Nigerian carriers sign deal with GMF AeroAsia

Kabo Air, MaxAir, Hak Air and an unknown carrier called Service Air have signed a $60 million maintenance contract with GMF AeroAsia. The Indonesian company will service the aging fleet of the Nigerian airlines. The four B737-400s acquired by start-up airline Hak Air are 19 years old, while the age of Kabo Air and MaxAir’s B747s ranges between 21 and 26 years.

This week’s update

A couple of news bits:

• The House of Representatives insists on banning Dana Air and firing NCAA’s MD Harold Demuren, who defended the re-certification of the airline.
• The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) will start scraping old airplanes that are abandoned at airports next week.
• The NCAA has expanded and revised a part of the civil aviation regulations.
• Some controversy over the acquisition of new trainer aircraft for the International Aviation College, Ilorin. It’s not clear whether the aircraft will be financed by the Federal Government of by the Kwara State Government.
• The Central Bank of Nigeria has increased the Airline Intervention Fund to give the sector a boost.
• The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has approved night flight operations at Uyo Airport. The expansion of the airport will be ready in 2015.
• The FAAN has yet another conflict with a concessionaire about a plot of land at Lagos Airport.
• Flights were delayed in the past week due to the Harmattan haze.
• Dana Air has added a fourth, early-morning flight between Lagos and Abuja on weekdays.
• The Nigerian Air Force took delivery of a Hawker 4000 (5N-FGX; ex-N466HB). The aircraft was acquired as part of the renewal of the Presidential Air Fleet; it replaces a Hawker 800 (ex-5N-AGZ; now 5N-BOO).
• Caverton Helicopter’s new Dash 6-400 Twin Otter (5N-SHE; ex-C-GUVA) is on its delivery flight from Canada to Nigeria.
• TopBrass Aviation will likely get a third Dash 8-Q300 (5N-TBA; ex-5N-BIA). The aircraft is currently stored at Maastricht, but flew in Nigeria in the past with Aero.
• Overland Airways’ second ATR 72-200 (5N-BPF; ex-F-WNUF) was spotted in Toulouse. The B737-800, reportedly, destined for Overland is still stored at Shannon.
• No date has been set for the delivery of Arik Air’s A330s.
• Kabo Air was to get a B747-400 (N135KB), an ex-Corsair aircraft, but is unable to finance the necessary maintenance checks.
• Serious complaints were made about the management and solvency of Kabo Air and MaxAir on a pilots’ forum.
• No news about the start-up airlines Azman Air, Discovery Air, and Hak Air. Discovery Air is set up by First Deepwater Discovery, of which Babatunde Babalola is the MD/CEO. Discovery Air is sourcing B737-300s.
• The B737-200F (5N-BMS) operated on Wings Aviation’s AOC belongs to the former MD of Wings, Nogie Megginson. He also intends to set up a new commercial airline called  Jedidiah Air (Jed Air).
• The Nigerian Air Force is sending Alpha Jets (NAF 452 and NAF 455) and MI-35s to Mali, while a C130H and G222 are used for transporting troops.

Nigerian Air Force Lockheed C-130H Hercules (NAF 917) transporting troops from Kaduna to Bamako (copyright Dario El-Carabobeno)

Business and private jets based in Nigeria

In recent months, wild guesses have been made in the Nigerian press about the number of private and corporate jets based in Nigeria and/or owned by Nigerians. The NCAA will not provide the accurate numbers, but a list of identified active private and business jets is provided below. The list is not complete and might not be entirely accurate, but it does show that the numbers circulating in the press are slightly exaggerated.

Aircraft on the Nigerian register:

