Minister of aviation and aerospace development, Mr Festus Keyamo (SAN) says the federal government is prioritising support and growth of domestic airlines.
Keyamo made the assertion at the launch of a book, “100 Years of Civil Aviation In Nigeria: History, Issues and Prospects”, written by Mr Wole Shadare, on Friday in Lagos.
The minister disclosed that the Federal Government had ceased to fund the idea of a national carrier.
He said that the Federal Government was focusing on implementing policies that would enable local operators thrive and compete with their international counterparts.
He noted that the revised insurance regulations on leased aircraft among other policies have enabled airlines access aircraft, thereby, reducing airfares in the country.
“We have shifted focus to ensure growth and development for local operators through our policies,” Keyamo said.
Keyamo said that the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) old terminal would be pulled down for a new one to be built.
However, Shadare, author of the 25-chapter book, x-rayed Nigeria’s aviation industry’s evolution over the past 100 years. (NAN)
