Evergreen Apple taking a bigger bite in Nigeria's business aviation activities

Lagos-based Evergreen Apple Nigeria (EAN) is reporting 100% growth in business aviation moverments at its FBO.
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Picturered: Evergreen Apple's Lagos facility

The company says there has been a rapid increase in  aircraft movements; a broadening of originating and outgoing destinations and a growth in demand for its FBO services. Daily movements are now running at an average of 15.

Flights are arriving into the FBO predominantly from Europe with London, Ireland, Germany, Spain, France and Austria all featuring as regular starting points as they bring business executives into Nigeria.

Driving the growth is the expansion of the oil and gas energy industries which is seeing increased interest from European companies. 

Likewise flight arrivals from the Middle East are also growing with Dubai, Saudi Arabia and Amman rating highest in terms of originating destinations. Within the continent of Africa the movements mirror comments operators and charter brokers are making in terms of most active destinations. National flights within Nigeria and from further afield including Gambia, Cameroon, Ghana and Equatorial Guinea all reflect the increase in African business aviation activity driven by the continent’s continued expansion of energy, mineral, agricultural and telecom sectors. 

Owing to the size of the continent the mid to heavy jets are proving most popular at the EAN Hangar Jet Centre. Gulfstream 400/450 models, the Bombardier Global Express family and the full range of the Bombardier Challenger types from 601s to 850s are regularly parking up at the hangar. “The range of these aircraft enable business executives and government officials travelling around Africa and further afield to the Middle East and Europe to travel in the most convenient and efficient way.

Longer range fleets are working much harder than the shorter range aircraft and we note that our handlers are mainly taking care of the mid to heavy jets on a regular basis,” commented Segun Demuren, CEO of EAN, about the types of aircraft utilising EAN’s services. Charter operators provide the main body of traffic through the airport but increasingly privately owned aircraft belonging to local entrepreneurs are also contributing to the movement figures.

The increased movements have also led to a greater demand for premium services. EAN offers a full range of handling at its luxurious facilities with most requests relating to flight clearances, VIP facilitation, ground support services and internal and external valeting of aircraft. EAN offers maintenance services in conjunction with its EASA approved partner, MCM (Maintenance Centre Malta). The EAN Hanger Jet Centre provides maintenance services for most executive jets and can offer trouble shooting and daily inspections as well as line maintenance and repairs.

“After more than a year operating we have a firm foothold and can see a variety of client patterns and trends emerging. This supports future development strategy and ensures we can continue to provide our customers with the premium service they expect,” said Demuren.