Episode 22 with Mr. Andrew Smith

Episode Summary

Join Dr. Adnan Baranbo in the 22nd Episode of AVIAPRENEURS about Niche Air Cargo Solutions featuring The Director at NAS Corporation – Ex-Chairman of Avient, Mr. Andrew Smith.

Mr. Andrew Smith

A British Aviapreneur with more than 30 years of experience in the aviation industry. Andrew started his career in 1980 as an officer in the British Army, and he was posted in Hong Kong, Nepal, and Zimbabwe. 

Then in 1992, he founded Avient Airline from his home office and grew the airline to more than 150 staff with 55 sales offices in 34 countries. Avient used to provide air cargo services to underserved markets in Africa and operated a fleet of aircraft of DC10-30F and MD11F.

 At the end of 2012, Andrew decided to retire from Avient and started a new company with his wife Samantha Smith NAS Corporation, an air cargo company that provides Niche Aviation Solutions to customers underserved by traditional airlines and brokers. NAS manages and oversees aircraft operations into the Polar regions and Antarctica.

 Watch this Episode to know Mr. Andrew’s answers to the following questions:

• Can you explain to us these niche and innovative solutions you’re providing to your customers? Are they related to the destination, the load, the time or what exactly? 
• What are some of the challenges you have faced when operating there?  
• Was the operating environment in Africa friendly to foreign private airlines then? 
• Which one is more profitable and easier to manage than the other by cargo airlines? 
• How different is moving this type of cargo from the normal air cargo? 
• Do you encourage other Aviapreneurs to involve their family members in their business? And what do you recommend them to do to be able to separate the professional relationship from the personal family one? 
• What recommendation and advice do you give to the Aviapreneurs willing to start their careers in the air cargo charter industry and willing to set up cargo airlines? 

All of this and more on the 22nd Episode of AVIAPRENEURS!