CHUKS OKOH
In the span of a few years, Finchglow Holdings has turned a modest cabin‑crew training outfit into a multi‑facet aviation powerhouse, and the story reads like a well‑charted flight path that refuses to be grounded.
When the company first took to the skies with a single aircraft, few could have imagined that within a short time it would be operating three, each humming with the promise of a new generation of flight attendants.
This threefold increase is more than a numbers game; it is a clear signal that Finchglow is committed to raising the bar for safety, professionalism and service standards across Nigeria’s aviation landscape.
Parallel to the expansion of its training fleet, Finchglow’s travel‑agency arm has recorded a “tremendous operational leap.” Leveraging technology, strategic partnerships and a deep understanding of the market, the agency has broadened its reach, streamlined bookings and introduced value‑added services that have attracted both corporate clients and leisure travelers.
The result has been a surge in ticket volumes, higher ancillary revenues and a reputation for reliability that is fast becoming the hallmark of the Finchglow brand.
But the most audacious chapter in this unfolding narrative is yet to be written: Finchglow’s plan to launch its own flying school. Nigeria currently boasts only two flight‑training institutions, both situated in the northern part of the country.
By breaking this regional monopoly, Finchglow is set to introduce a fresh, innovative approach to pilot training—one that blends modern curriculum, state‑of‑the‑art simulators and a curriculum that reflects the dynamic needs of today’s aviation industry.
The proposed school promises to be a catalyst for greater inclusivity, giving aspiring aviators from the south and other underserved regions a viable pathway to the cockpit.
Speaking at a recent industry gathering, the Group Managing Director of Finchglow Holdings, Gbenga Onitilo, took a moment to acknowledge the steward who has helped keep the sector’s engine running: Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo.
“We commend Minister Keyamo for being up and doing,” he said, adding that the minister ranks among the top five of the 41 aviation ministers who have served before him, thanks to his relentless efforts to lend visibility and momentum to the sector.
The director’s praise underscores a broader sentiment that effective leadership can unlock private‑sector potential, and that public‑private synergy is essential for Nigeria’s aviation ambitions.
Finchglow’s trajectory is a testament to the power of vision, investment and collaboration. From expanding its training fleet to revolutionising its travel‑agency operations, and now charting a course for a new flying school, the company is not merely participating in the aviation ecosystem—it is actively reshaping it.
As the nation watches, the question is not whether Finchglow will achieve these goals, but how quickly it will inspire others to follow suit, turning the Nigerian skies into a bustling arena of opportunity for all.
From L-R, Head Of Sales, Finchglow Travels, Aderinola Desalu; Chief Cabin Crew Instructor and Quality Manager, Lagos Aviation Academy, Hakeem Lawal; Head Of Business, Finchglow Holidays, Oluwaseun Afolabi; Group Managing Director, Finchglow Holdings, Bankole Bernard; Managing Director, TravelDen, Olugbenga Onitilo; Head Of Business, FCM Nigeria, Ayodele Abiola at Finchglow Holdings media appreciation event held in Lagos recently.