Evergreen Apple Nigeria plans to set up maintenance facilities in 10 countries around western and sub-Saharan Africa over the next 10 years amid a projected growth in business aviation activity in the region.
The Lagos-based company initially plans to expand within Nigeria to Abuja and Port Harcourt, the country's political and petroleum hubs respectively. It then plans facilities in Ghana, Angola, Uganda, Mozambique, Tanzania, Gabon, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Kenya.
"There is plenty of growth potential in these countries as their economies grow, but there are very few aviation services," says EAN founder and chief executive Segun Demuren.
The company has secured maintenance organisation certification from Nigeria's civil aviation authority, allowing it to undertake wheels and battery service on aircraft registered in the country and bringing it one step closer to offering full line maintenance.
Through its existing relationship with Maintenance Centre Malta, EAN already offers around-the-clock aircraft-on-ground capability and can provide maintenance for visiting aircraft during regular daily operations. The partnership has MCM supporting EAN clients with line maintenance, wheels, brakes and battery servicing on European-registered aircraft at the EAN facility.
"The majority of aircraft operating in Nigeria are listed on a foreign register," says Demuren. "However, with our EASA partner, complemented by the AMO certification, aircraft operators and owners will not have to re-position aircraft to South Africa, the Middle East or Europe for regular maintenance, so saving them time and money."
Source: Flight Daily News
