Airline conference: Boeing to prioritise Nigerian aviation stakeholders

• Published On: 30 October 2024 at 17:41

Boeing has announced plans to facilitate connections between Nigerian airlines and international investors at the upcoming Airline Economics Conference in Dublin, which runs from January 12 to 15, 2025.

This was disclosed in a letter to Festus Keyamo, Nigeria's Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, dated October 24, 2024, in which Moore Ibekwe, Boeing's director of commercial sales, described the initiative.

The forum's goal is to introduce selected Nigerian airline operators to potential investors, thereby expanding opportunities for collaboration and investment in Nigeria's aviation sector.

Boeing's correspondence emphasized Keyamo's previous request to use the company's relationships with leasing companies to attract investment to Nigeria's aviation sector.

This request came after Keyamo and representatives from the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) met with Boeing executives in Seattle, Washington, on August 28.

During this meeting, the Nigerian government and Boeing signed a memorandum of understanding, solidifying their partnership.

This agreement seeks to use Boeing's extensive network of financiers and lessors to facilitate the acquisition of modern aircraft, thereby improving the capabilities of Nigeria's airline industry.

In his update to Keyamo, Ibekwe stated that Boeing is currently in discussions with lessors to finalize meeting dates. He emphasised the importance of Nigerian airlines taking part in these discussions, particularly those looking to lease aircraft within the next 24 months.

The letter stated, "Following your visit to our facilities in the United States, the press coverage about Nigerian Aviation has been remarkably positive, as never before seen, and we must capitalize on this positive momentum in the spirit of the MoU.

"During your visit, one of the follow-up items was to organize a forum during Airline Economics where we can leverage our relationships with leasing company leadership for you to meet and update them personally on the Federal Government of Nigeria's efforts to improve the aviation industry."

"As we all agreed, in the presence of our Senior Vice President of Sales, it will be best if they heard from you firsthand."On our end, we are coordinating efforts with lessors to set dates and times for these meetings. We would like to keep the delegation small and focused on Nigerian airlines that are seriously considering leasing aircraft within the next 24 months," the letter stated.

The letter emphasized the importance of airlines being well-prepared to present authentic business opportunities that will pique the interest of lessors.