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Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, says the Nigerian government is engaging global aircraft manufacturer Bombardier Inc. over plans to establish a major service centre in Nigeria to support private jet operations across the country and the African continent.
Keyamo disclosed that he led a delegation of private jet operators to Montreal, Canada, to meet with officials at the aerospace company, with a focus on opportunities to bring aircraft maintenance services closer to Nigeria.
“Yesterday, I led some major operators of private jets in Nigeria to Montreal, Canada to engage with officials of Bombardier Inc.,” Keyamo said, adding that the talks centred on “the prospect of the company establishing a major service centre in Nigeria.”
The minister noted that Nigeria has become a major market for private aviation in Africa, with nearly 240 private jets currently operating in the country.
“Nigeria officially has the highest number of private jets in Africa with nearly 240 presently operating within the country,” Keyamo said, stressing that significant foreign exchange is spent abroad on aircraft maintenance.
He said establishing a local service facility would reduce capital flight and provide much-needed technical support for private aircraft owners within Nigeria and neighbouring African countries.
“Our discussions covered a broad range of issues, especially the prospect of the company establishing a major service center in Nigeria,” Keyamo added.
The proposed facility, if realised, would position Nigeria as a regional aviation maintenance hub while creating new opportunities in aircraft servicing, engineering, and related aviation industries.
