Nigeria’s civil aviation authority is considering certifying China’s C919 passenger jet for local carriers, its director general told Reuters, as airlines expand fleets and relations with Beijing deepen.
The narrow-body jet, built by state-owned Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC), is designed to compete with Boeing and Airbus but lacks key certifications from Western regulators. COMAC has held several talks with Nigerian officials as it seeks to expand into Africa’s growing aviation market.
“We’re looking at the certification of the airplane. First of all, that is where we have to start,” said Capt. Chris Ona Najomo, director general of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), on the sidelines of the U.N. aviation agency’s assembly in Montreal.
Najomo said COMAC has offered training, maintenance support and potential dry lease arrangements deals that provide aircraft without crew to encourage Nigerian carriers to adopt the jet.
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Abdullahi Ahmed, CEO of NG Eagle, said he is exploring fleet expansion beyond the airline’s three aircraft and would consider COMAC models if certification and support are assured.
Nigeria’s improved Aviation Working Group rating, reflecting stronger compliance with the Cape Town Convention on aircraft leasing, has boosted confidence among lessors and given the country’s 13 airlines greater access to newer planes.
The C919 is currently operated only by Chinese carriers, while COMAC’s smaller ARJ21 regional jet is flown by airlines in Southeast Asia.
