UPDATE: SENATE TACKLES AIRLINES RUNNING MULTIPLE ROUTES WITH THREE AIRCRAFT
Read Time:2 Minute, 45 Second
Senator Fatai Buhari, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Aviation, has stated that the Senate is working on a measure to control the activities of the country’s airlines, specifically to decrease the number of routes flown by airlines with three or fewer aircraft.
The legislator stated that while many operators were opposed to the idea, he hoped that the bill would pass in the best interests of the flying public.
Buhari made the statement on Wednesday in Lagos at the South-West Regional Air Transportation Summit, 2024, held by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority and themed ‘Repositioning the Nigeria aviation industry for financial competence and economic sustainability’.
READ ALSO:
He emphasised that the negative experiences of customers are primarily due to Nigerian airlines’ refusal to codeshare.
He said, “I have said we all cannot afford to fail, Nigerians code-sharing is the way to go for airlines even in the developed nations they do it. We have a bill that is currently at the National Assembly that will ensure that the minimum number of aircraft an airline could have is four or five and any airline that has a lesser number of aircraft should be given specialised routes.
“Yes, I know many of you do not want that to happen but in the interest of Nigerians and the flying passengers I pray that the bill will scale through.”
Also, players in the aviation industry have called for a total overhaul of the sector’s policies in a bid to ensure growth and development.
They also advocated for the formation of a specific aviation development fund to support infrastructure development, safety improvements, and human capacity building.
Dr. Jekwu Ozoemene, Executive Director of the Alternative Bank, stated that uneven policy development and execution hampered the sector’s growth.
Ozoemene also proposed the creation of an aviation development fund that would solely fund infrastructure development, safety improvements, and human capacity building.
He urged attendees to support public-private partnerships, which would promote private sector investment in airport infrastructure, air navigation services, and aircraft maintenance.
He said, “The only way the aviation industry can work in Nigeria is to ensure that every value chain is working hand-in-hand. Nigeria can’t reach its full potential if we fail to address the challenges in the aviation sector.”
Also, a former United States Transportation Security Administration Representative and Attaché to West Africa, Oluseyi Ogunleye, noted that the NCAA had a pivotal role to play in harnessing the vast opportunities presented by the global aviation transportation system to drive national economic growth and development.
Ogunleye insisted that through an inclusive regulatory dialogue, the aviation industry in Nigeria could work collaboratively to overcome key challenges and unleash the sector’s full potential.
“The time is now for the Nigerian government, industry stakeholders, and the general public to come together and chart a bold, transformative course for the aviation sector.
“With a shared commitment to progress and a steadfast focus on national economic growth, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority can drive impactful change and unlock a prosperous future for all Nigerians. The call to action is clear: let us embrace the opportunities, overcome the challenges, and soar to new heights of aviation excellence,” Ogunleye added.
Happy
0 %
Sad
0 %
Excited
0 %
Sleepy
0 %
Angry
0 %
Surprise
0 %
0
0