Dr. Alex Nwuba believes Nigeria's aviation sector offers solid ground for new airlines.
The aircraft owners' association president made this claim in a Tuesday interview.
His comments directly challenge IATA's recent assessment. Two weeks ago, the International Air Transport Association ranked Nigeria alongside Afghanistan as worst for airline startups.
IATA blamed multiple taxes and steep ticket prices for its verdict. According to the global body, excessive levies push fares beyond reasonable levels.
Nwuba rejected this analysis outright. "It's the best market," he told reporters, adding that local operators simply don't understand their own potential.
He argued Nigeria's real problem isn't the business environment. Rather, airlines fail to develop domestic and regional routes effectively.
"Focus on building the domestic and regional markets and forget long-haul," Nwuba urged operators. He believes this strategy holds the key to profitability.
Airline bosses have consistently blamed operational challenges for high fares. They point to multiple taxation and unfavorable conditions as major obstacles.
Jet fuel prices have surged considerably in recent months. A single liter now costs around N3,000 at current market rates.
Passengers bear the brunt through inflated ticket costs. One-hour flights to Lagos typically range between N90,000 and N150,000 per seat.
Travellers across Nigeria continue demanding more affordable options. Industry observers say the sector must balance sustainability with passenger accessibility.
