Afrijet Airlines, one of the few airlines that met the recapitalisation requirement for commercial operation on both local and international routes is set to begin its passenger operations in May.

This was disclosed by the Executive Director of the airline, Alhaji Mohammed Tukur on Sunday in Lagos.
Tukur explained that would begin operations within Nigeria, as well as from Lagos to Lyon in France and Lagos to Madrid in Spain before the end of May. He added that the airline, which had concentrated on cargo operations after recapitalisation exercise had concluded all arrangements to ensure smooth and efficient operations after takeoff. “We want to begin our commercial passenger operation. The pressure is much on us to start. People are constantly asking when we want to start. So we think it is right we do that now,” he said.

Tukur said that the airline had updated its status on those routes as directed by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority. He added that the airline had concluded discussions with a Spanish airline, Iberia, on how best they could cooperate to have a successful operation on the route. He also said efforts were being made by Afrijet management to meet with Air France before the middle of May to consider how best they can come together to ensure hitch-free operations on the Lyon route.

Tukur explained that the airline had at the moment three aircraft ready for the operation while a fourth would be brought to the country in due course. He said that the entry of the airline into passenger operation would have significant economic impact on the industry and Nigeria as a whole.
Similarly Capital Airlines, which has just been recapitalised, will on Monday (today) commence scheduled domestic flight.

The Managing Director of the airline, Mr. Amos Akpan, who said this in a statement on Sunday, stated that the primary focus was to move passengers from secondary airports to large airports in the country.
The aim, he said, was to complement the development strategies of state governments by opening air links between many parts of the country.

He said, “The aviation industry in Nigeria has undergone restructuring aimed at meeting standard international recommended practices. This has meant emphasis on safety, modern equipment, cooperation between regulatory bodies and the operators and re-certification of all Nigerian airlines.

“Capital Airlines identifies with this growth in the aviation industry but has gone a step further to accept the inevitability of Nigerian airlines cooperating as partners in areas of code sharing, unified operational procedures and alliances that enhance wider range of services for the travelling public.”