Over 100 Nigerian Airlines Have Failed In 40 Years – Minister

Festus Keyamo, Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, recently disclosed that over 100 airlines have ceased operations in the country’s aviation sector within the last 40 years due to the industry’s high mortality rate.

Speaking at the 10th-anniversary celebration of Nigeria’s largest airline, Air Peace, held in Lagos, Keyamo expressed concern over the frequent airline failures. He praised Air Peace for its resilience, noting, “It’s a significant achievement that Air Peace has thrived for a decade, given the tough history of Nigerian airlines struggling to reach 10 years in good health.”

He referenced numerous defunct airlines, including Concord, Zenith, and Bellview, attributing their decline to systemic issues. Keyamo highlighted Nigeria’s substantial share of African air traffic, with the Lagos-Abuja route being the busiest in Africa. “With our population and demand, it’s troubling that so many airlines haven’t survived. This administration is committed to addressing these issues with industry stakeholders,” he said.

Allen Onyema, Chairman of Air Peace, emphasized that the airline’s purpose extends beyond profit. “Air Peace was founded from a deep commitment to positively impact Nigeria and create jobs for young Nigerians,” Onyema shared, adding that while profitability is vital, it was not the airline’s primary goal.

The Minister reaffirmed the administration’s goal of reducing airline failures and fostering a sustainable aviation sector in Nigeria.