* US FAA, Executive Directors of 7Stars Global Hanger, Santos Aviation and officials in a group photograph shortly after FAA officers inspected the hanger in Lagos.
Santos Aviation Limited, a new entrant into the Nigeria aviation industry, has stated that the birth of the organisation would not only put an end to the challenge of Nigerian aircraft owners going abroad to have their aircraft interiors refurbished but that it would also save huge money for airlines.
This is just as the organisation said that the company would create employment for hundreds Nigerian youths and reduce capital flight.
The Chief Executive Officer of 7-Stars Global Hangar, Engr. Isaac Balami, made this known at the Murtala Muhammad Airport(MMA),Lagos at the official unveiling of Santos Aviation in Nigeria by representatives of the United States Federal Aviation Administration(FAA) officials
Balami stated that the unveiling of Santos aviation, an outfit that specialised in aircraft interior furnishing, would solve the problem of Nigerian aircraft owners from going abroad to have their aircraft interiors refurbished and that it would save huge money for airlines.
According to Balami, over S100, 000 dollars will be saved annually by local airlines when carrying out interior refurbishing locally, adding that 7- Stars Global will work together with Santos Aviation to give airlines value for their money with quality sourced materials overseas.
In his words, “It is a huge relief, it is going to create jobs, it will increase safety and also the comfort of our passengers.”
Balami noted that with 7-Stars Global Hangar, working together with Santos Aviation, their services would attract airlines from West Africa countries to Nigeria for patronage.
He commended the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority(NCAA) for its support for the project, adding that over 50 per cent of aircraft in the country are from the United States
The representative of the Director General of NCAA, Bello Akinola said the coming of Santos Aviation into the country’s aviation sector was a very big business for Nigerians.
Akinola disclosed that of the 150 private jets in Nigeria about 30 were American registered, adding that jet owners always carry out their interior refurbishing in Canada, South Africa and America
“We have facility but only for maintenance. It is a good thing for us in Nigeria, it will save us a lot of money from capital flight,” Akinola said.
Akinola said that with the company in the country, more jobs would be created and that this would lead to more business for the youths.
“We so appreciate it, thanks for 7 star global and Santos for bringing this to Nigeria. For FAA, we have been a partner for long we want to support us too as it has been in the past, so there are many companies too, who want to seek FAA approval,” he added.
The President of Santos Aviation Limited, Segun Adesanya said the company specialised in the provision of maintenance and interior refurbishing services to both government and privately owned aircraft.
According to Adesanya, agents and employees of Santos Aviation have professional and technical licences issued by FAA of the United States, adding that the licences make their staff eligible to provide similar services on American made and registered aircraft.
Agents and employees of Santos, he stated had provided exceptional services on the US government owned aircraft.
He disclosed that they were presently negotiating with one of the leading Nigeria’s operators for the provision on aircraft interior refurbishing
According to Adesanya, “Based on our knowledge and experience in the aviation industry, it is our opinion that this sector of the Nigerian economy has a lot of potential for growth. We are aware of the recent steps taken by the Federal Government of Nigeria and some state governments that will boost the growth of the sector,”
The President of Santos Aviation Limited explained that with his staff FAA licenses their knowledge and experience in aviation and the growth in Nigerian aviation sector was a significant opportunity for profitable joint venture relationships for the public privately owned Nigerian entities.
