Universal Aviation Enters Portugal & Cape Verde Markets

Through a Strategic Alliance with Safeport

Las Vegas (October 21, 2024) – Universal Aviation, the worldwide ground support division of Universal Weather and Aviation, Inc., announced today at NBAA-BACE 2024 a strategic partnership with Safeport, Portugal’s leading business aviation ground handler. This collaboration marks Universal Aviation’s first entry into both the rapidly growing Portuguese market and the strategic Cape Verde archipelago, significantly expanding its network and strengthening its logistical position for trip support on key Atlantic crossing routes.

The partnership will see all six of Safeport’s ground handling locations cobranded with Universal Aviation®, including:

Lisbon Airport (LIS/LPPT)
Cascais (LPCS)
Oporto (OPO/LPPR)
Beja (BYJ/LPBJ)
Faro (FAO/LPFR)
Sal Island, Cape Verde (SID/GVAC) – a strategic tech stop at the crossroads of the Atlantic

“Portugal’s thriving business aviation market, coupled with Cape Verde’s strategic importance for Atlantic crossings, presents a unique opportunity for growth, said Greg Evans, Chairman of Universal. “Safeport was the clear choice for this partnership due to their exceptional 30-year track record of top-tier service and deep local expertise. Their proven ability to handle high-profile clients—such as top executives, government officials, and celebrities—aligns perfectly with our commitment to delivering the highest standards of service and safety globally.”

Bernardo Pinherio, Representing Safeport – Portugal, Adolfo Aragon, SR Vice President, Universal Aviation, Catherine Evans, Universal Weather and Aviation, Claudia Evans, Universal Weather and Aviation, Greg Evans, Chairman, Universal Weather and Aviation, Pedro Duarte, Representing Safeport – Portugal. Sarah Evans, Universal Weather and Aviation, Ralph Vasami, CEO Universal Weather and Aviation, Charlie Mularski, President and COO, Universal Weather and Aviation

The collaboration brings together Safeport’s 30 years of local expertise with Universal’s global resources and network.

“Forming an alliance with Universal Aviation allows us to elevate our three decades of local expertise to a global scale,” said Paulo Mirpuri, President and CEO, Safeport. “Universal’s worldwide resources, cutting-edge information sharing, and renowned safety standards complement our deep understanding of the Portugal and Cape Verde markets. This collaboration enhances our service capabilities and opens doors to new international customers who recognize and trust the Universal Aviation brand. Together, we’re poised to set new benchmarks in business aviation services across our region.”

“By putting Universal® boots on the ground throughout Portugal and Cape Verde, we’re ensuring better mission lifecycle management for our Trip Support customers,” said Evans. “This means improved multi-city coordination and enhanced intelligence feeding our global network. Whether Portugal is the final destination or operators are using Sal Island as a tech stop, they’ll now experience the Universal Aviation brand they trust.”

For more information about this partnership and the enhanced services now available in Portugal and Cape Verde, please visit https://safeport.aero/ or visit Universal Weather and Aviation, Inc. at NBAA-BACE booth 3841.

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About Universal Weather and Aviation, Inc.

Flight departments partner with Universal for one reason – they need their international missions to execute smoothly and successfully. And that’s what we help operators do best. With us, you’ll have access to the industry’s best expertise, global resources, information, and technologies to amplify your flight department’s capabilities, and we’ll work tirelessly with you to eliminate sources of risk and friction from your missions. That’s why we’re trusted to manage more global trip legs per year than anyone else and have been the industry leader in supporting international missions for over 65 years. By partnering with us and adding our capabilities to yours, you will be able to achieve more with your flight department than ever before.

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Paul Cremer

My name is Paul Cremer, and this marks my 42nd year working within the business and general aviation industry. Over this time, I’ve had the privilege of overseeing a diverse array of sector activities, ranging from aircraft charter and management to air ambulance services, ground operations, air traffic control, airport management, technology implementation, and the outsourcing services I currently manage.

