The federal government says it has shifted attention from floating a national air carrier.
Instead, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, said on Friday that the country was committed to supporting existing domestic airlines to thrive.
His statement is coming against the backdrop of the unending debate over the propriety of floating a national carrier.
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The immediate past administration floated Nigeria Air which never saw the light of the day while it was suspended by the current Minister.
But Keyamo speaking at the presentation of a book on “100 Years of Civil Aviation In Nigeria: History, Issues and Prospects” written by Wole Shadare in Lagos said funding the national carrier was not a priority.
Instead, he said the government would focus on supporting local carriers to thrive.
According to Keyamo, the government of President Bola Tinubu is committed to drafting policies that will support the growth and development of local airlines.
He cited recent policies that have enabled airlines to access aircraft for their operations, including the revised insurance regulation on leased aircraft.
According to him, this revised regulation has made aircraft acquisition easier for operators. He stated that the local operators now have access to newer and more modern aircraft.
He said, “We have shifted focus to ensure growth and development for local operators through our policies,” Keyamo said.
Old MMIA Terminal for demolition
The Minister disclosed that the old terminal of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) built over 40 years ago would soon be demolished for a complete reconstruction.
Managing Director of FAAN, Olubunmi Kuku, said aviation contributes hugely to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).
She said the country currently has 39 certified airline operators, 31 airports nationwide, and over 2,100 licensed pilots.
According to Kuku, the aviation sector contributes approximately $1.7 billion to the country’s GDP, with private airlines connecting cities efficiently and international carriers recognizing Nigeria as a critical market.
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