Festus Keyamo, Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, has raised concerns over the high mortality rate in the aviation sector, revealing that more than 100 airlines have shut down over the past 40 years.
Keyamo made this statement during the 10th anniversary celebration of Air Peace, the largest airline in West Africa and Nigeria’s flag carrier, held in Lagos on Saturday. The event allowed him to celebrate Air Peace’s achievements while also shedding light on the challenges faced by the industry.
Expressing his admiration for Air Peace’s resilience, Keyamo stated, “I am thrilled to be here for two reasons: first, because Air Peace has not only survived for 10 years but continues to thrive. The history of airlines in Nigeria shows how challenging it is to last a decade and remain in good shape. We have seen a high mortality rate among airlines.”
He reflected on the industry’s struggles, noting, “In the past 40 years, more than a hundred airlines have disappeared. From Concord to Zenith to Bellview, their losses are well remembered. You might wonder why so many fail; I have a list of them right here.”
In addressing the issue of high mortality rates, Keyamo remarked, “Upon taking office, we recognized that there must be underlying factors contributing to this issue. Yet here we have Air Peace, which remains robust and is continuing to grow.”
He highlighted Nigeria’s pivotal role in African aviation, referencing a Boeing study that indicates Nigeria accounts for 80 percent of domestic air travel on the continent. “The Lagos-Abuja route is the busiest in Africa, followed closely by Johannesburg-Cape Town. Nigeria leads in domestic travel,” he noted.
Given this substantial air traffic, Keyamo questioned why many airlines struggle, emphasizing the need for collaboration between the government and industry stakeholders. “I’ve engaged with operators to understand and address these challenges,” he said.
The minister expressed optimism about Air Peace’s future, pointing out its success in overcoming the typical pitfalls that many airlines face in their formative years. “It’s encouraging to see that this 10-year-old Nigerian airline has defied the high mortality trends usually seen in the first five to ten years of operation, indicating a promising future.”
Allen Onyema, Chairman of Air Peace, echoed Keyamo’s sentiments, emphasizing that the airline was established not just for profit but to create opportunities for Nigerian youth. “Air Peace is the result of thoughtful planning and a desire to make a significant impact in a country I hold dear. While profit is important, it wasn’t the primary motivation behind its founding,” he stated.
As Air Peace celebrates a decade of operations, both Keyamo and Onyema remain dedicated to tackling the industry’s challenges and ensuring the airline thrives in Nigeria’s competitive aviation market.
