Aero takes delivery of Dash-8 Q-400, partners UMZA Air preparatory for flight resumption
Preparatory for resumption of flights, Aero Contractors, has taken delivery of the first set of two Dash-8 (Q-400) aircraft this afternoon at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja. In a statement, the airline says, the Nigerian registered aircraft owned by UMZA Air will be operated by Aero Contractors under a joint venture agreement between both parties. The Dash 8 aircraft is one of the most fuel efficient and modern aircraft in the market and has a capacity of 74 seats. The second aircraft is due to be delivered in a couple of days. The Managing Director of Aero Contractors, Capt. Abdullahi Mahmood said: “We are pleased to inform our customers and stakeholders of the delivery of this aircraft under a joint venture agreement with UMZA Air “We missed our customers over the last few weeks and we are eager to offer our services to our highly esteemed passengers. “Once we are ready to commence operation we shall officially inform the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
“We shall announce our resumption of services with a new schedule soon once we are ready”.
It will be recalled Aero Contractor voluntarily shut down its scheduled passenger operations on Wednesday 20th July, 2022.
It attributed the temporary suspension to the impact of the challenging operating environment on its daily operations and thus the management of Aero Contractors Company of Nig. Ltd. announced the temporary suspension of its scheduled passenger services operations with effect from Wednesday, July 20, 2022.
“This decision was carefully considered and taken due to the fact that most of our aircrafts are currently undergoing Maintenance, resulting in our inability to offer a seamless and efficient service to our esteemed customers. We are working to bring these aircrafts back to service in the next few weeks, so we can continue to offer our passengers the safe, efficient, and reliable services that Aero Contractors is known for, which is the hallmark of Aero Contractors Company of Nig. Ltd”.
“The past few months have been very challenging for the Aviation industry and the airline operators in particular. With the high cost of maintenance, skyrocketing fuel prices, inflation, and forex scarcity resulting in high foreign exchange rates. These are amongst the major components of airline operations”.
