Nick Fadugba, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of African Aviation Services, has died.
Fadugba was very well known and respected in aviation circles in Africa. Over the years he provided a wide range of consultancy and advisory services to international aviation, finance and leasing organisations and to African governments. He was instrumental in fostering business relations between Africa and the international aviation community in critical areas such as aviation finance, aircraft leasing, aircraft maintenance, air safety and aviation training.
He established African Aviation Services (AAS) in 1990 with the pan-African vision of promoting aviation development throughout Africa. He believed that aviation could be a vital catalyst for Africa’s economic and social transformation.
He was appointed an Interim Non-Executive Director to the Board of South African Airways in December 2020, and acted as Chairperson of SAA Technical until April, 2023.
Fadugba helped pioneer international aviation conferences focusing on aviation finance, leasing, aircraft maintenance and aviation training specifically tailored for Africa, providing a unique forum for African and international airlines, airports, aviation, finance and leasing organisations, industry regulators and Government officials to discuss key commercial, financial and regulatory issues affecting the African aviation industry and to seek practical solutions through mutually beneficial co-operation.
Among his many awards were a 2023 award by the African Airlines Association for ‘Outstanding Contribution to the African Aviation Industry’, a 2018 award by the Aviation Round Table Nigeria for ‘Invaluable Support and Contribution to the Upliftment of Aviation Safety in Africa, particularly in Nigeria’, and a Certificate of Recognition for ‘Extraordinary service and dedication to AATO’ from the Association of African Aviation Training Organisations.
Linden Birns, MD of aviation PR company Plane Talking, said he had known Fadugba since 1991. “This is sad news. Nick was always a gentleman, he had his heart in the right place and was totally devoted to promoting a healthy airline industry in Africa.”
