NIGERIA MASTERWEB DAILY NEWS

*Nigeria Aviation Industry Reposition for Future Growth

By Lateef Lawal

The Minister of Aviation, Mr. Babatunde Omotoba said Nigeria has fine-tuned its strategy towards claiming its rightful place among the top 20 nations before the year 2020 by preparing the aviation industry as a launching pad. Omotoba who made the position known to aviation stake holders and investors at the Global Airport Development Conference in Berlin, Germany said Nigeria as a policy, had embarked on the utilization of air transport as a driver of economic growth for the nation. He noted, such policy would help to reposition the country as a regional hub in West Africa.

Omotoba, who was represented by the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mr. Richard Aisuebeogun pointed out that in modern economics, air transport would play a major role in transforming Africa. He said this could be actualized by the various governments mapping out strategies to tap into the emerging economic driver. According to Omotoba, “Nigeria is a future-based aviation market with foreign investors in the airline, airport, air navigation services and other allied sectors focusing on how they can become major players.”

On this note he said aviation authorities in Nigeria were preparing the industry to become one of the leading aviation markets through the improvement of infrastructure and manpower, as well as partnerships with the international community. He pointed out that the government was working assiduously towards improving facilities at the airports, adding that the country would in due course accomplish its United States International Aviation Safety Audit (IASA) Category 1 certification which would enable more of its airlines to fly directly to the US airspace.

This, according to the minister would help to ensure not only better standards among Nigerian operators, but would correct the imbalance between foreign airlines and their local counterpart. The conference was also informed that Nigeria was embarking on re-certification of all Nigerian Air Operator Certificate holders to ensure improved standards in the aviation industry. The conference was also informed of the on-going inspection of all the 22 airports managed by FAAN, inspection and certification of all air navigation facilities towards meeting and exceeding industry standards.

Omotoba's presentation also made it known, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the aviation regulatory body, was canvassing for greater commitment to e-ticketing as a way of moving the aviation industry to higher efficiency. According to him, a number of airlines were already using e-tickets to the delight of the general public. He noted that the development of a Technical Safety Library was a good development for the industry and assured the gathering that Nigeria was effectively managing the Nigerian content of the Aviation Global Safety road-map.

The minister to the applause of conference participants said that the operation of a fully deregulated airline business in Nigeria, has led to the emergence of more airport operators. He noted that the recapitalization by airlines had led to increased liquidity and better business, enabling local airlines acquire more aircraft.

Omotoba called on investors in aviation to make use of opportunities in both the aeronautical and non-aeronautical sectors of the industry. He quoted the increase in the number of foreign carriers interested in operating in Nigeria as evidence of improved standards in the country's aviation. He said over 20 foreign airlines fly into Nigeria, with more showing interest, while those already plying the route seeking more frequencies and multiple entry points.

Lateef Lawal ( NigerianAviationNews )

Photo Above: Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja, Nigeria.