Nigeria Considers Certification of China's COMAC C919 for its Airlines
The COMAC C919 could begin operations in Africa. Nigeria is analyzing its certification as local airlines show interest in the model.
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Nigeria's Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) is evaluating the process of certifying the COMAC C919, the single-aisle jet developed in China to compete with models from Airbus and Boeing. This move could open the door for the Chinese manufacturer in the African market.
NCAA's Director General, Capt. Chris Ona Najomo, confirmed the interest in the aircraft during the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) assembly in Montreal. "We're looking at the certification of the airplane. First of all, that is where we have to start," he stated in an interview, as reported by Reuters.
The main obstacle for the C919's international expansion is the lack of validation from major Western regulatory agencies, such as the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) or the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). Because of this, Najomo noted that the certification process in Nigeria could take several months.
To incentivize the adoption of its aircraft, the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) has offered Nigerian carriers a support package that includes maintenance and training. Additionally, the Chinese manufacturer is exploring the possibility of facilitating dry lease arrangements, which involve leasing the aircraft without a crew.
Local Interest and Market Context
The interest in new aircraft in Nigeria is palpable. Abdullahi Ahmed, CEO of the local airline NG Eagle, expressed his willingness to consider COMAC planes if they obtain certification and are accompanied by robust maintenance and training support to expand his current fleet of three jets.
The Nigerian market is becoming increasingly attractive to lessors. The country's improved rating under the Cape Town Convention, a treaty that simplifies the financing and leasing of aviation equipment, is boosting confidence. According to Najomo, this allows the country's 13 airlines to access more modern aircraft on the leasing market.
Although the cost of air travel remains high for a segment of the population, data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) shows that the average real airfare in Nigeria decreased by 43.6% between 2011 and 2023, indicating a growing market with considerable potential.
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