Keyamo: Over 100 airlines shut down in Nigeria in last 40 years

Festus Keyamo, minister of aviation and aerospace development, says over 100 airlines have shut down in Nigeria in the last 40 years.

Speaking on Saturday during the 10th anniversary of Air Peace, a Nigerian airline, in Lagos, Keyamo said the aviation industry has a high mortality rate.

“I am excited to be here today for two reasons. First is that Air Peace has survived for 10 years and it keeps thriving and going higher. It’s not on the decline but actually on the rise,” the minister said.

“If you look at the history of airlines in Nigeria, it is difficult for them to survive more than 10 years and still look healthy. We have a history of great mortality of airlines.

“More than a hundred airlines have gone in the last 40 years. From Concord to Zenith to Bellview, among others. You will then ask yourself why they die off, I can keep mentioning them, more than a hundred of them, I have the list.”

He said upon taking office, the current administration examined the trend, recognising that there must be underlying reasons for the high mortality rate of airlines.

The minister commended Air Peace for its decade-long resilience and growth in the industry.

Also speaking, Allen Onyema, chairman of Air Peace, said the airline was established to create employment opportunities and support his country in providing jobs for the vast number of unemployed people.

“That’s the only way we can eradicate insecurity in this country, by giving jobs to all,” he added.

Onyema also expressed his apologies to passengers for past instances where the airline may have fallen short, promising ongoing improvement in service.