Nigerian Airlines Struggle with Shrinking Routes and Low Passenger Volumes Amid Unfriendly Policies

Nigerian airlines are struggling to stay afloat as they experience a decline in passenger volumes and routes, attributed to unfriendly aviation policies. Charles Grant, the Chief Financial Officer of Aero Contractors, highlighted the sector's underperformance and challenges such as fiscal charges, high operational costs, and regulatory bottlenecks.

Despite high demand for air travel in Nigeria, local airlines are finding it difficult to compete with foreign carriers that have built successful business models around Nigerian traffic. This situation has led to a drop in domestic passenger numbers to three million in 2022, contrasting with the growth seen in countries like Kenya, Egypt, and South Africa.

Nigerian carriers are urged to expand their tax base and improve operational efficiency to thrive in the competitive aviation industry.