Aero Contractors, Nigeria’s oldest aviation company, is getting three additional aircraft into service following major repairs by the Maintenance Repair Overhaul (MRO) arm of the airline.
On Tuesday, the airline recommenced scheduled services to the Margret Ekpo International Airport, Calabar from its base at the Murtala Muhammed Airport 2, Lagos.
This is as the Cross River Governor, Senator Bassey Otu has promised to increase the state’s aircraft fleet from the present two to five in the coming months.
At the relaunch of of the route, Chief Executive Officer of Aero Contractors, Captain Ado Sanusi said that, for the first time, the joint venture between the airline and the state government has brought all the two Boeing 737 aircraft owned by the state to service.
Sanusi described the feat as a major boost to the airline’s fleet and a demonstration to the quality and professional competence of its MRO facilities.
He said: “We are proud of them for putting additional aircraft to service, while working on the fifth aircraft to be back in service by the end of next month.
“We are equally pleased with the full support of the Cross River State government especially, His Excellency the Governor, Bassey Otu on this joint venture, which we believe will continue to grow and enhance the governor’s vision of growing the economy through tourism among others.
“With our increased fleet, we are delighted to be in the position to fully support the upcoming Calabar Carnival themed: ‘Season of Sweetness’, this festive season, and we promise our customers competitive fares”.
Sanusi also said that the airline would operate three daily frequencies from Lagos to Calabar. While the aircraft would also be deployed to Abuja airport and back to Calabar before returning to Lagos.
He explained that the airline intended to increase the frequencies as demands grow, assuring that the airline would always offer quality services to its customers throughout the festive season.
Otu lauded the management of Aero Contractors for maintaining the state’s aircraft in its fleet and for relaunching scheduled services to the airport.
According to the governor, the state’s aircraft would increase to five very soon with the addition of three more aircraft.
He explained that the State Government was determined to position the state as a tourism destination and would attract air passengers into it.
The governor further commended his predecessor, Senator Ben Ayade for initiating the idea of an airline and putting the state on the aviation map.
He also pointed out that plans were on to make the airport a sunset aerodrome as the airfield lightings are being installed by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria.
He added: “Calabar has been an international airport and we want to raise it to that standard. Flights will very soon be landing at this airport till 9pm. The government is installing the light and they are bringing the airport into total functionality so that it will be an international airport truly.
“Before now, it was a bit difficult coming into the state because of the state of the roads, but as from today henceforth, we can fly in here at any time.
“By the time the Calabar Carnival is on, the traffic to this airport will surge. We want to make aviation a very big business for Cross River State”.
The aircraft, a Boeing 737-300 with the registration number: 5N- BYR, which departed Lagos at 10:30am, landed at Margaret Ekpo International Airport at 11: 25am with fanfare.
The governor and his executive cabinet members and other dignitaries from the state were on ground to receive the aircraft to the airport.
