The aircraft which was delivered at the Nnamdi Azikwe
International Airport, Abuja on Thursday is owned by UMZA Air and will be
operated by Aero Contractors under a joint venture agreement between both
parties.
The Dash 8 Nigerian registered aircraft is said to be 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,” Aero Contractors stated.
Abdullahi Mahmood, the managing director of Aero Contractors
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,” Mahmood said.
“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.”
“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 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. There are
five aircraft coming in and this is the first. The pilots will be going back
tonight with Lufthansa to bring the second one, “ he said.
The Aero boss explained further that the cost of paying the
pilot, cabin crew and fuel would go to the owner of the aircraft.
“While the airline would look at the cost and from the
revenue, aero will still take something out of it despite the fact that he is
paying for the pilot, cabin crew, maintenance of the aircraft.
“Also, the MRO of aero has capability of maintaining 737
classic and the engine of Q400, so it is a good deal for him. Apart from the
pilot flight, he does not need to fly out to do the maintenance. So, our
engineers will fix the aircraft.
“Starting business alliance is what we are into. If you
start an airline business, you may not have the financial stand, so you will
look for people who are interested in aviation and willing to invest, “ he
said.
According to him, with five aircraft coming, Aero
Contractors would have a minimum of nine aircrafts.
Mr. Mahammed Abubakar, the Chief Executive Officer of UZMA Aviation
Service Limited, owner of the plane, said that the Q400 type was purchased
because of prevailing issues of aviation fuel among others.
Abukakar said he was investing into aviation sector to
contribute to rescuing the sector in the country.
“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.
“Some people have to come to the sector to rescue the sector
and to at least bring something to the people, “ he said.
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