Airlines Dump Local MRO Firms, Spend $1bn Annually on Offshore Maintenance

Nigerian airlines are spending an estimated $1 billion yearly on aircraft maintenance abroad, as many carriers continue to overlook local Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facilities.

Industry experts say the development undermines Nigeria’s aviation economy, despite the existence of local MRO firms capable of handling base and line maintenance operations. The trend, they noted, also contributes to the rising operational costs that have forced many domestic carriers into financial strain.

According to reports, most Nigerian airlines prefer foreign maintenance hubs in Ethiopia, Morocco, South Africa, and Europe, citing regulatory constraints, inadequate infrastructure, and limited technical capacity as reasons for shunning domestic options.

President of the Aircraft Maintenance and Support Association of Nigeria (AMSAN), Isaac Balami, lamented the capital flight caused by the preference for overseas facilities. He called on the Federal Government and aviation regulators to strengthen local MROs through policy support, investment incentives, and technical training.

Balami emphasized that a robust local maintenance sector would save the country billions in foreign exchange and create thousands of jobs for aviation engineers and technicians.

Industry stakeholders have also urged the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to enforce policies encouraging airlines to patronize certified local maintenance providers and ensure the sustainability of Nigeria’s growing aviation sector.

Oshuniran Sheriff Ola