Allied Air has taken delivery of its first Boeing 737-800 converted freighter.
The aircraft, which worth about N8 billion is the first for any airline in Africa.
The freighter (MSN 36846) is the youngest 737-800 in the world that has been converted to-date.
A statement by the airline said that the technologically advanced cargo aircraft would be deployed to COVID-19 vaccines distribution across Nigeria as one of its first missions, as it is fitted to deliver medical supplies safely.
The deal, the statement hinted was financed through the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) intervention fund, but structured and delivered by the Access Bank Plc.
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Sen. Hadi Sirika, the Minister of Aviation, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Mr. Hubert Wigwe, the Access Bank Group Managing Director and Capt. Val Tongo, the Managing Director of Allied Air, along with other government officials received the aircraft, which was greeted by a water canon ceremony at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
Speaking at the brief ceremony held in Abuja over the weekend, Tongo said the aircraft would be deployed to COVID-19 vaccine distribution.
In his comments, Emefiele said the aircraft was funded through the intervention fund of the CBN, but throug Access Bank.
He added: “Only about three weeks ago, the Aviation Minister commissioned another aircraft for Air Peace. What does that mean, with the hard work, the Nigerian aviation sector is opening up more and more and investments are coming in.”
He called on other investors to invest in the aviation sector, assuring that the CBN and the Nigerian banks were ready to support them.
Sirika said at the event that the aircraft would be dedicated to cargo and the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines across the country.
He assured that before the vaccines arrive, the cargo shade would be ready, stressing that the aircraft was also ready for distribution.
Just like the CBN Governor, he tasked other operators to invest in the aviation industry so it could double its contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to 5 percent or N450 billion annually.
Capt. Musa Nuhu, the Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), said the aircraft would undergo the mandatory process that would ensure the airline had acquired the proficiency to safely fly the aircraft.
“Right now they are going through demonstration flight where they will show the ability to handle this type of Aircraft,” he said.
Wigwe in his comment, expressed delight to be a part of this endeavour.
He maintained that these were some of the little signals to show that the country was coming out for cargo business, adding that the aircraft could carry specialised medical facility.
By this acquisition, Allied Air has set a new standard in air cargo operation in terms of fleet upgrade in the region that is dominated by ad hoc operators and use of old aircraft for cargo operations.
Allied Air, a member airline of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), is also the first cargo airline in Africa to attain the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) certificate.
The airline has successfully renewed its IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) certificate consecutively since 2016.
Allied Air is also the first cargo-only full member airline of the African Airlines Association (AFRAA), the umbrella association of African airlines.
The aircraft is an improvement in the standard and quality of air cargo services delivery in Nigeria, and would be instrumental in the distribution of essential and sensitive cargo including the COVID-19 vaccines.
The aircraft will also boost Allied Air and Nigeria’s participation in the emerging Single African Air Transport Market as well as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
