How 60 airlines went into extinction in 60 years

In aviation, as Nigeria celebrates its 60 independence, about 60 airlines had already gone into extinction with only about nine operating scheduled flights.

Though the industry has grown the traffic significantly with over 14 million passengers transported annually across the Nigerian Airports, the bulk of those passengers is conveyed by foreign airlines.

• African airlines’ traffic falls by 90% – Report
• COVID-19: CBN, Bankers’ Committee to support airlines, media

At independence when Nigeria had fewer passengers, it had more airlines than in 2020 when passengers had grown astronomically.

Analysts say the ongoing efforts to establish a new carrier after the death of the Nigeria Airways in 2005 should be sustained.

Also, the move to establish a Maintenance Report and Overhaul (MRO) facility in Nigeria, if vigorously pursued, according to experts, would transform the aviation landscape.

An Aviation expert, Capt. Ibrahim Yunusa Kazaure said Aviation being a capital intensive business must have the input of the government to survive.

He said the government shouldn’t back down on the proposed national carrier.