• Boeing 737-700/BBJ (5N-FGT) – Nigerian Air Force
• Dassault Falcon 7X (5N-FGU) – Nigerian Air Force
• Dassault Falcon 7X (5N-FGV) – Nigerian Air Force
• Gulfstream G550 (5N-FGW) – Nigerian Air Force
• Gulfstream GV (5N-FGS) – Nigerian Air Force
• Cessna Citation II (NAF 050) – Nigerian Air Force
• Embraer EMB135BJ Legacy 600 (5N-RSG) – Rivers State Government
• Embraer EMB145LR (5N-BJM) – Bauchi State Government / Associated Aviation
• Embraer EMB145EU (5N-BOZ) – Taraba State Government / Air Taraba / OAS Helicopters
• Cessna 560XLS Citation Excel + (5N-HAR) – Nigeria Police
• Cessna 525C CitationJet CJ4 (5N-DIA) – Nigeria Customs Service
• HS 125-700 (5N-AVK) – Nigerian Airspace Management Agency
• Hawker 4000 (5N-NOC) – Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation
• BAe 125-800 (5N-NPC) – Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation
• Hawker 800A (5N-BNE) – King Airline
• Hawker 800A (5N-BMR) – King Airline
• Hawker 800XP (5N-BNM) – SkyJet Aviation
• Learjet 45 (5N-BLW) – ARM Investment Managers / Associated Aviation / Hangar8
• BAe 125-700 (5N-BFC) – Associated Aviation
• BAe 125-700 (5N-DAO) – Associated Aviation
• Hawker 800XP (5N-JMA) – Arik Air
• Hawker 800XP (5N-JMB) – Arik Air
• Learjet 45XR (5N-LDM) – MaxAir
• Gulfstream GIV (5N-BOD) – SkyBird Air
• Cessna 560XLS Citation Excel (5N-BJS) – Pan African Airlines
• Cessna 560XLS Citation Excel (5N-BOQ) – Pan African Airlines
• Learjet 45 (5N-DAL) – Dana Air
• BAe 125-600 (5N-EMA) – M. Adenuga / Southern Air – stored at Lagos
• Hawker 800A (5N-QTS) – S. Iwuajoku / Quits Aviation
• Hawker 800XP (5N-IZY) – A. Izinyon / Izy Air
• Cessna 550 Citation Bravo (5N-IZZ) – Izy Air
• BAe 125-700 (5N-BEX) – A. Dangote
• BAe 125-1000 (5N-DGN) – A. Dangote
• Gulfstream GII (5N-BGV) – R. Okorocha – for sale
• Gulfstream GIV (5N-PZE) – A. Eze / Oranto Oil / Triax Airlines
• Hawker 800 (5N-BMT) – Ocean and Marine
• BAe 125-800 (5N-BOO) – unidentified – stored
• Dassault Falcon 900 (5N-FGE) – unidentified – stored
• Dassault Falcon 900 (5N-BOH) – unidentified – stored

Foreign registered aircraft based in Nigeria:

• Bombardier Global 5000 (N565RS) – Rivers State Government
• Gulfstream G450 (N224BH) – Akwa Ibom State Government
• Hawker 800XP (N664AC) – TaK Aviation / TaK Continental
• Hawker 800XP (N500AZ) – Azikel Air
• Hawker 900XP (ZS-SME) – TopBrass Aviation
• Hawker 900XP (ZS-KBS) – SkyJet Aviation
• Hawker 4000 (N412TF) – SkyPower Express Airways
• Dassault Falcon 900EX (N512TF) – SkyPower Express Airways
• Cessna 525 CitationJet Cj1+ (N224BA) – SkyPower Express Airways
• Cessna 680 Citation Sovereign (N2208L) – United Bank of Africa
• Embraer EMB135BJ Legacy 600 (M-ANGA) – MaxAir
• Embraer EMB135BJ Legacy 600 (ZS-LRK) – SkyJet Aviation
• Embraer EMB135BJ Legacy 600 (ZS-UBS) – SkyJet Aviation
• Learjet 45XR (ZS-KAA) – SkyJet Aviation
• Learjet 60 (VP-BOD) – Caverton Helicopters – for sale
• Airbus A318 Elite (VP-CKH) – Harry Akande
• Bombardier Challenger 604 (VP-BJM) – M. Adenuga / Southern Air
• Bombardier Global Express XRS (VP-CNA) – M. Adenuga / Southern Air
• Bombardier Global Express XRS (VQ-BJA) – A. Johnson
• Bombardier Global Express XRS (VP-CEO) – F. Alakija
• Bombardier Global Express XRS (N104DA) – A. Dangote
• Learjet 45 (N104DN) – A. Dangote
• Dassault Falcon 2000LX (M-DARA) – Dangote Group / Dansa Juice
• Bombardier Challenger 300 (VQ-BMJ) – Executive Jets Services – for sale
• Bombardier Challenger 605 (3B-RGT) – GTBank / Executive Jets Services / OSA Aviation
• Bombardier Challenger 605 (N605GF) – J. Ibrahim / Global Fleet
• Bombardier Challenger 605 (VP-CSI) – I. Sanomi / Gembrook Energy Projects
• Dassault Falcon 50 (M-SNSS) – S. Tommey / Osmoserve Global
• Hawker 800A (N118KL) – M. Lawal / ACE / CAMAC Aviation / West Link Airlines
• Hawker 900XP (N638MA) – Midway Airlines / Okin Travels
• Hawker 900XP (M-SAPT) – T.Y. Danjuma / SAPETRO Aviation
• Bombardier Challenger 605 (M-SAPL) – T.Y. Danjuma / SAPETRO Aviation
• Hawker 900xp (ZS-SGV) – J. Okoloko / Notore Chemical Industries
• Gulfstream GIV (N990EA) – E. Azudialu / Nestoil
• Gulfstream GIV (N52MK) – M. Indimi / Oriental Energy Resources
• Gulfstream GIV (M-PZPZ) – A. Eze / Triax Airlines
• Gulfstream GV (M-USBA) – Namco Nigeria / Shukra
• Gulfstream G550 (N169SD) – S. Dantata / MRS Group – for sale
• Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ (N5UD) – Dantata
• Embraer EMB135BJ Legacy 600 (N357TE) – I. Rabiu / BUA Group
• Dassault Falcon 7X (VP-BGG) – Chagoury Group
• Gulfstream GIV (N707EA) – E. Adeboye / Emmanuel Aviation
• Bombardier Challenger 601 (N431CB) – A. Oritsejafor
• Bombardier Challenger 604 (N664D) – D. Oyedepo / Dominion Air / World Mission Agency
• Hawker 800XP (ZS-PCY) – Oando / Triton Aviation
• Hawker 900XP (ZS-BOT) – Oando / Triton Aviation / Hangar8
• Hawker 4000 (ZS-ZOT) – Oando / Triton Aviation / Hangar8
• Bombardier Challenger 300 (VP-BJT) – Triton Aviation

