FEATURES Archives - Page 4 of 34

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…

Inside High-Stakes Nigeria’s First International Airshow

Posted on December 2, 2025December 2, 2025 by Wole Shadare

Far from a mere spectacle of aerial acrobatics, the Nigerian international airshow is a high-stakes, multi-billion-dollar global marketplace, a diplomatic arena, and the engine room of the future of flight, writes WOLE SHADARE Historically, while Nigeria has a strong aviation sector dating back 100 years (celebrating a century of aviation in 2025), it has not hosted a major, internationally recognised International Air Show on the scale of events like Dubai, Farnborough, or Paris—until very recently….

Recycled pilots fuel domestic airlines’ poaching war

Posted on November 25, 2025November 25, 2025 by Wole Shadare

Just last week, Aviation Metric took a cursory look into the dearth of pilots, aircraft engineers and air traffic controllers; three critical professionals in the aviation industry. This week, the searchlight is on the practice of pilot recruitment, which is commonly referred to as poaching in the aviation industry. It has further exposed how the conditions of service, welfare, and other perks can force a pilot under a bond to seek a transfer of his service to…

Pilots’, ATC shortage: High Demand, Low Supply

Posted on November 19, 2025November 19, 2025 by Wole Shadare

The global shortage of pilots and Air Traffic Controllers (ATCs) is a systemic problem caused by a combination of generational shifts, financial barriers, and critical disruptions to the training pipeline, writes WOLE SHADARE The Nigerian aviation industry faces a complex and paradoxical challenge: a severe shortage of experienced, type-rated personnel alongside a pool of unemployed, low-hour graduates. This is a critical issue that poses a threat to safety, limits operational capacity, and hinders the…

Govt’s strategic shift from ‘national hangar’ to private sector MROs’

Posted on November 11, 2025 by Wole Shadare

The establishment of comprehensive Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facilities is widely regarded by Nigerian airlines and industry stakeholders as the most critical single solution to achieving financial stability and operational efficiency in the country’s aviation sector. The development of MRO facilities is universally described by Nigerian airlines and industry experts as the ultimate “Game Changer” for the country’s aviation sector. It’s a game-changer because it fundamentally alters the financial and operational structure of the…

Lagos-Accra route: Market cannibalisation

Posted on November 4, 2025 by Wole Shadare

The saturation of the Lagos-Accra air route, where multiple Nigerian and regional carriers are competing, carries significant implications, primarily involving financial risk for the airlines and volatile benefits for passengers, writes WOLE SHADARE The wait is finally over as United Nigeria Airlines announces the commencement of direct flights to Accra, Ghana, beginning November 10, 2025. The commencement of the Accra route by the airline, no doubt, would serve as an important part of the…

Benchmarking 2014 national conference report, realities in aviation sector

Posted on October 28, 2025October 28, 2025 by Wole Shadare

The 2014 National Conference committee report on transportation highlights some of the areas that need improvement in the country’s aviation industry. The report is holistic. While some of the inadequacies have been tackled, many areas are still crying for adjustments and implementation, writes WOLE SHADARE The 2014 National Conference committee report on transportation, headed by Senator Musa Adede, went in-depth on how best to improve the country’s transportation system, reflecting the desire to improve the…

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