NigerianFLIGHTDECK Travel and Business Reportage 
- Airline envisions recovery from spiral
AERO CONTRACTORS may just have played itself back into the mainstream as it has initiated application and has been granted approval to handle C-Checks on Boeing 737series along with its maintenance of the Bombardier Turboprop airliner series, boosting the airline’s chances of turning the curb of a disappointing past couple of years.
Nigeria’s oldest airline, Aero Contractors received certification from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to handle C-checks on Boeing B737-300, B737-400 and B737-500 at the airline’s terminal effective from September 12, 2017 thereby domesticating maintenance that is the major bane to almost all domestic airlines in the country
This is a major feat for Aero, and the first by a flag carrier in Nigeria. It would be recalled that Aero had earlier received an AMO certification from the NCAA in 2011 which allowed the airline to carry out third-party maintenance for other airlines.
There are over four airlines that operate the B737-300, 400 and 500 series in Nigeria, excluding neighbouring West African countries.
Commenting on the C-Check approval, the Chief Executive Officer of Aero Contractors, Capt. Ado Sanusi said: “We are proud to receive the certification by NCAA to commence this service for airlines across the West African sub region”.
“This is the first in Nigeria, and West African aviation industry and is a huge boost to our position as a maintenance facility. We are pleased to announce that our hanger has been expanded and all necessary facilities and manpower for the C-check maintenance have been put in place”.
“This is a great relief for Nigerian airlines, as local maintenance of aircraft up to C-check level will bring huge savings in foreign exchange in aircraft overseas maintenance”.
“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.”
On the cost of the maintenance facility, Sanusi stated that the cost that can be quantified so far is that of the hangar expansion, which is N160million. He stated that the hangar expansion was one of the five phases that the airline had to go through in months to before it was granted approval.
“This represents for us a significant improvement and commences our turn around. it benefits far beyond aero contractors the fact that C-Checks can be performed in Nigeria by Aero Contractors will give rise to a significant drop in the cost of maintenance not just for Aero but all the airlines that will use the AMO.”
With the present state of foreign exchange this is no mean feat therefore this milestone by Aero contractors will benefit the entire Nigeria
Sanusi who was elated on the achievement told newsmen that presently, a Boeing C-Check out of the country including ferrying cost between USD 1.8 to USD2 million including also stating that with the commencement of Aero down time can be eliminated and airlines can pay in Naira lessening the impact of forex in the industry.
Correction… A Boeing c check out of the country could cost airlines over 300 million Naira, not 1.8m naira as you have stated.
Aircraft Service hanger long over due in Nigeria .Obj administration had missed many ample opportunity to propel Nigeria forward in many areas,and so sad while watching the ex president interview with a foreign journalist where he was completely on defensive , and stumble and could not answered simple question throughout the interview in the area of corruption, electricity, etc in his 8 years in office only to ridicule himself before the journalist .Many Nigerian would agreed Buhari administration more focus and in sanitizing and in fighting corruption head on .Nigeria should work towards becoming aviation hub of Africa..Kudos to earo contraction for the great feat over the c- check certification clinched