In my role focused on delivering advisory, technology, and outsourcing services to aviation customers, I handle a wide spectrum of responsibilities. This includes overseeing International Trip Support, Operations Control Centre Services (OCC), Continuing Airworthiness Management Service (CAMO), Airworthiness Reviews, ARC Services, Aircraft Delivery and Re-delivery Support Services, Maintenance Coordination Services including AOG, Tech Ops (Maintenance Control Centre), and managing myairops software products. As the Head of Aviation Delivery, I lead the customer-facing delivery of Technology & Outsourcing products and services for the market, drawing upon a wealth of knowledge, expertise, and industry connections within Gama Aviation’s Technology and Outsourcing Strategic Business Unit.

My journey into Business and General Aviation began during my teenage years while still in school. I was fortunate enough to be welcomed into the industry, starting at a flying club, and later working at the Air Traffic Services Unit at Blackbushe Airport. There, I maintained the ATC Movement Logs in the Control Tower during weekends, solidifying my passion for aviation. Upon completing my schooling, I seized opportunities at Fairoaks Airport, where I began as Ground Crew while pursuing my Aerodrome Flight Information Service Officer’s license. Advancements in my career led me to the role of Air Traffic Services Manager.

Since joining Gama Aviation in 1996, I’ve held various positions, including Operations Manager (Post Holder), Operations & Commercial Manager, Commercial Manager, Operations Delivery Manager, Head of Business Aviation Delivery, and currently, Head of Aviation Delivery. This role encompasses Gama Aviation Group’s Gama Aviation, myairops, and FlyerTech companies.

In 2023, I was honoured to be invited to serve as the Chair of the Operations Working Group for the British Business & General Aviation Association. This opportunity allows me to contribute to industry initiatives within BBGA’s membership of nearly 200 industry companies, focusing on challenges such as regulatory compliance, Air Services Agreements, technological advancements, workforce development, operational matters, and sustainability.

Marc Bailey

Marc Bailey has spent his entire career in aviation and has worked in most areas of Aviation Services with scheduled airlines, MRO’s, military contract support and latterly with associations, government, and its agencies.

Marc represents your position in Europe (even post Brexit) – as President of ECOGAS (European Council of General Aviation Support) which maintains a voice with EASA. All the major member states are represented on the ECOGAS board. With EASA restructuring its meetings with industry, ECOGAS is now well positioned to represent our position in all areas following industry partnerships with the European Independent Maintenance Group and with ARPAS the new drone and autonomous association.

Marc is chair of the UKASF (United Kingdom Airworthiness Strategic Forum) as part of an initiative to develop Aviation Services across all aviation activities. The UKASF pulls together airlines, MROs, Rotary, Drones, and commercial GA bodies to work with CAA and DfT. The objective is for industry to take the lead to drive strategic issues to benefit all parties. We are well positioned after four years to continue our good work and with the re-established role of Chief Surveyor in the CAA we have a good focal point to do this.

Marc chairs the CAA Finance and Services Forum which allows industry in the UK to discuss in the financial plans for the CAA and the value for money delivered by those funds paid by industry. This is a new and valuable new platform for all parties.

Under recent developments Marc has formed an alliance with, ARPAS, AOPA, BHA and BBGA so that we can strengthen our voice under a joint ‘GA 4 Biz’ banner. This alliance is working to do everything possible to represent the industry’s business interests with UK government and to help realise the Government’s desire to make UK General Aviation a Global Leader in a post Brexit environment. GA4Biz – GA4Biz

The next Generation initiatives with industry and government have continued to develop with the retention platform now evolving into the “Aviation Skills Recruitment Platform”. The platform now not only offers a vehicle for those offering and seeking posts in aviation, it also provides pathways with its TalentView portion seeking to provide pathways for new entrants into our sector. The recruitment platform is being further developed to include training opportunities across a wide range of providers, from government agencies through academic bodies. Getting our next generation activities right in the UK over the next couple of years is our single most important issue which we in aviation must grab with both hands. Marc is playing a central role to help develop many of these channels.

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