Stories by Ime Akpan Lagos Th e Chairman of Genesis Global Aviation Ltd, Capt. Emmanuel Iheanacho, has said that getting an Air Operator’s Certifi cate (AOC) from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) is a rigorous process. Speaking in Lagos after NCAA had issued an AOC to GGAL, a helicopter company to start commercial fl ight services, Iheanacho explained that the reason for the rigorous examination is to ensure safety of lives.
He said the aviation industry is one of the most regulated industries in the world because of the safety considerations in operating delicate aircraft. “If you make a little mistake, there is no second chance to say I want to rectify it. So, that is why it is a major challenge to anybody who wishes to invest in the industry. We feel that it is a huge achievement for us to go through the fi ve stages and to get to the point where they said yes, we will issue you an AOC,” he said.
Iheanacho also stated that beside the AOC, the company had had other certifi cations to run some helicopter services. “We actually did have certifi cations other than the AOC. We have Airline Operating Permit (AOP) which allows us to operate our helicopter on a private basis….We have now convinced the system and the regulatory authorities that we have met the standards for off ering commercial services to whosoever might require those equipment.
On entering the market at a time when some helicopter companies are crashing out because of the current economic recession, Iheanacho said the situation is for the time being adding that the Nigerian economy will bounce back “It is indeed true that lots and lots of players in the industry are falling out but that has not changed the situation that we require helicopter services. Be it in respect of off shore service delivery or for emergency medical evacuation or for general logistics…there is a requirement for helicopter services. “So if the economy is bad and helicopter services providers are falling, it does not mean that other people cannot be entering the market and going in the opposite direction.
And we are absolutely standing there because we really believe in the resilience of the Nigerian economy; we believe that what we are witnessing is just a deep for the time being and we believe that there is bound to be a rebound at some point in time.
So, we dare and we are investing in the helicopter industry,” he said. With a fl eet of 6 EC 155B helicopters, the company provides services for off and deep shore operations, surveillance for pipelines and power generating companies, sick people, emergency medical evacuation or general logistics.
