Nigeria has potential to become one of Africa’s most important aviation hubs – Chen

As Nigeria’s aviation sector continues to navigate the complexities of modernisation, infrastructure development, and global competition, BusinessDay had the privilege of sitting down with Tim Chen, Vice President of AVIC-KDN, a renowned airport engineering company with a rich history of delivering cutting-edge aviation solutions worldwide. With a storied career spanning over 25 years in aviation infrastructure leadership, Chen brings a wealth of expertise and insight to the table. In this exclusive interview with IFEOMA OKEKE-KORIEOCHA, Chen shares his perspectives on the current state of Nigeria’s aviation industry, the challenges that lie ahead, and the opportunities for growth and development. He also discusses AVIC-KDN’s vision for Nigeria’s aviation sector and the company’s plans to contribute to the country’s economic growth and development through innovative airport solutions.

Can you tell us about your journey in the aviation industry, and how your experience has prepared you for your current role at AVIC-KDN?

My journey in the aviation and airport-infrastructure sector began during my time with Siemens, where I served as General Manager & Sales Director for Airport Mobility & Infrastructure. During this period, Siemens acquired the airfield lighting business of ADB, the global industry leader. I was appointed to lead ADB’s China operations as CEO, which allowed me to gain deep exposure to the complexities of airfield systems, regulatory compliance, and large-scale implementation.

Building on that experience, I became a founding member of AVIC-KDN Airport Engineering Co., Ltd, where I helped shape the company’s strategic direction and expand its footprint in global aviation infrastructure. This combination of engineering, commercial, and operational leadership has equipped me to guide AVIC-KDN’s mission in Nigeria and beyond.

How does AVIC-KDN’s expertise in airport infrastructure development align with Nigeria’s aviation growth plans?

AVIC-KDN has decades of accumulated experience delivering airport engineering projects across multiple regions. Over time, we have built deep expertise in planning, design, system integration, construction, and operational support. This has allowed us to create a comprehensive partnership ecosystem with leading design agencies and technology innovators. Nigeria is a natural aviation hub for West Africa. We have established permanent operations in Nigeria because we see tremendous potential: the population scale, strategic geographic position, and the Ministry’s renewed commitment to infrastructure reform all indicate the country is poised for major aviation growth.

Our expertise directly aligns with this vision. As we have done recently in Angola and in other regions, we can support Nigeria in upgrading critical infrastructure and building systems that meet international standards, enhance capacity, and unlock long-term economic impact.

What are the most significant challenges facing Nigeria’s aviation sector, and how can they be addressed?

Nigeria’s aviation sector faces several structural challenges that require strategic and coordinated solutions. One of the main issues is the aging runway infrastructure, which in many cases suffers from pavement deterioration, water accumulation, and cracking. Many airports also operate with airfield lighting systems that fall short of ICAO standards, such as missing centerline lighting or incomplete edge lighting, which can compromise safety and limit operational capacity.

Another challenge is the lack of adequate post-installation support for key systems, including IT infrastructure and airport applications, which are essential for efficient and modern airport management. Additionally, Nigeria currently has limited Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul (MRO) capacity, forcing airlines to send aircraft and components abroad—often to Europe—at very high cost. The cargo infrastructure is also insufficient, with many airports lacking modern terminals, cold-chain systems, and logistics facilities needed to drive economic growth.

Despite these challenges, many of the issues are already being addressed by the Ministry. With stronger planning, consistent investments, and long-term partnerships, these obstacles can be resolved, paving the way for a transformed and competitive aviation sector.

How can Nigeria’s airports be improved to meet international standards, and what role can AVIC-KDN play in the process?

Improving Nigeria’s airports to meet international standards requires a comprehensive and methodical approach. It begins with conducting detailed diagnostic assessments to understand the gaps between current infrastructure and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) requirements. Once these gaps are identified, the next step is translating the findings into clear engineering recommendations and structured implementation plans that address safety, reliability, and system integrity.

AVIC-KDN plays a central role in this process by offering deep technical expertise and extensive experience working with international regulations. We support authorities by redesigning or upgrading airside and landside systems, developing improvement roadmaps, and providing hands-on collaboration throughout implementation. Through our global experience, we help translate complex standards into practical, achievable solutions tailored to each Nigerian airport’s unique requirements.

What strategies can be implemented to reduce operational costs and increase efficiency in Nigeria’s airports?

Airports around the world are increasingly adopting integrated, data-driven operational models because efficiency is now central to financial sustainability. In many cases, the challenge is not a lack of resources but how those resources are utilized. One of the most effective strategies is the digitisation of operational processes through modern airport management software, which provides real-time visibility and better coordination across departments.

Another key area of improvement is breaking down the traditional silos that exist between airlines, ground handlers, air traffic control, security, and terminal operators. When these units work independently, resources are often underutilised, and delays become more frequent. By enabling collaboration through integrated systems, airports can optimize equipment, gates, stands, and manpower deployment, significantly reducing turnaround times. Predictive maintenance also plays an important role by reducing downtime and lowering operational costs.

When all operational stakeholders work together through shared data and processes, airports can increase throughput, improve service quality, and boost profitability without needing immediate large-scale infrastructure expansion.

Can you share examples of successful airport projects AVIC-KDN has completed in challenging environments, such as Nepal or Vanuatu?

