In a move to address Nigeria’s ongoing aircraft shortage, Boeing has invited Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, along with key Nigerian financial institutions, members of the Airlines Operators of Nigeria (AON), aircraft financiers, and lessors, to Dublin, Ireland. This collaborative effort aims to develop sustainable solutions for Nigeria’s aviation sector.
The invitation, communicated through a letter from Boeing’s Commercial Sales Director, Moore Ibekwe, follows Keyamo’s visit to Boeing’s headquarters in August, where he sought support to secure aircraft leasing for Nigerian airlines. To bolster this initiative, Nigeria’s government and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority signed the Cape Town Convention and the Irrevocable Deregistration and Export Request Authorization Advisory Circular, key documents for streamlining the recordation and cancellation of leased aircraft.
Boeing’s letter acknowledged the Ministry’s efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s aviation industry and highlighted increased positive global attention on the sector following recent media coverage. This momentum, Boeing stated, presents an opportunity to foster partnerships with international lessors.
The forum in Dublin, planned to coincide with the Airline Economics conference, will enable Nigerian delegates to meet with leasing companies and update them directly on recent advancements in Nigeria’s aviation sector. Boeing is coordinating with financial institutions and the Africa Trade Investment Development Insurance to develop a credit enhancement product aimed at improving Nigeria’s appeal to global lessors by offering additional security for leasing companies interested in the region.
Boeing’s goal for the forum is to foster concrete business opportunities and forge a clear path toward a more robust Nigerian aviation industry, positioning local airlines to meet rising demands over the next two years.
News Editor