A320 Aircraft: Right Equipment For Nigerian Market – Stakeholders
Players in the Nigerian aviation industry have said that the recent acquisition of Airbus 320 aircraft by Aero Contractors shows that Nigerian airlines are deploying right equipment for operations. OLUSEGUN KOIKI writes. Not all aircraft can fly on a particular route. Aircraft limitations are taken into consideration when airlines deploy them to a specific route. The core profit contributor for any airline is delivered by operating its aircraft fleet.
Therefore, evaluating, selecting and managing the optimum fleet, matching capacity to demand and making smart purchase decisions are central to an airlines’ successes.
One of the major challenges that confronted Nigerian airlines in the past was their failure to acquire appropriate aircraft for the right routes.
In fact, most of the older airlines deployed wrong equipment to local markets, thereby leading to their early exit from the industry.
But, all that seems to be changing gradually with the acquisition of more modern equipment by the Nigerian airline operators and more in-depth knowledge of the industry.
Aside the fact that the airlines are enhancing their fleets with state-of-the-art aircraft, they are equally taking delivery of equipment that will further boost their operations and lead them to path of profitability.
Operators in Nigeria now consider factors such as capacity to demand, aircraft payload range capability; aircraft take-off performance, relative fuel consumption, maintenance cost and support capability, value of passenger comfort, cargo capacity and others when choosing a new aircraft for operations.
Just recently, Capt. Musa Nuhu, the Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), explained that Nigerian airlines are now getting the right aircraft for the routes they operate and they are also getting new aircraft, which is more economical because it saves fuel cost and maintenance cost and also has improved technology on safety.
He said: “It gladdens my heart that Nigerian airlines are not only getting new aircraft but are getting the right aircraft. The connectivity in Nigeria has improved and it is getting better. These new aircraft have low maintenance and operational costs and are environmental friendly. This is the way to go.”
One of such airlines with the right decision is Aero Contractors airline, which recently, took delivery of two Airbus 320 aircraft from Heston airline based in Lithuania. The seat capacity of the new addition is 180 passengers.
The two aircraft, which arrived the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja, were immediately received by Capt. Abdullahi Mahmood, the Managing Director of the airline, along with other senior executives of the carrier.
Aero Contractors, which is currently in Receivership by the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), emphasised the two aircraft leased by House of Five A’s, would further boost its fleet and provide the much needed capacity to serve the Nigerian market. It said the aircraft was the first of its kind in the Nigerian market.
Mahmood, while speaking on the delivery, said that the two aircraft would make the airline more efficient and create more comfort in its services to air travellers.
He maintained that the aircraft are suitable to its operations, adding that the company had also established an excellent relationship with the lessors.
He said: “We are pleased to secure these two aircraft through House of Five A’s which will boost our fleet and give us the needed capacity in the Nigerian market, while making us more efficient and offer more comfort to our customers.
“These new generation aircraft are suitable to our operations in this market. We have established an excellent relationship with the lessors and the financier and we are looking forward to a stronger relationship between both parties.”
In another interview with our correspondent, Mahmood said that with the delivery of the two aircraft, the fleet of the airline has increased to six, adding that the airplanes are on wet lease ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance and Insurance), which comes with a maintenance plan from the lessors.
With this, the airline would not need to bother itself with maintenance or crew for the two aircraft.
Mahmood further explained that the aircraft type were the perfect equipment for the Nigerian market, saying its spare parts are “more readily available and more fuel efficient.”
Engr. Frank Ogochukwu, aviation analyst, while speaking on the latest acquisition, said that the A320 aircraft are a narrow-body airbus and one of the most complex and innovative airplanes ever attempted.
According to him, the aircraft promotes the adoption of fly-by-wire technology, side-stick controls, and cockpit commonality in commercial jets.
Ogochukwu pointed out that the acquisition of the additional two aircraft would increase fleet capacity for Aero Contractors, while also enabling it to close some existing gaps in meeting its current capacity deficiency.
He further said that this would enable the airline to reduce flight delays and cancellations, improve customer experience and services.
