ValueJet Airline, Nigeria’s newest domestic airline led by gaming magnate Kunle Soname, has begun commercial flight operations in Lagos, the country’s financial capital, and has proceeded with efforts to expand its operations across some of Nigeria’s major commercial hubs.
The development comes after the Soname-led airline took ownership of a fleet of aircraft, some of which were freshly purchased (CRJ-900s with the registrations 5N-BXS and 5N-BXT), and performed the necessary demo flights to receive the Air Operator Certificate (AOC).
The airline revealed at its launch party in Lagos on Monday that it would base its services on the need for the right pricing while actively driving improvement in travel experience through its operation as a hybrid carrier, offering both low-cost and legacy options for everyone to fly.
Soname, the chairman of ValueJet, commented on his debut into the aviation industry, stating: “ValueJet is hardly a stranger in the industry, and all operational insights from past partnerships have been incorporated in establishing our business plan and offers.”
Despite the spike in operating costs for commercial aircraft operators as aviation fuel prices reached all-time highs, Soname, who is also the chairman of Bet9ja, a betting platform based in Lagos, emphasized that the airline has recognized a niche in the sector and the need for fair pricing.
“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,” he said.
He added that the airline, which owns three aircraft, is poised for rapid growth in the aviation industry, as it plans to increase its routes and flight frequency once its fourth and fifth aircraft arrive as part of its strategy to expand its operations in the fiercely competitive Nigerian aviation market.
