FEATURES Archives - Page 4 of 34

Cargo charge disinformation, intimation, a threat to national reform

Posted on February 4, 2026 by Wole Shadare

The standoff between the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and cargo agents has escalated beyond a mere fiscal dispute into a volatile conflict involving allegations of disinformation, intimidation, and sabotage of national reform efforts. As of February 4, 2026, the situation at the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA) in Lagos is characterised by a “down tools” action by agents and a rigid enforcement stance by the Authority. But when one scrapes away the emotional rhetoric…

Prospects, Issues, Concerns over Enugu Airport concession

Posted on February 3, 2026February 3, 2026 by Wole Shadare

This project is being viewed as the litmus test for the government’s broader plan to concession the “Big Four” airports (Lagos, Abuja, Kano, and Port Harcourt), writes WOLE SHADARE The concession of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport (AIIA) in Enugu has generated various issues and has reached a critical juncture. The recent signing of the Enugu Airport concession has brought the long-standing debate over Nigerian airport concessions into sharp focus. Just days ago, the Federal Government…

Tweaking FAAN’s cargo tariffs after two decades

Posted on January 30, 2026 by Wole Shadare

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) is set to implement a significant tariff adjustment effective February 2, 2026. This move, which includes a notable 257% increase in cargo charges, is framed by the authority as a vital step toward financial self-sufficiency and infrastructure modernisation. The agency’s expensive operational costs include runway, maintenance, airfield lighting, staff training and recurrent certification, environmental management (in line with ISO 14001 and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO standards),…

Post-Yuletide: Festive bazaar ends as airlines fly empty, return to equilibrium

Posted on January 28, 2026 by Wole Shadare

While the ‘Yuletide bazaar’ saw tickets peaking between N400,000 and N650,000 due to desperate demand, the post-holiday return to normalcy is proving to be a sober reality check for the industry, writes WOLE SHADARE As the “Yuletide Bazaar” winds down, the Nigerian aviation market is experiencing its traditional but sharp correction. The shift from the N300,000– N600,000 peak-season spikes back to low-season pricing is now in full swing, though the floor for these fares…

How conflicts impact Africa, Middle-East global aviation profitability

Posted on January 20, 2026January 20, 2026 by Wole Shadare

Africa remains the least profitable aviation region globally. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) forecasts that African carriers will generate just $200 million in net profit in 2026—a marginal 1.3% profit margin compared to the global average of $7.90 per passenger. The conflicts in the continent and the Middle-East have the potential to do more damage to aviation profitability, writes WOLE SHADARE The continent has seen conflicts in Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, Sudan, Libya, and…

Airlines on cliffhanger

Posted on January 13, 2026 by Wole Shadare

The Nigerian aviation industry is often described as a quagmire—a complex, sticky situation where every attempt to solve one problem seems to trigger another. This goes beyond just high prices; it is a structural trap involving debt, taxes, and a lack of local technical self-sufficiency, writes WOLE SHADARE To say Nigerian airlines are on a cliffhanger is a perfect metaphor for the suspense and high stakes of the carriers. This month marks a major…

Hurdles, outlook for Nigerian carriers in 2026

Posted on January 6, 2026 by Wole Shadare

The aviation industry in 2025 was mixed. There were numerous benefits that the entire aviation ecosystem derived from the past year. WOLE SHADARE examines the outlook for the airline sub-sector for 2026 The nation’s economy enters 2026 on a trajectory of cautious optimism, having transitioned from post-reform stabilisation to a modest recovery, even if challenges persist. The same could be said of the aviation industry, particularly the airline sector. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) forecasts…

Aviation Year 2025: Sector at critical reset point

Posted on December 30, 2025December 30, 2025 by Wole Shadare

Year 2025 was a study in contrasts, defined by significant regulatory and policy milestones set against the backdrop of a severe economic growth crash and record-high airfares, writes WOLE SHADARE In 2025, the sector moved beyond mere survival, hitting several historic milestones that mark a shift from potential to execution. Appraising the Nigerian aviation industry in 2025 reveals a sector at a critical reset point. While the industry is grappling with severe macroeconomic headwinds—specifically high…

Skies of Promise: The Struggle Amid Africa’s Aviation Paradox

Posted on December 23, 2025December 23, 2025 by Wole Shadare

Paradoxically, a continent with some of the world’s lowest per capita incomes also has the highest aviation operating costs, operational inefficiency, and safety concerns, among others, writes WOLE SHADARE With a youth demographic boom, a burgeoning middle class, and economies eager to connect, Africa exhibits the fastest-growing demand for air travel globally. This promising development hints at boundless potential. Yet, scratch beneath the surface, and a stark paradox emerges: for all its soaring ambition, African aviation…

Economics, physical toll, time saving of ultra-long-haul flights

Posted on December 9, 2025 by Wole Shadare

The experience of an ultra-long-haul (ULH) flight is often a trade-off between the undeniable convenience of a non-stop journey and the physical and mental toll of spending 18 to 20 hours in a pressurised aluminium tube, writes WOLE SHADARE The economics of ultra-long-haul (ULH) flights, typically defined as services scheduled for 16 hours or more, are driven by specific high-cost factors and by a reliance on high-yield premium demand to achieve profitability. Ultra-long-haul flights push…

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