Nigeria’s aviation industry, 59 years after Independence

Fifty-nine years ago, Nigeria’s aviation industry was a force to reckon with as the country's national carrier then, Nigeria Airways, underwent a phased transformation.

The year 1960 was a very significant year in aviation development in Nigeria. It was not just about the Independence but also marked the final process of the complete takeover of the airline after holding 51 per cent stake in the carrier. In fact in 1960, the airline had 17 aircraft in its fleet comprising one Dove, eight Herons and eight DCs.

Precisely in 1961, the Nigeria Airways, formerly known as West African Airways Corporation (WAAC), became the national carrier of Nigeria, operating different brands of aircraft like Airbus, Boeing 737 and Douglas, among others. Apart from having a strong presence in West Africa, WAAC Nigeria, which became Nigeria Airways in 1971, had footprints in Europe and America.

In its heydays, the airline was not only a pride of the country but the entire West Africa with as many as 30 operating aircraft. But, from the 1980s to 90s, the fortunes of the airline nosedived until 2003 when it was liquidated.

But from 1960 till date - up till the time of liquidation of the Nigeria Airways - many airlines were established but couldn't survive beyond 10 years.

Among the defunct airlines were Flash Airline, Gas Airline, Hold Trade Airline, Jambo Express, Chanchangi, Albarka Airline, Mid-West Airlines, Hak Air, Intercontinental Airline, EAS Airline, Virgin Nigeria and ADC Airline.

Others are Nicon Airways, Okada Air, Concord Air, Space World International Airline and Trias Airline.

Today, though there are about 23 registered airlines according to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), only nine operate scheduled flights. They are Air Peace (which is the largest carrier in Nigeria and West and Central Africa), Dana Air, Overland, Aero Contractors (the oldest carrier in Nigeria which has survived all the vicissitudes of air transportation development), Azman Air, Med-View Airline, Ibom Air and Arik Air.

The present administration of President Muhammadu Buhari has promised to bring back the national carrier. The process started from 2015 when the first term of the administration took off but the dream is yet to come to fruition thus fueling doubt about the seriousness of government in delivering a carrier to the country.

There are others who argue that while it was good for the government to establish the national carrier, there must be deliberate efforts to protect existing private carriers through policies and regulatory framework that are friendly and less strangulating.

The Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, has said the Nigeria Air project which was suspended last year amidst disappointment from Nigerians is still on course and will soon become a reality.

Mr. Olumide Ohunayo, an aviation expert said, "The coming to fruition of the national carrier is dependent on the government. What is not dependent on the government is a successful and sustained national carrier. This is why there should not be a rush to get into it because Uganda has started, Tanzania has started and we also have to join.

"We have a more complicated case here. Take South Africa for example, South African Airways, South African Express and Mango are loss making airlines. They have now decided to merge the three airlines after so much money has been spent."

On his part, a former general secretary of the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) expressed belief that the industry has not done badly in the last 59 years.

He said: "Between then and now, the nation has suffered some hiccups but by the dynamism of Hadi Sirika, we can quietly recoup our gains within the next four years and bounce back as a major leader in air transportation in Africa.”

Abioye said one of the milestones the industry has recorded is in the establishment of the Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO), saying, "MROs are springing up which is very good for the sector.

“It saves us from expending our scarce foreign exchange outside the country, it impacts Nigerians and our aircraft engineers/technicians/mechanics etc, and enhances the financial power of the operating companies etc.

"Serious private airline operators are also deepening the transportation system, creating employment opportunities for Nigerians while attention is being paid to safety and recommended practices.

“The sector is also becoming saner as journalists and other stakeholders serve as watchdogs, challenging our failures and drawing attention to correctable observations."