of 22 aircraft for leasing, has plans of acquiring  50-seat planes for anticipated business with scheduled airlines and contract markets. Aircraft being considered include the Embraer 145 jet and the Dash 8-300 to meet the growing demand for its services and strategic alliances with IATA registered airlines.

“With IATA certification, customers should expect a peace of mind that ALS does not take any shortcuts when it comes to safety,” Mr Muleya said. “This is only one of our ultimate achievements as we have also met the stringent requirements of the UN, ICRC and WFP and oil companies and continue to strive on improving our already high and internationally accepted standards.”