Aero Contractors, one of Nigeria's iconic aviation companies, has urged the Federal Government to extend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda to the aviation sector. The airline's Managing Director, Capt. Ado Sanusi, made the call during the company's 67th anniversary celebration at its head office in Ikeja, Lagos. He emphasized the need for a strategic policy framework to position air transport as a catalyst for economic growth, tourism, trade, job creation, and foreign investment.
Capt. Sanusi highlighted Aero Contractors' resilience in the face of challenges, noting that the airline has faced numerous difficulties, including grounded fleets and empty hangars, yet continued to operate. He attributed the airline's survival to the dedication of its employees, including engineers, pilots, cabin crew, and ground staff. The Managing Director expressed his commitment to recognizing and appreciating the sacrifices of the airline's workforce.
Aero Contractors commenced operations in 1959 as a charter and crop-spraying service before becoming a vital lifeline to the oil and gas industry. The airline's primary backbone was rotary-wing operations, which enabled it to transport Nigerians to remote areas inaccessible by road. Through its training school, Aero Contractors has shaped generations of Nigerian pilots and engineers, establishing itself as a flagship of the Nigerian airline industry.
In 2000, Aero Contractors launched scheduled passenger services covering most cities in Nigeria and the West Coast, making it the longest-serving scheduled carrier in Nigeria today. The airline has achieved several milestones, including completing Nigeria's first indigenous C-check on a Boeing 737 in 2018. This feat marked a significant accomplishment for the airline and the Nigerian aviation industry.
Capt. Sanusi credited the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) for giving the airline a second chance at life in 2016, when its fortunes were at their lowest. He noted that the airline's maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services have been upgraded with state-of-the-art equipment and now serve sister carriers across West Africa. The MRO facility has been expanded to cater to the West and Central African markets.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, commended Aero Contractors for surviving in the industry despite challenges. He noted that President Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda has positively impacted the aviation industry, focusing on infrastructure and policy development. Keyamo listed several projects aimed at rebuilding and upgrading Nigeria's airport infrastructure, including the renovation of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.
Keyamo emphasized that the Renewed Hope Agenda anchors on infrastructure and policy, supporting local airlines and human capacity development. He mentioned that the policy empowers the private sector to access aircraft leases through the Cape Town Convention treaty. The Minister expressed optimism that the agenda will continue to have a positive impact on the aviation sector.
Key points
- Aero Contractors urges the Federal Government to extend the Renewed Hope Agenda to the aviation sector to position air transport as a catalyst for economic growth, tourism, trade, job creation, and foreign investment.
