Foreign Airlines Increase Frequency Into Nigeria as Economic Activity Increases

According to a recent data survey released by African Aviation Services Limited, shows that foreign airlines operate over 300 frequencies weekly into and out of Nigeria. This translates to an increase of 22 per cent increase in passenger traffic on inbound and outbound flights from about 220 weekly frequencies as at 2016.

According to the Chief Executive Officer, Aglo Limited, Tayo Ojuri, the airline business is often the first hit during recession and will improve once the economy recovers. The direct implication of improvement in the economy is that there will be an increase in the purchasing power of people, which will enable them buy tickets to travel.

The results from the data show that Ethiopian and ASKY together operate 54 frequencies weekly. This is because Ethiopian Airlines has the highest entry points – 5 Airports – into Nigeria.

African World Airways (AWA) has 49 frequencies per week; British Airways and Virgin Atlantic operate 21 frequencies weekly into Nigeria; Cronos Airlines (proposed); EgyptAir with 16; Air France 15; Saudi Arabian Airways 13; Emirates 11; Lufthansa 11; Air Cote d’Ivoire10; Qatar 9; South African Airways 7.

Others were Delta, Royal Air Maroc, RwandAir, Sudan Airways, Turkish Airways, which enjoy seven frequencies without reciprocity from Nigerian airlines.

Also, Etihad has five frequencies; Fly Mid Africa has four; Middle East Airlines – four and Air Italy formerly Meridiana has three weekly flights to the country.

Emirates Airlines which reduced its three frequencies daily in Lagos and Abuja airports reduced their daily service to one. The airline has returned two flights daily to Lagos and one flight daily to Abuja.