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Aviation expert says airline shortage not Nigeria’s aviation problem
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Analyst says industry challenges stem from structural issues, not lack of operators.
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Comments follow approval of Air Operator’s Certificate for Enugu Air.
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Certification granted by Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority.
An aviation analyst, Gbenga Onitilo, has said Nigeria’s aviation challenges are not caused by a shortage of airline operators but by the absence of a coordinated industry structure.
Onitilo stated this while reacting to the recent issuance of an Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) to the state-owned carrier, Enugu Air, by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
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According to him, structural challenges such as volatile aviation fuel prices, lack of Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul facilities, infrastructure gaps and foreign exchange pressures continue to undermine airline sustainability in Nigeria.
He noted that although the emergence of new airlines often generates excitement, the real challenge facing the aviation sector is the need for stronger and financially sustainable operators rather than an increase in the number of carriers.
Onitilo explained that Nigeria already operates a crowded domestic aviation market, with several airlines competing for a limited passenger base.
He added that the NCAA had issued at least five new AOCs to prospective airlines within the past year, allowing them to commence commercial operations, while other operators were still undergoing certification.
The analyst also pointed out that a large proportion of domestic passenger traffic in Nigeria is concentrated on a few major routes, including Lagos–Abuja, Lagos–Port Harcourt, and Abuja–Port Harcourt.
He warned that when many airlines compete for the same passenger traffic, ticket revenues tend to fall while operational costs remain high, making it difficult for operators to remain financially viable.
Onitilo stressed that discussions about new entrants such as Enugu Air should focus on their strategic role in expanding Nigeria’s aviation network, particularly by opening underserved routes and improving regional connectivity across West Africa.
