Aero resumes operations with 6 aircraft, expands maintenance facility

Aero Contractors, Nigeria’s oldest aviation company, is set to resume scheduled passenger flight operations with six aircraft.

The airline, which will resume on 5th December, 2022, will operate using Boeing 737 and Dash 8 (Q-400) and will service 10 destinations including Warri, Lagos, Port Harcourt, Abuja, Benin, Yola, Sokoto, Kano, Asaba and Calabar.

This is also as the airline has put plans in place to expand its aircraft maintenance facility to cater for other aircraft types such Embraer 145 and train personnel for maintenance of Airbus aircraft types.

The airline which suspended scheduled services on July 20 over financial difficulties has been given approval by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authorities (NCAA) to commence operations, having satisfied all regulatory requirements.

Speaking during a press conference to announce the resumption of the airlines’ scheduled flight operations, Ado Sanusi, the new managing director and chief executive officer, Aero Contractors said the airline has three business units, namely; the Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO), the fixed and rotary wing airline operation and the training unit.

Sanusi said these services would help strengthen the airline arm of the business and mitigate the airline’s operational costs.

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He acknowledged the challenges facing the airline business, some of which include foreign exchange rates and scarcity, increase in aviation fuel price and multiple taxations.

According to him, if the government is able to address these multiple taxations, then airlines would have better chances of surviving in Nigeria.

Sanusi said Aero Contractors have looked at these problems and has introduced business strategies to ensure that amid the challenges, the airline operates profitably.

He disclosed that in the last quarter of year 2023, the airline will commence regional flight operations.

He however assured that the airline has come to stay and would be competing with other airlines with affordable prices.

“We are pleased and delighted to return to services after a few months. We are determined to offer great travel experience to our customers during this season and beyond. We look forward to welcoming them on board,” Sanusi said.