Interviews

Dr. Wale Babalakin (SAN) is a Nigerian businessman, lawyer and philanthropist. He is Chairman of Bi-Courtney Group of companies, amongst them Murtala Muhammed Airport 2 (MMA2) which is the biggest privately built airport terminal in Nigeria. In this interview, Babalakin speaks on he build the MMA2 from scratch and secured concessioning of Lagos-Ibadan Expressway among others. Excerpts   The MMA2 terminal regarded as the best run terminal in Nigeria has generated so much controversy with back…

His foray into the aviation business did not happen by chance. Several years ago, he tested the murky waters of aviation when the Nigeria Air Force engaged him in international peace operations. The process to acquire B737 aircraft had been completed. Suddenly the process was truncated just before the deal was coming to fruition. Chief Obiora Okonkwo is the man behind start-up United Nigeria Airlines. In this interview with WOLE SHADARE, speaks on how the…

ChiefExecutive Officer, Arik Air, Capt. Roy Ilogbodu rarely grants interviews.Whenever he does, he sheds light on burning issues as they affect the country’s aviation industry. In this interview with WOLE SHADARE, he speaks on access to foreign exchange, precarious situation of airlines and the fate of Arik amid concerns of making it a national carrier, among other issues   Recently, the Federal Government bailed out Nigeria airlines to the tune of N4 billion. Is that…

Capt. Musa Nuhu has a very rich experience in global aviation and was recently appointed the Director-General of Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority. In this interview with WOLE SHADARE, the cerebral airline pilot, safety expert, quality assurance lead auditor and an artificial intelligence expert speaks on restrategising to reposition the country’s aviation sector, economic regulation of airlines for profit and survival. Excerpts How was your experience as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the International Civil Aviation Organisation…

Many First Class passengers are expected to make the leap to private jets in the wake of the pandemic, says Linus Benjamin Bauer, managing director of Bauer Aviation Advisory   The current COVID-19 pandemic has sent shock waves through the entire aviation industry including the airlines with First Class offerings. It’s also not clear to what extent the premium market (First and Business Class combined), which generated 30% of airlines’ international revenues in 2019, can recover….