From 2013 to 2023, the number of registered air carrier departures in Nigeria exhibited significant fluctuations, peaking at 75.59 thousand in 2018 and dipping to 51.52 thousand in 2020, largely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As of 2023, departures stood at 72.34 thousand, showing a year-on-year increase of 7.92%. Over the last five years, the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) was approximately -0.88%, indicating overall volatility in this period.
Notably, forecasts from 2024 to 2028 anticipate steady growth, with a projected 5-year CAGR of 1.78%, reaching an estimated 80.94 thousand departures by 2028. This growth suggests recovery and expansion potential in the Nigerian air travel sector.
Future trends to watch for include:
- Impact of new airline entrants and increased competition
- Effects of infrastructural improvements in Nigerian airports
- Government policies promoting airline safety and efficiency
- Economic factors affecting consumer travel demand
