By Cosmas Okereafor
All things being equal, before the end of this year, 2025, Nigeria will be counted among the countries that successfully hosted an air show. This is if my crystabol is anything to reckon with. The airspace will be agog expectedly, and we cannot wait to witness this global event happening here by December to be precise. When this happens, Nigeria will join the league of other nations like: the United Kingdom (UK), reputed for organizing Farnborough Airshow for many years, the organizers of Dubai Airshow, Aviation Africa, and Ghana, a sister west African country that organized similar event between 24-26 October, 2017, that attracted thousands of aviation practitioners, and airline companies of repute at that time. Upright checks gathered that plans are in top gear, both at the Ministerial level, down to the aviation agencies who are currently working round the clock and waiting earnestly for the event to crystallize. Air show is a big event any day. This is because aviation is not localized. It is one industry that attracts global attention. This is also why the sector is taken very seriously by each contracting state. Its global outlook and investment drive also accounts to why air shows are planned with such a precision and attention it requires.
Besides, it boosts country’s tourism due to the number of participants such event attracts, both aeronautical and non-aeronautical service providers.Air show brings together countries of the world, especially critical stake-holders and policy makers in aviation business who are looking for a window to market and sell their products. For example, aircraft manufactures of different sizes and shapes will be on display, airlines and allied companies, Maintain Repair and Overhaul(MRO), providers, aircraft leasing companies and aircraft financiers, ground handling companies, like our own NAHCO and SAHCO, insurance companies, will all be on hand. Presence of General sales agents(GSA), as well as assemblage of agents of Foreign Airlines are equally common features of a successful air show anytime.The absence of Nigeria Air which was bungled by the last administration is not telling well in the aviation industry. However, the doggedness of Air peace and other airlines that filled the void since the demise of the national carrier in 2003, have continued to receive accolade, else, it would be a national embarrassment if there is no local airlines to distribute passengers, tourists alike that would be visiting the country during the air show event. The Nigeria Airways recalled was a flying symbol of national sort in west Africa.
It was founded in 1958 after the demise of the West African Airways Corporation (WAAC). In the 70’s down to the 80’s, the Nigeria Airways in many respect was the pride, and the air line to fly on the African Continent. The airline had in its fleet aircraft types such as: Vickers Vc10, Boeing 707 and Mc Donnell Douglas Dc10, Piercing the skies of Lagos, Kano, Enugu and flying in major countries like: London, New York and Jeddah. Those were the old good days, so to speak.Certainly, the upcoming airshow is a win-win affair for the aviation community in Nigeria, especially for the federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), whose land, all the acrobatic display, networking, exhibition, parking and landing will take place. It is also a plus for the authority because, more revenue will be generated given the number of airport-space and facilities that will be on demand at the time.The air show that is approaching have serious linkage with the remarkable and landmark achievement across all the airports, courtesy the visionary leadership of the MD/CEO, FAAN, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku. For example, since her assumption of office, revenue growth of the authority quadrupled very significantly and still soaring. FAAN’S internally generated revenue (IGR), was in the excess of 112billion. This was against N54.3 billion in 2023 and N30.5billion in 2022 respectively.
This speaks volume of what truly the dynamic leader in the authority has brought to the fore-since her emergence as the helms man in the authority, barely two years ago.This development surely is responsible for the massive infrastructural upgrade virtually in all the airports and noticeable in the areas of; Terminal renovations, Apron Expansion, Airfield lighting, Security enhancement, introduction of advanced screening technologies, to boost passenger safety, surveillance system necessary in monitoring activities, right from the access gates of the airports to terminal buildings. Other improved areas include: Baggage Handling Services, aimed at reducing losses and damage of passengers load.Remarkable also is that, the reforms currently going on in the sector, which FAAN as the landlord is at the centre of it all may have led to the approval and support by the federal government of Nigeria to organize the airshow at this time. This move some experts alluded would stimulate the growth of the system and also showcase the hospitality spirits of the country to the world.The managing Director/CEO, Excel Cargo and Aviation Services Limited, Mr uzoma Nwagu opined that, all stake holders should make maximum use of the airshow that is beckoning.
He applauded the federal government and in particular the minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Barrister Festus Keyamo (SAN), and his foot soldiers for this bold initiative of planning for an airshow.Nwagu, having attended many airshow internationally in the past explained that, Nigeria stands the chance to generate millions of dollars from the event and also create temporary employment opportunities for teaming Nigeria Youths during the periods the program would last.“Hosting an airshow in the country this time is a good idea. Aviation in Nigeria has come a long way. My candid advise therefore is that, both the government , the aviation agencies, including companies that would perform one duties or the other during the time of the global event should be circumspect . we want a situation where the country will be commended after the air show and our ratings too, improved tremendously.That is what some of us who have spent many years in the industry are expecting to see. This global event should not be mixed with politics”.The idea of replacing the old MMIA Terminal one with a Smart Airport according to the minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Barrister Festus Keyamo (SAN), equally in many ways are adding up to what the stakeholder in the system anticipates in the industry.
Yes, the air show would have come and gone when the Smart Airport would be completed and commissioned, but what is instructive is that, the public and the world are in the picture of what FAAN is doing in the airports to make passengers experience and other stakeholders worthwhile.Head or tail, what is sure is that, the administration of president Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and his foot soldiers in the aviation industry are really making the different in aviation. Outdated infrastructure may be a thing of the past going by the spate of work everyone can see and also as promised by the minister.While we wait earnestly for the impending airshow, billed to take place towards the end of this year to come alive, Nigerians, especially the aviation community which FAAN represents being the landlord will be the utmost beneficiary given the deluge of tourist and other stakeholders that would visit the country for the global event. The airshow ultimately will be an historical event for the Nigeria’s aviation sector, and again would go a long way in positioning the country truly as the aviation hub in West Africa in the nearest future.
