Aircraft manufacturing giant, Airbus Group is to open operational office in Nigeria. This was disclosed yesterday when  the Ambassador of France in Nigeria, Denys Gauer led a delegation to pay a visit to the Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika in his office.

According to the Deputy Director, Press & Public Affairs, in the ministry, Mr James Odaudu,  the  Ambassador of France in Nigeria said they were in the Ministry to “acquaint themselves and identify with the new government vision and plans for the aviation sector, as presented by the Minister to various industry stakeholders both in the country and at the international level.”

Gauer also told the minister of the intention of one of the largest aircraft manufacturers and leasers in the world, the Airbus Group to open an operational office in Nigeria as a mark of confidence in the government’s agenda for the aviation industry in Nigeria.

Also briefing the Aviation Minister, the Vice President of the Airbus Group for Africa, Vincent Larnicol revealed Airbus desire to get closer to its customers. He also said the company is also actively developing engineering, manufacturing and service capabilities in Europe, China, India, Russia, the Middle East, Singapore and the United States.

This, he said  informed the decision to establish its presence in Nigeria with the opening of an operational office.

The Airbus Vice President also informed Sirika of the  group’s interest in the plans of government to concession major airports across the country, as well as the establishment of a national carrier, while also commending government’s plan to establish an aircraft leasing company in view of the inherent difficulties in acquiring new aircraft.

The Airbus Group promised to collaborate, through its Cooperation Programme, with the Nigerian government in the establishment of an Aviation University to which the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is largely committed.

Responding, Sirika informed the Ambassador and the Airbus delegation that the vision of the government for the sector include, amongst others;

“the establishment of a private sector-driven national carrier, concession of the nation’s major airports to make them more viable and up to global standards, repositioning domestic airlines to make them competitive and profitable, establishment of Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul.