Nigerian Flight Deck Travel and Business Reportage
GREEN Africa Airways, has taken delivery of the first of its now three ATR 72-600 aircraft, currently leased from ACIA Aero Leasing into Lagos as part of plans to scale the its Air Operators Certificate (AOC) acquisition process.
The aircraft touched down at the Murtaa Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) from South Africa at around 6:15 pm Friday April 23, 2021 and was greeted by the usual water canon salute by the airport managers.
The value carrier had recently unveiled the livery of two aircraft (5N-GAE and 5N-GAA) and the third aircraft (5N-GAD) is also now beautifully wrapped in the Green Africa livery in preparation for final lap of the AOC process. READ ALSO: Green Africa set to take delivery of two ATR72-600s to finalize certification
There are hints from the regulatory authority that the airline would soon get its certification having gone through the rigorous process as it may have arrived Phase Four of the AOC Process consisting of demonstration to show capacity that it can operate a safe and efficient airline, the last great hurdle.
The first aircraft arrived at the Murtala Mohammed International airport on Friday 23rd April 2021 and present to receive the aircraft were the highly elated Founder and Chief Executive Officer – Babawande Afolabi, President and Chief Operating Officer – Neil Mills, the Founding gTeam (comprising the Director of Talent & Culture – Princesse Likayi, Chief Pilot – Folu Oladipo, Director of Maintenance & Engineering – Nathan Smith, Director of Cabin Services – Jasmine Dhillon and Director of Legal and Regulatory Affairs – Rebecca Bolarinwa), Board Member – Gbenga Oyebode, MFR and Green Africa’s anchor institutional investor – Kuramo Capital.
Babawande Afolabi, Founder & Chief Executive Officer of Green Africa said “This is a great day for all of us at Green Africa and the beginning of what we all hope is a new era in Nigerian aviation. ACIA Aero Leasing has been a very supportive partner and we are proud of this new relationship. The arrival of our first aircraft is a precursor to the completion of our AOC process and very soon, customers from across Nigeria will be able to make bookings on our website and take their first flight with Green Africa.” Green Africa, FCMB enter strategic alliance to boost air travel, human capital development
Mick Mooney, Chief Executive Officer of ACIA Aero Leasing also said “Whilst the industry is going through a period of significant disruption, there are a few carriers with a strategic roadmap, such as Green Africa, that are looking to provide effective solutions that the current market opportunity brings. We at ACIA are pleased to provide Green Africa with the first set of aircraft to launch its commercial operations, starting with Nigeria and eventually, the broader African continent.”
Following the arrival of the aircraft, Green Africa is expected to commence demonstration flights on its route network as part of the AOC process.
