After three years of painstaking preparations, Rano Air Limited, an indigenous airline, owned by Kano-born petroleum business mogul, Auwalu Abdullahi Rano, popularly known as AA Rano, has flagged off its flight operations in Kano state.
BizPoint reports that the airline had launched its flight operations with five aircrafts from Kano to Abuja to Lagos and other destinations within Nigeria.
Speaking at a grand flag off ceremony, held at Malam Aminu Kano International Airport, MAKIA and chaired by Kano state governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, Project Director of the airline, Bar. Usman Mohammad Oloje disclosed that the project started in 2020.
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According to Oloje, in 2020, when AA Rano, who is the Chairman of Rano Group of Companies developed the idea of establishing an airline business, he instructed him (Oloje) to incorporate and register an airline with the Corporate Affairs Commission, CAC, and facilitate its formation and operations.
The Project Director, the execution of the instruction coincided with the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, but despite the scourge and other challenges his team in collaboration with Avarun Consulting, the project consultants, located five Embraer 145 Long Range aircraft in the US which, after a very difficult and lengthy negotiation purchased and ferried to Morocco for maintenance.
His Excellency, Gov Ganduje, his Deputy, Dr Nasir Hawuna & AA Rano at the flag off ceremony.
“Alhamdulillah! All the five aircraft have been fully maintained by in line with the very high standards set by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority and in compliance with ICAO and other international civil aviation monitoring organizations and regulations and have been passed by Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) for use by the public,” he said.
Oloje also disclosed that Rano Air had, over the past two years, painstakingly recruited qualified pilots, engineers, cabin crew and ground and other support staff for the operation of the airline, adding that the company is poised to deploy all the resources for the use of the Nigerian flying public.
Gov. Ganduje inaugurating the flight operations.
He assured Nigerians of quality service and commitment to excellence and convenience.
He said; “Rano Air will treat Nigerians like Royalty in fulfillment of her desire to create a new and exciting flying experience as Nigerians will no distant future be able to fly direct without a stopover from Kano, Abuja and Lagos to all the viable airports in Nigeria in comfort and on schedule,” he added.
Rano Air aircraft at Malam Aminu Kano International Airport
In his remarks, the Kano state governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje said the establishment of the airline is history repeating itself as first the aircraft in Africa landed in Kano state.
According to Ganduje, Kano, as the commercial nerve centre of northern Nigeria and sub-saharan Africa, is blessed with airline and road business.
The governor noted that the airline would be a viable business that would boost commercial activities of Kano and by extension, northern states.
Ganduje expressed hope that the airline would be successful “as its owner is a successful businessman.”
He also expressed hope that the airline would the best in the country.
Earlier in a remark, AA Rano expressed gratitude to Allah for making the business, which lasted three years in the making, has come to reality.
The business mogul also thanked Ganduje and his administration for his support towards the success of the company.
He also expressed gratitude to his business associates who supported him to make the airline come into reality.
He stated that the airline had now launched operations with five aircrafts, adding that two more planes are on their way in a bid to expand its operations to many destinations within the country.
