‘Why foreign airlines rule Nigeria’s skies’

The dominance of foreign airlines in Nigeria's skies is a direct result of the insufficient strength of domestic carriers, according to Adedayo Olawuyi, Chief Commercial Officer of United Nigeria Airlines. He stated that Nigeria lacks robust local and regional operators equipped to compete effectively with international carriers like Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Ethiopian Airlines.

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The challenge we have in Nigerian aviation space today, where we are dominated by foreign carriers, is because of a lack of strength of the domestic carriers.

Olawuyi explained that these foreign airlines maintain their market share by establishing extensive networks, enabling passengers from Nigeria to connect to numerous global destinations. He noted that while many Nigerians may not travel to Dubai or Doha, they utilize these airlines for onward connections. Ethiopian Airlines, for instance, operates 35 to 40 flights weekly into Nigeria, and carriers like Asky Airlines connect passengers through hubs like Lome.

To counter this imbalance, Olawuyi emphasized the necessity for Nigerian airlines to expand their regional presence and provide direct flight services to destinations across West Africa. He argued that Nigerian carriers should actively compete in these markets rather than solely relying on domestic operations. "Why can't a Nigerian carrier give them direct service from Lagos?" he questioned, highlighting the current indirect routes often taken by passengers.

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We need flights. That is the truth. A passenger going to Dakar via Asky will first go to Lome. From Lome, they will probably take the passengers to Abidjan. From Abidjan, maybe to Banjul before eventually going to Dakar. Why can’t a Nigerian carrier give them direct service from Lagos?

However, Olawuyi acknowledged the challenges Nigerian airlines face in operating regional routes. Deploying large aircraft on routes with low passenger volume can be commercially unsustainable. He advocated for "right-sizing the market," matching aircraft capacity with actual demand. Furthermore, he stressed the importance of market stimulation, suggesting that initiating new routes, even those initially showing low traffic, could potentially double passenger numbers within a year.

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Now, the challenge you have seen with carriers is when you bring in a Boeing 737, a 150 or 160-seater aircraft, and deploy it on a route that has fewer than 40 passengers per day in each direction, it becomes unsustainable.