Rochas Okorocha puts jet up for sale

The Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, has put his Gulfstream II (5N-BGV) up for sale. The aircraft belonged to the Presidential Air Fleet as 5N-AGV, before being sold to Okorocha in 2009. The aircraft was then repainted and still bears the logo of the Rochas Foundation.

In February 2012, the Governor announced that Imo State will soon float its own airline, to be called Imo Air. His predecessor also launched a state airline, Air MidWest, in 2010, but the airline failed to operate a single commercial flight.

Fleet Updates

A few fleet updates:

• Kabo Air acquired a B767-300 (5N-ASG; CN 23436), still stored at Victorville. This aircraft was initially destined for Tradecraft Air. Update this information is incorrect; the aircraft went to a charter airline called 19 Trade Craft.
• The lessor took possession of Air Midwest’s single B737-500 (5N-PVA). The aircraft is re-registered N495MS.
• Chanchangi Airlines announced that one of its B732s (5N-BIH) will soon be back in Nigeria after overhaul in China

Update: Air Midwest’s former B737 (without logo’s and titles) was flown back to Shannon in November 2010.

Air Midwest AOC Approved

The NCAA issued an Airline Operators Certificate to Air Midwest. The airline announced it will commence commercial operations in the coming weeks on the following routes: Lagos-Abuja, Lagos-Owerri, Lagos-Port-Harcourt, Lagos-Benin and Lagos-Kano.

Financial State Of The Nigerian Airlines

The Nigerian airlines are all heavily indebted and have severe financial problems. Read an update on the situation here.

Three short news bits:

• The claimed deal between Nigerian Eagle Airlines (formerly Virgin Nigeria) and Jimoh Ibrahim didn’t work out.
• Air MidWest uploaded its flight schedule (serving Abuja, Lagos and Owerri). It is not clear when the first flight of this new airline will take place.
• The restart of Bellview Airlines has been postponed again till 1 May 2010.

Air Midwest To Commence Commercial Operations

The NCAA granted Air Midwest a Certificate of Airworthiness for its single B737-500. The airline aims at starting commercial flights on 21 February 2010. The initial network of the new airline will cover Lagos, Benin, Owerri, Abuja and Port Harcourt. Two more B735s are on their way to Nigeria according to the airline.

Air Midwest - 5N-PVA - B737-500 (Copyright Pro4 Aviation)

Air Midwest Takes Delivery Of First Aircraft

The first B737-500 (5N-PVA) of Air Midwest has been ferried from London Heathrow to Lagos this week. The first flight of the new airline has yet to be announced. The airline concluded a deal with Ethiopian Airlines to maintain their aircraft.

By the way, how many directors can an airline have?

Air Midwest Acquires Second B735

The first B737-500 (5N-PVA) from start-up Air Midwest is stored at London Heathrow. The airline also acquired a second B735 (ex-British Airways; G-GFFD) currently stored at Belgrade.