Minister Reveals Over 100 Airline Failures In Four Decades

Festus Keyamo, Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, has raised concerns about the high failure rate in Nigeria’s aviation industry, noting that over 100 airlines have shut down in the past 40 years. Speaking at the 10th anniversary celebration of Air Peace in Lagos, Keyamo highlighted that sustaining an airline in Nigeria is a rare feat, as most struggle to stay afloat beyond five to ten years. He acknowledged Air Peace’s success as a positive indicator, noting it has overcome the industry’s trend of “great mortality” and appears poised for future growth.

Keyamo expressed concern that, despite Nigeria’s strong aviation market — responsible for 80% of Africa’s domestic air travel and home to the continent’s busiest route, Lagos-Abuja — airlines struggle to remain viable. He questioned why, with such high demand, so many airlines fail, and he committed to finding sustainable solutions to this problem. Since taking office, he has been consulting with industry stakeholders to address underlying issues and prevent further airline closures.

Air Peace Chairman, Allen Onyema, also spoke, attributing the airline’s longevity to a mission-driven approach focused on creating jobs for Nigerian youth and contributing to the nation’s development. He stated that profit was not the sole driving force behind Air Peace, noting that a commitment to broader impact has played a role in its survival.

Keyamo emphasized that the current administration is committed to addressing the root causes of airline mortality, with the aim of supporting a stable and sustainable aviation sector in Nigeria.