afrol News, 27 April - The Nigerian Federal Government has approved the construction of $150-million maintenance hangar at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, local media has reported.

According to the Managing Director of the Chanchangi airline, Trevor Worthington, the hangar will service aircraft from Nigeria and outside the country, saying there are a number of Africa airlines that do not have the maintenance facilities.

Mr Worthington said the construction will resume soon after the completion of negotiations with its technical partner, stressing that the domestic carrier has also high hopes that local personnel would be trained who would eventually manage the facility.

He said the current global recession has seen a number of companies selling airplanes for a lesser price, which he said the current prices will enable his company to purchase more airplanes. “The new plant will service this new planes,” he said.

Chanchangi has acquired four new aircraft.

Analysts said the construction of a hanger service plant in Nigeria could open the western market to many African airlines that were banned by the European Union due to their low safety standards.

EU has banned many airlines mainly from Africa. The ban already covers carriers from nations including Angola, Gabon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Liberia, Rwanda and other Asian countries.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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