A new entrant into the the Nigeria aviation industry, Santos Aviation limited is to create employment for hundreds of Nigerian youths and reduce capital flight.
Engr. Isaac David Balami, chief executive Officer of 7-Stars Global hangar disclosed this at the Murtala Mohammad airport Ikeja at the formal unveiling of Santos Aviation in Nigeria by representatives of the United States Federal Aviation Administration officials.
Balami said the unveiling of Santos aviation, an outfit specialized in aircraft interior furnishing, would solve the problem of Nigerian aircraft owners from going abroad to have their aircraft interiors refurbished adding that it would save huge money for the airlines.
According to Balami, over $100, 000 dollars would be saved annually by local airlines when carrying out interior refurbishing locally adding 7- Stars global would work together with Santos aviation to give airlines value for their money with quality sourced materials overseas.
“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 will attract other airlines from other West Africa countries to Nigeria for patronage.
He commended the NCAA for being supportive of the project saying that over 50% of aircraft in the country are either manufactured or registered in United States.
The Representative of the Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA Mr.Bello Akinola an Airworthiness and Safety Inspector, said the coming of Santos Aviation into the country’s aviation sector would be a very big business for Nigerians.
Akinola disclosed that out of the 150 private jets in Nigeria about 30 were American registered.
According Akinola, 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 noted that with the company in the country more jobs would be created which would also 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.”
The President of Santos Aviation limited, Segun Adesanya said the company specialized 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 licenses issued by the US Federal Aviation Administration FAA, adding that the licenses given their staff empower them to provide similar services on American made and registered aircraft.
Adesanya revealed that agents and employees of Santos have provided exceptional services for 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.
“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. “
Adesanya 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.
