Aero Contractors Positions Nigeria as Africa’s MRO Hub at Kigali Aviation Summit
Aero Contractors, Nigeria’s oldest aviation company, has taken a bold step towards cementing its place as a continental leader in aircraft maintenance by showcasing its upgraded Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) capabilities at the recently concluded Aviation Africa Summit and Exhibition in Kigali, Rwanda.
The two-day summit brought together regulators, airlines, Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), financiers, and aviation stakeholders from across Africa and beyond.
For Aero Contractors, the event provided the perfect platform to highlight how its expanding MRO services are helping airlines reduce operating costs, minimise downtime, and retain value within the continent.
According to Engr. James Ominyi, Head of the Approved Maintenance Organisation (AMO) Division, the response at Kigali was overwhelmingly positive. “We witnessed strong interest from both regional and international operators. Many airlines are keen to cut down on the high costs and long turnaround times involved in flying aircraft overseas for heavy maintenance. Our improved capacity gives them a viable solution right here in Africa,” Ominyi said.
The Aero Contractors delegation to the summit was led by senior executives, including Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Charles Grant; Head AMO, Engr. Ominyi; Technical Director, Engr. Emmanuel Adeyeye; General Manager Rotary Wing, Engr. Garba Mouktar; and MRO Business Development Manager, Mr. Adeyemi Adewojo.
Their participation underscored the company’s commitment to building confidence in African aviation infrastructure.
Aero’s MRO facility in Lagos is widely regarded as one of the most advanced in West and Central Africa. Its service portfolio covers:
Base and Line Maintenance for Boeing 737 Classic and Next Generation fleets, as well as regional jets and turboprops.
Helicopter Maintenance on platforms such as the AW139, providing support for scheduled and unscheduled checks.
Specialised Workshops for wheels and brakes, batteries, upholstery, structural repairs, and avionics—all currently being upgraded in readiness for European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) certification.
The facility is certified by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and endorsed by other regulators, including the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority, Mongolian Civil Aviation Authority, and Senegalese Civil Aviation Authority.
These international approvals highlight Aero’s compliance with global standards and reinforce its reputation among African and non-African carriers.
Over the years, Aero’s MRO division has built a strong client base. Its base maintenance customers include PassionAir of Ghana, Transair of Senegal, and several Nigerian carriers.
In addition, Aero supports Royal Air Maroc with line maintenance, while its rotary-wing operations provide essential services to offshore oil and gas operators – an indication of the company’s broad technical expertise.
The leadership of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), which has supported Aero Contractors’ recovery and expansion, has also thrown its weight behind the MRO upgrades.
This backing has allowed the company to strengthen its facilities and scale its operations towards becoming a true continental hub.
Speaking at the summit, Aero’s Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Charles Grant, reaffirmed the company’s vision: “With over six decades of aviation heritage, Aero is building on its legacy to serve the next generation of African operators. Our upgraded MRO is a clear signal that Africa has the expertise and infrastructure to sustain its aviation industry locally. This means saving costs, creating jobs, and retaining value on the continent.”
By demonstrating its capabilities at the Kigali summit, Aero Contractors not only highlighted its progress but also underscored a wider industry shift – African airlines increasingly seeking homegrown solutions to challenges that have long burdened the sector.
