Palpable optimism has enveloped the Nigerian aviation sector as indication emerges that the nation’s domestic carriers could henceforth acquire more aircraft with less hassles following the federal government commitment to guarantee aircraft leasing companies the recovery of their assets leased to Nigerian airlines in case of any default.
Hitherto, while leading carriers across the world thrive on their partnership with lessors through dry leasing and other forms of financing for their aircraft acquisitions, Nigerian airlines are not that fortunate as lessors worldwide, for over a decade now, have unofficially blacklisted Nigerian airlines from such opportunities claiming the country had not helped in the recovery of aircraft from defaulting airlines in Nigeria.
However, at a meeting with officials of Boeing Company, the manufacturers of Boeing airplanes and Aercap, the world’s biggest aircraft leasing company, Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo assured that going forward, airlines in the country will respect terms of agreements.
The officials, who were led on the visit by the Chairman of Nigeria’s leading carrier, Air Peace, Dr. Allen Onyema expressed their willingness to offer Nigerian carriers dry lease opportunities if certain conditions were met by the country.
Keyamo expressed the willingness and desire of the Bola Tinubu’s administration to strengthen the capacity of the indigenous Nigerian airlines to compete on the global stage and reiterated the resolve to guarantee the release of lessors’ assets to its owners from any defaulting Nigerian airline.
Keyamo said his decision to enable lessors to afford Nigerian airlines dry lease options was in line with the plans of the federal government to boost the capacity of Nigerian airlines in order to enable them compete effectively in the international air transport market.
He assured Boeing, Aercap and other lessors that the government would guarantee the release of their assets from any Nigerian carrier whenever there is default and emphasized that this is a new era and a new government, which has the emphasis to create an enabling environment for Nigerian airlines.
The Minister assured that lessors will not be shortchanged over their assets; stressing that the government would do everything necessary to safeguard lessors assets from airlines in the case of default.
The Minister also emphasized that lessors should inform the government about the airline they are dealing with so that the government would carry out due diligence on the operator’s financial status and other vital records.
The Chairman and CEO of Air Peace, Allen Onyema, thanked the Minister of Aviation and the federal government for the commitment to help Nigerian carriers by agreeing in principle to give such guarantees to lessors worldwide.
He said, “By the Minister’s promise today, the government has indicated that it is not paying lip service to its plan to provide lifeline and support to Nigerian airlines and a positive revolution in the aviation industry is now imminent”.
Onyema also commended the Minister on the stand he took for Nigeria on Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) in order to protect Nigerian carriers during the just concluded 15th International Civil Aviation Organisation Air Service Negotiation (ICAN2023) held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia where he led the country to, not only refuse the usual short-changing of the country through lopsided BASA agreements but, in one instance, walked out on a powerful nation that has disrespectfully refused to abide by the principle of reciprocity in her treatment of Nigerian airlines contrary to the BASA signed by both countries.
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Yuletide: Passengers’ comfort will be prioritised – FAAN
Ahead of the busy Christmas and New Year holidays, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), said the comfort and security of travelling passengers will be prioritised across airports in the country as measures have been taken to upgrade the security apparatus in order to ensure safety of life and property of the travelling public.
The airport management agency disclosed that screening areas have been expanded at the airports to give passengers more space and a better flying experience while it urged passengers to safely guide their valuables during the facilitation processes.
FAAN Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Abdullahi Yakubu-Funtua told journalists that a joint task force at the land side of the aerodromes is working relentlessly to ensure the free flow of traffic with traffic around the facilities expected to rise.
While it urged passengers and airport users to park vehicles at designated car parks to avoid it being towed away, it enjoined both domestic and international travellers to arrive at the airport in good time to facilitate their boarding processes.
An electronic statement added saying “Ensure that you pack your luggage by yourself. You must not assist anyone with his or her luggage. If anyone needs help, he or she should call the attention of airport officials and do not leave your luggage unattended.
It warned passengers not to engage the services of touts as the authority frowns at the increase in extortion at the airports and has gone an extra mile to engage undercover staff to observe and report every act of misdemeanour.
Recall that the Managing Director of FAAN, Mohammed Kabir at a recent event gave severe warning to staff and other government agencies that operate at airports that FAAN will ensure that whoever is culpable is punished.
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Abuja airport runway needs N81bn for completion – Keyamo
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo has disclosed that an extra N81 billion will be required for the completion of the 2nd runway of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport in Abuja as he expressed fears of the danger of having a single runway for a capital city like the Federal Capital Territory.
The minister spoke with members of the National Assembly joint committee on aviation technology where he defended the budget for his ministry for the 2024 financial year.
Whilst he put the Ministry’s budget at sixty-three billion naira, (N63, 000000000), Keyamo explained that critical projects such as Abuja 2nd runway, upgrade and rehabilitation of the old terminal of Lagos airport are vital projects that need urgent attention.
An electronic document made available to journalists by the ministry’s spokesman, Odutayo Oluseyi put the performance of the 2023 budget at 40% based on the releases the ministry got so far.
According to the document, Keyamo outlined areas of focus for the industry to include ensuring strict compliance with safety regulations and continuous upward movement of Nigeria’s rating by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and the support for the growth and sustenance of local airline businesses whilst holding them to the highest international industry standards.
The rest are the improvement of infrastructure, the development of human capacity and the optimization of revenue generation for the federal government within the industry.
Speaking further, Keyamo appealed to the law makers for the procurement of consultancy for the design of a master plan for major airports in Nigeria, stating the need to give more attention to the area of safety with the procurement of equipment.
He informed the committee that the President, Bola Tinubu has approved the purchase of screening machines for the 5 international airports in Nigeria.
