There may be some relief on the way for Nigeria’s struggling airlines
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is stepping in with plans to cut costs and ease financial pressure on operators.
The Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, says the president has approved — in principle — a partial waiver of debts owed by airlines to key agencies.
These include the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority.
The exact level of the debt relief is still to be decided.
But that’s not all.
Tinubu has also ordered a review of multiple taxes and charges on local flight tickets — with a committee set up to recommend which ones can be removed.
The goal is simple: make flying cheaper for passengers and more sustainable for airlines.
Meanwhile, airline operators say they need even more support.
Allen Onyema is calling for a full debt waiver and a temporary pause on payments, especially with rising global oil prices affecting fuel costs.
He also wants government help to access cheaper loans, noting that airlines in Nigeria face interest rates as high as 35 percent — far above global averages.
The president is also expected to meet directly with airline operators soon to discuss broader solutions for the sector.
