Founded in 1959 and formally incorporated in Nigeria in 1960, Aero Contractors Company of Nigeria stands as the nation’s oldest surviving airline, with a storied presence in both fixed-wing and rotary-wing aviation.
Aero Contractors, commonly known simply as Aero, is a well-established airline in Nigeria, having its roots deeply embedded in the aviation history of the region.
From inception, Aero played a key role in the oil and gas sector in Nigeria, providing services in the rotary wing (helicopter) offshore oil and gas sector as well as fixed wing scheduled and charter passenger services.
For over six decades, Aero has played a pioneering role in Nigeria’s aviation sector, particularly in servicing the oil and gas industry through offshore helicopter operations and reliable passenger services.
Aero Contractors was formed in 1959 and officially registered in Nigeria in 1960. At that time, it was wholly owned by Schreiner Airways B.V.
Read also: Power Sector in Nigeria
It became a company with initially 40% Nigerian holding in 1973 and subsequently 60% in 1976, anticipating the requirements of the Nigerian Enterprises Promotion Decree of 1977, also known as the indigenization decree.
In January 2004, Schreiner Airways was bought by Canadian Helicopter Corporation(CHC) who acquired 40% holding of Aero contractors while 60% majority share was held by the Ibru family group.
In March 2013, industrial action grounded flights for 18 days, in a dispute over outsourcing and reduction in staff numbers.
After financial intervention, the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), an arm of the Federal Government of Nigeria, held 60% of Aero.
In August 2013 it was reported that AMCON had taken over the management of the carrier.
Read also: Nigeria's Leading Logistics Providers
In August 2013 there was press speculation that the Federal Government will use Aero Contractors as the nucleus of a new national carrier, recapitalizing it through a N200 billion initial public offering (IPO).
The new airline was allegedly to be known as 'Nigerian Eagle', several years after the liquidation of the defunct flag carrier Nigeria Airways, and that the airline would commence full operations before the end of the year (2013).
The factual basis for this report was the repainting of an Aero plane in the colours of the Nigeria national football team, the Super Eagles.
In 2016, Aero faced severe operational challenges during Nigeria’s economic downturn.
However, following intervention by the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) and the appointment of Captain Ado Sanusi as Managing Director/CEO in 2017, the company underwent a comprehensive turnaround.
Read also: Nigeria's Construction Pioneers: ITB
Captain Ado Sanusi is the Chief Executive Officer of Aero Contractors Company of Nigeria Limited and a former CEO of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA). He has been leading the Company since 2020.
I Don’t Think The FG Will Continue The Project of Nigeria Air The Way It Was Conceived -Sanusi
Present Operations and Future Plans
Today, Aero has grown from service provider to the Oil & Gas sector into a leading regional domestic schedule carrier operator.
Currently a well-known Nigerian carrier, Aero is focused on bringing customers world class aviation services with best of fares, quality on-board services, good customer relations with effective online services and operational competence.
Since 2000 when the airline commenced scheduled commercial operation, it has emerged to become the first choice of customers in the region.
The airline’s foundation is built on proven safe, reliable and on-time air transportation while delivering to customers the highest standard of professionalism and efficient customer services.
Today, Aero Contractors operates across several divisions: scheduled passenger services, charter operations, rotary-wing services, MRO, aviation training, and ground handling.
As Nigeria’s aviation industry continues to grow, Aero Contractors is well-positioned to take advantage of the opportunities that will arise.
With its rich history, commitment to safety and customer satisfaction, and expansion plans, the airline is set to remain a major player in the industry for years to come.
During a recent courtesy visit to the Aero Contractors’ Managing Director, Captain Ado Sanusi in his office at the Lagos Airport, the Publisher and Chief Executive Officer of the Valuechain Energy Magazine, Musa Bashir Usman, sat with the airline’s management to discuss plans for expansion and growth.
During an interview, Capt. Sanusi revealed that Aero Contractors is poised to take its operations to new heights.
With a strategic partnership with the Cross Rivers State Government, through Cally Air, Aero is set to expand its fleet size to over 50 airplanes in the coming years.
“We are looking at expanding our operations, not just in Nigeria but across Africa,” said the airline’s management.
Whilst the Rotary Wing Division looks to expand services as required by its clients, the Fixed Wing Scheduled Service Operation will be bringing more firsts to the travelling public.
In 2017, Aero received certification from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority to perform C checks for Boeing 737-300, 737-400 and 737-500 aircraft at its facility at Lagos Murtala Muhammed International Airport.
In addition to its expansion plans, Aero Contractors is also focusing on maintenance and repair services.
The airline has invested heavily in its maintenance facility, which is now certified to perform heavy checks on Boeing 737 aircraft.
Aero has been involved in maintenance activities across African countries like Ghana, Congo, Morocco and Mongolia.
“We are proud to be the first airline in Nigeria to offer maintenance and repair services to other airlines,” said the airline’s management.
Commitment to Passengers
The pride of any airline is its customers.
This is why providing optimal satisfaction for passengers remains the major aim of Aero Contractors and not profit maximization.
According to Captain Sanusi, “Our aim is to give back to our passengers. We should not take advantage of them. We look at them as our guests, thus they should be treated properly. Our aim is also to make the industry thrive.
Speaking on other plans he has for the industry, Sanusi noted that his aim before retirement is to galvanize the flying public such that Nigerians, tourists and other travellers get the best flying experience in terms of comfort, safety and affordability.
He further explained that it was this aim that pushed the management to slash prices to attract more Nigerians to the airline in December 2024.
Aero wishes to empower more people to fly more often by offering the most affordable fares whether for business, leisure or visiting family and friends to different destinations on time.
Aero Contractors’ commitment to safety and customer satisfaction is evident in its operations.
The airline has implemented a range of measures to ensure that its passengers receive the best possible service, including the introduction of new aircraft, price slash during festivities and the expansion of its route network.
Captain Sanusi also mentioned his willingness to support the oil and gas sector in the aspect of logistics.
In his words, “Since the world is turning to hydrocarbons, IOCs will target investing there. With this, we believe that there will be more activities.
Corporate Profile
Headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria, Aero operates a combined fleet of around 3 helicopters and 4 fixed wing aircraft ranging from 50 seat Dash 8-300 to 140 seat Boeing 737-400/500, employing about 700 personnel.
Aero has received many accolades for scheduled operations, consistently offering the most reliable services and best value fares whilst introducing new initiatives into the local market to empower more people to fly more often.
Aero was wholly owned by the Ibru family.
During the courtesy visit, Mrs. stated that it is a great managerial ability that has kept the company functioning despite the challenges it faced in the past.
“Businesses in Nigeria,” she said, “We face challenges, however, financial difficulties should not get us discouraged. In life we encounter challenges but we don’t just allow the challenges to control our lives. When the nations decide to assist and strengthen business laws in the country, the business environment will be more conducive and with this, we could become fully stabilize in operation”, she said.
In his remarks, the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief, of The Valuechain Energy Magazine, Alhaji Musa Bashir Usman, noted that the magazine is ready to offer coverage of the activities and support the company to achieve its goals as their media partners.
He recognized and commended the resilience of the management in shouldering all the challenges and successfully crossing the hurdles that come with doing business in Nigeria.
He lamented the poor business environment that has hindered many businesses from growing.
Popular articles:
tags: #Nigeria
