Nigeria has had a series of unfortunate domestic plane crashes which have claimed thousands of lives over the years prompting many to question why several domestic flights have gone down within a short period of time. It is quite sad that thousands of innocent people had to die to finally awaken the issue of the gross incompetence of the Nigerian aviation system. It has been revealed that Nigeria’s commercial airlines are operating the oldest fleet of aircraft in the whole of Africa which is quite frightening to know.

Most of these aircrafts which are mostly Tokunbo/second-hand aircraft, are either due for retirement or should have already been retired and taken out of service at least some years earlier. The factors which determine the retirement of aeroplanes bother around pressurisation cycles, hours of flights and fuel efficiency. It is quite appalling to know that despite having a structured aviation agency in place Nigerian airlines still freely operate such old planes which are very much apparent but yet nothing is done about them. These old planes, most of which have been used for over two decades could end up malfunctioning leading to fatalities the country cannot afford to have again. Although, experts have said the age of Nigerian planes is not an issue, the history of plane crashes in the country cannot easily be ignored in that regard and it is only right that the Nigerian federal government takes it more seriously. A recent study ordered by the International Air Transport Association IATA and conducted by SGI Aviation stated that the average retirement age of a freighter aircraft is 32.5 years and that of a passenger aircraft 25.1 years.

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