Genesis Global Aviation (GGA) in Lagos, Nigeria, has been granted an AOC by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority to fly a fleet of EC155 helicopters, some reported to have previously been on the fleet of Shell in Nigeria.

GGA was incorporated in April 2015 for the provision of aviation services across the west African region and is a subsidiary of the Genesis Worldwide Shipping Group. It aims to provide services to the oil and gas sector.

At the first jointly hosted African Business Aviation Association Regional Symposium and Nigerian Business Aviation Conference in Lagos held in March, a newly-established dedicated helicopter operators panel with representatives from Bristow Helicopters, Nestav Aviation and Caverton Helicopters congratulated GGA chief pilot Abayomi Coker on receiving the AOC. The panel discussed the notion of exploring operational diversification in the tourism, medevac, security, bullion movements and emerging mining markets.

“The AOC is a wonderful achievement,” says accountable manager Emmanuel Ihenacho. “We have been in the business for more than two years and it has been a very arduous journey to get to where we are today. There are five stages to the AOC and you have to go through vigorous examinations. The aviation industry is one of the most regulated industries in the world and if you make a little mistake there are no second chances.

“It is true that a lot of players in the industry are falling away, but the demand for helicopter services is still there, including offshore work and medical delivery. Just because the economy is in a bad way, it does not prohibit new entrants to the market. We are not quitting because we believe in the resilience of the Nigerian economy and are sure that there will be an economic rebound.”