He explained that because most of the local flights are short hauls, the A320 fits appropriately the Nigerian market.
Ogochukwu, however, said that indigenous operators needed to re-evaluate the Nigerian aviation market with regards to passenger traffic, understand the routes configuration that would give them returns on investment.
“They need to explore the Nigerian cargo market that has huge potential because COVID-19 has exposed the business potential. They need to explore interlining arrangements and enhanced customer service. They also need to also re-evaluate their current fleet capacity if it’s not economical,” he said.
Besides, Mr. Olumide Ohunayo, Director, Research, Zenith Travels, said the additional A320 aircraft by Aero Contractors would further enhance its reach and services to its clients.
Apart from Aero Contractors, Ohunayo noted that Ibom Air recently added two A220-300 aircraft to beef up its operations, stressing that the aircraft being acquired in recent times by the Nigerian operators are right equipment for the market.
Ohunayo explained that the new additions would complement the operations of the airline and charged the Ministry of Aviation to work in tandem with AMCON by adopting the airline and Arik Air as national carrier, rather than pursuing a new national carrier for the country.
He said: “If you notice of late, Ibom Air has brought one to help them on the busy trunk route of Lagos-Abuja. Now, Aero has a few B737 aircraft and now use the props and other smaller aircraft. So, if these A320 aircraft will complement the airline on some of the routes it has busy trunk, then, it is good. It is a good aircraft, I cannot condemn it out-rightly.
“But, one thing I am sure of is that this plan will be in synergy with NG Eagle because NG Eagle may probably take all West Coast and the international routes and I see them building up as a new flag carrier from Nigeria. What I can say is that the Ministry of Aviation should augment AMCON plan, rather than wants to have its own national carrier. The ministry should key into AMCON project and see how we can build. We cannot have two carriers owned by the Federal Government of Nigeria.”
Besides, Grp. Capt. John Ojikutu (rtd), aviation analyst, told our correspondent that acquisition of A320 aircraft by Nigerian airlines was not new in the domestic scene.
Ojikutu, however, said that the deployment of the equipment by Aero Contractors would determine its useful, stressing that Aero Contractors being the oldest existing carrier in Nigeria should have the experience in the deployment of the aircraft, especially on the regional market than others.
Apart from the local routes, Ojikutu said the aircraft could also be deployed into the regional market and advised the airline’s management to ensure proper deployment of the aircraft.
He said: “A320 is not new in the domestic airlines commercial operations in Nigeria; therefore nothing should be strange if Aero is taking delivery of two now. What should be our primary concern is the capacity the airline would enhance; domestic, regional or continental.
“Note that the airline has been a major participant in regional operations before the Covid-19 pandemic and the market too seems to be growing with the incursions of airline from neighbouring regions of East, Central and South Africa.”
Ojikutu further opined that for the domestic airlines to make a headway, the Federal Government should restrict the multiple destinations granted to foreign airlines, noting that this would also ensure maximum use of aircraft by indigenous operators.
“Government should restrict the multiple destinations given to foreign airlines mainly to either Lagos or Abuja and one other, but they could have multiple frequencies daily as they wish to the airports of their choice. In other words, no foreign airlines should go to Lagos and Abuja but Lagos or Abuja and any other in the alternative geographical area to the first choice.
“The aim is to create markets for the domestic airlines and to stop the incursions of the foreign airlines into the domestic routes and therefore into the domestic markets,” he stated.
Besides, Engr. Abednego Galadima, the President, National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) said that the choice of equipment should not be seen as a matter of right or wrong.
Rather, Galadima said the deployment of such equipment determines its usefulness, adding that the acquisition of the A320 would lead to improved capacity for the airline and enhanced knowledge for the engineers and pilots in the country.
He added: “Again being a rare type of aircraft in the Nigerian aviation industry, it will give our engineers and pilots impetus to diversify, even I learnt the arrangement is on Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance and Insurance (ACMI). I believe with time, there will be gradual transfer of technology and technical skills.”
