The Director-General of the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Rev. Stephen Wilfred Arthur, has identified Aero Contractors’ aircraft maintenance facility in Lagos as a strategic solution to the high cost of aircraft maintenance across West and Central Africa, describing it as a game-changer for airlines and passengers in the sub-region.
Rev. Arthur made the remarks after a guided tour of the Aero Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility located at the General Aviation Terminal of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos. During the visit, he assessed the infrastructure, equipment and technical capacity of the facility and interacted with engineers and technical personnel.
According to the GCAA Director-General, the absence of major maintenance facilities within the sub-region has, for years, forced airlines to ferry aircraft to Europe or the United States for routine checks and heavy maintenance, significantly increasing operating costs. He explained that these costs, which include fuel for ferry flights, crew allowances, navigation charges and prolonged aircraft downtime, are ultimately passed on to passengers through higher airfares.
He noted that the availability of a fully functional MRO within West Africa directly impacts airline economics by reducing maintenance turnaround time, lowering operational expenses and improving fleet availability. Describing Aero MRO as both timely and strategic, Rev. Arthur said the facility offers airlines in the region a viable alternative to costly overseas maintenance.
“This is unique by all standards. I least expected to see what we have witnessed today, especially from this part of the continent,” he said, adding that many passengers underestimate how maintenance costs influence ticket prices. “It is not only the fuel used to fly the aircraft; the cost of maintaining, repairing and overhauling the aircraft also plays a major role in the overall cost of operations.”
Rev. Arthur described the Aero Contractors MRO as a significant asset not only for Nigeria but for ECOWAS member states, noting that Ghana and other neighbouring countries stand to benefit from its proximity and technical capacity. He disclosed that Ghana, which is in the process of establishing a national carrier, intends to patronise the facility, while encouraging airlines across the region to support the MRO to enable its continued growth and expansion.
He also revealed that Nigeria was the first country he visited following the confirmation of his appointment, underscoring the importance Ghana places on regional aviation cooperation.
Earlier, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Aero Contractors Limited, Captain Ado Sanusi, traced the company’s evolution from oil and gas aviation services to scheduled passenger operations and aircraft maintenance. Established in 1959, he said Aero Contractors became the first airline to perform C-checks on Boeing 737 Classic aircraft in West and Central Africa.
Since then, Captain Sanusi noted, the company has provided maintenance services to airlines within and beyond the sub-region and has secured approvals from several countries. He added that Aero Contractors is working towards obtaining European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approvals to expand the MRO into base maintenance, while also planning a return to Accra operations.
With growing pressure on airlines to manage costs and improve efficiency, the endorsement by the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority positions Aero Contractors’ MRO as a critical pillar in strengthening regional aviation infrastructure and reducing the cost burden on air travellers across West Africa.
