Nigeria: six airlines scale airworthiness, 3 submit financial health status, others
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority NCAA says only 6 airlines have passed the airworthiness exercise ahead of restart of flight Operations.
This is just as 3 airlines have submitted their financial health status.
At an Aviation webinar with the theme: “Status of Industry Restart” organized by the NCAA, Director, Airworthiness Standards, Engr. Ita Awak, Director, Airworthiness Standards, six of the airlines have crossed the mark from the point of view of airworthiness.” We have asked all the airlines that they should use only reagents that are approved by the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) of their different aircraft types, to disinfect their machines.”
On the financial health of the airlines in the country, Group Captain (Rtd.) Edem Oyo-Ita Director, Air Transport Regulation for NCAA said, only three airlines have submitted their financial health while waiting for others.On airline insurance, Oyo-Ita said the Directorate was working on the confirmation of the status of the airlines’ insurance.
Dr. Samson Fatokun, Area Manager, West Africa of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) while relaying the global airlines’ Association stance on the resumption of aviation activities said, they support the operationalization of the ICAO’ CART by Nigeria. He however warned that airlines would not break even with proposed 70% load factor.
“HEPA filter sanitises air in the cabin of aircraft.“Air transport in Nigeria is distressed with the shutting down of operations. This industry need financial support in which way it can come. We are appealing again to the government to support the industry. We are also ready to support in training.”
On the palliatives for the industry, the Minister of Aviation Senator Hadi Sirika says the Federal Government was considering palliative for aviation sector in the country. His words: “Palliative is being considered and it is for the whole industry. There will be a template and it would be fair to everyone in the industry.”
He further assured stakeholders that their input would be implemented by the government.“Nothing will go to the government unless it is something that is collectively agreed upon.”
On the much discussed palliative for the industry, Sirika said the federal government is considering palliative for aviation sector in the country. His words: “Palliative is being considered and it is for the whole industry. There will be a template and it would be fair to everyone in the industry.”
He further assured stakeholders that their input will be implemented by the government. He commented: “Nothing will go to the government unless it is something that is collectively agreed upon.”
The Minister who addressed close to 300 players ranging from airlines, ground handlers, airport operators and others in his remarks explained thatthe whole purpose of the exercise was to get it right.“It is our own style to come to you and marry your ideas and suggestions with ours for the betterment of our industry.”
In a follow-up comments NCAA DG Captain Musa Nuhu, said: “We need to work together to achieve common goal as he called on more focus on aviation security.”
Chairman Airpeace, Barr. Allen Onyema, the Air, in support of IATA concerning support for the industry said, the intention of the palliative should be on jobs retention.
He said the current government preaches on job creation and the palliative should be given with workers in mind.As regards the ‘Middle Seats’ campaign in some quarters, Barr. Onyema said ‘it will kill the airlines in Nigeria.’
He reasoned that the purchasing power of average Nigerian was low, giving a scenario where the airlines would need to transfer the fares on the middle seats on passenger tickets. “Can Nigerians afford N70, 000 worth of ticket on less than one hour flight?”
Captain Edward Boyo, the Managing Director of Overland Airways while throwing his weight in support for palliative said Nigeria should not be different as ‘every country is supporting the industry.’
