Cost of Fuel: Aero shifts preference from jumbo jets to small-bodied aircraft

Nigeria’s Aero Contractors has taken delivery of two Dash-8 (Q-400) aircraft in its buildup to resume operation under a new partnership with UMZA Air.
 
The airline announced that the “first set” of the Dash-8 (Q-400) was delivered in Abuja, and would be expecting the second set to be delivered soon.

Considering the current high cost of Jet A1 and other operational costs incurred from using wide-bodied aircraft in its fleet, the airline said that the new joint venture with UMZA Air has chosen to introduce aircraft that are fuel-efficient and have 74 seating capacity, with a view to breaking even in the market. 
 
Announcing its anticipated return to operations with the new aircraft, the Managing Director of Aero Contractors, Capt. Abdullahi Mahmood said: “We are pleased to inform our customers and stakeholders of the delivery of this aircraft under a joint venture agreement with UMZA Air
 
“We missed our customers over the last few weeks and we are eager to offer our services to our highly esteemed passengers.
 
“Once we are ready to commence operation we shall officially inform the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
 
“We shall announce our resumption of services with a new schedule soon once we are ready.”

It would be recalled that Aero Contractors suspended flight operations on July 20th, 2022, as a result of the high cost of maintenance, skyrocketing fuel prices, inflation, and high foreign exchange rates.