Elin Air and Aviation Services Limited has completed Africa’s first 7,800 landings maintenance check on a Bombardier Challenger CL604, marking a technical milestone for the country’s aviation maintenance sector.
The 7,800 landings inspection, comparable to a “D check” in commercial aviation, is one of the most extensive checks required in an aircraft’s operational lifecycle. The procedure involves detailed inspection and overhaul of major aircraft systems and structures, typically requiring over 6,000 man-hours.
Within barely two months, from April to June 2025, components of the Bombardier Challenger CL604 aircraft at Elin Air’s hangar space were removed, examined, and serviced. These included the engines, fuel tanks, auxiliary power unit (APU), thrust reversers, and flight control systems. This strip-down also enabled the team to conduct other routine maintenance, specifically the 600- and 1200-hour checks. The cabin was also refurbished and reassembled, adhering to global best practices. The upgraded cabin now reflects modern elegance and superior comfort, making it ideal for premium travel.
“I never doubted we could do this,” said Engr. Dr. Benedict Adeyileka, Executive Director of Elin Group Limited.
“It took meticulous planning and strict adherence to global maintenance standards, but today we’ve shown that with Nigerian talent and determination, we can deliver at world-class levels.”
Elin Air stated that all engineering work was performed by Nigerian professionals, without outsourcing to international Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facilities.
The project was led by Engr. Dr. Benedict Adeyileka (Executive Director), Engr. Benjamin Dzer (Director of Maintenance), and Engr Florence Bitrus-Opeyemi (Director of Quality and Safety).
“We knew we had the skills. The only hurdle was proving that Nigeria could handle this level of work internally, and we did,” said Engr. Dzer.
The company also stated that the successful completion of this inspection aligns with a shared vision between Engr. Adeyileka and Dr. Elizabeth Jack-Rich, CEO of Elin Group Limited, to reduce Nigeria’s dependency on foreign maintenance facilities and develop long-term aviation sustainability within the country.
“Elin Air’s provenability to successfully execute this highly specialised procedure places the company on a clear trajectory toward becoming one of West Africa’s leading MRO providers,” it added.
It also announced that it has already scheduled its next major maintenance check for November 2025, building on this historic achievement and continuing its commitment to technical excellence and innovation in aircraft operations.
The announcement comes amid broader changes in Nigeria’s aviation sector in 2025, including the Cape Town Convention (CTC), which saw a 26.5% increase in compliance, leading to Nigeria being taken off the Aviation Working Group (AWG) watchlist for non-compliance. In the same streak, Nigeria signed the Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA), effectively lifting a two-year suspension on Emirates Airline and reactivated the previously dormant Lagos Airport Second runway (18R).
