The study, The Value of Air Transport to Nigeria’s Economy, revealed that affordability is still a major hurdle.
“Affordability remains a concern, as the average Nigerian must work 37.6 days to afford a plane ticket,” said Kamil Alawadhi, IATA’s Regional Vice President for Africa and the Middle East.
Monetary boom in aviation despite inflation in ticket prices
The entire aviation sector injects $2.5 billion into the economy each year, representing 0.7 per cent of national output, and sustains more than 217,000 jobs across airlines, airports, air navigation services, civil aviation manufacturing, and tourism.
Tourism is another critical component, with international visitors spending $760.2 million yearly. Tourism, closely tied to aviation, contributes $454.1 million to the GDP and supports 66,600 jobs, underscoring the industry’s role beyond just passenger flights.
Connectivity declines
However, the IATA report also raised concerns about international connectivity. Only one per cent of international passengers arriving in Nigeria connect onward to other destinations. Since 2014, Nigeria’s international connectivity index has declined by 1.5 percent within Africa and 21 percent globally.
Nonetheless, international travel remains significant. In 2023, Nigeria recorded 2.1 million international passenger departures, with 38 percent heading to Europe, 23 percent to other African nations, and 18 percent to North America.
“Aviation is a powerful engine for economic and social development,” Alawadhi stressed, urging Nigeria to see air connectivity as a lever for wider economic transformation.
The findings paint a mixed picture; while aviation contributes significantly to jobs, trade, and GDP, the pressing challenge of affordability and declining international connectivity could limit its long-term growth potential.
