90% Of Airports Moribund Over Aircraft Age Limit Policy – Experts

The Aviation Round Table Initiative (ARTI) has called on the federal government to review the aircraft age policy in the sector, saying the policy has made 90 per cent of airports moribund in Nigeria.

LEADERSHIP reports that aviation experts have repeatedly called for a review of the 22-year age rule on aircraft, arguing that the regulation is outdated and counterproductive.

They emphasised the rule has reduced the number of available aircraft, limiting flight operations to certain airports, which has made some of those airports economically unviable.

However, speaking at the Stakeholders’ Engagement focused on Transforming the Aviation Industry through Strategic Partnerships: Advancing Airport Sustainable Development organised by the Federal Ministry of Aviation & Aerospace Development, the 2nd vice president of ASRTI, Dr Alex Nwuba, said aircraft age limit policy is responsible for shortage of capacity for scheduled airlines in the country.

According to Nwuba, the ministry should be more concerned about the effectiveness of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and not the age of the aircraft.

“We also respectfully request the review of the aircraft age policy. It is the effectiveness of the NCAA, not the age of the aircraft. We have seen that the NCAA knows its job.”

He continued, “We also call for educating our lawmakers on the issue of aircraft age. We hope that some of the training funds from the ministry will be used to train our legislators because continuing our current policies on aircraft age will ensure that 90 per cent of our airports remain moribund. Magic will not work,” he warned.

The group also called for a review of the processes involved in aircraft certification in Nigeria as well as the prevailing manpower issues in the aviation industry.

“We have been demanding a review of the aircraft certification process, and the meetings have been delayed. General aviation is the backbone of aviation, and it remains the most challenging component of the Nigerian sector. People are facing incredible challenges registering a small private aircraft. It is even more burdensome than registering an airliner,” he stated.

He further highlighted the challenges surrounding industry manpower.

“There are no mechanisms to climb the ranks for pilots, engineers, cabin crew, dispatchers, and almost all. They train and sit at home. We know there are global job gaps, and without mechanisms for growth, in a short while, the industry will shut down. We must work collaboratively, government and stakeholders as partners to save the industry,” he said.

Dr Nwuba, who is also the President of the Aircraft Pilot Owners Association of Nigeria (APOAN), complained about shutting down sunset airports when aircraft were already cleared for takeoff.

“There is a particularly tricky issue of aircraft being cleared for takeoff to airports that will be closed by the time of arrival due to  Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) issues and a constraint created by the concept of sunset airports.

“The so-called Sunset Airport needs very little effort to extend its operational hours. Solar-powered runway lights and a few allowances for navigational staff could do the trick,” he said.