Sopuruchi Onwuka, with agency reports

A deal might be underway for China’s state owned aircraft manufacturer, COMAC, to provide fleets of jets that would restore vibrancy to the domestic aviation industry and also make more vessels available for new destinations.

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Nigeria’s civil aviation authority (NCAA), it was gathered, is considering granting approval to COMAC, to supply local airlines with Chinese-made aircraft for domestic flights; as the Chinese company braces for competition with Western companies for greater share of the Nigerian market.

With 230 million strong population and the market reputation as Africa’s most populous nation, Nigeria has potential as a growing aviation market.

COMAC which produces the narrow-body C919 to compete with leading Western plane makers like Airbus, and Boeing (BA.N), has held several talks with Nigeria over the aircraft.

Currently, the C919 is only operated by Chinese airlines; and its smaller C909 regional jet is also flown by three airlines in Southeast Asia. Nigeria had earlier assured that the country’s aviation sector was open to COMAC to use as a base to access the wider African market.

Director General of NCAA, Capt. Chris Ona Najomo, said COMAC officials had offered maintenance and training support for any planes operated by Nigerian carriers; and some local airline operators are already positioning for the opportunity.

The NG Eagle airline which currently operates three-plane fleet is one of the local aviation players hoping on the Chinese planes to expand when the arrangements sail through. And the CEO, Abdullahi Ahmed, is quoted as expressing interest in using the COMAC  planes if certified and accompanied by maintenance and training support.

Whereas the talks are ongoing, there are concerns and caution over space invasion, and federal authorities are working out the terms of the arrangement in a manner that that protects local jobs and services in the aviation industry.

According to sources close to the deal, the details of the discussions border on whether the aircraft would come crewed or dry; and Nigeria is said the be demanding dry lease of the aircraft to allow local operators operate with local crew.

Dry lease agreement entails an arrangement to provide aircraft without crew to interested operators. This is against the next option of allowing the owners of the aircraft lease them out with trusted crew to man them and ensure good care of the vessels.

Najomo said government is demanding the dry lease options which involve leasing aircraft without crew. “We just told them that if they can make sure they facilitate a good dry lease arrangement, it’s better,”  he stated.

If the agreement sails through, then the NCAA would then certify China’s C919 jet for use in the country, allowing domestic airlines to enter direct lease or purchase of the Chinese aircraft.

However, concerns remain high over standards when it comes certifying Chinese equipment as its two plane models lack benchmark certifications from Western regulators; and the reputation of failing on delivery targets. The U.S. had earlier in the year temporarily halted exports of the CFM (GE.N), (SAF.PA), engines it uses on the C919 due to trade conflicts.

Najomo stated that government is considering certification of the jet to operate on domestic routes, noting the absence of validation from Western regulators.

“We’re looking at the certification of the airplane. First of all, that is where we have to start,” Najomo told agency sources.

Nigeria’s improved Aviation Working Group rating reflects stronger compliance with the Cape Town Convention, a treaty that simplifies leasing aviation equipment.

Najomo said this development was boosting confidence among leasers, enabling the country’s 13 airlines to access newer planes on the leasing market.