National Airport Services (NAS SERVAIR) Nairobi Inflight Services Manager Stephane Lopez is set to replace France bound NAS Kenya Managing Director Eric Rouvillois, Chairperson Richard Omwela has announced.
Lopez who has been learning the ropes from Rouvillois for a period of one year two months will take charge of the Kenyan office on June 1 as the latter relinquishes a position he has held for eight and a half years.
Addressing journalists on Tuesday as the company celebrated its 70th anniversary at NAS headquarters located at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), Omwela exuded confidence that the succession will be seamless based on Lopez’ experience in the industry and working for the caterer.
“Stephane takes over on June 1, Eric has been with us for the past eight and a half years and has achieved alot along the way and we are confident that he (Stephane) will pick up from where Eric will have left,” said Omwela.
Mr Lopez boasts of 23 years experience in the inflight sector, he has been the caterer’s inflight services manager in Nairobi since March 2018.
He previously worked for Etihad Airways in different capacities including manager interior shop-Etihad Engineering between October 2015 and March 2018.
The incoming MD already has his eyes set on hitting the ground running saying that he is keen on growing the company’s business in the country.
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“Eric and his predecessors have done well during their stints and I intend on keeping their legacy alive,” Lopez told Business Today.
Conversely, Omwela dismissed the idea of regional expansion saying that “that does not make business sense to us”.
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“We dont see any need of setting up a kitchen in Tanzania or Uganda, Nairobi is the region’s hub which goes without saying the idea of regional expansion is not the first thing on our minds at the moment,” said Omwela.
