Nairobi-based regional carrier Jambojet has secured its first third-party maintenance contract after expanding into the commercial maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) business, signing an agreement with Ghanaian airline PassionAir to provide maintenance services for its fleet.
The contract represents a significant step in Jambojet’s strategy to develop MRO as an additional revenue stream. The airline has been building its maintenance capabilities over several years and expanded into heavy maintenance in 2024. The PassionAir agreement now marks the beginning of its efforts to commercialise these capabilities by serving external operators.
The first PassionAir aircraft is expected to arrive at Jambojet’s facility for a C-check, marking the start of the maintenance programme. Jambojet currently holds certification to perform maintenance on the De Havilland Dash 8 Q400, and its initial scope under the contract will therefore focus on the turboprop type.
“The aircraft is flying in on Thursday evening. For now, we will only be servicing the Dash 8 Q400, as it is what we are certified for,” a Jambojet spokesperson said.
PassionAir, one of Ghana’s leading domestic airlines, operates a fleet comprising Bombardier DHC-8-300 and DHC-8-400 aircraft. The airline connects Accra with several destinations across Ghana, including Kumasi, Tamale, Takoradi, Wa and Sunyani.
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The contract also strengthens Jambojet’s position in Africa’s growing regional MRO market. The airline is entering a segment where established players such as Kenya Airways and Ethiopian Airlines already have significant maintenance capabilities.
Jambojet is also among the relatively few MRO providers on the African continent authorised to perform maintenance on De Havilland Dash 8 aircraft. According to the available industry information, Aero Contractors, Jambojet and Ethiopian Airlines are among the operators with such capabilities in the region.
For PassionAir, the agreement represents a shift in its maintenance arrangements, with its aircraft previously maintained by Nigerian carrier Aero Contractors in Lagos.
Jambojet’s move reflects a broader trend among airlines seeking to monetise technical capabilities developed initially to support their own fleets. By opening these capabilities to third-party customers, airlines can improve utilisation of maintenance facilities, generate additional revenue and build a stronger position within the regional MRO ecosystem.
The PassionAir contract could therefore serve as an important foundation for Jambojet as it looks to expand its customer base and potentially broaden the aircraft types and maintenance scopes covered by its MRO operation.
At the same time, the agreement highlights the growing importance of regional MRO capacity in Africa, where airlines continue to seek cost-effective and geographically accessible maintenance solutions rather than relying exclusively on established facilities outside their home markets.
For Jambojet, securing its first external customer is more than a single maintenance contract; it is an important validation of its strategy to transform its existing technical capabilities into a standalone commercial MRO business.
