Victor Ezeja
Nigeria’s oldest aviation company, Aero Contractors, has procured two aircraft in a new partnership with Umza Air, to boost its services after temporal suspension of operations few weeks ago.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe Nigerian carrier took delivery of the first set of two Dash-8 (Q-400) aircraft on Thursday afternoon, August 11, 2022 at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja.
The development is coming few weeks after the indigenous airline temporally suspended its scheduled passenger services due to emerging issues in the operating environment which it said has been very hostile to its operations in recent times.
READ ALSO: Economic Crisis Forces Aero Contractors To Suspend Scheduled Passenger Services
According to a statement from the company, the aircraft registered in Nigerian and owned by UMZA Air will be operated by Aero Contractors under a joint venture agreement between both parties.
The Dash-8 aircraft is one of the most fuel efficient and modern aircraft in the market and has a capacity of 74 seats.
The second aircraft is due to be delivered in a couple of days.
The Managing Director of Aero Contractors, Capt. Abdullahi Mahmood said: “We are pleased to inform our customers and stakeholders of the delivery of this aircraft under a joint venture agreement with UMZA Air.
“We missed our customers over the last few weeks and we are eager to offer our services to our highly esteemed passengers.”
Capt. Mahmood said the company would officially inform the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) once it is ready to commence operations.
“We shall announce our resumption of services with a new schedule soon once we are ready,” the managing director stated.
On the partnership deal, with UMZA Air, Capt. Mahmood said, “it is a strategic business alliance that we have with the owner of the aircraft whereby they brought the aircraft and it is like a sharing formula. If you look at the aircraft, it is not like a wet lease because it is a Nigerian registered aircraft, so it is our crew that are going to operate it. Our pilots, cabin crew are going to operate it. We have finished signing the agreement with them.”
Speaking on the development, Hon. Mohammed Abubakar, owner of Umza Air, who purchased the aircraft, said the company is taking the risk of venturing into the aviation sector notwitstanding the current operational challenges in the sector. He added that the aim of f adventure is to rescue the sector.
“We are diversifying to aviation despite the troubling situation because some people have to take the risk. So, we are taking the risk.
“This is not about benefits but what we can bring to the country. The issue of flight is no more a secret, the difficulties are there and everybody knows what is going on. For you to leave point A to B, sometimes, it takes you throughout the day for you to do that. Some people have to come to the sector to rescue the sector and to at least bring something to the people.”
He explained that the choice of Q400 aircraft model was due to its fuel efficiency as regards the prevailing challenge of fuel scarcity and other operational issues in the country.
“I think it is the best for now because of the fuel efficiency,” Abubakar added.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with seven years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Master's degree in Mass Communication.
