The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to modernizing Nigeria’s aviation sector through the acquisition of newer, safer, and more fuel-economical aircraft while deepening collaboration among aircraft manufacturers, financiers, lessors, and Nigerian airlines. This was disclosed by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, during a working visit to Bombardier’s Laurent Beaudoin Completion Centre, LBCC, in Montreal, Canada, while leading a delegation of indigenous airline operators.
The minister's Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Mr Tunde Moshood, said the visit concluded government's engagement with the world's leading aircraft Original Equipment Manufacturers, OEMs.
The Minister was accompanied on the official visit by the Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, Capt. Chris Najomo; Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku; Nigeria's Representative on the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organisation, ICAO, Engr. Mahmoud Sani Ben-Tukur; and other senior government officials and industry stakeholders.
The visit fulfils a commitment made by the Minister upon assuming office in 2023 to establish direct partnerships between Nigerian operators and the world's leading aircraft manufacturers. Following engagements with Boeing, Airbus, and Embraer, the Bombardier visit completes the Federal Government's comprehensive OEM engagement program to support fleet renewal, improve access to aircraft financing, expand technical cooperation, strengthen maintenance capabilities, and enhance the competitiveness of Nigerian airlines.
