Our Story

We’re looking at what it takes for missions to be successful by looking beyond the notional trip and bulletproofing the three critical components of every mission: Readiness, Feasibility, and Execution. By blending high-touch expertise with advanced technology, we’re empowering international operators to maximize their operating flexibility and successfully complete missions with less friction than they ever have before.

The global pandemic creates unprecedented operational complexity. Universal becomes the industry’s primary resource for navigating rapidly changing travel restrictions, developing real-time solutions and digital tools to help operators manage dynamic regulatory environments. Sustainability services also expand, including carbon management and emissions reporting solutions.

As regulations multiply and evolve, Universal transitions from logistics coordination to mission consultancy. Our role expands to helping operators interpret changing requirements, pressure-test operational strategies, and anticipate regulatory challenges before they impact missions.

International regulations grow increasingly complex. Universal develops deep expertise in global compliance, permit processing, and regulatory navigation, becoming a trusted advisor for managing the growing complexity of international business aviation operations.

Rapid technological change transforms the aviation industry. Universal evolves alongside it, launching early online flight planning tools and digital weather services. Early adoption of technology positions the company as a leader in modernizing trip support operations.

Demand for trip support services accelerates rapidly. Universal relocates its headquarters to a larger facility near Houston Hobby Airport, where it operates for the next two decades, while continuing to expand international permits, ground handling, and trip coordination capabilities.

As international business aviation grows, Universal builds a worldwide network of trusted ground handlers and service providers. Company-owned handling offices open in key markets including Mexico, the United Kingdom, and Spain, forming the global infrastructure that remains core to operations today.

Universal expands beyond weather forecasting into flight planning and trip coordination services, pioneering a comprehensive approach to trip support at a time when no such model existed. This marks the beginning of true end-to-end international mission support.

A second office opens in Houston, becoming Universal’s new headquarters. The company is rebranded as Universal Weather and Aviation, Inc., introducing the iconic plane-and-radar logo that continues to inspire the Universal brand today.

Tom Evans, a former U.S. Air Force meteorologist, recognizes that business aviation requires specialized weather forecasting distinct from commercial operations. He founds Southwest Flight Forecast and Industrial Weather Service, Inc. at Love Field in Dallas, Texas, laying the foundation for what would become Universal.