Private and corporate propeller aircraft:

• Beechcraft 1900D (5N-WCI) – Dominion Air
• Beechcraft 1900D (5N-MPA) – Mobil Nigeria
• Beechcraft 350 King Air (5N-MPB) – Mobil Nigeria
• Beechcraft 1900D (5N-MPN) – Mobil Nigeria
• Beechcraft 350 King Air (N404SA) – Dantata / MRS Group
• Beechcraft 350 King Air (5N-FLS) – Julius Berger
• Beechcraft 350 King Air (5N-FLY) – Julius Berger
• Beechcraft 200 King Air (5N-IHS) – Wings Aviation – stored at Lanseria
• Cessna 208A Caravan I Amphibian (5N-BIW) – Pan African Airlines
• Pilatus PC-12 (5N-BNG) – Bala Ibn Na’Allah
• Piper Aztec PA-23 (5N-BGZ) – Africa Contracts and Equipment / MishAviation

Corporate and private helicopters:

• Agusta A109S Grand (M-AZKL) – Azikel Air
• Sikorsky S-76C (5N-BQG) – Nestoil

Updates, additions and corrections are appreciated.

Please note that various foreign charter companies are also active on the Nigerian market, such as VistaJet, Hangar8, Empire Aviation Group, Elit’Avia, FAI rent-a-jet, National Airways Corporation, TAG Aviation, AVjet Corporation, and AmJet Executive. Their aircraft are not included in the list above. The same goes for the foreign registered aircraft operated by JetAlliance (Austria/Germany) for Prime Air Services and Izy Air.

Reminder: If you cite this blog, be certain you provide a link to your source and add to the information provided by your source, rather than simply copying it.

MaxAir signs new maintenance contract

MaxAir signed a deal with Alsalam Aircraft Company to carry out maintenance on its fleet of four B747-300s and one B747-400. The airline specialises in Hajj charter flights, and having a Saudi Arabian maintenance provider helps the Nigerian carrier ensure the appropriate inspections are in compliance with the Saudi General Authority for Civil Aviation. MaxAir is owned by Alhaji Dahiru Mangal, and the airline also operates an Embraer Legacy 600 jet (M-ANGA) and a Learjet 45 (5N-LDM).

MaxAir – B747-300 – 5N-DDK

Hajj 2012 airlines

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) announced that six airlines are approved by the Federal Government for this year’s Hajj pelgrimage. Kabo Air, MaxAir, Med-View Airline, Meridian Airlines, Tradecraft Air and Ethiopian Airlines are the selected carriers, while Hamsel Air Services and Aero Aviation Services will serve as back-up charter airlines. Furthermore, Med-View Cargo, Evergreen and White Aero Ventures are chosen as carriers for the pilgrims’ excess luggage. Around 95,000 pilgrims will be travelling from Nigeria to Saudi Arabia in the last week of September and in the first week of November.

