XEJet, a local airline, has officially begun constructing its Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul Flight Support, and Engineering Center at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.
The groundbreaking ceremony for the project took place on Monday, led by Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, who shared the announcement on his official X (formerly Twitter) account on Monday.
In his post, Keyamo stressed the project’s role in promoting the growth and sustainability of local airlines in Nigeria. He also highlighted how the development aligns with the Nigerian government’s broader goals to enhance the aviation sector and attract investment in vital local infrastructure.
“In line with our administration’s commitment to support the growth and sustenance of our local airlines, I today performed the groundbreaking ceremony of XEJET’s proposed MRO, Flight Support and Engineering Center at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja,” Keyamo’s tweet read.
The planned MRO facility at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport will offer crucial aircraft maintenance, flight support, and engineering services to local airlines throughout Nigeria.
As aircraft maintenance is already a key service of XEJet, the new facility will reduce dependence on foreign providers by delivering cost-effective, high-quality solutions that adhere to regulatory standards.
By improving line maintenance operations and ensuring compliance with safety protocols, the MRO center will bolster Nigeria’s aviation infrastructure, support the growth and sustainability of domestic carriers, and enhance overall efficiency and safety within the sector.
Nigeria faces a significant gap in its aviation sector, lacking main base maintenance facilities for wide-body aircraft, with only line maintenance services available.
However, several local airlines, including XEJet, have already taken steps to address this issue, with XEJet recently starting the construction of its proposed MRO facility in Abuja.
The establishment of MRO facilities by local airlines is expected to greatly reduce maintenance costs, decreasing the need for operators to send aircraft overseas for repairs.
