ValueJet, Nigeria’s newest carrier, takes off with sights on continental expansion
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Nigeria’s newest carrier ValueJet begins local flights today amid headwinds in the aviation sector which have grounded some airlines with those still in business struggling to survive spiraling costs.
It said it would start hybrid operations with daily flights to Abuja, Port Harcourt, Asaba, and Jos and increase routes and frequency when its fourth and fifth aircraft arrive, offering low-cost and legacy tickets to ensure ‘everyone can fly’.
“ValueJet is hardly a stranger in the industry and all operational insights from previous partnerships have been applied in building our business plan and propositions,” ValueJet Chairman Kunle Soname explained, per ThisDay.
“We have identified a niche in the sector, the need for fair pricing amidst the rising cost of commercial aviation to the average customer compounded by tough economic realities for air operators.
“Our fleet of modern and efficient CRJ 900 aircraft is ready, we can boast of a resolute professional workforce which is among the best in the industry to deliver end-to-end customer experience backed by modern technology.
“With a long-term vision and growth mindset, we have set our sights in the coming years to expand beyond the Nigerian airspace. We are in a privileged position despite existing economic headwinds.
“We are building a cost-conscious business with an understanding of the sector and how Nigeria is poised to play a key role in developing Africa’s aviation by joining the rest of the global players in regional and international markets.”
ValueJet Chief Commercial Officer Trevor Henry confirmed initial flights would be Lagos-Abuja-Lagos twice daily; Lagos-Port Harcourt-Lagos-Asaba; and Lagos-Jos-Lagos.
He said future expansion would cover Lagos-Abuja- Kano; Lagos-Abuja-Yola; and Lagos-Benin-Lagos.
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Domestic flights nosedive 215%
ValueJet takes off on the back of a lull in domestic flights which nosedived 215 per cent from 74,537 in the first quarter of the year ended March 2021 (Q1 2021) to 23,599 in Q1 2022.
Data produced by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) shows the number of cancelled flights across airports declined from 41,328 in Q1 2021 to 14,130 in Q1 2022.
Air Peace notched the highest number of flights at 6,669 and also the most number of delayed flights at 4,241 in Q1 2022.
Ibom Air came second with 2,981 flight movements and 923 delayed flights. Arik Air followed with 2,955 flight movements and 1,937 delayed flights.
Back in Q1 2021, Air Peace had the highest number of flight movements at 17,861 as well as the most number of delayed flights at 9,908.
Air Peace, Dana Air, and Max Air had the most delayed flights in Q1 2021, the report shows.