This week’s update

Short updates:

• Arik Air will suspend its Abuja-London service again per 25 March. Apparently the slot issue at London Heathrow has not been resolved.
• Arik Air has ferried one of its CRJ900 aircraft (5N-JEC) to Arkansas for maintenance recently.
• SkyBird Air will soon take delivery of its first Dornier 328Jet (5N-BMH).
• DANA will also accept a new Dornier 328 aircraft (5N-DOW / ex-D-CASI) soon, after selling some of its aircraft last year.
• Air Taraba’s EMB145 has received its livery (without titles yet) at Bournemouth; the aircraft will be registered 5N-BOZ.
• A police helicopter (a Bell 427 that joined the fleet last year; 5N-POL) crashed near Jos on 14 March. The Airwing of the Nigerian Police also acquired a Cessna Citation XLS (5N-HAR) new last year.
• Shell has given Caverton Helicopters a loan of $85 million to upgrade its fleet with six AW139s. Caverton will from next month expand its operations to Cameroon, signing a five-year contract with the Cameroon Oil Transportation Company.
• Air France will resume flights from Lagos to Abuja from June 2012. It will be the airline’s third destination in Nigeria.
• Enugu Airport will be closed for traffic for three weeks from 18 March (now postponed to April), to enable the installation of runway lighting.
• Bauchi Airport has re-opened after a year of renovation works.
• Kano State Government has appealed to KLM to shelve plans to suspend operations at Malam Aminu Kano International Airport.
• FirstNation Airways have commenced a daily Abuja-Port Harcourt service from 14 March.
• Allied Air Cargo continues to lease two MD11Fs from World Airways along its own four B727Fs.
• Associated Aviation still operates an ERJ-145 (5N-BJM) leased from the Bauchi State government.
• MaxAir has acquired a Embraer Legacy 600 (M-ANGA) for its charter operations. The airline also operates a Learjet 45 (5N-LDM).

SkyBird Air – Dornier 328Jet

MaxAir To Lift 36,000 Hajj Pilgrims

MaxAir announced it will fly 36,000 pilgrims (43% of the total number) to Saudi Arabia this year, following the allocation by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON). The airline will use its three B743 aircraft for the operation and keep a fourth as standby aircraft.

Kabo Air, Meridian Airlines and Medview Airline will be responsible for carrying the remaining Hajj pilgrims. Meridian and Medview will have to wet-lease aircraft for this end, while Kabo Air may employ its B742 aircraft.

Hajj Carriers 2010

The Federal Government has approved Kabo Air, MaxAir, Meridian Airlines and Medview Airline as official carriers to airlift Nigerian pilgrims during the Hajj of 2010.

This Week’s Update

• IRS Airlines has a booking website again.
• Arik Air postponed the introduction of the A332 due to regulatory issues.
• Air Nigeria’s first newly branded aircraft (5N-VND) returned to Lagos last week. Jimoh Ibrahim declared that in a few weeks, the airline would have liquidated all its debts. Air Nigeria also announced it will add five aircraft to its fleet before October.
• The Bangladesh Ministry of Aviation blocked the extension of the lease of a Kabo Air B747-200 by Biman.
• A Max Air B747-300 carrying Ghanaian football fans was grounded at Johannesburg after it entered South African airspace without approval.

Tradecraft Air – New Charter Airline?

Last year an airline called Tradecraft Air (sometimes referred to as Trade Craft Air) was designated to carry pilgrims from Ilorin and Lagos to Jeddah. Reportedly, the company used two leased B767s. Tradecraft Air now appears to have acquired a B767-300 of its own. This means that the airline joins Kabo Air and MaxAir as pilgrims charter carrier in Nigeria.

Update: it’s an ex-Delta B767-300 (serial 23436).

MaxAir B737-200

Apparently, MaxAir also operates a B732 (5N-BLY). This airplane is very likely an ex-Nigerian Airways (5N-ANY (cn 22773/893)) aircraft and sold by Arik Air to MaxAir.

Nigerian Hajj Airlines (2009)

Four Nigerian charter airlines are operating the annual hajj flights from various Nigerian airports to Saudi Arabia:

• Kabo Air: 3xB742 (5N-MAD, 5N-DKB, and 5N-JRM)
• MaxAir: 4xB743 (5N-BMG, 5N-DBM, 5N-DDK, and 5N-MBB)
• Med-View Airline: 2xB763 and 1xL1011 (leased from Euroatlantic Airways)
• Meridian Airlines: 1xB743 (from an unidentified lessor)

Note: Kabo Air also wet-leases a B763 from Icelandair for scheduled operations from Abuja and Kano to Cairo, Dubai and Jeddah.