A major problem of air transportation in developing countries is

1. Analyze the question The question asks for a major problem of air transportation in developing countries. So we need the biggest constraint these countries face in running air transport.

2. Explain the concept Air transport is the most capital-intensive mode of transport. It requires:

• Expensive aircraft purchase or lease
• Construction and maintenance of airports and runways
• Navigation, radar, and air-traffic control equipment
• Trained pilots, engineers, and technical staff
• Aviation fuel and spare parts, often imported

Developing countries such as Nigeria often struggle to fund all of this because of limited national income, foreign exchange problems, and competing needs such as health and education. This is why many national airlines have collapsed (Nigeria Airways is an example), and why airports and equipment are poorly maintained.

3. Evaluate the options

• A. Inadequate passengers: Not the main problem. Demand exists, and many routes are busy.
• B. Slow speed: Wrong. Air transport is the fastest mode of transport.
• C. Inadequate capital: Correct. High costs of aircraft, airports, and maintenance are beyond the reach of many developing economies.
• D. Inadequate space for cargo: This is a limitation of aircraft in general, not a problem specific to developing countries.

4. Answer The correct option is C. inadequate capital.

5. Exam tip For questions on transport problems in developing countries, think "money first": capital, maintenance, and infrastructure. Also remember that air transport's advantages are speed and access to remote areas, so any option calling it "slow" is almost certainly wrong.