Aero Contractors (N2, Lagos) resumed scheduled domestic flights on December 5, 2022, to ten destinations, including Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt Awolowo, Yola, Sokoto, Kano, Benin City, Warri, Asaba, and Calabar, the airline announced on social media.
Speaking at a Lagos news conference, newly-appointed managing director Ado Sanusi said: "The airline will be operating with B737 and Dash 8 aircraft servicing ten destinations following approval by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authorities (NCAA)." The regulator previously confirmed to ch-aviation that Aero Contractor received all necessary regulatory approvals, including a valid air operator's certificate (AOC).
The carrier's fleet comprises one in-house B737-400, three B737-500 leased from Oceanic Capital; two DHC-8-Q400s leased from Nordic Aviation Capital and UmzaXpress (UMZ), respectively, plus one in-house DHC-8-Q200 and one DHC-8-Q300 leased from CHC Helicopters International (RBD, Vancouver International), according to the ch-aviation fleets module. The airline plans to expand its aircraft maintenance facility to cater for other aircraft types, such as the E145, and to train maintenance crews for Airbus aircraft.
According to local media, Sanusi disclosed that Aero Contractors would resume regional flights in the last quarter of 2023.
He acknowledged challenges facing the airline, including foreign exchange rates, the scarcity of aviation fuel, a skyrocketing fuel price, and multiple taxes. He believed Nigerian airlines would have a better chance of survival if the government addressed these various taxes. Sanusi said Aero Contractors had considered these problems and implemented business strategies to ensure profitably.
Aero Contractors suspended scheduled services in July 2022 to restructure and reposition the airline after struggling financially and experiencing a lack of available equipment. It has been under the receivership of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) since February 2016.
ch-aviation has reached out to Aero Contractors for comment.
