In a world where Airlines spring up and the competition is very contentious, Nigerian airlines are beginning to step up their games.
One of such games is to choose aircraft types that are appropriate to their routes in addition to acquiring new equipment. This, apparently, will make their operations more profitable.According to a leading tabloid, analysts in the aviation industry note that the airlines are facing myriads of challenges beyond their control. Chief among these challenges include the high exchange rate, high cost of aviation fuel and inadequate airport infrastructure like the airfield lighting, which forces out airlines from many airports in the country from 6:30 PM.But justifying new airlines coming to join the market, some have said new airlines coming on board was a sign that investors are seeing the potential offered by the aviation sector.
The choice of poorly managed aircraft, bad customers’ relations among other vices have constantly formed the blocks on which criticisms are built on for some Nigerian airlines at every aviation fora. Poor choice of aircraft for the routes they operate, for instance some airlines operate long haul airplanes for short haul flights of largely less than two hours. Experts say this is most inappropriate.The Nigerian aviation market has also given room for new entrants into commercial aviation, which seems to have taken a cue from the criticisms in the past and have started acquiring smaller body aircraft suitable and economical for short haul flights.
However, there are key facts that could be confirmed by stakeholders in the Aviation industry, as the market is getting broader each passing year. The first is that Nigeria needs more operating aircraft and secondly is that with the current economic situation, not many can afford to travel by air and thirdly is that despite the low purchasing power, air travel remains the safest choice of movement in the country because of insecurity and poor road infrastructure. Emerging from the aforementioned facts, is the recurring presence of Aero Contractors, an airline company that has beaten its contemporaries to smart work and hard-work. Since the reopening of flights after the COVID-19 lockdown last year, there has been progressive increase in passenger traffic on the domestic routes of Aero contractors. This could be due to its excellent and customer conscious services. Its cautious and well-trained staff members, right from the flight attendants to its hosts and hostess, super-duper Captains will keep customers coming back to Aero contractors.
Being Nigeria’s oldest surviving domestic airline, Aero has re-established its elderly status in many ramifications in the aviation industry. Though, just like its contemporaries, the Airline has gone through its challenges and has survived them. In February 2016, AMCON took over the management of the airline after it dissolved the board of the company. The corporation thereafter appointed a manager to run the affairs of the company in interim capacity.AMCON said at the time that the decision to take over the management of the company was in furtherance of its responsibility of acquiring eligible bank assets and putting them to economic use in a profitable manner. AMCON is both the majority shareholder and creditor of Aero Contractors. However, many industry stakeholders have attested to the airline’s survival instinct, due to its well laid out plans. The Airline has redefined the Nigerian Airspace curve due to its relevance and survival in the industry. Despite the stiff competition and challenges, which most-likely would have driven down some of its contemporaries Aero contractors still stays afloat. In fact, despite the competition which has led to the gross reduction of airfares for the benefit of customers, Aero Contractors, seem to be one of the airlines that has gotten its acts together.If the company stays on this lane of excellence, its passenger traffic would continue to rise as more people will prefer to travel with it. The company boasts of the best choice aircrafts that are certified for air-travels. Interestingly, its fares are affordable.The CEO, Aero Contractor, Captain Abdullahi Zubair Mahmood said the airline is located in the heart of Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, Aero Airline contractors, has pleased many of its teeming customers with excellent services and endeared itself into their hearts.
Captain Mahmood, previously worked at Skypower Express Airways joined Arik Air in 2007 as a flight officer and held the positions of Chief Pilot/Deputy Fleet Manager, Airbus A330; MNPS Training Captain; and Fleet Manager, Canadian Regional Jet (CRJ) 900.
He was also at a time the Line Training Captain and Member, IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) for Arik Air Flight Operations. He trained at Aviation Atlanta PeachTree Airport, Atlanta Georgia for his Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL); Nigerian College Of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria, Nigeria where he obtained a Private Pilot License (PPL), Commercial Pilot License (CPL) Multi/IR.
Captain Abdullahi is a licensed Training Captain from IAGO, CAE Burgess Hill Training Centre in London. Aero contractors has recorded very successful and profitable operations despite the challenges being faced in the aviation sector. He affirmed that the challenges are not big enough to sweep its operation off the airspace.
The airline big-wig has consolidated, establishing all its routes, while it is also working on expansion. The many successes of the airline have paved the way for others to join the industry. Though there are still vacuums in the market, experts are optimistic that more Nigerians would choose to travel by air. The Nigerian government has really given Aero contractors and its contemporaries huge encouragement, and this has in turn driven its service; service to the industry; and service to mankind.
Aero Contractors was formed in 1959 and officially registered in Nigeria in 1960. At that time, it was wholly owned by Schreiner Airways B.V. of the Netherlands.It became a company with initially 40% Nigerian holding in 1973 and subsequently 60% in 1976, anticipating the requirements of the Nigerian Enterprises Promotion Decree of 1977, also known as the indigenization decree. In January 2004, Schreiner Airways was bought by CHC Helicopter (CHC), which acquired a 40% holding in Aero, while the 60% majority share remained within the Ibru family.
Recall that Asset Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON) had in 2016 taken over the management of Aero Contractors after it dissolved the board of the company following increased debt profile.
As a result, AMCON took over 60 percent stake in the company, leaving 40 percent to legacy shareholders, with an agreement that the shareholders manage the company through their representatives. The Airline company has two divisions; Aero Nigeria, which provides scheduled passenger services in Nigeria and western Africa and Rotary Wing, a division that provides helicopter services for the oil and gas industry in Nigeria. Due to its excellent services, there is a discernible passenger growth in Aero’s domestic market. Flights to Northern destinations like Abuja, Bauchi Kano, Sokoto and Adamawa have been recording high load factors at least in the past few months and it is the same with flights to South East destinations of Portharcout and Asaba. By the way, Aero just introduced the Abuja-BauchI-Abuja flight.
The Executive Desk to VIPs in Aero’s aviation is one of its top-notch service delivery. According to the Airline, the Executive desk is a convenient and easy service designed for executives, Corporate organizations, high net worth individuals and their families to have Exclusivity in Airline travels.Members are assigned account Managers to plan and make their bookings, check them in and deliver their boarding pass to them at the Airport on the day of travel.Members also have free wireless access, relax at our luxurious VIP lounge which is located at Aero’s private terminal, in Murtala Mohammed Airport, Ikeja.Above all, registered members can enjoy hassle-free travel as their account Managers plan and achieve travel requests to their satisfaction.
Olamide Adeniji is a member of the editorial team of TheScript Newspaper
