PUBLISHER’S NOTE
Once again, the global aviation industry has been caught up in a quagmire not of its own making. The Iran War and geopolitical tensions in the Middle East are bringing travel disruptions, pushing up fuel prices and challenging growth projections for the aviation industry.
Fuel prices, in particular, have more than doubled in many markets across the continent leading to questions about airline survivability, if the conflict continues. Fuel constitutes over 30 per cent of airlines costs, and even more for African airlines; therefore, the rising fuel cost is driving fares higher and inevitably leading to lower passenger numbers.
Even with the ceasefire in place, airlines would prudently wait until a permanent ceasefire before restoring flights on suspended routes. Furthermore, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) projects that the impact of the conflict on jet fuel prices and supply will continue to be felt even in months to come.
This is therefore a period when the African airline industry needs all the support it can get to ensure African airlines do not go under. Even with the famed resilience of the aviation industry, additional charges and cost burdens must not be placed on airlines and passengers at this critical time.
This is rather a time for more support for the African aviation industry. In this regard, finance sits at the core of any aviation development in Africa. Therefore, we applaud the efforts of the Nigerian government to improve the financing ecosystem for the Nigerian Aviation Industry. In addition to its adoption of the Cape Town Convention and its IDERA provisions, the Nigerian government has continued to facilitate interactions between Nigerian airlines and the global financing community. The recently concluded Nigerian Aircraft Acquisition & Investment Summit is one of such avenues and is a very commendable approach. We invite other African countries to follow suit.
The first MRO Summit in Addis Ababa organized by the African Airlines Association (AFRAA) and major airlines in Africa marks a fundamental shift in thinking and collaboration amongst African carriers. We welcome the consensus on retaining MRO value in Africa and the urgent need to reduce dependence on off-continent maintenance.
The report by the Secretary General of the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC) Ms Adefunke Adeyemi that the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) has continued to make meaningful contributions to improve Africa’s air connectivity is encouraging. Once again, we call on African governments to support SAATM implementation. SAATM is good for the continent.
In this edition of Aviation & Allied Business Journal, we explore Helicopter Operations In Africa, tracking the trends, challenges and prospects. We also feature an interview with the Senior Vice President, Middle East & Africa at Rolls Royce aircraft engines, Mr. Omar Ali Adib; and an article on why many airlines have failed in Nigeria.
We congratulate Nigeria and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria as host of the 76th ACI-Africa Regional Conference in Nigeria in September 2026. We hope that the outcome will build on the momentum generated in Luanda for enhanced digitalization of African airports.
Finally, I wish to remind you of the African Air Transport Convention & Expo 2026 being organized by AFCAC in Lome, Togo from June 15- 19, 2026. I hope to see you there.
Thank you.
Edward Boyo (Capt.)
Publisher