Nigeria's Arik Air will begin construction this month of a new maintenance complex that will become the largest aircraft overhaul facility in West Africa when it opens in 2009.
Arik Air chief executive Mike McTighe says that he has begun talking to three global maintenance firms - Lufthansa Technik, SR Technics and Dubai Aerospace Enterprise - which are interestedin partnering Arik in the maintenance venture. "We want someone to provide technical skills," he says.
McTighe adds Arik has not yet decided whether to pursue a joint venture or only bring in a foreign company to help set up an in-house maintenance operation. "We're looking at all sorts of options," he says.
A ceremonial groundbreaking for Arik's "super hangar" is scheduled for later this month with the outgoing and incoming Nigerian presidents presiding. The hangar, which will be able to accommodate aircraft as large as the Airbus A380, will open in the fourth quarter of 2009.
It will be used to overhaul Arik as well as third-party aircraft. Arik operates a fleet of Boeing 737s and Bombardier CRJ regional jets and has Boeing 777 and 787 widebodies on order.
Last year Arik hired LHT to provide total technical support for its Boeing 737s and Bombardier CRJs, but McTighe says the deal with LHT is for only five years and Arik aims to eventually maintain all its aircraft in Lagos.
LHT is now performing line maintenance on Arik aircraft using an ageing hangar in Lagos that Arik acquired from defunct flag carrier Nigerian Airways. McTighe says the hangar is too small to accommodate 737s and will be demolished to make room for the new maintenance complex, which will also include a simulator, classrooms and a swimming pool.
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Source: Flight International
