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    • Government and Industry Affairs

    Government and Industry Affairs

    At Universal, we understand that a strong business aviation industry is important not just for our company but for the global economies we serve. Whether opposing onerous legislation, such as user fees for private aviation, helping attract aviation’s future generation, or working with authorities to make the world more business aviation-friendly, our Government and Industry Affairs team was created to lobby for and influence positive change for business aviation across the globe.

    Establishing relationships with authorities.

    We leverage our vast Global Community of experts and contacts around the world to help strengthen and develop key relationships with government agencies both in the United States and internationally, with a primary focus on Civil Aviation and related authorities. We participate in key business aviation industry associations and foster ongoing communication and collaboration with various governing bodies, industry partners, and business aviation associations regarding regulations, policies, and best practices affecting our industry. Additionally, we are tasked with developing professional relationships with officials and their representative staff to pursue operational and functional improvements for the business aviation industry. As new regulations arise, this team will also work very closely with our Global Regulatory Services Team to educate and communicate changes to our client base and partners.

    Making a difference for our industry.

    By working closely and collaborating with various governing bodies, industry partners, and business aviation associations, we’ve been able to influence change such as, defeating damaging user fee legislation, easing permit lead times in India, streamlining U.S. Pre-clearance requirements, and adding additional slots for business aviation in high risk, high stress locations like Hong Kong. We also address challenges the industry faces like the upcoming shortage of trained aviation professionals by supporting individuals and organizations that create awareness of the opportunities available within business aviation.

    • Explore operational insights from our blog.

      • Ops Update: New Random Ramp Checks in Mexico – What you need to know
        by Juan Muniz on December 4, 2019 at 14:42

        As part of a crackdown on illegal charter flights in Mexico from N-Registerd Part 91 operators, AFAC has implemented random ramp checks of all foreign flights. The ramp checks are taking place ramdomly at every airport in Mexico. The complete list of documentation required for the ramp check has been published by AFAC and if operators have all documents available, the entire process should last around 30 minutes. The post Ops Update: New Random Ramp Checks in Mexico – What you need to know appeared first on Universal® Operational Insight Blog.

      • Business Aviation Destination Guide: San Jose, Costa Rica
        by Delmark Muir on November 30, 2019 at 20:21

        ALERT: New GAT at MROC now open Costa Rica’s first-ever general aviation terminal, exclusively available to international private operations at Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO/MROC), will officially open in December 2019. Visit GAT-SJO.com for more details. For business aircraft operators, setting up a flight to San Jose (SJO/MROC) is not a difficult proposition, and there’s nothing onerous from the regulatory perspective. With the opening of Costa Rica’s first-ever general aviation terminal in December 2019, the experience and security for business aviation operators is now significantly enhanced. It’s essential to work with your trip support provider and the local ground handler The post Business Aviation Destination Guide: San Jose, Costa Rica appeared first on Universal® Operational Insight Blog.

      • Everything you need to know about Costa Rica’s first-ever GAT at MROC
        by Delmark Muir on November 24, 2019 at 15:08

        In mid-December 2019, Costa Rica’s first-ever general aviation terminal (GAT) will officially open for business aviation traffic at San Jose (MROC) Juan Santamaría International Airport (MROC/SJO). The opening of the GAT will have a significant and positive enhancement on private operators’ experience in Costa Rica by drastically reducing their time on the ground. The post Everything you need to know about Costa Rica’s first-ever GAT at MROC appeared first on Universal® Operational Insight Blog.

      • UPDATE: How the new GAT at SBGR in Sao Paulo impacts business aviation
        by Adonis Bastos on November 23, 2019 at 14:40

        A new general aviation terminal recently opened at Description at São Paulo Guarulhos International Airport (SBGR). Since the opening, there has been confusion among operators on whether they are required to use the GAT, if they still need a ground handler, and how pricing of the GAT is charged. Here’s what you need to know. The post UPDATE: How the new GAT at SBGR in Sao Paulo impacts business aviation appeared first on Universal® Operational Insight Blog.