ExecuJet, Honeywell Ink Agreement On Aircraft Equipment Maintenance, Supply, Storage

Emmanuel Olisemeke

ExecuJet Nigeria, Free Trade Enterprises has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Honeywell Aerospace Technologies based in United States (U.S) for the supply, maintenance and storage of aircraft equipment in Nigeria.

The agreement was inked recently at the ExecuJet Aviation Nigeria office at the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA), Lagos.

ExecuJet Aviation Nigeria is a Fixed Based Operator (FBO) and Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility, based in Nigeria, while Honeywell Aerospace Technologies is a division of Honeywell International that focuses on designing and manufacturing a wide range of aviation products including aircraft engines, avionics systems, auxiliary power units (APUs), and other critical components for both commercial and military aircraft.

With this agreement, ExecuJet Nigeria Free Trade Enterprises has been appointed as authorised business and general aviation mechanical centre and avionics installer for Honeywell in West and Central African regions.

It also means that business jet owners for private and charter operations would no longer have to fly their aircraft outside West Africa to Europe, America or Middle East for spare parts acquisition, installation and maintenance.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Mr. Sam Iwuajoku, Chairman, Quits Aviation Free Trade Zone, operators and hosts of ExecuJet facility in Nigeria, expressed optimism that the MoU would aid general aviation growth in Nigeria and West African regions.

Iwuajoku said that Honeywell is a popular orgnisation in the sector, which majors in the manufacturing of critical components for both commercial and military aircraft and contributes to the development of advanced technologies for the aerospace industry.

He explained that the agreement would also facilitate technology transfer and engagement of technical personnel in the industry.

He appealed to business jet owners and operates to look inward for the maintenance of their aircraft, stressing that ExecuJet Nigeria could carry out maintenance on aircraft from A to D-Checks.

He said: “It is impossible to see an aircraft without Honeywell products. All aircraft has Honeywell products onboard either as engines, avionics and others. Anything that flies, you must see Honeywell.

“I am very excited with the agreement. We want the public to give all the supports to ExecuJet Nigeria and we learn from their technology and create employment for our local people.”

Also, Ivo Heger, Customer Business Leader and General Aviation, Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEAI), Honeywell Aerospace Technologies, said that the agreement would enable the company to cater for Nigerian and the entire West and Central African markets.

Heger, said the partnership between both firms was for certain line of engines, such as the TFE731, as well as the APU 100 and “APU 150 amongst others.

He explained that with this agreement, all the solutions would now be available in Nigeria.

Heger also expressed delight with the partnership with ExecuJet Nigeria, stressing that both parties have had a series of fruitful agreements in the past.

Already, he posited that Honeywell, which is over 100 years old, has its presence in South Africa and other regions across the world.

He said: “We are in regions for an easier access for retrofit modifications. We have a range of products for aircraft and helicopters and Nigeria is a major market for us in Africa. There are a lots of Honeywell products flying in Nigeria and we are making it easy for operators to get the support that they need from Honeywell.

“We are targeting West African market for line maintenance and faults on their aircraft that could be repaired in-house, it doesn’t have to leave the region for those maintenance. We have been in discussions with ExecuJet Nigeria for quite some time, but during Covid-19, everything slowed down from Honeywell and General Aviation, but we have an agreement now and everybody is happy for the partnership.

“We have our equipment on helicopters as well and the biggest is the Augusta 139. We also have our equipment even for military. We do a lot of commercial to the smallest business jets and others.”