- Demuren, ex-NCAA chief; Demuren; Onyema, Air Peace chief to lead talks
Sade Williams/Business a.m.
A historical bad luck for many Nigerian airlines, and the ongoing success being pulled by Air Peace, the largest carrier in West and Central Africa, is forcing a concerted effort by experts to tinker with ideas on how to maintain the momentum of Air Peace and other potential local carriers surviving and playing big on the very lucrative London-Nigeria route, monopolised over the years by foreign carriers such as British Airways and Virgin Atlantic.
The experts will gather in Lagos on Wednesday at the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) annex training centre to share ideas on how best Nigerian airlines can remain competitive and analyse factors that could shape the carriers’ long-term viability on the London route.
Nigerian aviation bigwigs, Harold Demuren, a former director general of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), will deliver the keynote address, while Allen Onyema, executive chairman, Air Peace, will chair the event slated for Wednesday, November 26th at the NCAA Annex training Centre.
Sam Adurogboye, chief operating officer, Saptco Communication Limited, explained in Lagos that the high-level industry dialogue has the theme “International Politics: The Survival of Nigerian Carriers on the London Route” and that it will further enrich Nigerian carriers, not only to survive the international aero politics on the London route in particular and international routes generally, but to have returns on investment and prosper in their operations.
“As competition intensifies on the lucrative Nigeria–London corridor and geopolitical dynamics shape market access, this strategic engagement will examine the complex interplay between international aviation politics, regulatory frameworks, bilateral air service agreements, and the commercial realities confronting Nigerian airlines,” Adurogboye said
According to him, “we have the newest Nigerian flag carrier Air Peace operating the London route, so we will speak on the operational, economic, and competitive challenges facing indigenous airlines in a landscape historically dominated by foreign carriers.”
Adurogboye, a former general manager, public affairs of NCAA, said the lecture will also highlight policy gaps and opportunities for government intervention, explore strategies for strengthening Nigeria’s position in international aviation markets and promote collaborative solutions among stakeholders.
Demuren, renowned for his expertise in global aviation regulation and safety oversight, he affirmed, will provide deep insights into how policy, negotiation, and international diplomacy influence route sustainability.
“Saptco Communication Limited is organising this event as part of its commitment to fostering informed dialogue, policy clarity, and industry growth within Nigeria’s aviation sector.” He said in an electronic document.
