Market News

BY  Juliana Ajayi

Stakeholders in the aviation industry have said that competitions among airlines will be beneficial to passengers.

Among the new airlines that emerged this year in the aviation industry with over 20 airlines on the waiting list; the United Nigeria Airlines received its Air Operators Certificate on 1st February, 2021, while Green Africa Airways announced on the 3rd of June the arrival of its third aircraft.

In a time where airlines were still trying to recover from the outbreak of COVID-19, Green Africa Airways said it had special packages reserved for its prospective customers.

Aside from having three ATR 72-600s, the airline offered 10 per cent off first bookings with pre-sales code.

Aero Contractors Company of Nigeria Limited recently extended its network routes to Bauchi and Maiduguri, using Boeing 737-400 aircraft released from C-Check.

Other airlines that joined the race of attracting customers are Air Peace Limited and Azman Air Services Limited.

Air Peace Limited in April offered some gifts to its customers.

Azman Air Services Limited recently upgraded its customers’ economy tickets to business class.

Dana Airlines and Ibom Airlines came together on the 21st of May to sign a code share agreement which would enable both airlines to increase profitability in the industry.

The General Manager, Public Relations Department, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, in an interview with our correspondent said, “Competition in the aviation industry is a welcome development. It shows the industry is growing. NCAA is there to ensure the right thing is done by all parties, and violations are viewed seriously.”

Adurogboye also noted that air passengers were to benefit most amidst the competitions in the aviation industry, as this would offer them better services and grant returns on their investments.

“Passengers would be the best to benefit as there would be options available to them,” he said.

Reacting to the competition among the airlines in Nigeria, Spokesperson, Air Peace Limited, Stanley Olisa, explained to our correspondent that, “Air Peace is focused on easing the air travel burden of Nigerians. We are committed to this and continually review our operational practices to ensure consistent excellent service delivery.

“We strategically expanded our fleet and commenced new routes. We launched direct nonstop incredibly affordable flights to Johannesburg. Flights to Ilorin are starting June 17, 2021. We have ordered 13 brand new Embraer 195-E2 aircraft. Two have been delivered while the third comes in later in June.”

He noted that the airline was committed to the safety of passengers and employment to teeming Nigerians and other Nationals.

Travel Expert and consultant, Olubiyi Oluwajoba, said the competition among airlines in Nigeria was a healthy one.

He said, “It is a healthy competition. More people will be interested in air travel because of the affordability, more routes will now be accessible – some of the airlines will love to attract new customers by flying new routes.

“Importantly, airlines will keep to schedule, unlike before when they misbehaved and changed schedules. They can easily lose clientele when they do that.”