Adedayo Olawuyi, Chief Commercial Officer of United Nigeria Airlines, attributes the prevalence of international carriers in Nigeria to the insufficient strength of local and regional operators. During a recent meeting with the League of Airport and Aviation Correspondents in Lagos, he noted that companies like Emirates, Qatar Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, and Asky succeed by maintaining vast networks that offer travelers seamless global connections.
Olawuyi argued that local airlines must expand their reach and provide direct routes across West Africa to challenge this status quo. He pointed out that while foreign carriers often use transit hubs to move passengers, Nigerian operators struggle to replicate this efficiency due to regional connectivity gaps. For instance, he questioned why local carriers do not offer direct flights to major destinations rather than forcing passengers to connect through various other cities.
Despite this goal, Olawuyi acknowledged that regional operations carry significant risks. Deploying large aircraft on routes with low passenger volume often results in financial losses. He emphasized the need for right-sizing market capacity and actively stimulating demand to ensure long-term viability. Furthermore, he highlighted that poor airport infrastructure remains a major obstacle. He specifically noted the difficulties in moving between domestic and international terminals and the regulatory hurdles regarding transit visas. He expressed support for current government efforts under Minister Festus Keyamo to upgrade facilities at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, which could improve transit efficiency and help Nigerian aviation compete on a global scale.
