Aviation Stakeholders Canvass Stimulus Packages For Airliners

Stakeholders in the aviation industry have charged government to consider  stimulus packages to support airlines towards aiding their smooth operations.

This, they said, is necessary, in view of the slow recovery of the aviation sector from the COVID-19 pandemic and the socio-economic challenges plaguing the sector. Aside this, they also offered solutions to some of the challenges beclouding the aviation industry.

Speaking at the October breakfast meeting of the Nigeria South-Africa Chamber of Commerce (NSACC), sponsored by Phillips Consulting to celebrate its 30th anniversary, in Lagos yesterday, the chairman, NSACC, Osayaba Giwa-Osagie, who championed the call for stimulus packages to airliners, said, there is a need for the government to implement policies and develop infrastructures that will strengthen the sector.

Stressing that stakeholders should constantly engage government on ways to reposition the sector to be profitable and competitive, he urged air operators to adopt creative initiatives to help manage cost and build efficiencies.

The aviation industry, he said, is a veritable tool for income generation and economic development in Nigeria, adding that, “the Nigeria Aviation industry has grown in size, capital, investment, safety and quality management system. The sector is fundamental in facilitating trade, investment and tourism.”

Similarly, the chief operating officer, Ibom Air and guest speaker at the breakfast meeting, George Uriesi, said domestic airline operators must be creative in accessing capital, adding that. the airlines need a level playing field to thrive.

Speaking on ‘Aviation in Nigeria: What next? Uriesi said, there is a need for players in the sector to embrace good corporate governance in their day-to-day operation.

Moreover, the head of research and intelligence, Phillips Consulting Limited (pcl), Samuel Bamidele, said, Nigeria’s aviation industry is growing and recovering faster from the pandemic than global projection. He stated further that, while there are several pressure points or challenges facing operators in the industry, pcl expects the industry to continue on a positive trajectory.

To him, “one of the highlights of the Phillips Consulting (pcl.) aviation survey report is the low capacity in the industry, which we infer from challenges passengers face with securing urgent tickets and increased costs for late bookings. In addition, we found that 16.24 % of survey respondents do not prefer any airline, indicating that existing competition and potential new entrants are strong challengers for market share.”

Senior partner, pcl, Paul Ayim, on his part, said the firm launched the aviation Center of Excellence (CoE) as a vehicle to research and disseminate best practices in the sector, while facilitating alignment of structure, processes, people and metrics to strategy.

Meanwhile, commercial partner, pcl, Dele Phillips, said the firm will continue to serve as a hub for excellence towards achieving its growth trajectory as a people and for the nation.

“This great place to work is much more than an organisation but also a haven for over 200 Alumni members who have passed through and given pcl, their utmost best.  We thank everybody that has been a part of our success story and look forward to a bold future of transforming possibilities with you,” Philips said.