Air Midwest

Air Midwest was a privately owned Nigerian airline project established in Lagos in 2002 by two former employees of Kabo Air. The company was intended to operate domestic passenger services from Murtala Mohammed International Airport and received authorization from Nigeria's aviation authorities during the 2000s. Although it progressed beyond the planning stage, the airline did not establish a lasting scheduled network. The company obtained an operating license in 2003. Its development was subsequently affected by regulatory and financial pressures in Nigeria's aviation sector. Following a series of airline accidents in the country, the Nigerian government required airlines to recapitalize at higher levels. This requirement delayed Air Midwest's intended launch and contributed to the long period between its licensing and the start of preparations for passenger operations. By December 2009, Air Midwest had acquired three Boeing 737 aircraft. In February 2010, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority issued the company a Certificate of Airworthiness covering one Boeing 737-500, permitting that aircraft to operate subject to the applicable regulatory conditions. Company managing director Otunba Aigbokhan described plans for a domestic network centered on Lagos, with proposed services to Benin, Owerri, Abuja, and Port Harcourt. The airline conducted a passenger-evacuation demonstration in March 2010 and operated a test flight from Lagos to Owerri less than a month later. These steps indicated an attempt to move from regulatory preparation toward commercial launch. However, Air Midwest was dissolved during 2010, and the planned scheduled network did not become an established airline operation. The available reference material does not confirm the exact date of dissolution, the ultimate disposition of its aircraft, or whether any sustained revenue service was ever offered. This entry concerns the Nigerian airline project identified by the Wikipedia title Air Midwest (Nigeria), not the unrelated former United States commuter airline that used the same name.

Air Midwest was formed in Lagos, Nigeria, in 2002 by two former employees of Kabo Air. It was conceived as a privately owned airline serving the Nigerian domestic passenger market, with Murtala Mohammed International Airport intended to serve as its base. The company received an operating license from Nigerian aviation authorities in 2003, but licensing did not lead immediately to a commercial launch. The project encountered a difficult operating environment. After a number of airline accidents in Nigeria, the Nigerian government required airlines to recapitalize to a higher level. The new financial and regulatory requirements delayed Air Midwest's progress toward full operations. The available historical account does not identify the amount of capital required, the company's investors, or the precise legal structure used for the recapitalization process. By December 2009, Air Midwest had acquired three Boeing 737 aircraft. This acquisition suggested that the company was attempting to establish the fleet required for domestic jet operations, although the sources do not confirm how many of the aircraft were ultimately ready for passenger service. In February 2010, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority granted a Certificate of Airworthiness for one Boeing 737-500. The certificate entitled that aircraft to operate within the applicable Nigerian aviation framework. The company's managing director, Otunba Aigbokhan, stated that Air Midwest planned to operate domestic routes from Lagos to Benin, Owerri, Abuja, and Port Harcourt. In March 2010, the airline demonstrated a passenger evacuation procedure. Less than a month later, it conducted a test flight from Lagos to Owerri. These activities represented the airline's most visible move toward beginning scheduled services. Despite the regulatory certification, fleet acquisition, demonstration, and test flight, Air Midwest did not establish a sustained commercial airline network. The company was dissolved in 2010. The available reference does not provide a precise dissolution date, details of any completed scheduled passenger flights, the final ownership of the aircraft, or the reasons for the company's legal dissolution. It is therefore best characterized as a Nigerian airline project that reached the preparation and testing phase but did not become a durable operating carrier. Air Midwest (Nigeria) should be distinguished from the unrelated former American commuter airline also called Air Midwest. The Nigerian company's identity, history, and regulatory development are the subject of this dossier.

• 2010

  Boeing 737-500 receives airworthiness certification

  [1]Air Midwest (Nigeria)en.wikipedia.org

  The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority issued a Certificate of Airworthiness for one Boeing 737-500.

• 2010

  Operational demonstrations begin

  [1]Air Midwest (Nigeria)en.wikipedia.org

  Air Midwest conducted a passenger-evacuation demonstration and then operated a Lagos–Owerri test flight.

• 2010

  Company dissolved

  [1]Air Midwest (Nigeria)en.wikipedia.org

  Air Midwest was dissolved during the year before its proposed domestic network became an established commercial operation.

• 2009

  Fleet reaches three Boeing 737 aircraft

  [1]Air Midwest (Nigeria)en.wikipedia.org

  By December, Air Midwest had acquired three Boeing 737 aircraft.

• 2003

  Operating license granted

  [1]Air Midwest (Nigeria)en.wikipedia.org

  The company obtained an operating license, beginning its formal regulatory path toward commercial air services.

• 2002

  Air Midwest is formed

  [1]Air Midwest (Nigeria)en.wikipedia.org

  Two former Kabo Air employees formed Air Midwest as a privately owned Nigerian airline project.

A privately owned Nigerian domestic airline project intended to connect Lagos with major Nigerian cities.

• Passenger airline service

  Domestic passenger services

  Air Midwest was intended to provide scheduled domestic passenger transportation within Nigeria. The proposed network was to be centered on Lagos, with planned links to Benin, Owerri, Abuja, and Port Harcourt. The available source confirms preparation and testing activity but does not establish the duration, frequency, cabin configuration, or commercial availability of regular passenger services.

• Aircraft fleet · 2009

  Boeing 737 fleet

  By December 2009, Air Midwest had acquired three Boeing 737 aircraft. In February 2010, one Boeing 737-500 received a Certificate of Airworthiness from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority. The source does not identify the individual aircraft, seating arrangements, or the final disposition of the fleet.

• 2010

  Preparation for domestic network launchProduct launch

  Background

  After obtaining aircraft and airworthiness certification, Air Midwest prepared to introduce domestic services from Lagos to Benin, Owerri, Abuja, and Port Harcourt.

  Action taken

  The company conducted a passenger-evacuation demonstration and a test flight from Lagos to Owerri.

  Aftermath

  The planned network did not become a sustained commercial operation, and the company was dissolved during 2010.

  Source

1. 1Air Midwest (Nigeria)en.wikipedia.org