FG To Partner Airline Operators For Economic Development.
By Helen Udoh,Outlook Media ABUJA.
Hon. Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN CON, FCIArb, stated that the Federal Government is ready to partner and support the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) once they are ready to raise the standard of their services. The Minister stated this when members of the Airline Operators of Nigeria led by Dr. Abdulmunaf Yunusa, paid him a courtesy visit in his office today.
Keyamo informed that, the visit by the AON was a follow up of a private visit made earlier by the association, saying “……. I don’t want to operate as a ghost, I said one of my policy is to operate an open policy… I said, bring up your challenges so that Nigerians would understand exactly where Government and Airlines Operators stands.’’
Disclosing his readiness to support the growth and sustenance of the local airlines operator’s while holding them to the highest international standards in the aviation industry, Keyamo noted that they are critical to the growth and development of the aviation industry and the country at large, hence government is ready to help them operate profitably.
Keyamo assured of a possible review all BASA agreements, stressing the need for AON to renew and repair their fleets to encourage passenger’s patronage.
He also pleaded with the airline operators to cooperate among themselves to find a way to establish their businesses such that it will have enough capital based to survive instances like Covid 19 pandemic.
He promised to suggest to government the possibilities of AON accessing facilities at single digits, including associated foreign exchange Afex to meet their foreign obligations.
While welcoming investors to establish commercial MROs in Nigeria,
Kayamo stated that during his administration, a futuristic master plan will be developed to accommodate everything that will make Nigeria an aviation hub in Africa while employing all airlines to utilise their Bilateral Air Service Agreements (BASA) routes to reduce the prices of airfare.
Earlier, the President of AON, Dr. Abdulmunaf Yunusa presented a paper through Captain Roland Iyayi who highlighted some of the constraints and challenges and probable solution to Nigeria aviation industry. Among the challenges highlighted are: foreign exchange, Jet A1 fuel, cost of capital and funding options, infrastructure, taxes, fees and charges as well as government policies.
AON while proposing solution requested for licences for Jet A1 importation and distribution through strategic partnership and an immediate review of all industry taxes, fees and charges.
They also called for immediate renegotiation of all existing BASA’s and Multilateral Air Service Agreements (MASA) in line with provision of Single Africa Air Transport Market (SAATM), with emphasis on the principle of reciprocity in favour of domestic airline.