The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority,NCAA, is considering the certification of China’s C919 aircraft for operation by local airlines, as discussions with manufacturer COMAC intensify.
NCAA Director General, Capt. Chris Ona Najomo said the process would involve months of evaluation, stressing the importance of safety validation before the jet can operate domestic routes.
He spoke on the sidelines of the U.N. aviation agency’s assembly in Montreal, where he confirmed that certification would be the first step.
The C919, built by Chinese state-owned Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, COMAC, is designed to compete with Airbus and Boeing in the narrow-body jet market.
While it has attracted interest, the aircraft faces challenges, including delays in production and lack of certification from major Western regulators. Earlier this year, U.S. trade tensions also temporarily blocked exports of the CFM engines that power the plane.
Nigeria’s aviation minister recently said the country is open to becoming COMAC’s entry hub for Africa. COMAC has already offered maintenance, training support, and dry lease arrangements to make the aircraft attractive to local airlines.
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Najomo noted that ensuring reliable leasing options would strengthen confidence among operators.
The CEO of NG Eagle, Abdullahi Ahmed, confirmed his airline is seeking fleet expansion beyond its three aircraft and could consider COMAC jets if maintenance and training are guaranteed.
Nigeria’s aviation market continues to show promise, with 13 carriers and growing interest from global lessors following the country’s improved rating under the Cape Town Convention.
Although ticket prices remain high for many Nigerians, IATA data shows average real airfare declined by 43.6% between 2011 and 2023.
As part of its marketing push, COMAC plans to display one of its aircraft at Nigeria’s first international air show in December, though it has not specified which model.
Currently, the C919 is operated exclusively by Chinese airlines, while COMAC’s smaller C909 serves carriers in Southeast Asia.
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