Aero prepares to resume flight operations, takes delivery of two new aircraft

Barely three weeks after announcing an indefinite shutdown of flight operations nationwide, indigenous carrier, Aero Contractors has taken delivery of the first set of two Dash-8 (Q-400) aircraft at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja.

Aero Contractors, Thursday afternoon, received the aircraft as it prepares to resume its suspended flight operations.

Leased from UMZA Air, the aircraft will be operated by Aero under a Joint Venture (JV) agreement between both parties.

According to Aero, 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 airline also disclosed that the second aircraft is due to be delivered in a couple of days.

Speaking on the development, the Managing Director of Aero Contractors, Capt. Abdullahi Mahmood said with the need development, the airline hopes to soon announce resumption of flights operations, as he also expressed anticipation on informing the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) of the carrier’s readiness to get back to the skies.

“We are pleased to inform our customers and stakeholders of the delivery of this aircraft under a Joint Venture (JV) 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.

“Once we are ready to commence operation we shall officially inform the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

“We shall announce our resumption of services with a new schedule soon once we are ready,” he added.

It would be recalled that Aero Contractors, had announced an indefinite suspension of all flight operations, from Wednesday, July 20, 2022.

Aero, which has been under administration owing to debts, explained that the decision is due to ‘challenging operating environment’ in the country.

Aero is under administration, following takeover from their original owners by the Federal Government which placed the aviation firm under receivership of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) in 2016.

The airline industry has battled high operational costs owing to rising aviation fuel prices (JET A1), scarce foreign exchange, drop in general passenger demand, exorbitant airfares, lingering dispute with various labour unions over staff welfare demands, tax remittances, since emerging from the shutdown occasioned by the Covid-19 pandemic, last year.

On its decision to shut down operations, Aero Management said, however, that the move will not affect its other businesses such as the Approved Maintenance Organisation (AMO), otherwise known as AeroMRO, the Approved Training Organisation (ATO), also known as Aero Training School, Helicopter and its Charter operations.

“Due to the impact of the challenging operating environment on our daily operations, the management of Aero Contractors Company of Nig. Ltd. wish to announce the temporary suspension of its scheduled passenger services operations with effect from Wednesday, July 20, 2022.

“This does not in any way affect the Maintenance activities of the Approved Maintenance Organisation (AMO) otherwise known as AeroMRO, the Approved Training Organisation (ATO) also known as Aero Training School, the Helicopter and Charter Services operations.

“This decision was carefully considered and taken due to the fact that most of our aircraft are currently undergoing Maintenance, resulting in our inability to offer a seamless and efficient service to our esteemed customers.

“We are working to bring these aircraft back to service in the next few weeks, so we can continue to offer our passengers the safe, efficient, and reliable services that Aero Contractors is known for, which is the hallmark of Aero Contractors Company of Nig. Ltd.

“The past few months have been very challenging for the Aviation industry and the airline operators in particular. With the high cost of maintenance, skyrocketing fuel prices, inflation, and forex scarcity resulting in high foreign exchange rates. These are amongst the major components of airline operations.

“In the meantime, we are working assiduously to return to service as quickly as possible, and do assure our esteemed customers and stakeholders of our determination, that our short absence will not create any major void in the market, as we are coordinating with our business partners to ensure minimum discomfort to ticket holders.

“As members of Spring Alliance (a commercial alliance with member airlines providing mutual support in the area of operations), we are liaising with our partner airlines to minimise the impact on our esteemed customers. Our customer service team will be working to help affected esteemed customers reach their destinations,” the airline said.

In May, this year, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) sealed off offices of the Aero Contractors over offences said to border on the failure by the airline to remit taxes amounting to about N350 million.

The closure of the airline offices came barely 24 hours after the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) and the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) called on the Federal Government through the Aviation Minister, the National Assembly, Minister of Labour and employment to intervene in the dispute at Aero Contractor and Arik Air to save airlines workers, their families and Nigeria’s aviation industry from imminent disaster

Aero’s debt consists of legacy taxes that were not remitted before and after the airline was placed under receivership of AMCON.

It was however learnt that the embattled airline has paid about N50 million to FIRS and that the taxes, which led to the sealing off of Aero’s offices are not current taxes.

The airline, which is the oldest domestic operators in the country, has yet to confirm responding to the FIRS action.