Captain Aslam Khan is the co-founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Aircraft Leasing Services (ALS) an aircraft services provider.
According to a report by Business Daily dated October 3, 2011, Captain Kham co-owned the company alongside late former billionaire businessman and Cabinet Minister, Simeon Nyachae.
The report indicated that Nyachae owned four Cessna planes, a Beechcraft and two helicopters within ALS. The politician also owned two Eurocopters the A 350 B3 priced at Ksh300 million which he used for his private flights.
Captain Khan, a former army-pilot has been at the helm of the company, steering it into success. Here is his story as told by WoK.
Background & Education
The ALS CEO completed his high school education in 1970 and joined Kenya Air force as a cadet pilot. He completed office training at Armed Forces Training College in Lanet and also trained in flying at Eastleigh Kenya Air Force Base leading to him obtaining the ‘wings’ in 1971.
While at the Kenya Air Force, between 1970 and 1976, Aslam attended various courses including a three months course at Officers Cadet Training Unit with Royal Air Force at Henlow. During his short service commission at the Kenya Air force he flew Chipmunks, Beavers and Caribous.
Career
After leaving the military service, Aslam was in the general aviation industry working with charter companies based in Mombasa but primarily flying tourists out to the game lodges between 1976 and 1977.
He then joined East African Airways in 1977 and on break-up of the East Africa Community was absorbed into Kenya Airways where he flew Fokker Friendship, DC9, Boeing 707 and Airbus.
In 1992, Captain Khan formed Aircraft Leasing Services as the Managing Director and during the past two decades, he has transformed the operations of the ALS Limited from piston engine propelled aircrafts to Beech 1900s, Caravans, King Airs and Dash 8’s flying for relief contracts.
ALS initially started operations in 1985 with One Cessna-150; and over the years has seen steady growth. The company has developed a large network of international operations, and has built a reputation for excellence in safety, operational reliability, engineering and maintenance, and customer service.
Today, ALS has a fleet of 35 aircraft which includes the following: Cessna Caravan, Beechcraft 1900, Bombardier Dash 8 (DHC-8), Bombardier Q200, Bombardier (Dash 8-Q400), Embraer 135, and Embraer 145 MP/LR.
As an industry leader, ALS offers a range of customized and comprehensive aviation solutions for the benefit of Humanitarian Operations, Airlines, Oil/ Resource exploration, and VIP Clientele.
The company has passed the audits and supplier qualification requirements of many global organisations like: the World Food Programme (UNWFP), the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the Medicins Sans Frontieres (MSF), Rwanda Air, and Woodside Energy.
In addition, ALS has recently completed its IOSA certification process and has as a result succeeded at becoming a part of the elite list in international aviation.
Over the past three decades, ALS has played an integral role in supporting humanitarian operations both locally and internationally. The company invested in various aircraft and set up subsidiary companies to meet specific and unique niche markets.
Its services include; ACMI Leases (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, Insurance), Schedule Flights, Helicopter services, Ambulance/Evacuation flights, Humanitarian charters, Corporate Charters, Executive and VIP Charter flights, Aircraft maintenance, and Engineering and consulting.
According to the company website, ALS boasts 80 pilots on standby, a staff of 279, with over 1018k hours of flying.
