.. Procures licence
A new internationally licensed Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO), 7 Star Global Hangar, owned and managed by Nigerians, will commence operations in the country next week, following the granting of a full license by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority in Lagos (NCAA)
According to Engr. Isaac Balami, Chief Executive Officer of 7 Star, the MRO is operations-ready to handle Boeing 737 Fleets. 7 Star will also stock a comprehensive spare parts inventory marketplace to be made available to airlines in Nigeria and across the West and Central African region.
Balami, who decried the high cost of maintenance of aircraft by airline operators in the region, said relief has come to the aviation sector, urging operators to take advantage of the opportunity.
The Former President of the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) – and a senior manager at Aero Contractors where he resigned to focus on this new area firmly believes that with the granting of “Approved Maintenance Organization” to operate, millions of dollars will be saved for airlines and while also greatly reducing capital “flight”.
Working with Jordanian, American and European technical partners, Balami said maintenance will be carried out on Boeing Classic along side new generation, Private jets Military/Para military Planes and other Aircraft types, over time.
The chief executive officer of 7 Star Global Hangar, noted that a prime contributor to the failure of so many Airlines over the years has been capital and fleet erosion, all of which he said can be mitigated and eliminated with licensed local maintenance support.
Balami and his team said they are determined to apply their expertise to deliver such a facility in Nigeria to assist local African operators.
He also added that, a single B737 aircraft, grounded awaiting maintenance, has a negative impact of hundred thousand dollars plus, per day, to the owner /operator Airline.
7 Star Global Hangar boss explained further that this will save significant costs, including navigational charges, crew salaries and expenses to local airlines in comparison with identical services performed in another country.
Maintenance services, Balami disclosed, will also be available in Abuja in a few weeks from now at a reduced cost for international class services.
He said their new Hangar in Abuja can take two Boeing 737 at the same time.
According to the CEO, some of the experts in the organisation have worked for more than thirty years in the Aviation Sector at local and international levels.
“Furthermore, our technical partners from Jordan, USA and Europe are bringing more than 50 years combined experience, so operations in Aircraft, heavy maintenance, ranging from C-D Checks to aircraft paintings amongst a broad cross-section of related services.
Together we are determined to ensure aircraft serviceability across Africa. This MRO will create hundreds of Jobs in the next few months as will stimulate opportunities across the sector supply chain,” Balami said.
An international aviation expatriate from the USA, and a Founding Director of 7 Star Global Hangar – and the former MD of American Airlines where he was in charge of more than 1000 Aircraft – and the Biggest MRO in the World, Dr Abiodun Asekun, while describing the approval of the license by NCAA as “a right step in the right direction” added that the MRO will play a major role in support of and close working partnership with the new Nigerian National carrier commencing operations.
According to Dr. Asekun, because there is no parking space in the air, we have put together the best brains in the aircraft maintenance, management, engineering, modifications, fabrications, training, design and manufacturing on the ground.
Speaking also, the Accountable Manager Engr. Ibrahim Nock stated that 7 Star is coming at a time when it is truly needed in the country, stressing that the national carrier is encouraged to take advantage of its facility, to generate jobs for the vast number of talented but jobless engineers across the country.
This is also an opportunity to stretch the best Aviation Engineers at home and across the Diaspora- many of whom have made up their minds to return home to support the great efforts of the Aviation Minister, with the support of the President, he said.
Dr Abiodun while observing that this is a new dawn in the Nigerian and African aviation sectors that will save the country huge amount of money urged the government to provide enabling environment to ensure survival of the MRO
