It is with great sadness that we learn of the passing of Nick Fadugba, founder and chief executive of African Aviation. “Nick was a friend and a gentleman and a thoroughly decent person, a great character and a fountain of knowledge. Nick was – and shall remain in our memory – as one of the very best in the aviation sector and a mentor to many. My words I fear will fall short when it comes to Nick, but I will remember his smile and his kindness, which accompanied him always,” says Philip Tozer-Pennington, managing director, Airline Economics. A veteran in the realm of aviation, Nick provided consultancy and advisory services to various players in the aviation field as well as to African governments since 1988. He had a clear goal in mind: to facilitate the development of Africa’s aviation industry. Nick spearheaded business relations between Africa and the international aviation community spanning aviation finance, aircraft leasing, maintenance, and beyond. In 1990, Nick solidified his ambitions with the creation of African Aviation Development. The company was utterly committed to Nick’s vision offering aviation consultancy, conferences, seminars, publishing, and ancillary services. Nick always believed that the sheer scale of Africa – coupled with its limited scope in transport – meant affordable air transport was a vital catalyst for the economic and social transformation of the continent. Nick’s catalogue of expertise was boundless. Throughout his career, he gathered experience in aviation finance and aircraft leasing negotiations, as well as arbitration and dispute resolution in Africa. His storied career also included developing airline business plans; fleet planning; aircraft leasing and finance advisory services; airline route network development; market information research and analysis; reconciliation of aircraft leasing / finance accounts and debt recovery; negotiating acquisition of airport slots and air traffic rights; and establishing London Heathrow operations for foreign airlines. These accolades did not go unnoticed. In May 2018, he was elected chairman of the African Business Aviation Association (AfBAA) before handing over the chairmanship last year. He was appointed an interim non-executive director to the board of South African Airways (SAA) in December 2020 and acted as chairman of SAA Technical until April 2023. Other notable positions included secretary general of the African Airlines Association; a launch member of the African Business Aviation Association and vice chairman of its safety and training committee; chief advisor to the Association of African Aviation Training Organisations; and a fellow of the UK’s Royal Aeronautical Society. Nick was a valued member of the UK Aviation Club as well as the German Aviation Research Society, the European Aviation Club, the Institute of Directors, the International Society of Transport Aircraft Trading (ISTAT), a volunteer for international aviation charity Airlink, and a member of the ISTAT scholarship programme for African students. In 2021, Nick was elected as member of the board of trustees of the ISTAT Foundation to support individuals and institutions that promote the advancements of commercial aviation and humanitarian efforts. He was part of the foundation’s grants committee, supporting its fundraising and programming goals. A true pioneer for Africa’s aviation industry, a respected figure in the field, and a friend to the team at Airline Economics. He will be sorely missed and remembered fondly. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and staff at this sad time.
Industry mourns the passing of Nick Fadugba
