More airlines have been launched in Nigeria in the past few years than in any other country in Africa. This large bustling nation is fast-becoming an important market for commercial aircraft, spare parts and maintenance suppliers.
It is a paradox that while the rest of the global aviation industry is passing through one of its worst-ever recessions, Nigeria is experiencing a surge of growth in air transportation.
In a bid to raise the entry barrier, Nigeria’s Federal Civil Aviation Authority (FCAA), headed by Captain Ado Dahiru, recently substantially increased the non-refundable application fee for an Air Transport Licence, but this has not deterred many aspiring operators. Some are driven by the prestige which airline ownership confers, others hope to make a fortune, while others are spurred by a genuine desire to run an efficient and profitable carrier.
However, Nigeria’s airline entrepreneurs must bear in mind that this is a capital-intensive business with many of the costs payable in hard currency. In addition, the return on investment – if any – is notoriously low. To minimise mishaps, it is essential that the country’s regulatory authorities strictly enforce airworthiness and safety standards. On the whole, the expansion of Nigeria’s airline industry is a positive and welcome development which may be emulated elsewhere in Africa.