KEY POINTS

• State airline partnerships must follow AOC rules.
• State airline partnerships require equal regulatory enforcement.
• State airline partnerships could affect investor confidence.

Airline Operators of Nigeria has said it does not oppose state governments entering the aviation sector through partnerships with licensed carriers, but warned that strict adherence to regulatory standards must guide any such arrangements.

The position follows rising interest among some state governments in launching airlines without first securing an Air Operator Certificate, instead collaborating with carriers that already hold the authorisation required for commercial operations. An Air Operator Certificate permits an organisation to conduct commercial air transport services under the oversight of the national aviation authority.

State airline partnerships must meet AOC rules

AON spokesperson and Chairman of United Nigeria Airlines, Professor Obiora Okonkwo, said the industry can accommodate more players, provided regulators enforce uniform standards.

“The sky is large enough to accommodate as many airlines as possible,” Okonkwo said during United Nigeria Airlines’ fifth anniversary in Lagos. “But it is not good for the industry if certain compliances and regulatory requirements are not met.”

He cautioned that inconsistent enforcement could erode investor confidence and reverse gains achieved by newer operators who have worked to restore international trust in Nigeria’s aviation sector. “The more, the better, but let the rules be applied and let there be no preferential treatment,” he added.

The partnerships and leasing outlook

Okonkwo said some states may view airline ventures as strategic enablers rather than purely commercial enterprises, but stressed that compliance must remain central regardless of motivation.

On aircraft acquisition prospects under the recently signed Cape Town Convention Practice Direction, he said United Nigeria Airlines has initiated discussions with lessors. He noted that limited aircraft availability continues to constrain expansion, as operators have already committed many planes to existing routes and contracts. He expects improved access from 2027, when some leased aircraft return and manufacturers increase output.

“We see this materialising into a fruitful position for 2027,” Okonkwo said, linking improved supply to higher production by Original Equipment Manufacturers. AON’s stance underscores a broader industry call for transparent regulation as Nigeria’s aviation market evolves.