Nigeria’s aviation challenges are not caused by a shortage of airline operators but by the absence of a coordinated industry structure, according to aviation analyst Gbenga Onitilo.
Gatekeepers News reports that Onitilo made the remark 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).
Speaking with The Guardian, he expressed concern that persistent structural and operational challenges continue to threaten the sustainability of airlines operating in the country.
According to him, the industry faces several structural constraints, including volatile aviation fuel prices, the absence of adequate Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facilities, infrastructure gaps, and foreign exchange pressures affecting aircraft leases, spare parts procurement and heavy maintenance.
He noted that while the emergence of new airlines such as Enugu Air may generate excitement in some quarters, the core challenge facing the sector is not the number of carriers but the need for stronger and more sustainable operators.
Onitilo pointed out that Nigeria already has a crowded domestic aviation market regulated by the NCAA, with multiple airlines competing within a relatively limited passenger market.
He said the aviation regulator had confirmed that at least five new AOCs were issued to prospective airlines in the past year, allowing them to begin commercial operations, while several other intending operators are still undergoing the certification process.
Despite Nigeria’s population of more than 220 million people, he noted that domestic passenger traffic remains concentrated on a few major routes.
These include Lagos–Abuja, Lagos–Port Harcourt, Abuja–Port Harcourt, Lagos–Kano and Abuja to various regional state capitals.
According to him, about 65 per cent of domestic passenger traffic is concentrated on these trunk routes, particularly the Lagos–Abuja corridor.
He warned that when more than 10 airlines compete for the same passenger base, ticket yields tend to decline while operational costs remain high, making financial sustainability difficult.
“These realities mean airlines must achieve scale, operational discipline and strong capitalisation to survive.
“But the industry structure today tells another story: fragmented fleets, thin balance sheets, and multiple carriers competing for the same passengers.
“This is why the discussion around Enugu Air should not simply be about another airline entering the market, but about the strategic role it will play in expanding the aviation network,” he said.
Onitilo stressed that conversations about the emergence of new airlines, including Enugu Air, should focus more on how they can expand Nigeria’s aviation network rather than merely increasing the number of operators.
He suggested that Enugu Air could add value to the sector by opening underserved routes, strengthening regional connectivity and developing links between secondary cities across West Africa.
