Montreal-based ACASS is expanding its remit by branching into corporate aviation support in the United States. Launched in 1994 as a flight crew staffing provider, the company has expanded over the years to offer support for aircraft sales, aircraft management, charter and other core business aviation services. It found particular success in emerging international markets such as Nigeria, India, Russia, south-east Asia and the Middle East.

More recently, ACASS has strengthened its presence in South America and Europe, including the launch of the aircraft management and charter-focused ACASS Ireland in 2019, which was well timed to offer Brexit-friendly solutions and circulation throughout Europe and the 44 countries covered by EU bilateral agreements. Now, the firm is setting its sights on the US and North America, devoting extensive resources to expanding awareness and gaining a foothold in the mature and crowded market.

“Our challenge in the US has always been far more one of awareness than capability,” says Robert Habjanic, executive VP of sales. “When US clients discover who we are and everything we have to offer, frankly it’s not difficult to earn their business.”

To make that discovery more certain, Habjanic will be prioritising the US market in 2021. The company has buttressed its sales team to include industry veteran Chris Warton who is based in Dallas and focused on the western and central US and Mexico.

“We have been extremely diligent and disciplined about managing our growth over the last 25 years,” comments CEO Andre Khury. “Expanding our global footprint and our client offerings without compromising the personal attention and strong relationships that have always defined us is a delicate balancing act.”

But, according to Khury, the timing is right for ACASS to establish itself as a substantial business aviation support provider in the US: “The US is a mature business aviation market with a lot of strong players and entrenched relationships. If you don’t bring something very strong and unique to the table yourself, you might as well not bother coming to dinner.”

“One of the most enjoyable aspects of my job is seeing someone’s face light up when they discover ACASS is the answer they’ve been wishing for but never knew existed,” concludes Habjanic. “I’m looking forward to seeing that look a lot in the US this year.”