Despite odds, Nigerian airlines get more aircraft to delight travelers
As the winter season approaches, Nigerian airlines would from any moment from now, take delivery of additional aircraft to beef up their operations.
Passenger traffic is expected to triple in the domestic scene within the Christmas and new year periods, while more Nigerians who reside abroad would visit the country for various celebrations.
As usual, some of the airlines are negotiating aircraft leasing with lessors and other aircraft operators outside the country. Presently, there are less than 50 commercial air planes in operations among the 12 scheduled airlines, a huge gap from the hitherto 120 aircraft about three years ago.
Some of the aircraft brands expected in the country from next month are Airbus A320, Boeing 737, B777, Bombardier, Embraer and others.
It is also projected that airfares, which are presently priced between N150,000 and N200,000 for one-way ticket for an hour flight, may rise to N400, 000 during the peak of the yuletide period.
This may, however, affect the expected upsurge in air travelers as some of the potential air travelers may embrace other forms of transportation, especially road transport.
For instance, United Nigeria Airlines (UNA) would take delivery of four aircraft, starting from September 1, 2024.
Three of the aircraft are Bombardier CRJ900 from South Africa, while the other A320 from Jordan would arrive Nigeria in September.
A source close to the airline, confided in Daily Independent over the weekend that the CRJ900 aircraft have 90 capacity, while the A320 is a 164-seater aircraft.
The addition of four aircraft would increase the airline’s fleet to seven.
According to the source, three of the four expected aircraft would be deployed for local operations for the yuletide season, while one of the CRJ900 would be deployed to its regional operations.
Three of the anticipated seven aircraft would be stationed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja.
This had led to the airline to officially write to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), to seek for additional counters for its operations at Abuja airport.
It was also gathered that UNA would commence direct flight services from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, to Kotoka International Airport (KIA), Accra, Ghana, in October.
Already, plans have reached advanced stage for the airline to engage more staff in preparation of its enhanced services.
The source said: “United Nigeria is taking delivery of three additional aircraft CRJ- 900 with 90 seaters each from South Africa. Also, additional Airbus 320 aircraft from Jordan with 164 capacity will arrive for our winter operations. The aircraft is expected to arrive in Nigeria on September 1, 2024 to commence scheduled operations the same month. The aircraft are wet lease.
“One of the CRJ aircraft would be deployed for the West Coast and the other two for domestic. Already, we have applied for more counters from FAAN because three of the aircraft would be stationed in Abuja airport. One Embraer aircraft, one Airbus and another CRJ aircraft. We are looking at commencing the Lagos-Accra flight by October this year.”
Also, it was learnt that Air Peace was poised to take delivery of additional six airplanes from September.
One of the reliable sources close to the airline who didn’t want his name mentioned, said over the weekend that the airline planned to beef up its fleet of aircraft with four B737 and B777 aircraft.
According to the source, the aircraft would be deployed for its local and international operations during the winter period.
The source said: “There are about four B737 and two B777 that are coming in for the winter season. In all, we are expecting six aircraft to beef up our operations. The fact is that as usual, we are fully prepared for the winter season. We intend to satisfy our passengers and ensure their total safety at all times.”
Besides, Capt. Ado Sanusi, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Aero Contractors, confirmed that the airline was gearing up for expected surge in the winter season.
Speaking with Daily Independent on Monday, Sanusi explained that the airline hoped to return one of its aircraft from maintenance facilities to its fleet.
The aircraft would be deployed for services immediately, he said.
He, however, was silent on the type of aircraft the airline would bring to increase its capacity, but said the management was also already talking to its partners on the expected boost in the industry during the yuletide season.
Sanusi assured that the airline would unveil its business and commercial strategies in the coming weeks.
“We hope to boost our capacity; we are working very hard to finish our maintenance on the aircraft that we have, which is undergoing a C-check. And we also hope that we will boost our capacity to cater to the growing passenger demand.
“The number of aircraft we are bringing is purely business and commercial strategies that I think Aero would unveil in the near future. I don’t want to pre-empt our commercial strategy to our competitors. We will surely unveil our commercial strategy in the very near future.
“Everything is on the table; we are thinking of all options; wet lease, dry lease or lease finance. Whatever we can to boost our capacity is on the table and we are looking at it and discussing with our partners to ensure that we achieve that,” he said.
Just about two weeks ago, Overland Airways unveiled the delivery of another brand new Embraer E-175 jet in a two-class configuration of premium and economy cabins, making it two in the 11 months.
The two aircraft are part of the six Embraer E-175 the airline ordered since the 2021 Dubai airshow. The E175 is a dual-class 88-seater modern jet.
Mrs. Aduke Atiba, Executive Director, Overland Airways, had said that the introduction of this new route was part of its commitment to meeting the growing demand for convenient and comfortable air services between Lagos and Abuja, and relieving Nigerians of the difficulties they experience on the route.
She also said that the airline would launch flight services to more destinations in Nigeria and across West Africa, starting from this month.
Also, Ibom Air recently added its second A220-300 aircraft to its growing fleet, bringing its fleet of aircraft to about seven.
The airline said that the addition of the aircraft would allow it to increase flight frequencies on existing routes and expand to new destinations.
Besides, Mrs. Ajoke Yinka-Olawuyi, Head, Corporate Communications, Murtala Muhammed Airport 2 (MMA2), Lagos, said that the terminal operator had already made adequate arrangements to ensure that its facilities were in top shape.
According to Yinka-Olawuyi, the terminal operator was collaborating as usual with airline operators on the planning, assuring that BASL had sufficient facilities on the airside to accommodate the projected traffic.
She explained that the aviation company recently expanded its apron, removed obsolete equipment and unserviceable aircraft to make room for serviceable aircraft on the active apron, noting that “this process is progressing very smoothly.”
She added: “In addition, we adhere to all safety procedures to ensure the safety of aircraft and personnel on the ramp. This includes degreasing, eliminating foreign object debris (FOD), resurfacing and others. Our Aviation Safety Department ensures that FOD works are conducted monthly.”
