Capt. Sanusi returns to Aero as NG Eagle fails to fly

The Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) has reappointed Capt. Ado Sanusi as the Managing Director of Aero Contractors.

Sanusi was reassigned by AMCON in 2020 to manage the Nigerian Eagle (NGE) carrier as part of the exit strategy of AMCON from Arik Air, while Capt. Abdullahi Mahmood was seconded from Arik Air to manage Aero Contractors in 2021.

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Daily Trust learnt that there has been a controversy over NG Eagle, which Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) was withheld by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

Daily Trust reports that the entity christened, ‘Nigeria Eagle’ was incorporated by AMCON as NG Eagle Limited and was to be established from Arik Air, which it took over in 2017 with three of the airline’s aircraft already converted to NG Eagle.

The three aircraft were ready as far back as February 2021 and the AOC was ready but it was not released by the NCAA following opposition by some union leaders citing the indebtedness of Arik Air to aviation agencies estimated at over N43bn.

AMCON yesterday confirmed the reappointment of Sanusi, attributing it “To the lingering issue connected with securing the Airline Operator Certificate (AOC) of NG Eagle and the failure of the airline to take off.”

Aero Contractors has been in receivership under AMCON since 2016 and is undergoing restructuring with the expectation of returning to schedule services in the very near future.

Capt. Sanusi said: “I am pleased to return to Aero Contractors to continue the job of repositioning the airline. I thank Capt. Mahmood for the wonderful job he has done in holding the fort.

“A lot needs to be done to make the airline stronger to be able to face future challenges. I look forward to the support of the staff and management of the airline including other stakeholders to make the airline great once again.”