Nigeria’s Civil Aviation Authority is evaluating the certification of China’s C919 jet for use by the country’s airlines, the agency’s Director General, Capt. Chris Ona Najomo, told Reuters. The move comes as Nigerian carriers continue to expand their fleets and as ties between Abuja and Beijing grow closer.

The C919, a narrow-body aircraft developed by Chinese state-owned planemaker COMAC, was designed to compete with Airbus and Boeing models.

COMAC has been in talks with Nigeria about the jet as part of its wider ambition to break into the African aviation market.

However, the company faces hurdles, as its aircraft still lack validation from key Western regulators, and it has fallen behind on delivery schedules. Earlier this year, U.S. authorities also temporarily blocked the export of CFM engines used on the C919 due to trade disputes.

Speaking at the U.N. aviation agency’s assembly in Montreal, Najomo said Nigeria is prepared to undertake the months-long certification process needed for the aircraft to operate on domestic routes.

“We’re looking at the certification of the airplane. First of all, that is where we have to start,” he said.

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Najomo confirmed that COMAC has offered training and maintenance support for any Nigerian operators of the C919 and has been exploring dry lease arrangements, which allow airlines to lease aircraft without crew.

“We just told them that if they can make sure they facilitate a good dry lease arrangement, it’s better,” he noted.

Nigerian carriers are already showing interest. Abdullahi Ahmed, CEO of NG Eagle, said he is looking to expand beyond the airline’s current fleet of three jets and would consider COMAC’s aircraft, provided certification is secured and adequate training and maintenance support are in place.

Nigeria’s improving Aviation Working Group rating, reflecting stronger compliance with the Cape Town Convention on leasing equipment, is boosting lessor confidence and helping the country’s 13 airlines gain access to newer aircraft on the leasing market.

Although air travel remains expensive for many Nigerians, average real airfare fell by 43.6% between 2011 and 2023, according to data from IATA.

Currently, the C919 is only flown by Chinese airlines, while COMAC’s smaller C909 regional jet is in service with three carriers in Southeast Asia.

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Image Credit: TRT Afrika