Adedayo Olawuyi, Chief Commercial Officer at United Nigeria Airlines, attributes the prevalence of international carriers in Nigeria to the inherent weaknesses of local aviation firms. He suggests that domestic operators currently fail to provide the robust regional networks required to challenge global giants like Emirates, Qatar Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, and Asky.
During a discussion with the League of Airport and Aviation Correspondents in Lagos, Olawuyi explained that foreign airlines succeed because they offer seamless connections to various international destinations, not just their home hubs. To counter this, he argues that Nigerian airlines must pivot toward expanding their regional reach and offering direct flights across West Africa.
Olawuyi highlighted that many passengers fly through hubs like Lome or Addis Ababa simply because direct options from Lagos are missing. However, he acknowledged that regional expansion is complicated by commercial realities. Deploying large aircraft on routes with low passenger volume is often unprofitable. He advocates for right-sizing fleets to match actual market demand and performing deeper market research to stimulate traffic.
Infrastructure remains a significant hurdle. Olawuyi pointed to the difficulties of transit within Nigerian airports, noting that moving between domestic and international terminals can be a lengthy process. He expressed optimism that government efforts under Minister Festus Keyamo, particularly at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, will eventually improve connectivity. Ultimately, he believes creating efficient transit hubs is essential for Nigerian airlines to capture a larger share of the market.
