Elin Air and Aviation Services has successfully completed a major 7,800-landing maintenance check on a Bombardier Challenger CL604 aircraft at its hangar in Nigeria. This marks the first time such a comprehensive inspection, normally done abroad, has been carried out locally in the country.
The company made this announcement in a statement signed by its Executive Director, Dr. Benedict Adeyileka, and shared with journalists on Tuesday. According to Elin Air, the feat was achieved by an all-Nigerian engineering team, showcasing the country’s growing capacity in aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO).
The 7,800-landing check is one of the most detailed and labour-intensive inspections in aviation maintenance. It is similar in scope to the D-check carried out by commercial airlines. The process involves taking apart the aircraft, inspecting its systems and structures thoroughly, overhauling components, and putting everything back together. The procedure can take up more than 6,000 man-hours.
Between April and June 2025, Elin Air’s engineers worked round the clock to complete this high-level inspection on the Challenger CL604 aircraft. Key systems such as the engines, thrust reversers, auxiliary power unit (APU), fuel tanks, and flight controls were removed, inspected, and serviced. In addition to the 7,800-landing check, the team also performed 600-hour and 1,200-hour routine inspections. The aircraft cabin was also upgraded and redesigned to reflect modern luxury standards for executive travel.
Elin Air’s decision to handle this task entirely within Nigeria instead of sending the aircraft abroad is seen as a major move to retain aviation expertise and revenue in the country. Private operators in Nigeria usually depend on foreign MRO providers for such complex tasks, but Elin Air opted for a different approach.
Dr. Benedict Adeyileka expressed pride in the team’s performance. “I never doubted we could do this,” he said. “With careful planning and full adherence to global standards, we’ve shown the world that Nigerian professionals are more than capable of delivering world-class aviation results.”
The project was led by Dr. Benedict Adeyileka, who is also an engineer, alongside Engr. Benjamin Dzer, the Director of Maintenance, and Mrs. Florence Bitrus-Opeyemi, the Director of Quality and Safety. All the engineers involved in the project were Nigerians, further underlining Elin Air’s focus on developing local technical capacity in the aviation industry.
This achievement has been described by industry watchers as a big win for the Nigerian aviation sector, especially in the area of maintenance and technical support. It could also reduce the dependence on foreign MRO facilities and lower the costs of aircraft ownership and maintenance for private jet operators in the country.
Dr. Adeyileka also noted that the completion of the check will serve as a signal to stakeholders, both in Nigeria and across Africa, that local aviation businesses are now able to carry out major inspections that meet international safety and quality standards.
The success of this project may also help open doors for Nigeria to become a hub for aircraft maintenance in West Africa. Experts believe that with the right policies and investment, more aircraft operators from neighbouring countries may begin to bring their planes to Nigeria for servicing, which would boost the local economy and provide more jobs for skilled professionals in aviation.
Elin Air is already positioning itself as a reliable MRO player in Nigeria and has said it is committed to further training of its technical staff and expanding its maintenance capabilities.
