By Chinelo Obogo
Aero Contractors, Nigeria’s oldest aviation company is getting three additional aircraft into service following major repairs by the Maintenance Repair Overhaul (MRO) arm of the airline.
The airline also announced that it has recommenced scheduled operations to the Margaret Ekpo International Airport, Calabar from its base at the Murtala Muhammed Airport Two (MMA2), Lagos. This is as the Governor of Cross River State, Bassey Otu, promised to increase the state’s aircraft fleet from the present two to five in the coming months.
Speaking at the re-launch of the route, the Chief Executive Officer of the airline, Capt. Ado Sanusi, said that for the first time, the joint venture between the airline and the Cross River government has brought both Boeing 737 aircraft owned by the state to service. Sanusi described the feat as a major boost to the airline’s fleet and a demonstration to the quality and professional competence of its MRO facilities.
He said: “We are proud of them for putting additional aircraft to service, while working on the fifth aircraft to be back in service by the end of next month. We are equally pleased with the full support of the Cross River State government on this joint venture, which we believe will continue to grow and enhance the governor’s vision of growing the economy through tourism among others. With our increased fleet, we are delighted to be in the position to fully support the upcoming Calabar Carnival themed: ‘Season of Sweetness,’ this festive season, and we promise our customers competitive fares.”
Sanusi also said that the airline would operate three daily frequencies from Lagos to Calabar. While the aircraft would also be deployed to Abuja airport and back to Calabar before returning to Lagos. He also that the airline intends to increase the frequencies as demands grow, assuring that it would always offer quality services to its customers throughout the festive season.
Speaking at the event, the governor, Bassey Otu, lauded the management of Aero Contractors for maintaining the state’s aircraft in its fleet and for re-launching scheduled services to the airport. According to the governor, the state’s fleet would soon increase to five with the addition of three more aircraft and that the state government is determined to position the state as a tourism destination and would attract air passengers into it.
Otu commended the immediate past governor of the state, Ben Ayade, for initiating the idea of an airline and putting the state on the aviation map. He also pointed out that plans are on to make the airport a 24 hour aerodrome as airfield lightings are being installed by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).
“Calabar has been an international airport and we want to raise it to that standard. Flights will very soon be landing at this airport till 9pm. The government is installing the light and they are bringing the airport into total functionality so that it will be an international airport truly. Before now, it was a bit difficult coming into the state because of the state of the roads, but as from today henceforth, we can fly in here at any time. By the time the Calabar Carnival is on, the traffic to this airport will surge. We want to make aviation a very big business for Cross River State,” he said.