Ken Okeke
In a heartfelt event held on Friday night, May 17, 2024, at the Oriental Restaurant of The Shen Garden, Lagos, the Management and staff of West Africa’s largest carrier, Air Peace Limited, gathered to bid farewell to Andy Mekonnon Kassa, its esteemed Head of Aviation Continuing Airworthiness Management Organisation (CAMO).
After three years of dedicated service, Andy, of Ethiopian origin, is moving on to a new chapter, leaving behind a legacy of unparalleled passion and commitment to aviation excellence.
Andy Kassa joined Air Peace three years ago, coming on board as the Technical Service Engineering Manager then transitioning as the Head of CAMO within the time period.
His tenure was marked with significant achievements as his wealth of knowledge in aviation management contributed to the airline’s airworthiness record with his implementation of rigorous safety protocols and the enhancement of the company’s maintenance standards. Under his leadership, Air Peace saw a marked improvement in aircraft reliability and overall operational efficiency.
The nostalgic gathering was filled with personal anecdotes and heartfelt messages, reflecting the close-knit community Andy helped foster at Air Peace. Colleagues shared stories of his unwavering dedication, mentorship, and the positive impact he had on both the professional and personal lives of those around him.
Hosted by the carrier’s Chairman, Dr. Allen Onyema, who was in poignant spirits, intimated that he dreaded the day Andy would leave the Air Peace family, likening his departure to that of losing a family member. However, he believed his departure was not the end of beautiful relationship, citing Andy as an aviator par excellence. The Chairman futher stated that “Andy’s commitment to safety and quality has set a new benchmark for our operations as his tremendous contribution to the airline’s Maintenance and Planning departments is one he could brag about anywhere due the safety culture and technical prowess he has imbibed into young engineers, his team and the airline as a whole. We are grateful for his leadership and wish him the very best in his future endeavours.”
In his address, Andy expressed his gratitude firstly to the Air Peace Chairman for his endless dedication and unwavering patriotic contributions to the aviation industry and country of Nigeria which has become his second home and secondly to the Air Peace family for their support and collaboration over the years. “It has been an honour to work with such a dedicated team. Together, we have achieved remarkable milestones. I look forward to seeing Air Peace continue to soar to new heights,” he said.
While Air Peace bids farewell to Andy Mekonnen Kassa, the foundation he has set will continue to influence the company’s operations. The aviation community bids farewell to Andy Kassa. His legacy of excellence and passion will undoubtedly continue to inspire those who follow in his footsteps.