Shettima assures airline operators of better operating environment

Vice-President Kashim Shettima says the federal government will create a more conducive and better operating environment for airlines to operate.

Shettima gave the assurance on Tuesday at a meeting with stakeholders in the aviation sector under the aegis of Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) at the presidential villa, Abuja.

The meeting was part of the federal government’s efforts to address the foreign exchange (FX) issues in the sector.

The meeting was also to address the backlog of payments with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) and the AON.

Speaking with journalists after the closed-door meeting, Allen Onyema, chief executive officer (CEO) of Air Peace, underscored the fragile nature of airline operations.

According to Onyema, “little thing can take an airline out of the market”.

He said there was a need for continued support for airlines in line with global practice to ensure the sector’s sustainability and growth.

“All over the world, airlines are supported to support the economy. It is not elitist,” he said.

Onyema also appreciated the federal government’s bold step in signing the Cape Town Convention (CTC) practice directions.

He said the convention would help to reduce the cost of airline operations in the nation’s aviation sector.

“What you did on Thursday is going to open up this country to become an economic powerhouse,” he said.

The CEO called for additional measures to support the industry’s growth, suggesting that the CBN could give airline operators a window within their system.

Jumoke Oduwole, special adviser to the president on the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), described the meeting as “fruitful”.

Oduwole also assured that the federal government would continue to explore ways of enhancing the business environment in Nigeria.