The Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas)—which comprises 12 West African countries—is exploring the idea of establishing a regional MRO, separate from a similar initiative planned by Asky Airlines and Ethiopian Airlines.
“At Ecowas level, we have already undertaken the feasibility study of establishing a regional MRO,” Ecowas Commission Director of Transport Chris Appah told an African Airlines Association webinar.
After scoping out the project with local airlines and completing the feasibility phase, Appah said the plan is “very, very viable.”
“We’ve done the financing and investment studies, and we are very open to discuss and engage potential investors who would want to key into this regionalized approach to establishing MROs,” he said.
Citing the example of several smaller-scale MROs in Nigeria, Appah said a regional approach could create economies of scale, cutting maintenance costs and improving safety. He said this initiative will “complement” Asky’s plans.
Asky Commercial Director Daté Tevi-Benissan confirmed that the Ecowas MRO is separate from Asky’s planned maintenance joint venture with strategic partner and shareholder Ethiopian Airlines.
“This [Asky] strategic project is intended not only to support Asky’s growing fleet and long-term development, but also to provide maintenance services to other airlines across the West and Central African region,” Tevi-Benissan said. “In parallel, there are several other MRO development projects underway across the region, reflecting the increasing demand for local maintenance capabilities and the growing aviation market in Africa.”
Togo-based Asky was founded in 2010 and is one of West Africa’s largest operators with 17 Boeing 737 MAXs, serving around 30 African destinations and carrying around 1.5 million passengers annually.
Currently, Asky outsources maintenance—including shop visits, engine work and heavy checks—to Ethiopian Airlines, shuttling aircraft and parts between Lome and Addis Ababa. However, Asky has trained 25 of its own flight technicians, who are now part of the operation. Asky is also performing some small parts maintenance locally.
Asky Airlines CEO Esayas Hailu said the Asky-Ethiopian MRO facility will be “a complete standalone maintenance organization,” with two hangars, component shops and aircraft parking, representing a $100 million initial investment.
Separately, Ecowas is also looking to establish a single umbrella body for regional air transport economic, safety and security oversight. “It will not be 12 [civil aviation authorities], managing 12 national airports and regulating 12 national air transport regimes. All of them will key into a regional oversight system,” Appah said.
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