Captain Ado Sanusi has been announced as the new Chief Executive Officer of Aero Contractors.
Sanusi who was Deputy Managing Director of Arik Air replaces the former Aero boss, Captain Fola Akinkuotu, who is now the Managing Director of Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA).
The spokesman of Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), Jude Nwauzor confirmed the appointment and said that since Akinkuotu was given appointment by the federal government the Corporation has to find a replacement for him.
Sanusi joins Aero with wealth of experience and like a twist of fate, Akinkuotu is now heading NAMA where Sanusi left as the Managing Director in 2009, while he replaces Akinkuotu, who left Aero last month.
Report on THISDAY confirmed that Sanusi’s appointment would last for two years and could be renewed. He will be saddled with the responsibility is to repositioning the airline, which is Nigeria’s oldest carrier, to its prime position as more of its aircraft return to service.
Captain Ado Sanusi started his flying carrier in Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Zaria where he obtained Commercial Pilot Licence and a National Diploma in Aeronautical Sciences.
He then went to the United States where he advanced his education and obtained Air Transport Pilot Licence, Certified Flight and Ground Instructor’s license in the following institution in United States: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Flight Safety Savannah GA, University of Southern California, Simuflite Dallas TX, North America Training and Development TX, USAir Training center Pittsburg PA, Flight Safety International Wichita KS.
He worked for Kabo Air, a local airline as a Senior First Officer and then proceeded to ExxonMobil as Captain and flight Safety Officer.
He then joined Virgin Nigeria as a Captain on the B737 Classic.
He later became the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Airspace Management Agency. He was responsible for managing the entire Nigerian Airspace and succeeded in laying the foundation for a performance base airspace. He worked in collaboration with other parastatals in the aviation industry (NCAT, NIMET, and NCAA) to implement the total radar coverage on the Nigeria Airspace (TRACON). He designed the blue print of capacity building by organizing training for the Air Traffic Controllers and Engineers in the United States. This position in charge of safety of The Nigerian Airspace allowed him to have an insight into safety critical areas of the aeronautical industry including airports management and meteorological services.
Captain Ado Sanusi has a blend of best American training and vast experience in African operation.
He later joined Arik as a Captain on the Boeing 737-NG and became a Trainer, Chief Pilot and now Vice President Flight Operations of the biggest airline in West and Central Africa.
Ado Sanusi’s appointment is expected to turn the situation at the airline around for the better in terms of management and effectiveness.
After taking full control of three bigwigs in the Nigerian airspace, perhaps there is a later plan to merge these airlines to further strengthen and solidify their financial status.
