Capt. Akin George Resigns as Aero Contractors MD

Aero Contractors, Nigeria’s on Sunday night said that its Managing Director, Captain Akin George, had resigned and replaced with (tush-boy) Mr Obaro Ibru, who currently acts as the Airlines Acting Managing Director. Mr. Obaro Ibru, used to be the airline’s Deputy Managing Director. He is said to have a wealth of experience in Business Aviation and banking.

The airline however said in a statement today that George resigned following the commencement of a restructuring exercise initiated by AMCON.
“This is the beginning of a restructuring exercise that will make the airline slimmer and stronger with the aim of making it more competitive.
Since AMCON took over the airline few months ago over bad debts, a new management was expected.
Aero Contractors airline is the oldest airline in Nigeria. The 51 year old Aero Contractors airline is one of the four major commercial airlines in Nigeria.
Two other, Dana Air and Air Nigeria are not in the skies.
While Air Nigeria has suspended operations for a year on account of bankruptcy, Dana Air has not resumed operation since the 3 June plane crash, although dana air has completed neccessary documents and test and has been given its Airline Operators Licence AOC.
The Central Bank of Nigeria had announced that all credits to Aero should be halted because of its $200 million loan.
“We can confirm that Aero’s debt has been taken over by AMCON. Currently Aero is going through a restructuring exercise under AMCON, pending final approval by AMCON board which is expected very soon,” said Mr. Omoke Enyi, Aero Contractors Chief Financial Officer.
Aero, the preferred airline by multinational oil companies, is Nigeria’s oldest private airline. With technical support offered by the Canadian Helicopters Corporation (CHC), the world’s largest commercial helicopter operator, Aero has played a key role in the oil and gas operation in Nigeria.
On its website, Aero, based in Lagos, says it operates a “combined fleet of around 20 helicopters and 15 fixed wing aircraft ranging from 50 seat Dash 8 to 144 seat Boeing 737-400/500, employing about 1,300 personnel”.
Aero Contractors of Nigeria was formed in 1959 as a wholly owned by Schreiner Airways B.V of the Netherlands. It became a company with initially 40% Nigerian holding in 1973 and subsequently 60% in 1976.
In January 2004 Schreiner Airways was bought by Canadian Helicopter Corporation(CHC) which acquired 40 per cent holding of Aero contractors while 60 per cent majority share remained within the Ibru family group.
Currently, Aero is wholly owned by the Ibru family and is said to be managed by Mrs. Cecilia Ibru, the former managing director of defunct Oceanic Bank.
The Company started in the early 1960′s as an air charter operator.From this beginning in the 1970′s,Aero has gone-on to provide both rotary and fixed wing services to all the major oil,gas and related support companies working in Nigeria and in West Africa sub-region.