Nigerians commend AMCON on intervention in Arik, Aero

Airline passengers in Nigeria have commended the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) on its intervention in two of Nigeria’s failing carriers, Arik Air and Aero.

They specifically praised the on-time-performance (OTP) of Arik since the intervention.

AMCON took over the management of the airline in February 2017 following a huge debt profile to AMCON and other creditors around the globe, a development in the aviation industry that saved the collapse of yet another airline as well as thousands of jobs in the country.

A good number of passengers who spoke at the Arik terminal at the Lagos local airport wing, Ikeja said it was refreshing to see that all the delays and flight cancellations, which Arik was known for before AMCON came have all regularized to the extent that Arik is now the number one when it comes to keeping to flight time schedules.

One of the passengers said, “Whatever magic that AMCON did at the place is commendable. Initially, when AMCON intervened, some of us were skeptical but the truth must be told, they (AMCON) have done really well with their involvement in Arik because things have really improved.”

He also singled out Aero Contractors for mentioning in commending AMCON, saying that there is hope for aviation in the country.

“I think other operators should understudy whatever model AMCON used to revive the two very important airlines because without them this two critical airlines would have become history like many others before them,” he noted.

Aero Contractors airlines, like Arik is also under the receivership of AMCON and has made history by conducting the first C-check on a Boeing B373. It also recently extended its maintenance hangar so that it could effectively take in a Boeing 737 aircraft and it is partnering with A J Walters of the United Kingdom for tooling and spares, the South Africa Airways Technical and other international maintenance organisations to ensure that its aircraft maintenance facility is in line with global standards.

For years the airline has been conducting maintenance on helicopters and Bombardier Dash 8 aircraft up to D and C check respectively. The airline also hopes to secure European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification before the middle of next year.

The implication of this is that other airlines in Nigeria would save a lot of money by making use of Aero facilities for their C-checks instead of doing so abroad.