BAUCHI — The Aero Airline, on Wednesday commenced its maiden commercial flight operations from Bauchi to Abuja.
Speaking during the launching ceremony of the flight operations at the Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa International Airport, Bauchi, Mr. Abdullahi Mahmood, the Managing Director of Aero Airline, said that the decision was as a result of the state governor’s resolve in revamping the economic activities of the state.
He said Bauchi state was chosen due to the governor’s commitment coupled with the Airline management’s due consideration of its commercial activities.
“Bauchi state flight was chosen based on our own diligence as we look at our commercial activities.
“We look at Bauchi, naturally if you want to start any flight in the North-East, I think Bauchi stands the right position to start a flight in.
“Also, the executive governor of Bauchi state with his own vision in trying to make sure that economic activities also brings in social activities in Bauchi is part of the things that we look at.
“It’s very encouraging and this is part of our contribution to make sure that his dream is being achieved. As of today, Aero holistically looked at the whole things and said we need to start operation,” he said
The Managing Director explained that the flight would be operating four times a week, adding that it would be flying once a day.
He said as time went by, the operation would be increased to twice a day within the stipulated operation days in a week.
Mahmood further appreciated the Bauchi state government as well as the Nigeria Civil Aviation for their efforts to make sure that the flight was a success in Bauchi state.
Also speaking, Gov. Bala Mohammed, appreciated the Aero Airline company and its Managing Director for carrying out due diligence on Bauchi and finding it worthy to bring the flight operations into the state.
The governor who revealed that the state government spent a lot of money to bring Max Air into the state in 2019, said no dime was paid to Aero Airline.
“Here we are as a state, we spent so much money on Max Air to come here, but this company that we never even went to, approached us without giving us any conditions for subsidies other than just something that is taken for granted.
“We are really very grateful for that. The competition they are bringing here is also not only within the aviation industry but is for the business community in Bauchi, Yobe, Jigawa, Gombe, and Plateau states.
“This is because we intend for this providence, the Bauchi state, to be the hub of the North-East,” said the governor.
Mohammed also appreciated the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika whom he said had graciously agreed to recognise Bauchi Airport as the hub for the North-East.
He assured Aero contractors that the company would not regret the adventure of coming to Bauchi state, adding that the state government would do anything necessary to keep the company going in the state.
“We have seen that you are honest, you are with us and you mean well for our administration here in Bauchi that you want to bring economic development to the state and the region.
“I assure you, our security in Bauchi is good, the business climate is also good and we will make sure all our government offices and travels will be tailored towards making sure that you are given patronage,” Mohammed said.
