The Federal Government has officially abandoned the national carrier project, shifting its focus to strengthening the growth and development of local airline operators. This was confirmed by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, during a public event in Lagos.

 

Speaking at the launch of a new book titled 100 Years of Civil Aviation in Nigeria: History, Issues and Prospects, authored by New Telegraph Aviation Editor, Wole Shadare, Keyamo stated that the current administration, led by President Bola Tinubu, is prioritising policies that support domestic carriers. He cited recent government initiatives, including revised insurance regulations on leased aircraft, as examples of efforts to improve accessibility to aircraft and reduce domestic airfares.

“We have shifted focus to ensure growth and development for local operators through our policies,” Keyamo said, adding that aviation personnel were being trained and retrained, while measures to plug revenue leakages have been implemented to boost sectoral earnings.

 

The minister also announced that nearly all foreign airlines operating in Nigeria had complied with a new policy directive mandating the use of local catering services for in-flight meals. He expressed disappointment over the state of the old terminal at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos and revealed that plans were underway to demolish and replace it with a modern facility.

In her remarks at the event, the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Olubunmi Kuku, provided an overview of the aviation industry’s current status. She disclosed that Nigeria now boasts 39 certified airline operators, 31 airports, and over 2,100 licensed pilots. According to Kuku, the air transport sector has contributed approximately $1.7 billion to the national GDP.

 

Despite ongoing challenges including infrastructure gaps, regulatory issues, and financing constraints, Kuku said the aviation sector has undergone significant transformation since the early 2000s. She credited this progress to the private sector’s involvement, which introduced capital, modern management, and competitive practices.

Reflecting on the collapse of Nigeria Airways, she said the emergence of private carriers like Air Peace and Arik Air marked a turning point that reshaped the country’s aviation landscape. She noted that over 16 million domestic passengers and more than 3.5 million international passengers travelled through Nigerian airports in the last year, pointing to continued potential for expansion.