Foster Partnership With Foreign Operators To Boost Operations, NCAA Tells Local Airlines

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), has called on indigenous airline operators to go into partnership with willing foreign counterparts through code sharing in developing Nigeria’s aviation industry and strengthen their operations.

Speaking at the 27th League of Aviation and Airports Correspondent (LAAC), titled, ‘Aviation Industry: Changing Times, Changing Strategies,’ the managing director, NCAA, Capt. Musa Nuhu, said until Nigerian airlines embrace collaboration, they will continue to be more fragmented and less competitive with mere individual identities.

According to Capt. Nuhu, who was represented by director of Airworthiness Standard, Engr. Gbolahan Abatan, however, said inspite of the numerous challenges, Nigeria’s air transport is making tremendous progress.

“Synergy, collaboration, cooperation or merger is the rule of the game. I want to encourage Nigerian airlines to avoid I-want-to-do-it-alone as reflected in their lone-wolf operational tactic. While I want to appreciate our operators for a job well done in terms of the spirit and the impact, we urge airlines to partner with their willing foreign counterparts through code sharing in developing Nigeria’s aviation industry.

“I remember that at a phase, Air France interlined with Aero Contractors. By nature and approach we should manifestly embrace collaboration and exhibit sustained commitment lest average Nigerian carriers become ever more fragmented and less competitive with mere individual identities.

“As aviation is global we have no choice than to keep aviation working by adopting workable initiatives and rightful changing strategies to contend with ever-changing times.

Though I know the path is somewhat bumpy with financial dire straits calling for concerted efforts.

Let me repeat again that the current fate of the aviation industry could not be treated in isolation of the economic environment that it is operated. What is happening to aviation is happening to all sectors.”

“All these challenges notwithstanding, as the regulator, safety remains a priority, non-negotiable and it supersedes all other considerations for us. We are neither a police agency of the industry nor in existence to close airline businesses. NCAA is willing to support the airline to get out of the woods.”

However, Capt. Nuhu stated that the aviation sector contributed over $1.7billlion to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and also created over 240,000 direct and indirect jobs.

According to him, the nation’s aviation sector has transformed to a more competitive market following its deregulation couple of decades ago.

He said: “in spite of the numerous challenges, Nigeria’s air transport is making progress. The International Air Transportation Association (IATA) in a recent study recognised that the Nigeria air transportation sector has contributed over $1.7 billion in addition to provision of well over 240,000 jobs.

“As our traffic figures doubling so is the number of young airports increasing with the old ones embarking on massive infrastructure upgrade, expansion and equipment modernisation for safety, security, safe air navigation, weather observation and forecasting.”

The NCAA boss also disclosed that the growth of the nation’s aviation sector has been rapid and against 15 year target set for it.

“The cynics have once expressed views that growth in the aviation sector could only double after 15 years but the reverse in the case, rather we are seeing steady growth in the domestic sector with more airlines processing their Air Operator Certificates (AOCs) and the rate of connections among cities increasing.

“We are witnessing Nigerian airlines embarking on aggressive, but strategic expansion in regional connectivity and route strength as well,” he said.

Speaking earlier, the permanent secretary, Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace, Dr Emmanuel Meribole, said the ministry will continue to work towards achieving individual mandate inline with laws establishing them.

Meribole, who was represented by the director, Air Transport Management department, Hassan Ejibunu, said: “We will continue to work assiduously towards the achievements of their individual mandates and in line with the laws establishing them. It is in realization of the facts that aviation is dynamic which at times require changing strategies, when necessary, that the Ministry got the 9th National Assembly to work on the enabling laws of the Agencies to give them the required impetus to deliver on their mandates.

“This is in line with the ICAO Recommended Practices. I am particularly confident that with the new enabling Acts, the Agencies under the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace should be able to deliver without any form of encumbrances.”

“As a ministry, we shall continue to adhere to our mandate of formulation and implementation of policies and programmes on civil aviation and overseeing air transportation, airport development and infrastructural facilities, management, provision of Aviation provision of aviation security. improvement of airspace management and other needs in conformity with international standards and best practices.”