Fola Akinkuotu Appointed As Substantive Aero CEO

The Receiver Manager, Mr. Adeniyi Adegbonmire, has appointed Capt. Fola Akinkuotu as substantive CEO for Aero Contractors.

Akinkuotu’s appointment is part of the second phase of the restructuring of the airline.

According to Mr. Adegbonmire, the second phase of the intervention is to appoint a CEO after 15 days of the tenure of Tunde Fagbemi of Springfountain, the Receiver Manager Representative.

Akinkuotu, who was the Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority from August 2013 to March 2014, takes over with immediate effect, following a brief intervention led by the RMR.

Akinkuotu is a pilot, as well as a flight and aircraft engineer. He was responsible for the start up and running of IRS Airlines as pioneer Managing Director/COO.

Thereafter, he was part of the start-up team for Arik Airlines. Akinkuotu was Technical Pilot and Training Manager for Virgin Nigeria, rising to become the Director Flight operations and later Executive Director International Operations in Virgin/Air Nigeria.

Akinkuotu expressed his delight at the opportunity to turn around Aero Contractors.

He added, “AMCON has given us a lifeline which is an opportunity for us to succeed. This option is a huge opportunity we must take as there’s no other option. I believe we can make Aero Contractors a success story.

“Aero is a premium Nigerian legacy brand, and I am determined to ensure that this airline continues to serve the Nigerian market efficiently, reliably and with its safety record intact.”

Following a high court order obtained by the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria, a Receiver Manager Representative, Tunde Fagbemi of Springfountain was on February 5, 2016 appointed to begin the process of turning around the Aero Contractors with a view to handing over to a substantive CEO.