Abstract

The study examined aviation law and industry in Africa, using Nigerian experience. This became necessary in view of the recent and frequent happenings in aviation sector that involved heavy losses of lives and property in plane crashes. The study relied on both primary and secondary sources of legal materials to gather information on aviation laws and industry. The findings of the study revealed that aviation industries in Africa in general, and Nigeria in particular were grossly underfunded. This gave rise to myriad of problems like lack of cargo screening machines, inadequate security personnel and obsolete navigational facilities among others. The study further revealed that one reason for fleet depletion and eventual collapse of domestic carriers was their dependence on old airplanes, which attracted high maintenance costs. The study concluded that Governments’ performance in the aviation industry was unsatisfactory. The legal policy/reform, especially Aviation Act, 2006 seems adequate enough to facilitate and guide successful operations in the aviation industry in Nigeria. However, legal policy/reform needs to be complemented with adequate funding, timely release of funds/subventions to all the agencies charged with the responsibility of air transportation and elimination of corrupt practices.

Key words: Aviation, legal, policy, Nigeria.