Page 21 - World Airnews Magazine February Edition 2021

AFRICA

NEW CEO FOR AERO

CONTRACTORS

airline had 26 aircraft. Few are in use
aptain Abdullahi Mahmood - a
Cformer director of flight oper-
ations Arik Air - will take over as chief
executive officer of Aero Contractors
after captain Ado Sanusi stepped down
last year.
Mahmood joined Arik Air in 2007 as
a flight officer and rose to become a
captain before he became director of
flight operations. As a flight officer, he
operated the Bombardier CRJ-900 and
later started flying the Boeing B737-NG
and Airbus A330.
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority has

been notified of his new appointment.
Meanwhile industry leaders believe that
Sanusi is poised to take over the running of
Nigerian Eagle, a new airline which could

possibly become a national carrier, while
Captain Roy Ilegbodu will hold the reins as
Arik Air CEO.
Sanusi was instrumental in turning He led the organisation in 2017 and
around the more than 50-year-old Aero acquired approval to handle C-Checks on while the rest are in storage. Though
AMCON has denied the report, industry
Contractors into a capable Maintenance the Boeing 737 series along with main- insiders believe the new airline would
Repair Organisation (MRO) rolling out some tenance of the Bombardier Turboprop take over an unspecified number of

of its previously unserviceable aircraft in airliner series. Arik’s fleet and leave some for it to

2018 and 2019. In order to get an Air Operating Certifi- continue operations.

Under Sanusi’s leadership, the airline cate (AOC) from the NCAA, Nigerian Eagle
Before it was taken over by AMCON,

gained third party maintenance approval needs two aircraft and four more added Arik purchased a Boeing 737-700, a Boeing

and made in-roads into West and Central when it starts domestic operations. 737-800, a Bombardier Q400 and a Bom-

Africa - Ghana and Congo precisely. According to safeflightips.com, Nigerian bardier CRJ as new aircraft and still has

Also in process is a plan to upgrade the Eagle was incorporated on July 11,2019 pending orders from the plane manu-
airline’s MRO and other agreements aimed with share capital of 1,000,000,000 units facturers for seven Boeing 787-9 and 12
at helping the airline maintain a semblance and shareholders are the Asset Manage- Boeing 737 Max.
of breaking even. ment Company of Nigeria or AMCON, Head of corporate communications of

Sanusi also held the position of deputy 499,999,999 units, while Omokhide Alaba AMCON, Jude Nwuzor, confirmed that Cap-

managing director of Arik Air, and in 2009 has one unit. tain Sanusi has been deployed and Captain
was managing director of the Nigerian AMCON took over the management Mahmood has been appointed to head
Airspace Management Agency (NAMA). of Arik Air in February 2017 when the Aero Contractors. Q
AFRICA
GOLDSTAR AIR HONOURS
The citation was in commemoration of the most revered monarchs in the world

the 20th anniversary of the King on his and paid tribute to Otumfuo Osei Tutu I.
oldstar Air, a wholly owned enthronement and as the 16th occupant He said the company wanted to name

GGhanaian carrier, honoured of the Golden Stool, the royal throne of one of its aircraft after the King.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the King of the the Asante Kingdom. The Asantehene, through one of his
Asante Kingdom with a citation. Eric Bannerman, chairman and Chief chiefs, thanked Goldstar Air for the visit

The airline company congratulated Executive Officer of Goldstar Air, visited and honour and the royal gathering gave

the Asante King for his ‘bold, proactive, the Otumfuo community at the Manhyia the traditional shout, called “pre”, to
and decisive and remarkable leadership Palace in Kumasi. acknowledge the gesture of Goldstar Air.

skills’ that have made the Asanteman Bannerman said the citation represent- The Ashanti Region is the cultural

Kingdom more visible on the world map. ed the company’s love for him as one of heartbeat of Ghana. Q
World Airnews | February 2021
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