► ETHIOPIA: Abedair Aviation Ethiopia rebrands itself as Aquarius Aviation.

Addis Ababa-based Aberdair Aviation Ethiopia has been re-branded as Aquarius Aviation to distinguish itself from the Nairobi-based operator, Aberdair Aviation. On launching in 2009, Aquarius leased various aircraft from Aberdair Kenya, as well as paid it royalties for the use of its name in order to help establish a reputation for the ad-hoc charter airline.

Aquarius Aviation AeroCommander
(Aquarius Aviation)

In a press conference held at the Harmony Hotel in Addis Ababa last week, Frehiwot Tessema, general manager of the company, said since February 2013, Aquarius Aviation has become the official company name though aircraft leases and maintenance contracts with Aberdair Kenya remain unchanged.

The company was established to fill the niche for general aviation services in Ethiopia, with aircraft being used for both ad-hoc charter and passenger flights. Aquarius currently provides aircraft services to embassies, oil companies, NGOs and various governmental departments. It currently has contracts with  Irish multinational oil and gas exploration company, Tullow Oil, as well as exploration firm, African Global Energy, both of whom are prospecting for petroleum in Ethiopia's western South Omo area.

With a fleet consisting of Aero Commander 690s, Cessna Caravan 208s, Mitsubishi Mu-2B Marquise, Dassault Falcon 10s and Dornier 228s, the company posted a gross turnover of USD2.68million (ETB49.6million) in 2012, and intends to purchase two Cessna 208B Caravans over the coming three years.