Genesis Global Aviation (GGA), one of the companies owned by Capt. Emmanuel Iheanacho (rtd.), has been granted Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

The AOC, which was formally presented to Genesis Global Aviation last week in Lagos, would enable the airline begin full commercial helicopter services.

Capt. Iheanacho, who is the Chairman of the airline, told newsmen that achieving the certification was a major milestone for the company.

He said: “The AOC is a wonderful achievement in my own opinion. We have been in the business for more than two years and it had been a very hard and arduous journey to being where we are today.

“There are five stages of the AOC and you have to go through vigorous examinations, standards to meet, understanding the rules and so many other things.

“The aviation industry is one of the most regulated industries in the world and this is because of the safety considerations of operating delicate aircraft.

“So, if you make a little mistake there is no second chance to say I want to rectify it and that is why it is a major challenge to anybody who wants to invest in the industry.”

The former Minister of Interior said the demand for helicopter services could not be over-emphasised despite the prevailing economic situation in the country.

His words: “It is indeed true that a lot of players in the industry are falling out but that has not changed the situation that would require helicopter services.

“It can be in respect of offshore service delivery or for emergency medical evacuation or for general logistics of moving people and personnel from one point to the other.

“So if the economy is bad and the helicopter service providers are falling, it does not mean that other people cannot be entering the market and going in the opposite direction.

“We are not quitting because we believe in the resilience of the Nigerian economy.

“We believe that what we are witnessing is just a dip for the time being and we believe that there is bound to be a rebound at some point in time.”

Also speaking, Capt. David Nwoke, Deputy Managing Director of the airline, said the company owns and operates a fleet of six EC155b Eurocopters.

According to him, the company also has plans to acquire additional rotary assets to deliver safe, qualitative and cost effective commercial helicopter services to the general public.

Nwoke said the helicopters, which are between 12 to 15 years old, would be operated by expert Nigerians, which he said is part of the airline’s contribution to curbing unemployment in the country.

•Photo shows Capt. Iheanacho (middle), Chairman GGA, flanked by top officials NCAA during the formal presentation of AOC to GGA in Lagos recently.

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