-By Adeniyi Onifade
As the aviation sector crisis rages on, Local airline operators are fast embracing smaller and medium-range aircraft which is now boosting smaller planes market.
In contrast to the popular 120-plus Boeing737-seater airplanes, smaller 50-seaters are fast becoming regulars at airport aprons nationwide.
Though the latter rarely compare with the Boeing series in terms of comfort and affordability, they are primed for wider reach, low traffic routes, better turnaround time, efficiency and cost-effective maintenance.
At a time when Covid-19 has dealt a huge blow to the sector, stakeholders are unanimous that local operators are finally investing in the right equipment that is most suitable for the Nigerian market and operational sustainability.
Recently, there was a report that ranked Nigeria top among countries with the highest number of unserviceable aircraft in global commercial aviation.
Reports suggest that the high toll of abandoned or retired aircraft in airports earned Nigeria the unenviable top spot. This is not unconnected with operators’ penchant for the middle-range jet engine aircraft types, which often turn out to be a wrong choice in the long-run as there is a lack of maintenance facility to support the aircraft and ease the burden of the cost locally.
But the narrative is gradually changing, at least, with some of the latest investments in Embraer and turboprops made by old and new entrants into the beleaguered industry.
The United Nigeria airline, recently, for instance, made its debut into local commercial operations with four Embraer 145 50-seater jets.
Another airline now warming up for launch, Green Africa, has also placed an order for narrow-body Airbus 220-300 aircraft ahead of its entry into the domestic sector.
Air Peace leads the way with the acquisition of mid-range 13 brand new Embraer 195-E2 jets to complement its Air Peace Hopper that operates six Embraer 145 jets, shuttling on low traffic routes nationwide.
Former president of the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE), Isaac Balami, said the local airlines and investors are now waking up to the realities of the local sector and the need for good equipment for long-term returns.
Balami, an engineer and CEO of 7 Stars Global Hangar, affirmed that Nigerian carriers had been using the medium-range aircraft for short-haul domestic flights, describing it as the bane of unaffordable cost of maintenance, business failure and a high number of unserviceable aircraft.
He said given the proximity of our airports, low traffic on several routes and maintenance by flight-cycle, the small aircraft types are the most cost-effective and sustainable equipment.
An airline like Overland Airways uses small aircraft like the ATR turboprop aircraft. Aero Contractors and Arik Air have some Dash-8 and turboprops.
Balami observed that part of the problem is that the average Nigerian traveller is over pampered with the more comfortable Boeing jets than less-fancied smaller aircraft that are the norms in domestic operations globally.
He urged the Federal Government to support the new investments with homegrown Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facilities to ease the burden on maintenance cost.
Chief Operating Officer, Air Peace, Toyin Olajide, said they invested in the E2 family because of its super-efficiency, describing it as “an aircraft for now and the future”.
“This is because a lot of money will be saved as regards the operating cost. There are savings on fuel; bearing in mind the high cost of aviation fuel in Nigeria. These aircraft coming into the country will help lower operating costs. The performance is awesome.
“A lot of Nigerians who hitherto were apprehensive of travelling by air, can now rest assured. This is the plane for them. Once onboard this aircraft, you will feel transported to a world of luxury and comfort and most importantly, safety. This is what Air Peace represents.”