Experts have projected that Nigerian airlines would expend over $2 billion on aircraft maintenance overseas in 2026, despite availability of such facilities in Nigeria. Currently, Nigeria has Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facilities, which include Aero Contractors’ Aircraft Maintenance Organisation (AMO), 7 Star Global Hangar, and Execujet Aviation Group facility, but airlines still ferry their aircraft overseas for major checks. The Managing Director of Aero Contractors, Captain Ado Sanusi, told THISDAY that Nigerian carriers take their aircraft overseas because the local maintenance facilities are yet to build the necessary capabilities that could enable them carry out major checks on many aircraft types. “They are also yet to have trained and experienced manpower to conduct high level maintenance services,” he said. Sanusi who rebuilt the maintenance facility at Aero Contractors, told THISDAY that the facilities also needed skilled manpower, the right tooling and other critical equipment, disclosing that Aero Contractors is equipping its facility, training technical personnel and acquiring the needed tooling so as to be able to service different aircraft types and embark on major checks in the foreseeable future. “The reason why airlines still take their aircraft overseas for maintenance is because the facilities in Nigeria are yet to have the capabilities, trained personnel and tooling required to conduct major checks. Aero is expanding its facility, it has sent engineers overseas for training. So, the major requirement is not just the facility but the right personnel and tooling,” he said.
Experts have projected that Nigerian airlines would expend over $2 billion on aircraft maintenance overseas in 2026, despite availability of such facilities in Nigeria. Currently, Nigeria has Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facilities, which include Aero Contractors’ Aircraft Maintenance Organisation (AMO), 7 Star Global Hangar, and Execujet Aviation Group facility, but airlines still ferry their […]
