- Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, reported that the aviation industry has a mortality rate resulting in the loss of over 100 airlines in 40 years
- The current administration pledged to address the ongoing collapse of airlines in Nigeria
- Allen Onyema, the Chairman of Air Peace, shared Air Peace's mission to impact the nation positively by creating jobs rather than solely seeking profits
Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, reported that the aviation industry has a significant mortality rate, resulting in the downfall of more than 100 airlines over the past 40 years.
Keyamo revealed this at the Lagos event celebrating the 10th anniversary of Air Peace, the largest airline in West Africa and Nigeria's flag carrier, on Saturday, October 26.
Nigeria accounts for 80% domestic travel in Africa despite mortality
The minister said, “More than a hundred airlines have gone in the last 40 years and I know you all remember. From Concord to Zenith to Bellview, among others. You will then ask yourself why they die off, I can keep mentioning them because I have their list with me.”
Speaking further, the Minister said, “situation is worrisome. Let me tell you why it is a thing of worry. A recent study by Boeing says that Nigeria accounts for 80 per cent of domestic travel in the whole of Africa. Not West Africa, not Central Africa, but the whole of Africa.
“The busiest route in the whole of Africa is the Lagos-Abuja route; that is, in the entire Africa. I think it is followed by Johannesburg-Cape Town. But Nigeria is number one in terms of domestic travel.
“We have the population, we have the traffic, we have the people. So it is surprising that if we have this traffic, why are the airlines not surviving? Ask yourself. Why are they not surviving? And together, since we assumed office I have sat down with operators to solve this problem and I listen to them.”
Keyamo praises Air Peace for surviving high mortality rates
Keyamo noted that it is encouraging to see that Air Peace, a Nigerian carrier celebrating its 10th anniversary, has successfully overcome the high mortality rates typically faced by airlines within their first five to ten years, suggesting it has a promising future.
According to Allen Onyema, the Chairman of Air Peace, the airline was founded with a vision of making a meaningful impact on the country by providing jobs for the growing number of Nigerian youths, rather than primarily seeking profit.
“Air Peace is a product of deep thinking and a desire to make a far-reaching impact in a country I love deeply. Like most businesses, profit is an important motive; however, with Air Peace, profit was not the primary driving force behind its establishment,” Onyema stated.
Air Peace celebrates 10th anniversary
The minister assured that the current administration is committed to putting an end to the ongoing collapse of airlines.
“I am excited to be here today for two reasons. First is that Air Peace has survived for 10 years and keeps thriving. If you look at the history of airlines in Nigeria, you will discover that it is difficult for them to survive 10 years and still look healthy. We have a history of great mortality of airlines.
“So when we came to office we said there must be something responsible for this high mortality rate and now we have Air Peace looking strong and has continued to be on the rise and not on the decline,” Keyamo stated.
Aviation Minister Keyamo seeks international support for improved meteorological services in Nigeria
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that Minister Festus Keyamo requested training opportunities for Nigerian meteorological personnel.
The minister advocated for a national roadmap aligned with the UN's Early-Warnings-for-All initiative.