BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
In the spirit of the national mourning declared by President Bola Tinubu, Aero Contractors has paid a condolence visit to the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) following the loss of personnel and passengers in the Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft crash at Igbokoda, Ondo State, on October 5, 2026.
The airline’s team visited the Nigerian Air Force Base along Airport Road, Lagos, on Wednesday, where it conveyed its condolences to the Chief of the Air Staff, officers and men of the service, as well as families and colleagues of those who died in the accident.
The visit came as Aero Contractors temporarily suspended its Customer Service Week activities as a mark of respect for the victims and in solidarity with the Nigerian Air Force and the country.
The airline said the decision reflected its belief that service in the aviation industry goes beyond attending to passengers and customers, stressing the need for members of the aviation community to support one another in times of tragedy.
The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Aero Contractors, Capt. Ado Sanusi, expressed deep sympathy to the bereaved families and the Nigerian Air Force.
Sanusi said the crash was a painful loss not only to the families involved but also to the aviation industry and the country.
“This is an extremely painful moment for the Nigerian Air Force, for the families affected and indeed for our entire aviation community and nation,” he said.
He particularly sympathised with families who lost loved ones, including children who would have to cope with the loss of their parents.
“My personal thoughts and prayers are with the families who have suffered this unimaginable loss, particularly the young families and children who must now carry the pain of losing their loved ones,” Sanusi said.
He prayed for comfort and strength for the bereaved families, adding: “We stand with them, we mourn with them, and we pray that God will continue to uphold every family touched by this tragedy.”
Aero Contractors also paid tribute to the Nigerian Air Force personnel who lost their lives, describing them as dedicated professionals who served the country with commitment and sacrifice.
The airline extended its condolences to the Chief of the Air Staff, officers, airmen and airwomen of the Nigerian Air Force, as well as the families and loved ones of all those affected by the accident.
It said the service and sacrifice of the victims would continue to be remembered with “profound respect and gratitude.”
The Federal Government has declared a three-day period of national mourning in honour of the victims of the crash.
Aero Contractors, one of Nigeria’s longest-serving airlines, said it remained in solidarity with the Nigerian Air Force and the entire country as the nation mourns the victims of the tragedy.
Olapeju is a journalist and aviation reporter.
