STRATEGIC AVIATION SERVICES Changing the Face of Ground Services, One Airport at a Time BY MARJOLEIN LLOYD
H
ave you ever wondered about the people who clean the aircraft interior, de-ice the planes, tow the aircraft, handle your baggage, or even check you in for your flight? You probably think that the airline staff always handles such jobs. But, in fact, there are aviation service companies that take care of these responsibilities in many cases.
With its head office in Kelowna, Strategic Aviation Services (SAS) is a multi-functional aviation service company, providing ground services at a number of regional and small airports. SAS has concrete plans to move into large airport servicing within 2012.
Aaron Young, President and CEO of SAS and Jim Morash, CA, Chief Operating Officer/Chief Financial Officer discussed the significant role that SAS plays in the airline industry, and on a more personal scale, the effect that SAS has on the whole flying experience of the travelling public. After all, when you’re taking on such responsibilities as passenger check- in, baggage handling, aircraft grooming and providing inflight catering, the quality and effectiveness of these services are bound to leave a lasting impression with passengers.
Founded in 2006 by Young, SAS has enjoyed rapid growth since its inception. It was awarded its first contract in Grande Prairie with Jazz and within 13 months had quickly expanded to Yellowknife servicing Jazz and WestJet in both airports. In 2008, SAS added Fort McMurray and Kelowna into the mix with contracts with Jazz in both airports and Air Canada in Fort McMurray within a month of each other. In 2009, services in Castlegar were initiated.
FOCUS ON EXCELLENCE SAS prides itself on the positive and motivational atmosphere it has created for its workforce, which, depending
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on the season currently fluctuates between 85 and 100 staff. Their focus on excellence means that employees are their core strength and customer needs are always put first. Safety is a number one priority throughout all operations, and the high quality of training that each employee is put through guarantees that customer service is of the highest quality in the industry.
Largely focused on the company’s commitment to excellence for both its customers and employees, Young refers to the saying he believes in, that an army is only as strong as its weakest defense. “We want to be able to give our staff an employee experience that will elevate them. We need the best people to
Jim and Aaron inspect the ceiling paint job
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