The absence of efficient transit hubs and inadequate maintenance infrastructure are two major obstacles to the growth of Nigeria’s aviation sector.

Speaking at the Fireside Chat with African Aviators 2.0 organised by the African Aviation Group over the weekend in Lagos, the Customer Service Manager for Africa and the Middle East at Embraer, Debo Adewolu, said poor regional connectivity and lack of maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facilities are some of the major constraints limiting the industry’s potential.

According to him, despite Nigeria’s large market, the country struggles to operate as a functional transit hub, thereby missing out on significant traffic and revenue opportunities.

Adewolu noted that the absence of adequate MRO capacities forces many Nigerian airlines to ferry their aircraft across the continent for routine maintenance, increasing operational costs and reducing efficiency.

On fleet strategy, Adewolu emphasised the importance of deploying right-sized aircraft suited to Africa’s fragmented and developing markets, noting that aircraft availability was critical to route development.

He disclosed that Embraer was supporting initiatives by some operators seeking to establish local MRO capabilities to address the gap.

He said, “A market as big as Nigeria still struggles as a transit airport. Lack of MRO capabilities is still a major issue, as many airlines still need to ferry aircraft around the continent for basic maintenance.

“At Embraer, we are supporting some initiatives from operators wishing to offer MRO capabilities. Also, using the right-sized aircraft is essential for developing fragmented markets.”

He referenced the company’s ‘Africa Connectivity Report’, which mentioned the continent’s vast untapped aviation potential, particularly in regional markets.

Speaking on post-delivery support, Adewolu said Embraer now plays a more comprehensive role in airline operations beyond simply supplying aircraft.

According to him, Embraer provides a complimentary entry-into-service programme to guide airlines through startup processes, including training, technical and operational support, as well as flight operations engineering.

He added that the company maintains a 24-hour global support system, enabling operators to access technical assistance at any time.

“We provide a one-stop solution, from spare parts provisioning to operational software and tailored after-sales support programmes, all aimed at ensuring reliability, efficiency and safety,” he said.

Adewolu further mentioned the suitability of Embraer’s E-Jet family for African routes, describing the aircraft as ideal for markets with low passenger volumes.

According to him, about 64 per cent of intra-African routes operate fewer than seven weekly flights, making smaller-capacity aircraft more viable for route sustainability.

He noted that the E-Jets, with seating capacity ranging from 70 to 150 passengers, allow airlines to operate profitably on such routes while minimising risk.

Adewole added that the aircraft are optimised for short to medium-haul operations, offering lower trip costs and improved seat economics, which are critical for African carriers.

He also stressed that smaller aircraft enable airlines to increase flight frequencies, a key factor in improving connectivity across the continent.

He expressed further that introducing direct flights on underserved routes could stimulate demand, citing findings from Embraer’s ‘Connecting Africa’ report.

On human capital development, Adewolu said global aircraft manufacturers have a role to play in nurturing the next generation of aviation professionals in Africa.

He noted that Embraer supports industry initiatives such as the African Aviators platform and has sponsored webinar series aimed at promoting aviation careers.