By Patience Chat Moses
In a bid to revamp Nigeria’s aviation industry, Aero Contractors, the country’s oldest private airline, is spreading its wings. With a rich history spanning over five decades, the airline has weathered numerous storms, including financial difficulties and a hostile business environment.
During a recent courtesy visit to the Aero Contractors’ Managing Director, Captain Ado Sanusi in his office at the Lagos Airport, the Publisher and Chief Executive Officer of the Valuechain Energy Magazine, Musa Bashir Usman, sat with the airline’s management to discuss plans for expansion and growth.
Captain Ado Sanusi is the Chief Executive Officer of Aero Contractors Company of Nigeria Limited and a former CEO of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA). He has been leading the Company since 2020. During an interview, Capt. Sanusi revealed that Aero Contractors is poised to take its operations to new heights. With a strategic partnership with the Cross Rivers State Government, through Cally Air, Aero is set to expand its fleet size to over 50 airplanes in the coming years.
“We are looking at expanding our operations, not just in Nigeria but across Africa,” said the airline’s management. “We are investing in state-of-the-art simulators and training facilities to ensure that our pilots and crew are equipped with the latest skills and knowledge.”
In addition to its expansion plans, Aero Contractors is also focusing on maintenance and repair services. The airline has invested heavily in its maintenance facility, which is now certified to perform heavy checks on Boeing 737 aircraft. Aero has been involved in maintenance activities across African countries like Ghana, Congo, Morocco and Mongolia.
“We are proud to be the first airline in Nigeria to offer maintenance and repair services to other airlines,” said the airline’s management. “Our facility is equipped with the latest technology, and our team of experts is dedicated to providing top-notch services.”
Aero Contractors’ commitment to safety and customer satisfaction is evident in its operations. The airline has implemented a range of measures to ensure that its passengers receive the best possible service, including the introduction of new aircraft, price slash during festivities and the expansion of its route network.
As Nigeria’s aviation industry continues to grow, Aero Contractors is well-positioned to take advantage of the opportunities that will arise. With its rich history, commitment to safety and customer satisfaction, and expansion plans, the airline is set to remain a major player in the industry for years to come.
Captain Sanusi also mentioned his willingness to support the oil and gas sector in the aspect of logistics. In his words, “Since the world is turning to hydrocarbons, IOCs will target investing there. With this, we believe that there will be more activities. We have been thinking of how we can assist and give support to the oil and gas sector, like in the logistics”, he said.
The pride of any airline is its customers. This is why providing optimal satisfaction for passengers remains the major aim of Aero Contractors and not profit maximization. According to Captain Sanusi, “Our aim is to give back to our passengers. We should not take advantage of them. We look at them as our guests, thus they should be treated properly. Our aim is also to make the industry thrive. When it thrives, you may be making little profits but there is sustainability which is more than making big profits at the expense of customers’ comfort and safety.”
Speaking on other plans he has for the industry, Sanusi noted that his aim before retirement is to galvanize the flying public such that Nigerians, tourists and other travellers get the best flying experience in terms of comfort, safety and affordability. He further explained that it was this aim that pushed the management to slash prices to attract more Nigerians to the airline in December 2024.
During the courtesy visit, Mrs. Chinyere Chikeleze, Head, Commercial, Aero Contractors Company of Nigeria Ltd. stated that it is a great managerial ability that has kept the company functioning despite the challenges it faced in the past. “Businesses in Nigeria,” she said, “We face challenges, however, financial difficulties should not get us discouraged. In life we encounter challenges but we don’t just allow the challenges to control our lives. When the nations decide to assist and strengthen business laws in the country, the business environment will be more conducive and with this, we could become fully stabilize in operation”, she said.
In his remarks, the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief, of The Valuechain Energy Magazine, Alhaji Musa Bashir Usman, noted that the magazine is ready to offer coverage of the activities and support the company to achieve its goals as their media partners.
He recognized and commended the resilience of the management in shouldering all the challenges and successfully crossing the hurdles that come with doing business in Nigeria. He lamented the poor business environment that has hindered many businesses from growing.
“Aero Contractors is a remarkable story of resilience and determination,” he said. “The airline’s commitment to safety and customer satisfaction is evident in its operations, and its expansion plans are exciting. We look forward to seeing the airline continue to grow and thrive in the years to come,” he concluded.