Nigeria’s Ibom Air has firmly rejected suggestions that it operates a monopoly at Victor Attah International Airport, Uyo, insisting that it holds no regulatory authority to bar other carriers from operating at the facility. The airline’s response, issued through its Media Relations Unit, seeks to clarify long-standing misconceptions about its role at the airport it calls home, while also signalling openness to greater competition in one of Nigeria’s fastest-growing regional aviation markets.The carrier pointed out that the power to authorise, regulate, suspend or permit airline operations rests solely with Nigeria’s aviation regulatory…
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Chad’s private carrier Royal Airways is preparing to take delivery of a pre-owned ATR 72-500, marking another significant step in its ambitious fleet expansion strategy across West and Central Africa. This latest acquisition strengthens the airline’s growing presence in a region that African aviation observers increasingly view as one of the continent’s most promising growth corridors.The move follows Royal Airways’ recent launch of scheduled international services and its active pursuit of fresh route approvals to markets including Nigeria and Benin, with further destinations expected to follow. Founded as a fully Chadian-owned private…
Cameroon’s national airline is once again at the centre of a heated debate about its future, as the country’s Chamber of Accounts (Chambre des comptes) has recommended suspending a proposed bank loan of 128 million US dollars intended to expand the fleet of Camair-Co. The recommendation comes at a moment when two banks have already tabled financing proposals, but growing concerns about the airline’s fragile financial condition have prompted auditors to hit the brakes. For African travel professionals monitoring the evolution of the continent’s national carriers, the development highlights the difficult balance…
West Africa’s biggest carrier, Air Peace, has widened its footprint across the continent with the launch of a brand-new Lagos–Douala–Libreville service, coming barely twenty-four hours after the airline began operations on its Lagos–Conakry–Bamako corridor. The back-to-back rollouts signal a bold new chapter for Nigerian aviation and offer fresh momentum for African travel professionals seeking stronger cross-border connections.The maiden flight touched down in Douala, Cameroon, where a delegation of Nigerian diplomats, airport authorities and civil aviation regulators warmly received the crew and passengers. Local officials welcomed the arrival as a…
A notable shift in the Central African aviation landscape is unfolding as Camair-Co, Cameroon’s state-owned flag carrier, adjusts its operational strategy in response to persistent fleet challenges. The airline has replaced its 90-seat CRJ900, which it had been operating under a wet-lease agreement with South African regional specialist CemAir, with a considerably smaller 50-seat CRJ200 from the same partner. The change comes just weeks after the CRJ900 was introduced with much fanfare, and it reflects the tough realities facing an airline still working through a long-running turnaround process.For travel professionals…
A quietly significant shift is taking place in West and Central African aviation, and it deserves close attention from every travel professional operating in the region. Air Peace, Nigeria’s largest carrier, has officially launched scheduled flight services connecting Lagos with four new regional destinations: Bamako in Mali, Conakry in Guinea, Douala in Cameroon, and Libreville in Gabon. Yet the story behind these routes is arguably more instructive than the route map itself.Under the announced schedule, Air Peace will operate the Lagos-Douala-Libreville-Douala-Lagos rotation four times weekly on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, while the…
A significant new chapter in Africa’s aviation landscape is unfolding as Etihad Airways and Nigeria’s largest carrier, Air Peace, formalise an interline agreement designed to widen travel possibilities between the United Arab Emirates, Nigeria and a broad sweep of West and Central African destinations. For sub-Saharan travel professionals, this partnership represents a fresh opportunity to design richer itineraries linking the region with the Gulf and, through Abu Dhabi, the wider world.Under the arrangement, Etihad passengers will be able to purchase a single ticket that connects through Lagos and Accra onto the extensive…
Nigeria’s dynamic aviation sector is set for another exciting shake-up as low-cost carrier ValueJet prepares to introduce Boeing 737 aircraft into its fleet, marking a bold departure from its current all-Bombardier CRJ operation. The move signals a major turning point for the young airline, which has quickly earned a reputation for reliability and value-driven pricing since launching commercial services with its regional jet fleet. For sub-Saharan Africa’s travel trade, this development opens fresh opportunities to reshape West and Central African travel packages, with wider capacity and new route options soon to become available.The …
Central Africa’s aviation landscape is entering an exciting new phase as FlyGabon, the state-backed Gabonese carrier, prepares to welcome its very first Boeing aircraft into service. The addition of a Boeing 737-700, previously operated by China Southern Airlines, represents a decisive break from the airline’s ATR-focused operations and signals a bold step in its international growth strategy. For African travel professionals watching the continent’s carrier ecosystem, this move is more than a fleet update, it is a statement of intent from a young airline determined to earn its place on…
West and Central Africa’s regional connectivity map has just gained another meaningful link, and the news deserves close attention from every travel trade professional watching the continent’s aviation story unfold. ASKY Airlines, the Lomé-based Pan-African carrier, has officially added Kano to its growing network, opening direct services to one of Nigeria’s most important commercial and cultural centres. The launch marks a strategic move that promises to strengthen trade flows, encourage tourism, and deepen the airline’s presence in the Nigerian market.Kano is far more than just another dot on the airline’s route…