Aviation experts have welcomed the regional airline proposed by the North-East Governors’ Forum (NEGF), saying it would improve air connectivity, support economic recovery and facilitate the movement of passengers across the region.

However, they cautioned that the carrier’s success would require a viable business model, adequate funding, professional management and a thorough assessment of passenger demand. They also warned against political interference and the use of public funds to sustain an unprofitable operation.

The Chief Executive Officer of Transmeridien Agency International Ltd., Peter Adenihun, told The Guardian in Lagos over the weekend that the North-East needed better air connectivity, particularly as the region continues to recover from years of insecurity and economic disruption.

According to him, the region remains poorly connected by air, with limited direct flights between its major cities, and a heavy dependence on connections through Abuja and Lagos.

He noted that travellers seeking to move between cities such as Gombe and Maiduguri often connect through Abuja.

Adenihun noted that a reliable regional airline would reduce travel time, improve business interactions and provide an alternative to road transportation, adding that the underutilised airports in Maiduguri, Yola, Gombe, Bauchi and Jalingo can support improved air services.

Also, an aircraft maintenance engineer, Shery Kyari, said the airline could improve mobility within the region and create additional economic opportunities if managed professionally.

Urging the governors to do a lot more feasibility studies, he added that they should also consider aircraft Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facilities alongside airline operations, with the former providing employment for residents and generating revenue.

For his part, a former Acting Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Sidi Abdullahi, said the proposed carrier could address connectivity gaps and improve services for passengers who frequently experience flight disruptions and inadequate scheduling.

However, the Managing Director, Aviation Africa Platform, Dr Frank Ogochukwu, has asked the NEGF to determine how the proposed carrier would finance aircraft acquisition or leasing, maintenance, insurance, personnel, aviation fuel and working capital.

He stressed that, while the reported N10.8 billion counterpart contribution demonstrated commitment to the project, it only represented a part of the financial requirements of establishing and operating an airline.