The International Air Transport Association has declared Nigeria the second-toughest country globally for airline operations, trailing only Afghanistan. IATA’s Regional Vice President for Africa and the Middle East, Kamil Al-Awadhi, made the disclosure at the organisation’s 82nd Annual General Meeting in Rio de Janeiro.
Al-Awadhi identified Nigeria’s crippling operational costs as the primary barrier, setting it apart from Afghanistan’s security and political instability. While foreign airlines face per-flight charges, Nigerian carriers bear persistent financial burdens. He acknowledged Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo’s efforts to reduce costs but stressed that conditions remain punishing for local operators.
The IATA executive also criticised the slow implementation of an ECOWAS directive to cut regional air transport charges by 25 per cent. Only one ECOWAS member state has adopted the policy, delaying fare reductions across West Africa. Al-Awadhi vowed to push for faster compliance, warning that ticket prices will stay high until the directive takes full effect.
Nigeria’s aviation sector has long grappled with high taxes, multiple levies, and infrastructure deficits. The country’s airlines struggle with dollar shortages for aircraft maintenance and fuel, while regulatory fees further squeeze profitability. Industry analysts say the government’s recent interventions have yet to translate into sustainable relief for carriers.
Al-Awadhi’s assessment underscores the urgency of structural reforms. Without them, Nigeria risks stifling its aviation growth and losing competitive ground to regional hubs like Ethiopia and Rwanda, which offer more favourable operating environments.
