Aero Contractors Expands Lagos MRO Facility
Aero Contractors is set to complete a significantly expanded maintenance, repair, and overhaul facility in Lagos within the next three months, positioning the company as a one-stop maintenance hub for Western and Central Africa while boosting its heavy maintenance capabilities. CEO and Managing Director Ado Sanusi recently detailed these developments during an interview with Punch following the signing of a memorandum of understanding with the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau in Lagos on March 17. The agreement with the NSIB aims to enhance safety training, foster knowledge exchange, and improve human capital development in the aviation industry. Sanusi emphasized that the company is acquiring new tools and upgrading its hangar to modern standards, with its workshop already modernized and undergoing expansion to service both older aircraft and new-generation models.
Sanusi, who was appointed in 2017 to steer Aero Contractors out of a challenging period under the receivership of the state-owned Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria since 2016, expressed optimism about the company’s future. Under his leadership, Aero Contractors has transformed its maintenance division, Aero MRO, into a strategic arm of its operations, offering comprehensive line and base maintenance services. The successful completion of C-checks for B737 Classics and the expansion of workshop capabilities have been central to this turnaround, accomplished without relying on external financing. The company’s efforts to modernize its facilities have enabled it to secure line maintenance contracts for operators of both the B737 MAX and the B787, further diversifying its portfolio.
In addition to servicing these modern aircraft, Aero Contractors is expanding its technical expertise to include Bombardier Aerospace aircraft. The expanded facility will enhance the company’s ability to perform engine maintenance, auxiliary power unit overhauls, landing gear repairs, and component servicing. The MRO unit will also have the capacity to conduct up to D-checks on B737 Classics and De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Dash 8 aircraft, which demonstrates its readiness to handle a wide range of maintenance needs in a rapidly evolving industry. This strategic expansion not only strengthens Aero Contractors’ competitive edge in the maintenance sector but also reaffirms its commitment to ensuring safety and reliability in aircraft operations.
The recently signed MoU with the NSIB is another crucial step in the company’s efforts to bolster aviation safety standards in Nigeria. The partnership will allow NSIB’s transportation safety officers and technical personnel to benefit from hands-on training at Aero Contractors’ state-of-the-art facilities, including access to advanced simulators and maintenance workshops. In return, Aero Contractors’ technical staff will receive specialized training in accident investigation and related disciplines led by NSIB experts. This reciprocal arrangement is designed to create a robust framework for technical collaboration and resource sharing, ensuring that the industry continues to adhere to global aviation safety standards.
The ambitious expansion of Aero Contractors’ MRO facility is a testament to the company’s strategic vision and operational resilience. With enhanced capabilities to manage both legacy and new-generation aircraft, Aero Contractors is well positioned to serve a growing market in Western and Central Africa, providing superior maintenance services that support the overall safety and efficiency of the region’s aviation sector. As the company continues to invest in advanced technologies and skilled personnel, it is poised to play a pivotal role in transforming aviation maintenance and setting new benchmarks in the industry.
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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com