The International Air Transport Association (IATA) data has revealed that domestic airlines are contributing significantly to the nation’s economy, with a direct impact of $449.7m annually and the creation of 29,900 jobs.
According to the data, contained in IATA’s recent report on The Value of Air Transport to Nigeria’s Economy, highlights the vital role of domestic air travel within the broader aviation sector, which contributes a total of $2.5bn yearly to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product,
representing 0.7 per cent of the national output.
According to the report, the aviation sector in Nigeria directly provides employment for 39,500 people, while the entire value chain, spanning airlines, airports, air navigation services, civil aviation manufacturing, and tourism, supports more than 217,000 jobs.
Breaking down the figures, IATA revealed that “In addition to the $449.7m and 29,900 jobs attributed to airlines, airports and air navigation service providers, and civil manufacturing, contribute $252.4m and 9,600 jobs.
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The report further indicated that international tourists inject $760.2m into the economy annually through their spending on local goods and services.
“Tourism supported by aviation adds another $454.1m to the economy and sustains 66,600 jobs,” it stated.
IATA’s Regional Vice President for Africa and the Middle East, Kamil Alawadhi, emphasised the transformative impact of aviation in Nigeria.
“Aiation is a powerful engine for economic and social development. Nigeria’s National Day is a good opportunity to reflect on the immense value aviation brings to the country,” he said, just as he also noted that airfares in Nigeria have become more accessible over time: “Between 2011 and 2023, the average real airfare declined by 43 per cent. However, affordability remains a challenge, as the average Nigerian must work 37.6 days to afford a plane ticket.”
The report also showed that in 2023, Nigerians took 40 flights per 1,000 people, while the country handled 195,700 tonnes of air cargo, underlining aviation’s role in facilitating trade and commerce.
Despite this progress, international connectivity has declined. The report revealed that only one per cent of all international passengers arriving in Nigeria connect onward to other destinations.
The document also stated that Nigeria’s international air connectivity index has dropped 1.5 per cent within Africa and 21 per cent with other regions since 2014.
Nonetheless, international travel remains significant, with 23 per cent of total Origin-Destination departures in 2023 classified as international. Of the 2.1 million international passenger departures, 38 per cent flew to Europe, 23 per cent to other African countries, and 18 per cent to North America.
