ARTI Calls for Overhaul of Nigeria Aviation Rules
Nigeria’s Aviation Round Table Initiative (ARTI) has urged the government to review the civil aviation policy that limits the age of commercial aircraft to 22 years, a regulation they say renders 90% of the country’s airports economically unviable. Stakeholders have long decried this rule as outdated and counterproductive, arguing that it is a key factor behind the capacity shortage plaguing Nigeria’s commercial airlines.
Speaking at a recent stakeholders’ meeting hosted by the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development in Lagos, ARTI’s second vice president, Alex Nwuba, called on lawmakers to reassess the current focus on aircraft age. “We hope that some of the training funds from the ministry will be used to train our legislators, because continuing our current policies on aircraft age will ensure that 90% of our airports remain moribund,” he warned. Nwuba stressed that the effectiveness of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) in ensuring proper aircraft maintenance should be prioritized over a rigid age limit. He also advocated for extending airport operating hours, noting that many airports currently close at sunset, which further limits their economic viability and ability to meet growing passenger demand.
The call for policy reform is part of a broader initiative by industry stakeholders to modernize Nigeria’s aviation sector. ARTI has also highlighted the urgent need to reform aircraft certification processes and to address significant workforce shortages within the civil aviation industry. Training and retention of skilled personnel are critical challenges, and stakeholders believe that updating policies could pave the way for more efficient operations and improved service standards across the country.
Senate Committee on Aviation chairman, Abdulfatai Buhari, raised concerns about the impact of old aircraft on passenger comfort, pointing out that many Nigerian carriers operate outdated planes compared to those in developed countries. He argued that the discomfort experienced by passengers on older aircraft undermines confidence in Nigeria’s air travel. However, NCAA acting director-general, Chris Najomo, and Allen Onyema, vice-president of Airlines Operators of Nigeria and CEO of Air Peace, countered that aircraft maintenance is more critical than the actual age of the plane. Onyema emphasized that Nigeria’s fleet is among the youngest in the world when considering proper upkeep, noting that some foreign airlines operate much older aircraft without compromising on safety or service.
In another related development, aviation minister Festus Keyama warned that summer 2025 schedule approvals for foreign carriers could be withheld unless they engage local catering companies. Keyama expressed frustration that Nigerian caterers are consistently excluded from lucrative airline catering contracts, despite the potential benefits for the local economy. He also highlighted recent improvements at Lagos airport, the clearing of USD830 million in withheld funds from foreign carriers, and policies aimed at supporting local airlines. Moreover, Keyama announced ongoing upgrades to Maiduguri Airport to help it achieve international status, ensuring that Nigerian airports can meet global standards.
Keyama further assured stakeholders and trade unions of transparency and fairness in the upcoming concession process for Nigerian airports, promising that unions would be involved at every stage. This commitment to reform comes as the government seeks to foster a more competitive and efficient aviation sector that can drive economic growth, boost tourism, and enhance domestic connectivity in Nigeria.
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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com