Nigeria eyes certification of Chinese-manufactured aircraft for local airlines

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:07):
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority NCAA is evaluating the certification
process for China Sea nine hundred nineteen aircraft, potentially allowing
Nigerian carriers to operate the jet on domestic routes. The
Director General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority NCAA, Captain

(00:28):
chrissen On Ajamo, told Reuters the agency is considering the
month's long certification process for the jet to operate on
domestic routes. Chinese planamaker COMAK is producing the narrow body
CEA nine hundred nineteen to compete with leading Western planetmaker's
Airbus and Boeing, and has held several talks with Nigeria
over the aircraft. However, the report noted that the state

(00:52):
owned COMAC, which helps to access the wider African market,
faces challenges. Its two plane model lack benchmark certifications from
Western regulators, and it is falling behind on delivery targets.
The US this year temporarily qualted exports of the CFM
engines it uses on the C nine hundred and nineteen

(01:14):
due to trade conflicts. We're looking at the certification of
the airplane first of all. That is where we have
to start, Najamo said on the sidelines of the UN
Aviation Agency's assembly in Montreal. Najamo said COMAC officials had
offered maintenance and training support for any planes operated by

(01:35):
Nigerian carriers and were exploring dry lease arrangements, which involve
leasing aircraft without crew. We just told them that if
they can make sure they facilitate a good dry lease arrangement,
it's better, Najamo said. Najamo said the development was boosting
confidence among less wars, enabling the country's thirteen airlines to

(01:58):
access newer planes on the leasing market. While air travel
remains costly for many Nigerians, average real air farefell forty
three point six percent between twenty eleven and twenty twenty three,
according to data FROMAIETA. Currently, the C nine hundred nineteen
is operated only by Chinese airlines. Certification could allow Nigerian

(02:22):
airlines access to newer planes through leasing deals. Nigeria's improved
Aviation Working Group rating, indicating stronger compliance with the Cape
Town Convention, is boosting confidence among less wars. Nigeria is
a key potential entry point for the C nine hundred
nineteen into the African market, but other countries are also

(02:44):
considering the Chinese majet, especially those with strong ties Kabajing.
African airlines may be drawn to the C nine hundred
nineteen by its competitive pricing and flexible leasing options, which
offer an alternative to the air Bus and Boeing duopoly