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Quorum Aviation, 328 Dornier unfold $2 billion investment in aviation
- Sign deal for Abuja-Kaduna flight shuttle, others
Nigeria’s private sector airline, Quorum Aviation Limited and United Kingdom based 328 Dornier have unveiled $2b investment portfolio for the country’s aviation sector.
This huge capital outlay was disclosed today when the two firms signed a strategic collaboration agreement to support the growth of new regional connectivity in Nigeria and West African region.
328 Support Services GmbH, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) is the type certificate holder of the Dornier 328 aircraft.
The Dornier 328 is a modern regional turboprop airliner with 30 seats. The aircraft got it’s certification in October 1993. Initially it was produced by Dornier Luftfahrt GmbH. In 1996 Fairchild Aircraft acquired the Dornier Luftfahrt and formed a new company named Fairchild Dornier GmbH.
The agreement would provide the basis for the start of a new chapter in Nigerian aviation sector as the United Kingdom based aviation support group would supply aircraft for Quorum Aviation Abuja-Kaduna air shuttle service project which was previously announced by the Nigerian company and the Kaduna State Government in 2019.
The deal also provides opportunity to Quorum to be engaged in the selling of Dornier 328 aircraft in Nigeria and West Africa aside the setting up of aircraft maintenance centre among other aviation related services in the country.
Aside that, Quorum Aviation is shifting its focus by using smaller, fuel efficient and cost effective airplanes by developing a niche market for itself described as money spinner for airlines.
Speaking in Lagos after both firms inked a deal in Lagos, Founder and Managing Director of Quorum Aviation Limited, Mr. Lukman Abiola Lawal, his firm had been planning to partner with the right aircraft manufacturer over many years and felt now was the right time to connect more cities and towns and with potential of Dornier 328 aircraft which he said is the right aircraft for its niche market.
According to Lawal, “The investment that this strategic partnership will drive and bring to Nigeria aviation and indeed West African region is massive; aircraft, parts, maintenance, training plus the potential to build an internationally recognized MRO to provide regional support for the expected growth of the re-energised Dornier 328 programme is very exciting especially as the company approaches the start of the next generation Dornier aircraft”.
“While the cooperation agreement involves the acquisition of aircraft, the other aspects and potentials of this cooperation agreement is very positive for Nigeria and Africa aviation and we look forward to sharing more details as we execute the plan’, he added.
Sales Director for 328 Support Services, Ray Moses said Nigeria is an ideal place for the services provided by the Dornier 328 aircraft, stressing that they look forward to working with Quorum Aviation Limited to deliver a quality product to the people of Nigeria.
His words, “The expansion of our fleet base there, where we already have a number of Dornier 328 aircraft and the commitment and the vision shown by Quorum is a very exciting project for us”.
President, Aviation Round Table (ART), Dr. Gbenga Olowo disclosed that aviation can only grow through strategic partnership, admitting that it does not make sense for the Federal Government to continue to waste scarce resources in the provision of infrastructure when the private sector is eager and willing to make huge investments in the sector.
He stated that he was excited with the confidence 328 had shown in the country by bringing in their airplanes into the country’s economy.
He lauded Lawal and his team for persevering for more than seven years to bring the new investment to fruition despite the challenging aviation environment.
He wondered why government was reluctant to go ahead with concession of the airports when a Nigerian is known to own Gatwick Airport, one of the busiest airports in the world, wondering why government is not encouraging private sector participation in the aviation industry.
He added that the nation must develop the will to move the sector forward by allowing private sector participation
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