Federal Government has begun the process of certifying China’s C919 aircraft for use by Nigerian airlines, a move that could see the homegrown Chinese jet operating on domestic routes in the country.
Capt. Chris Ona Najomo, Director General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), confirmed the development in an interview with Reuters on the sidelines of the UN aviation agency’s assembly in Montreal.
“We’re looking at the certification of the airplane. First of all, that is where we have to start,” Najomo said, noting that the process would take months to complete. The C919, built by state-owned Chinese planemaker COMAC, is China’s first domestically developed narrow-body jet designed to challenge Western manufacturers Boeing and Airbus. Nigeria has held a series of discussions with COMAC as Beijing seeks to expand into Africa’s aviation market.
However, the aircraft maker faces significant hurdles. The C919 currently lacks certification from Western regulators, has struggled to meet delivery targets, and earlier this year faced temporary export restrictions from the United States on the CFM engines that power the jet.
Najomo said COMAC officials had pledged to provide maintenance and training support for Nigerian carriers willing to operate the jet. The company also proposed dry lease options — an arrangement where planes are leased without crew.
“We just told them that if they can make sure, they facilitate a good dry lease arrangement, it’s better,” Najomo added, stressing that such steps would increase confidence among aircraft lessors. He explained that the engagement with COMAC is already helping Nigerian airlines, currently numbering 13, gain better access to newer aircraft through the leasing market.
Despite challenges in affordability for many citizens, industry data shows air travel is becoming more accessible. According to IATA, average real airfare in Nigeria dropped by 43.6 percent between 2011 and 2023. At present, the C919 is only in operation with Chinese airlines.
