The Chief Executive Officer of Jet Afrique, Theodore Chikelu, said Nigerian airlines are increasingly adopting the principle of fleet right-sizing by matching aircraft capacity with the realities of the markets they serve, rather than operating oversized planes on routes with limited passenger traffic.
Speaking in an interview with The Guardian in Lagos, Chikelu said the industry has moved away from an era when airlines acquired aircraft simply because they were available or relatively inexpensive, often without considering whether they were suitable for their intended operations.
According to him, such decisions resulted in airlines deploying aircraft designed for long-haul international services on short domestic routes, creating economic inefficiencies and unnecessary operational challenges.
“I will be very honest; from my own observation, I think airlines have been paying attention to rightsizing in terms of equipment now. Prior to now, I am not going to mention the particular airline, but I once had the experience of watching a DC-10 aircraft fly from Lagos to Abuja.
“There are aircraft that ordinarily should do long-distance trips, but we acquired them, and some of them are just parked there to do 30- to 40-minute flights. That not only puts the health of even the passengers at risk because of the pressure inside the aircraft, if you take off and land, but it is also not good for somebody who is hypotensive. That is one.
“There has been a change. If you notice, there are more smaller aircraft, propellers, 35-seater planes, and 50-seater planes, which is consistent with what the route requires. And I've always said: ‘Let the market determine the size of the aircraft you bring.’”
Chikelu explained that fleet acquisition decisions should be driven by market demand, technological advancements and long-term business strategies, noting that rapid changes in aircraft technology have made outright purchases less attractive for many operators.
He advocated greater reliance on aircraft leasing arrangements, arguing that leasing offers airlines the flexibility to modernise fleets, respond to changing market conditions and remain competitive without being tied to ageing assets.
According to him, operating older-generation aircraft alongside newer models on the same routes places airlines at a significant competitive disadvantage.
“There is no way you can put a Boeing 737-300 on a route where the B737-700 or B737-800 new generation aircraft is operating and expect the same market response. Only someone who has missed his flight and has no option will go for it,” he said.
The aviation expert also cautioned airline operators against purchasing aircraft outright without a well-defined growth strategy, saying such investments could become liabilities when market conditions change.
He explained that airlines often face difficulties disposing of owned aircraft when they become commercially unviable, adding that a more sustainable approach is to begin operations with aircraft that meet immediate demand before expanding fleets based on performance, passenger traffic and profitability.
Chikelu stressed that fleet expansion decisions should be guided by key operational indicators, including direct operating costs, passenger load factors, revenue management and route performance.
He further advised airline owners to remain committed to approved business plans and periodically review their operations to ensure they remain aligned with their original projections.
According to him, operators that fail to reassess their business strategies when circumstances change risk running into financial difficulties.
Looking ahead, Chikelu said discussions on building a more resilient aviation industry would take centre stage at a two-day aviation conference scheduled for the first week of September in Lagos.
He said the conference would focus on developing a responsible and sustainable aviation ecosystem across West and Central Africa, while providing stakeholders with practical solutions to address persistent challenges affecting the sector.
According to him, recent government reforms and policy interventions have created new opportunities for aviation operators, but industry players must develop strategies to maximise those gains.
Chikelu also underscored the strong relationship between aviation and tourism, describing both sectors as mutually reinforcing drivers of economic growth and regional development.
He expressed confidence that the conference would serve as a platform for industry stakeholders, policymakers and investors to identify practical measures capable of accelerating sustainable aviation development across sub-Saharan Africa.