Chinedu Eze
A new airline, NG Eagle being floated by the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) is yet to obtain Air Operator Certificate (AOC) to start operation because one of the aircraft needed to secure minimum number of equipment that would qualify it for certification is not ready.
The aircraft, a Boeing B737-700 originally owned by Arik Air but taken by AMCON to NG Eagle is waiting for livery change at Ethiopia Airlines Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility in Addis Ababa.
It was learnt that the aircraft has been in the MRO facility for weeks after a C- check (maintenance) had been conducted on the aircraft.
When painted, the aircraft would now be ready to be ferried to Nigeria to complete the process of obtaining AOC from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
Informed source from Arik Air told THISDAY that the aircraft might be leased to the start up airline, which is scheduled to commence operations before the end of the fourth quarter of 2021.
The source also said that the delay in the completion of the transformation process might be due to funds, which the MRO is waiting for AMCON to pay.
However the MRO management in Addis Ababa declined to comment on the issue, but confirmed that apart from the airline, other Nigerian carriers bring their aircraft for maintenance and repainting in its facilities.
Arik Air has been under the receivership of the Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria since February 2017.
Some of Arik Air’s aircraft have been rebranded in the colours of NG Eagle, as AMCON explained earlier that floating a new carrier would be a way it would recoup the huge debts allegedly owed it by Arik Air.
The aircraft, which showed the logo of eagle emblazoned on its engine and painted in green colour, was said to have highlighted the seriousness of AMCON to start a new airline from the fleet of Arik Air.
THISDAY learnt that AMCON was in the last stage of acquiring an Air Operators’ certificate from NCAA, which would make it commence scheduled services.
Recently, Director General of NCAA, Capt. Musa Nuhu confirmed to aviation journalists that NG Eagle was among the impending new airlines currently undergoing AOC acquisition.
About two months ago there were expectations that the new airline would start operation, but lack of minimum number of aircraft has continued to delay it.
