Relief as Aero gets nod for aircraft maintenance

Nigeria’s aviation industry got a boost yesterday as the country’s oldest airline, Aero Contractors, received its certification from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to handle comprehensive maintenance checks on Boeing B737 aircraft series at the airline’s terminal with effect from September 12, 2017.

The hangar is positioned to handle B737-300, B737400 and B737-500 used majorly by domestic carriers in the country.

Daily Trust reports that the airline spends $2m every 18 months to carry out C-checks on the B737 classics and there are about 24 B737 aircraft series operating in the country. It is estimated that the country would conserve $USD48m in foreign exchange consumed by maintenance cost biannually.

Chief Executive Officer of Aero Contractors, Capt. Ado Sanusi declared that the new approval followed five rigorous stages which involved the expansion of the existing Aero hangar in the domestic terminal of Murtala Mohammed Airport (MMA) and other processes as stipulated by the NCAA.

He said the development is a major milestone for the country as it would trigger drastic drop in maintenance costs by airlines in Nigeria and the West African subregion.

“This will reinforce the strength and quality of our brand. We will continue to offer the most reliable, safe and secure operations, which the airline is renowned for.”