XEJet has unveiled its ambitious plan to build the largest Fixed Base Operation (FBO) and maintenance facility in Abuja. The airline will develop a 40,000 square meter space for these operations. Moreover, XEJet has received approval to commence line maintenance through XEJet Engineering, a distinct branch of the business. Read Also: XEJet Launches Scheduled Flights Nov 2, Expands Premium Services in Nigeria
During an announcement at the XEJet office, Chief Executive Officer Emmanuel Iza shared insights into the upcoming operations. He confirmed the airline’s scheduled start date of November 2nd, marking a significant milestone for the company. Iza stated, “We have 40,000 square meters of land in Abuja that we have started clearing. It is where we are looking to build the largest Fixed Base Operation (FBO) and the maintenance facility in Abuja. We have all the approvals, and very soon, probably at the beginning of next year, we are going to go to the site.”
An FBO functions as a commercial entity that provides vital services essential for aircraft operations in private and general aviation. These services include fueling, where FBOs supply aviation fuel to various aircraft. Additionally, they offer hangar services, ensuring proper storage facilities for aircraft. FBOs also perform maintenance and repair tasks to keep the aircraft in optimal condition.
Located at airports, FBOs offer critical services such as flight planning and ground support, including baggage handling and aircraft towing. They enhance the overall experience for passengers by providing amenities like lounges, transportation, and customs assistance.
Iza elaborated on the airline’s plans for line maintenance, explaining its importance for operational efficiency. He noted that line maintenance involves minor inspections that do not require taking the aircraft into the hangar. He explained, “I’m going to start with the maintenance. XEJet Engineering, as one of the arms of the business unit of XEJet as a group, has got approvals to maintain aircraft. Currently, we have line maintenance approvals, and our first customer is XEJet AOC.”
Furthermore, Iza clarified the relationship between XEJet AOC and XEJet Engineering, emphasizing the collaborative effort to maintain aircraft. He remarked, “So if you understand, we’ve got the AOC on one side, and we’ve got XEJet Engineering. So XEJet AOC is a customer of XEJet Engineering.”
At present, the maintenance approval limitation permits only basic line maintenance. However, Iza assured stakeholders that XEJet is actively working toward expanding its capabilities. He stated, “But we are working towards expanding that capability to do that because the fleets are increasing, and other people are approaching us.”
Iza expressed optimism about XEJet’s future, noting, “We’re looking forward to, as you can see, we are our customer already, with about 11 aeroplanes. I said it’s enough to maintain and sustain an MRO. So, we are building capacity to be able to do that.” He concluded by mentioning that once they establish internal capacity, they would extend their services due to the approvals they have received.
