BY MIKE OCHONMA
As part of its commitment to continue to invest in the Nigerian economy and the development of Nigeria’s aviation sector, Dana Air says it will partner 7 Star Global Hanger on its future heavy maintenance checks (C checks).
Sukhjinder Mann, the airline’s deputy chief executive officer, made this known during the first aircraft handover to the newly appointed MRO partner at the 7 Star Global Hanger in Lagos, where he said: “after months of stringent due diligence, we are pleased to announce that we have selected 7 Star Global Hanger as our preferred Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) service provider and as a result, have further enhanced 7 Star Global Hanger’s MRO services to include the MD80 aircraft range.”
Mann said the selection of 7 Star Global Hanger stems from Dana Air’s commitment to the growth of the Nigerian economy and development of Nigeria’s aviation sector, adding, “We have always previously sent our fleet overseas for the heavy maintenance checks and now are proud to announce that we will be keeping this activity in Nigeria.”
What this means is that Dana Air will be creating some job opportunities in the aviation sector, including non airline commercial operations.
Specifically, jobs expected to be created will accommodate engineers, planners and technical specialists, a measure that will reverse the previous outward cash flow from the Nigerian economy, whereby the airline paid foreign service providers.
The saved funds are expected to be retained within the country and aid economic growth of Nigeria.
“We believe that our appointment will also give a proudly Nigerian brand (7 Star Global Hangar) more leverage to compete with global MROs,” said 7 Star Global Hangar.
Dana Air’s Mann further explained that the decision to appoint 7 Star Global Hanger was due to the exemplary maintenance track record of the MRO, which currently services and maintains the Presidential Air fleet and is fully equipped to carry out aircraft line and heavy maintenance, including aircraft wheels and brakes, upholstery and general fix operations services.
“Dana Air is reinvesting in the aviation sector, and promoting Nigerianisation, and this gives me great pride as it is in line with our core value of putting Nigeria first in everything we do. I am also extremely grateful to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority for their support in both of our intention to keep the work in-country and that of the approval granted to the MRO to service our aircraft type,” Mann said.
