Nwuba says Nigeria’s aviation sector is the best market to start an airline, dismissing IATA.

Dr. Alex Nwuba, aviation expert and president of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association of Nigeria, said that Nigeria’s aviation sector is among the best in the world for launching an airline.

He made the comments on Tuesday during an interview with DAILY POST.

Nwuba’s remarks come shortly after the International Air Transport Association (IATA) identified Nigeria, along with Afghanistan, as the worst place to start an airline business. The IATA cited high taxes that drive up airfares as the basis for its assessment.

Responding to the IATA statement, Nwuba disagreed, arguing that Nigeria remains a top market for aviation enterprises. He said that airlines operating in the country are often limited in their ability to maximize profits.

He urged operators to concentrate on developing domestic and regional markets rather than long‑haul routes. “It’s the best market,” he told DAILY POST. “The airlines don’t just know what they are doing. Focus on building the domestic and regional markets and forget long‑haul.”

DAILY POST reported that airline operators have blamed high airfares on multiple taxes and a hostile operating environment. In recent months, the price of aviation fuel, known as Jet A1, has risen sharply, prompting airlines in Nigeria to push for lower fares.

At present, a one‑hour flight to Lagos State costs between N90,000 and N150,000, while aviation fuel is priced at around N3,000 per liter.