Nigerian airlines are concentrating their efforts on high-traffic routes due to a persistent shortage of aircraft. The shortage is attributed to high maintenance costs and the grounding of several planes by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) because of maintenance issues.
As a result, airlines have reduced flights to less popular destinations, directing their limited fleet to routes with higher passenger demand to maximize revenue. Small airports like Ilorin, Akure, Anambra, Asaba, Ibadan, Calabar, and Enugu are experiencing fewer flights, while major routes such as Lagos to Abuja, Port Harcourt, Owerri, and Kano have more frequent service.
Emeka Nwafor, Managing Director of Anambra International Cargo and Passenger Airport, noted the impact on smaller airports. “The shortage of aircraft is affecting Anambra airport. For instance, an airline that previously operated daily flights to Lagos and Abuja has reduced its frequencies. We now have skeletal weekly flights with occasional cancellations,” he said.
Nwafor added that another airline serving Anambra has faced even greater challenges, sometimes operating with only one aircraft. He emphasized the ripple effect of flight delays on overall operations and the airport’s reliance on aeronautical revenue, which suffers when flights are scarce.
In recent months, Nigerian airlines have struggled with fleet reductions due to soaring maintenance costs exacerbated by foreign exchange shortages. Some airlines have had to ground their aircraft due to these costs or NCAA directives. The grounding of Dana Air, which previously operated six aircraft, has also strained the availability of flights, leading to higher ticket prices on routes it once served.
Ndukwe Ginika Ogechi, CEO of Geena Travels and Tours Ltd, highlighted the difficulties faced by travelers. “Ticket prices have been rising, and seat capacity has dwindled as there are fewer flights to underserved destinations. Routes that previously had multiple flights daily now see reduced service or no flights at all,” Ogechi said.
Data from the NCAA indicates that 13 domestic airlines in Nigeria collectively operate 91 aircraft, including those undergoing maintenance. Sources close to the NCAA reported that over half of these aircraft are currently grounded for maintenance, further straining the already limited fleet.
