Business is booming in Asia Pacific for flight crew leasing companies IASCO and ARS International.
The companies have just placed 17 captains to fly McDonnell Douglas DC-10s and MD-81s for the Harlequin Air, the first new-entry low-cost carrier to serve Japan since the market was liberalised. Other Asian customers include airlines in Taiwan, Korea, Vietnam and Cambodia.
US-based IASCO (Stand D318) is also currently recruiting first officers to fly Boeing's 747s for Japan Air Charter. The first eight began training in January and the remaining eight will start their programme in May. All training is based in Japan and carried out through Japan Airlines.
IASCO president Bob Walters is delighted with the contracts announced yesterday at Asian Aerospace '98. The company has been active in the Japanese airline market since 1959 and has a wealth of experience.
"We already have an excellent relationship with Harlequin's parent company Japan Air System. With any new venture, start-up costs have to be reduced and crew leasing is the quickest, simplest and most cost-effective choice."
ARS International, which focuses more on the European market and is based in Paris, formed a partner alliance with IASCO more than two years ago - long before it became popular in the industry. Amy Robinson is ARS International's area manager.
The two have a combined pilot and flight engineer data base with access to more than 10,000 skilled crew members worldwide.
Both organisations place a strong emphasis on stringent interviews, recruitment and training in order to get the best people for the job.
Source: Flight Daily News
