FG To Grow Indigenous Airlines

Following the under-performance of indigenous airlines and the need to develop a virile airline industry in Nigeria, the Federal Government has said that, it is evolving guidelines that will make for the growth of the domestic airlines.

The government which said it will reposition aviation as the engine for economic growth emphasized the need for the adoption of a new business model that will enhance growth of the industry.

To achieve this, the Aviation Minister, Princess Stella Oduah revealed that government has embarked on the review of all Bilateral Air Services Agreements (BASA) with other countries to make them more friendly and sustainable for the airlines.??

Speaking on her presentation entitled ‘365 Days of Aviation Sector Transformation’, the minister listed other efforts in this line to include collaborating with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and other financial institutions to facilitate access to single digit credit facility; reviewing? the guidelines for? licensing new airlines and the provision of airfield lighting for additional airports to enable airlines maximise the use of their equipment for night flights.

She said the ministry has taken steps to transform aviation agencies to make them more efficient and sustainable institutions.

“We have enhanced internally generated revenue through automation of revenue collection processes? and? projected the revenue profile from N70billion to N120billion and a contribution of three per cent to the national GDP by the end of 2013. We are working in conjunction with industry players to bring our revenue generation activities to meet international best practices using the IATA platform”, Oduah said.

She further said the government will develop Lagos and Abuja as regional hubs, while efforts are on going to develop requisite capacity and manpower to meet the needs in the aviation industry.