The Federal Government has taken a significant step towards empowering local airlines and ensuring fair competition in the aviation industry with the introduction of the “Fly Nigeria Act.” The proposal, unveiled by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, during a stakeholders’ engagement on Friday, seeks to strengthen the domestic aviation sector, which is seen as a vital pillar of the country’s economy.
Keyamo emphasized that the new legislation aims to prioritize Nigerian flag carriers for all government-funded travel, whether domestic, regional, or international. The Act’s key objective is to foster a more competitive and sustainable aviation market in Nigeria, enabling local airlines to thrive and compete effectively on the global stage.
The “Fly Nigeria Act” Explained
The “Fly Nigeria Act” proposes several measures to support and enhance the operations of domestic airlines in the country. According to Keyamo, the primary focus of the proposed legislation is to ensure that Nigerian flag carriers are given preference for all government-funded travel.
“We want to ensure that Nigerian flag carriers are prioritized for all government-funded travel, whether it’s within Nigeria or international routes,” Keyamo said. “This includes connecting flights as well. For example, if you are traveling to the United States via London, and the first leg of your journey is operated by a Nigerian flag carrier, you must use the Nigerian airline for that leg before connecting to an international carrier.”
This stipulation, Keyamo argued, would create demand and open up market opportunities for Nigerian airlines, even on routes where they currently do not operate. By incentivizing the development of such routes, the “Fly Nigeria Act” aims to establish a more competitive aviation market that benefits both local carriers and passengers.
“We want to make sure our local carriers can fly to every part of the world, and the only way to do that is to create an enabling environment for them to grow,” he said. “This bill will ensure that our flag carriers have the space to thrive and eventually open up opportunities for more competitive air travel.”
A Long-Delayed Proposal
The bill for the “Fly Nigeria Act” was first proposed over 15 years ago, but according to Keyamo, it did not receive the necessary support or attention. The minister voiced his frustration with the delay, questioning why such an important piece of legislation had not been enacted sooner.
“It’s quite telling that this bill was introduced more than 15 years ago and yet it never saw the light of day,” Keyamo remarked. “This shows that there has been some resistance to allowing Nigeria’s aviation sector to flourish. It’s no secret that there are powerful external forces that want to stifle the growth of our local airlines.”
Keyamo pointed out that Nigeria, with its vast population and growing air traffic, has long been a target for foreign airlines eager to feed on the country’s lucrative aviation market. He argued that many foreign carriers are determined to ensure that Nigeria’s domestic airlines remain underdeveloped so they can dominate the market without competition.
The Challenge of Global “Aeropolitics”
Keyamo did not mince words in describing the international dynamics that have hindered the growth of Nigeria’s aviation industry. He referred to this as “aeropolitics,” a term used to describe the geopolitical and economic interests that shape global aviation policies and practices.
“There’s always aeropolitics in the aviation industry, and it’s a global reality that we cannot ignore,” Keyamo stated. “Foreign airlines have long had a vested interest in controlling African aviation markets, including Nigeria. They want to ensure that our domestic airlines cannot grow, because it benefits them to monopolize the traffic we generate.”
He explained that many foreign airlines have been able to secure favorable routes into Africa, including Nigeria, and have established near-monopolies in certain markets, often at the expense of local carriers. This, he argued, has contributed to the stunted growth of Nigeria’s aviation sector, preventing it from fully capitalizing on its large and growing population.
“For a country as large as Nigeria, they want to feed on our traffic, and they will do everything in their power to ensure that our domestic airlines do not have the space to grow,” he said. “It is up to us, as a government, to recognize this and take the necessary steps to ensure that we level the playing field.”
The Need for Fair Competition
The “Fly Nigeria Act” is seen as a critical step in ensuring that Nigerian airlines are not only able to survive but also thrive in the face of stiff competition from foreign carriers. Keyamo emphasized that the goal of the legislation is not to shut out foreign airlines but to create an environment where both local and international airlines can compete fairly.
“We appreciate the partnership we have with foreign airlines,” Keyamo said. “They play an important role in connecting Nigeria to the rest of the world. But at the same time, we must ensure that our local airlines are not disadvantaged in the process. We want to ensure fair competition, where Nigerian carriers can stand on their own and compete on equal terms with foreign airlines.”
The minister also emphasized that once local airlines are given the necessary support and opportunities, Nigeria could eventually explore the idea of establishing a national carrier. However, he stressed that this would only be considered once the local airlines are strong enough to handle the competition.
“Once our flag carriers are operating at their full potential, then we can begin to talk about a national carrier,” Keyamo said. “But for now, the priority is to create an environment where our local airlines can operate without being suffocated by foreign competition.”
