The Federal Government of Nigeria says it is ready to partner and support the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) once they are ready to raise the standard of their services.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo gave the assurance when members of the Airline Operators of Nigeria led by Mr, Abdulmunaf Yunusa, paid him a courtesy visit in his office in Abuja the nation’s capital.
While addressing the AON members, the Minister said, “One of my policy is to operate an open policy, bring up your challenges so that Nigerians would understand exactly where Government and Airlines Operators stands.’’
Keyamo assured of a possible review of all Bilateral Air Service Agreements (BASA) stressing the need for AON to renew and repair their fleets to encourage passenger patronage.
While welcoming investors to establish commercial Maintenance Repair and overhaul (MROs) companies in Nigeria, Kayamo pledged that during his administration, a futuristic master plan will be developed to accommodate everything that will make Nigeria an aviation hub in Africa.
Earlier, the President of AON, Dr. Abdulmunaf Yunusa presented a paper through Captain Roland Iyayi who highlighted some of the constraints and challenges the airline operators are facing and probable solutions to Nigeria’s aviation industry.
Among the challenges highlighted are: foreign exchange, Jet A1 fuel, cost of capital and funding issues, infrastructure, taxes, fees and charges as well as government policies.
The AON while proposing a solution requested licenses for Jet A1 importation and distribution through strategic partnership, and an immediate review of all industry taxes, fees and charges.
They also called for an immediate renegotiation of all existing BASAs and Multilateral Air Service Agreements (MASA) in line with the provision of Single Africa Air Transport Market (SAATM), with emphasis on the principle of reciprocity in favour of domestic airlines which if implemented will bring succor to the Nigerian Domestic Airlines and its sustainability.
Dominica Nwabufo
