FEATURES

This aviation colonialism’ fits in well with Ethiopian Airlines’ 15-year strategic plan dubbed “Vision 2025” and its strategic expansion plans, writes, WOLE SHADARE  Success story Africa’s biggest and most profitable airline, Ethiopian Airlines has become the biggest airline brand in Africa. Year-on-year, the carrier keeps posting amazing profits and acquiring some of the best and most sophisticated aircraft, especially from the two biggest aircraft makers, Boeing and Airbus. Ethiopian Airlines has an amazing success story that truly…

In recent times, the airline industry has taken a hit as far as profitability is concerned. With multiple avenues directed toward increasing costs for the industry. Circumstances of the present create a unique environment for lower profit margins, writes, WOLE SHADARE The big question The question on the lips of many is why are businessmen, money bags, and aviation enthusiasts showing a remarkable interest in aviation, particularly the airline business if the profit margin is very…

To create revenue and cost synergies, Nigerian carriers would need to work harder to realise corporate integration, operational harmonisation, and centralised administration and governance, writes, WOLE SHADARE Different scenarios Since 2000, the number of major airlines operating in the United States has shrunk. A series of mergers and acquisitions saw three powerhouse airlines emerge; Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, and American Airlines. Between them, these three airlines now have around half of the overall US domestic…

A comparative analysis of aviation’s contribution to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) pales into insignificance with its selected peers in Africa. It is an indication that despite the slow progress made, the country’s aviation is still way behind Kenya, South Africa, and Egypt among others, writes, WOLE SHADARE Nigeria’s aviation size How big is Nigeria’s aviation industry?  About three years ago, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) recognized that the country’s air transportation sector contributed over $1.7…

In a region where affordable airfares have remained elusive, many potential customers have long been deprived of the opportunity to travel by air. Presently, a one-way ticket from Lagos to Abuja could go for as high as N100,000 or more – which is way too expensive for the average Nigerian, writes WOLE SHADARE Skyrocketing fares Airfares are becoming more expensive on domestic routes. Many factors have been attributed to the adjustments in fares. These factors have…

Jet fuel contamination has led to many unfortunate incidents in the past in many parts of the world including Nigeria. WOLE SHADARE writes that fuel contamination has become a recurring incident in the Nigerian aviation industry Troubling times Several troubling incidents of jet fuel contamination have prompted the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and other industry groups to pay close attention to the danger posed by bad jet fuel. It’s no secret that jet fuel contamination can…

Flying within Africa is more expensive than just about anywhere else in the world. Travellers pay higher ticket prices and more taxes. It is often cheaper to fly to another continent than to another African country according to the BBC in its report. For a quick comparison, flying from the German capital, Berlin, to Turkey’s biggest city, Istanbul, will probably set you back around $150 (£120) for a direct flight taking less than three hours….

Flight delays are not synonymous with the Nigerian aviation industry. It is fast assuming a very dangerous dimension here in Nigeria, writes, WOLE SHADARE Escalating trend Flight delays and cancellations are continuing to surge in Nigeria. The recent from the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) for the first quarter of 2023 clearly shows that. It is becoming a herculean task to see a flight that is not delayed. Even airlines that pride themselves or use the…

One issue that has dominated national discourse in the past month is Nigeria Air and whether or not Nigeria needs a national airline; the debate that reverberates, write, WOLE SHADARE The big debate The debate for a national carrier for Nigeria will never go away depending on the side or position one takes.  It is a position of naysayers and optimists. It is the most contentious debate that no one will ever win until the Federal…

The crises rocking Arik Air are multi-dimensional and lack a solution. WOLE SHADARE chronicles the problems of the carrier and the futile attempts by its founder, Johnson Arumemi-Ikhide to reclaim his airline A model at inception The crisis rocking the erstwhile biggest airline in West and Central Africa, Arik Air, took another turn this penultimate week following the sale of one of its assets – a CRJ 1000 aircraft with registration number 5N-JEE. Arik at its inception…