The Federal Government (FG) is considering certifying China’s Comac C919 jet for the country’s carriers.
This was disclosed by Director General/Chief Executive Officer (DG/CEO), Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Chris Ona Najomo.
The option is coming as Nigerian airlines take on more aircraft and as relations warm with Beijing.
People&Politics found out that the catalog price for a Comac C919 jet is approximately between $99 million (about N148 billion) to $108 million (about N161billion) with the extended-range version costing much more.
But, due to discounts, actual purchase prices are often lower even as many airlines often secure deals of up to 50% off the catalogue price.
Chinese planemaker Comac is producing the narrow-body C919 to compete with leading Western planemakers Airbus and Boeing and has held several talks with Nigeria over the aircraft.
However, Chinese government-owned COMAC, which hopes to access the wider African market, faces challenges.
Its two plane models lack benchmark certifications from Western regulators, and it is falling behind on delivery targets. The U.S. this year temporarily halted exports of the CFM engines it uses on the C919 due to trade conflicts.
Najomo confirmed to Reuters that the agency is considering the months-long certification process for the jet to operate on domestic routes, even as he noted the absence of validation from Western regulators.
“We’re looking at the certification of the airplane. First of all, that is where we have to start,” Najomo said on the sidelines of the UN aviation agency’s assembly in Montreal, Canada.
Najomo said COMAC officials had offered maintenance and training support for any planes operated by Nigerian carriers, and was exploring so-called dry lease arrangements, which involve leasing aircraft without crew.
“We just told them that if they can make sure they facilitate a good dry lease arrangement, it’s better,” Najomo said.
The report also quoted CEO of Nigerian airline, NG Eagle, Abdullahi Ahmed, as expressing interest in expanding his fleet beyond its current three jets, saying he would consider COMAC planes, if certified and accompanied by maintenance and training support.
Nigeria’s improved Aviation Working Group rating reflects stronger compliance with the Cape Town Convention, a treaty that simplifies leasing aviation equipment.
Najomo said this development was boosting confidence among lessors, enabling the country’s 13 airlines to access newer planes on the leasing market.
Air travel, however, remains costly for many of Nigeria’s estimated 230 million people.
*PHOTO CAPTION: A C919 jet.