AVIC-KDN has delivered major airport projects in geographically and operationally challenging locations.

In Nepal, we developed airports in mountainous, high‑altitude terrain requiring specialised engineering, advanced navigation systems, and resilient runway design.

In Vanuatu, we executed projects in island environments where logistics, material supply, and climate conditions required adaptive engineering and end-to-end project management.

For Dr Antonio Agostinho Neto Angola International Airport, we supported the project from master planning through to operational setup, including landside design – how travelers access the airport, safety and security systems, passenger process design, operational planning for both the airport and airlines.

These experiences demonstrate our capacity to deliver complex aviation projects under challenging conditions—expertise directly relevant to Nigeria’s diverse operational environment.

How does AVIC-KDN’s end‑to‑end service approach benefit clients, and what sets the company apart from competitors?

AVIC-KDN’s end-to-end service approach is one of our strongest differentiators. While we began primarily as an engineering company, we have expanded our capabilities to cover every stage of the airport lifecycle; from conceptual design and master planning to construction, system integration, commissioning, operations, and long-term maintenance. This ensures that our clients receive coherent and fully integrated solutions rather than fragmented services from multiple vendors.

What truly sets us apart is our deep understanding of passenger-flow processes, which sits at the heart of airport performance. Because we understand how each airport system: from security screening to baggage handling to airside operations, interacts with the passenger journey, we are able to design highly efficient and resilient airport environments. Our strong ecosystem of global partners further enhances our ability to deliver specialized solutions across every domain. This comprehensive approach minimizes risks, enhances accountability, and ensures long-term operational excellence for our clients.

How does AVIC-KDN stay up‑to‑date with the latest aviation industry trends and technologies?

Innovation is one of the core drivers of AVIC-KDN’s success. We continuously invest in training, certification programs, and professional development to ensure our teams remain current with the latest advancements in airport engineering and aviation technology. Our close collaborations with world-leading design and engineering agencies allow us to participate actively in global developments and incorporate state-of-the-art solutions into our projects.

We also maintain strong relationships with airport authorities, ministries, investors, and regulators worldwide, which keeps us deeply involved in industry evolution. Through frequent knowledge exchange within our global partner network, we stay informed about emerging technologies, evolving safety standards, new operational models, and international best practices. This continuous learning ecosystem ensures that we bring the most modern, efficient, and forward-looking solutions to our clients.

What opportunities do you see for growth in Nigeria’s aviation sector, and how can AVIC-KDN contribute?

Nigeria has the potential to become one of Africa’s most important aviation hubs. There are significant opportunities in modernizing airport infrastructure, expanding terminal and airside capacity, enhancing cargo and cold-chain logistics, improving regional and continental flight connectivity, and developing strong MRO capabilities that reduce reliance on foreign service centers. Each of these areas can unlock substantial economic value and support Nigeria’s broader growth agenda.

AVIC-KDN is well positioned to support this evolution. With our global expertise, engineering excellence, and experience delivering major aviation projects in diverse environments, we can help Nigeria upgrade its airports to meet ICAO standards, enhance safety and efficiency, and create infrastructure that supports long-term economic development. More importantly, we bring a partnership-based approach that focuses on capacity building and sustainable development rather than short-term interventions.

What are AVIC-KDN’s plans for expanding its presence in Nigeria and contributing to the country’s aviation development?

AVIC-KDN is committed to building a strong, long-term presence in Nigeria. Our expansion plans include scaling our local office, increasing the number of Nigerian engineers and technical specialists we employ, and strengthening collaboration with both federal and state aviation authorities. We are also deepening partnerships with local contractors, universities, and training institutions to transfer knowledge, develop skills, and contribute to the growth of domestic aviation expertise.

From an infrastructure perspective, we plan to invest in long-term initiatives such as runway rehabilitation, modernization of airfield-lighting systems, expansion of cargo capabilities, and the deployment of smart-airport technologies. We also aim to support Nigeria’s digital transformation efforts and contribute to the future development of environmentally sustainable “green airport” initiatives.

Our goal is not only to deliver individual projects but to help build a resilient aviation ecosystem that positions Nigeria as a true leader in African aviation.

Ifeoma Okeke-Korieocha is the Aviation Correspondent at BusinessDay Media Limited, publishers of BusinessDay Newspapers.

She is also the Deputy Editor, BusinessDay Weekender Magazine, the Saturday Weekend edition of BusinessDay.

She holds a BSC in Mass Communication from the prestigious University of Nigeria, Nsukka and a Masters degree in Marketing at the University of Lagos.

As the lead writer on the aviation desk, Ifeoma is responsible and in charge of the three weekly aviation and travel pages in BusinessDay and BDSunday. She also overseas and edits all pages of BusinessDay Saturday Weekender.

She has written various investigative, features and news stories in aviation and business related issues and has been severally nominated for award in the category of Aviation Writer of the Year by the Nigeria Media Nite-Out awards; one of the Nigeria’s most prestigious media awards ceremonies.

Ifeoma is a one-time winner of the prestigious Nigeria Media Merit Award under the 'Aviation Writer of the Year' Category.

She is the 2025 Eloy Award winner under the Print Media Journalist category.

She has undergone several journalism trainings by various prestigious organisations.

Ifeoma is also a fellow of the Female Reporters Leadership Fellowship of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism.

Join BusinessDay whatsapp Channel, to stay up to date