Green Africa has announced the appointment of Captain Bart Roberts as Chief Operating Officer, a move that further strengthens the airline’s operational leadership as it deepens its footprint in Nigeria’s domestic aviation market. The appointment places Captain Roberts on Green Africa’s senior leadership team at a time when operational discipline, safety oversight, and scalability have become central to the airline’s growth strategy.
In his new role, Captain Roberts assumes responsibility for Green Africa’s flight operations, the Integrated Operations Control Centre, operational safety, airport services, and crew training. He will also work closely with the airline’s Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Babawande Afolabi, and other senior executives to provide strategic direction as Green Africa continues to mature as a value airline in a complex operating environment.
Green Africa said the appointment reflects its focus on building a leadership structure capable of supporting sustainable growth while maintaining high safety and reliability standards. The airline has increasingly emphasised operational resilience as a differentiator, particularly in Nigeria’s challenging aviation ecosystem where infrastructure constraints, cost pressures, and regulatory compliance demand experienced leadership.
Captain Roberts brings more than four decades of senior leadership experience in global aviation to Green Africa. Before joining the airline, he served as Executive Director at Cirrus Aircraft in McKinney, Texas, where he oversaw flight training operations. His role involved developing pilot proficiency frameworks and reinforcing safety culture across training platforms, experience Green Africa believes will translate effectively into its own operational environment.
Earlier in his career, Captain Roberts was Vice President of Flight Operations at JetBlue, where he led a pilot workforce of approximately 2,800 across the airline’s network. His tenure at JetBlue coincided with periods of fleet expansion and network growth, requiring strong coordination between flight operations, training, and safety management systems.
Captain Roberts also spent 28 years at American Airlines, holding several senior operational roles including Chief Pilot, Managing Director of Flight Operations, Check Airman, and Fleet Training Manager. These positions exposed him to large-scale airline operations, regulatory engagement, and the complexities of managing pilot performance within highly structured operating frameworks.
Beyond commercial aviation, Captain Roberts served for 25 years in the United States Navy and Navy Reserve, retiring with the rank of Captain. His military background adds further depth to his leadership profile, particularly in structured decision-making, operational discipline, and safety-critical environments. He has also contributed to the wider aviation industry through service on the International Air Transport Association Operations Council and currently sits on the board of Women in Aviation International.
Commenting on the appointment, Babawande Afolabi said he was pleased to welcome Captain Roberts to Green Africa, describing his operational expertise and leadership record as a strong fit for the airline’s current phase. He noted that as Green Africa scales its operations, experienced oversight of safety, training, and operational control would remain central to delivering consistent service to customers.
Captain Roberts, in his own remarks, described joining Green Africa as a privilege at a pivotal moment in its journey. He said Nigeria’s aviation sector holds significant potential and expressed enthusiasm about working with the leadership team to position Green Africa as a reliable contributor to that growth. He added that the airline’s mission to make air travel safe, affordable, and accessible aligns closely with his professional values.
Founded in Lagos, Green Africa operates as a value airline committed to reliability, safety, and affordability. Since launching operations in 2021, Green Africa has built a reputation for on-time performance while expanding access to air travel for a broader segment of Nigerian travellers. The appointment of Captain Bart Roberts underscores Green Africa’s intent to reinforce its operational foundations as it prepares for the next stage of its development.
