Senate tackles airlines running multiple routes with three aircraft

The Chairman Senate Committee on Aviation, Senator Fatai Buhari, has said that the Senate is working on a bill that will regulate the activities of airlines in the country, specifically to reduce the number of routes plied by airlines operating with three or fewer aircraft.

The lawmaker said though many operators were kicking against the move, but prayed that the bill scale through in the interest of the flying public.

Buhari stated this on Wednesday in Lagos during the South-West Regional Air Transportation Summit, 2024, with the theme, ‘Repositioning the Nigeria aviation industry for financial capability and economic viability’, hosted by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority.

He stressed that the bitter experiences of passengers are mainly because Nigerian airlines have refused to codeshare.

He said, “I have said we all cannot afford to fail, Nigerians code-sharing is the way to go for airlines even in the developed nations they do it. We have a bill that is currently at the National Assembly that will ensure that the minimum number of aircraft an airline could have is four or five and any airline that has a lesser number of aircraft should be given specialised routes.

“Yes, I know many of you do not want that to happen but in the interest of Nigerians and the flying passengers I pray that the bill will scale through.”

Also, players in the aviation industry have called for a total overhaul of the sector’s policies in a bid to ensure growth and development.

They also called for the establishment of a special aviation development fund, dedicated to funding infrastructure development, safety enhancements, and human capacity building.

The Executive Director of the Alternative Bank, Dr Jekwu Ozoemene, said inconsistent policy formulations and executions were militating the growth of the sector.

Ozoemene also canvassed the establishment of an aviation development fund, which is solely dedicated to funding infrastructure development, safety enhancements and human capacity building.

He appealed to participants to encourage public-private partnerships, channeled towards the encouragement of private sector investment in airport infrastructure, air navigation services, and aircraft maintenance.

He said, “The only way the aviation industry can work in Nigeria is to ensure that every value chain is working hand-in-hand. Nigeria can’t reach its full potential if we fail to address the challenges in the aviation sector.”

Also, a former United States Transportation Security Administration Representative and Attaché to West Africa, Oluseyi Ogunleye, noted that the NCAA had a pivotal role to play in harnessing the vast opportunities presented by the global aviation transportation system to drive national economic growth and development.

Ogunleye insisted that through an inclusive regulatory dialogue, the aviation industry in Nigeria could work collaboratively to overcome key challenges and unleash the sector’s full potential.

“The time is now for the Nigerian government, industry stakeholders, and the general public to come together and chart a bold, transformative course for the aviation sector.

“With a shared commitment to progress and a steadfast focus on national economic growth, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority can drive impactful change and unlock a prosperous future for all Nigerians. The call to action is clear: let us embrace the opportunities, overcome the challenges, and soar to new heights of aviation excellence,” Ogunleye added.