Top Stories Archives - Aviation metric

African airlines’ traffic rose 10.3% in 2025, scrambled to accommodate demand

Posted on February 8, 2026 by Wole Shadare

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has said that December 2025 traffic for African airlines rose 10.3% over December 2024, while the continent’s airlines’ annual traffic rose 7.8% in 2025 versus the prior year. The region finished 2025 with the fastest growth rate and highest load factor of any region. December 2025 traffic rose 7.5% compared to December 2024. It stated this in its 2025 full-year and December 2025 passenger market performance reports, which showed record-high demand. Other…

Green Africa in rebuilding phase, acquires second ATR72-600 airplane, partners Access Bank

Posted on February 4, 2026 by Wole Shadare

In a significant move for Nigeria’s aviation landscape, Green Africa has followed up on its 2025 milestone by adding a second aircraft to its fleet, further solidifying its “rebuilding” phase and its unique partnership with Access Bank. This acquisition marks a deliberate departure from the volatile leasing models that caused operational disruptions for the carrier in early 2025. By owning its assets, Green Africa is positioning itself as a more stable, “value” carrier with a…

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…

Pilots’ retention failing despite rising salaries

Posted on February 2, 2026February 2, 2026 by Wole Shadare

Data from a 2,437 pilot survey shows pay rising across regions, but mobility surging faster, forcing airlines to rethink retention beyond salary By Nathan Baker The pilot labour market has entered a phase where salary benchmarking is no longer a sufficient proxy for retention risk. The most revealing signal is not the headline pay band for a Captain on a B777 or an A320, but the widening gap between what operators pay and how willing pilots…

Military officers smuggle arms onboard aircraft, threaten airlines, airport staff

Posted on February 2, 2026February 2, 2026 by Wole Shadare

Yerima, another officer, fingered in safety breaches Nigeria risks ICAO rule violation on arms carriage The Federal Government’s concern regarding firearm violations by security operatives on commercial flights has intensified following high-profile breaches of aviation security protocols. These incidents highlight a recurring friction between military/paramilitary privilege and the strict, non-negotiable safety standards of civil aviation. A major point of tension involves security operatives—often in uniform or accompanied by armed escorts—who attempt to bypass mandatory passenger…

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),…

Qatar redefining pet travel, 54.3 million travellers passed through Doha in 2025

Posted on January 29, 2026 by Wole Shadare

In 2025, 54.3 million travellers from around the world passed through Hamad International Airport in Doha, Qatar – enjoying its exceptional world-class services and facilities. But it’s not just people who benefit from Qatar Airways’ exceptional care. From cats and dogs to horses and exotic wildlife, animals receive the same level of attention and comfort as their human counterparts. Qatar Airways Cargo transported more than half a million animals in 2024, setting a…

FAAN’s increased revenue paradox despite declined cargo throughput in 2025

Posted on January 29, 2026 by Wole Shadare

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has reported a notable paradox in its 2025 fiscal performance: increased revenue generation and collection efficiency despite a decline in total cargo throughput compared to 2024. This shift is largely attributed to aggressive operational reforms spearheaded by the Directorate of Cargo Development and Services, aimed at plugging chronic revenue leakages and modernising legacy processes. The Authority’s ability to grow income while handling less volume stems from several strategic…

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…

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