By Uche Mbah
Finally, three airlines have scaled the hurdle of coming on stream. Their entrance in July, 2021, will increase the number of domestic airlines in the country.
Some of the airlines will later be licensed for international routes.
United Nigeria Airline, Green Africa and Cally Air, among other prospective airlines, have passed various levels of certification by the regulatory authorities and are set for commercial operations.
Surprisingly, this is coming at a time of the second wave of Covid 19. The first wave sent the aviation industry into turbulence, with traffic volume reduced to an all-time low, a situation that has a ripple effect even in the oil industry. Jet A1, the Aviation Fuel, recorded about 30% sales, according to expert estimates.
At the end of the first wave, the Global Aviation economy lost $550 billion with many airlines on the brink of collapse.
Even now, with the second wave of Covid-19, travelers’ apathy and the heavy reliance on government bailout is a major problem.
Recently, the FG approved bailouts for the industry, though this Magazine learnt that many defunct airlines have also lined up for the bailout.
Last week, United Nigeria Airlines operated a demo flight from Lagos to Owerri. It is certified, having fulfilled the condition of having at least two aircraft for operations. Currently, its fleet consists of four Embraer E145s aircraft. it has its operative base at Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu. Its planned routes are Enugu, Portharcourt, Lagos, and Abuja. It is scheduled to start full operations before March 2021.
Cally air, which appears to be a competitive airline with Ibom air, a state-owned airline that is currently making waves in the industry, is owned by the neighboring Cross River state. This will be the second state-owned airline. Both states are South-south states. Its base will be Calabar airport.
Green Africa Airline, allegedly, owned by Babawande Afolabi, is still waiting for approval from the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA. Sources within the industry indicate that they have satisfied the conditions and may get the Air Operating Certificate, AOC, before the end of the second quarter of 2021.
Last December, the Airline did a promotion where they gave 24 free tickets during a promotion fair.
The airline, in pursuance of their quest for local air supremacy, had ordered fifty A220-300s aircraft from Airbus and plans to lease at least three more from GTLK in Europe.
While Airpeace uses Fidelity Bank, First City Monument Bank takes care of Green Africa. FCMB bankrolled it through a $31 million letter of credit and rollover working capital.
