An AOC, issued by the national aviation authority, formally authorizes organizations or states to conduct commercial air transport operations. AON stressed that adherence to this and other regulations is critical to maintaining the stability and credibility of Nigeria’s aviation sector.
Speaking during United Nigeria Airlines’ fifth anniversary celebration in Lagos, Professor Obiora Okonkwo, AON spokesperson and chairman of United Nigeria Airlines, underscored the importance of regulatory compliance. “For us, we believe that the sky is large enough to accommodate as many airlines as possible. But obviously, it is not good for the industry if certain compliances and regulatory requirements are not met. The new breed operators have worked hard to rekindle the confidence and interest of the aviation world in Nigeria. I think it is a reputation we have to guard jealously. Anything that is contrary will bring us back to square one. That is not good for us or our investment. It is not good for government,” he said.
Professor Okonkwo further highlighted that while additional airlines could drive growth, preferential treatment or disregard for standards could undermine the progress made by emerging operators. “The more, the better. But let the rules be applied. Let there be no preferential treatment. I don’t know what motivates them [state governments to start airlines] or their business model, but we should all understand that to some states, operating an airline is beyond commercial purpose. When we say that an airline is a catalyst, it is an enabler. It is the beginning of other good things to come. They might have other objectives behind it. We are not against it, but let it be done according to rules,” he added.
On the matter of United Nigeria Airlines’ engagement with the recently signed Cape Town Convention Practice Direction, Professor Okonkwo noted cautious optimism. “We have a lot of promising discussions going on in that direction, but you know, aircraft are not items in a warehouse that you can just pick. By the time this agreement was made, many of these lessors had already committed their aircraft to different operators. It will take a while, but we are aware and have been promised that we will get into agreements with some lessors to become beneficiaries of the first set of aircraft,” he explained.
He projected that these developments could yield tangible results by 2027, as some aircraft currently committed to other operators return to lessors. “We see this materializing into a very fruitful position for the year 2027, when some of the aircraft already committed will return to the lessors because the Original Equipment Manufacturers, OEMs, are now meeting some of their manufacturing expectations,” he said.
AON’s statements reflect a broader industry concern that while new players—whether private or state-backed—can stimulate competition and growth, adherence to regulatory standards remains the backbone of a safe and credible aviation sector in Nigeria.