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AON congratulates Buhari, seeks improved aviation sector

By on April 11, 2015

The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has congratulated the President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari (retd) and the outgoing President Goodluck Jonathan for the peaceful atmosphere that reigned supreme during the just concluded presidential elections.

The body has also charged the in-coming government to introduce urgent policies that would help to improve the aviation industry.

In a congratulatory letter, the association said the task to rebuild the aviation/airline sector must remain on course in the light of many issues that domestic operators have consistently put on the front burner for government’s attention.

“Against this background the AON wish to draw government’s attention to issues agitating the minds of operators which are not limited to the following: the need for aircraft maintenance hangar in the country, the exclusion of domestic airlines by the Central Bank of Nigeria window for credit facility, the skyrocketing price of aviation fuel and the multiple tax regime by aviation authorities to domestic carriers,” AON said in the letter signed by its executive chairman, Captain Nogie Meggison.

The operators also called for the removal of Value Added Tax (VAT) on air transportation as other modes of transportation, including foreign airline operating in and out of Nigeria are not paying VAT; improvement of service delivery by aeronautical agencies; access to single digit loan by financial institutions and engagement of more Nigerian pilots / engineers by foreign carriers (over 500 pilots and engineers youths unemployed).

AON condemned the multiple entry points granted foreign carriers, the inadequate airport facilities and day time only operation of most of our airports in the country and urged for stimulus package / intervention for domestic airlines.

They said they are opposed to the 1940 -50th  model and idea of  national carrier quest in the electric age of 2015 when the world has move far from national carrier as employment bureau, which didn’t work in NEPA , NITEL and others.

“We hope that as the incoming administration settles down in office will put a strong aviation policy in place , it would engage AON on how to move the strategic air transport sector forward to a place where we should be, which is one, as a major contributor to Nigeria  economic and GDP .(from 0.4% to 10% in 2 years ) and two, as a source of employment of  teaming youths  and skilled pilots and engineers  (create 5000 skilled and 50,000 indirect and indirect jobs  in two years.) Nigeria must wake up and take the God-given natural/geographical position as the aviation hub for Africa i.e. Dubai, Atlanta, etc.

The AON expressed the hope that the in coming administration would leverage the aviation sector to national development, economic contributor and creating of jobs for Nigerian youths.

“Special commendation must also go the incumbent President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan for his statesmanly acceptance of the outcome of the election. The AON wishes to express its gratitude to Mr. President for his strides in the aviation sector in many ways that impacted on airline operations,” AON also said.

 

[ThisDay]

One Comment

  1. Abraham

    April 11, 2015 at 11:40 am

    First we must walk before we run! AON should be seen to be nationalist in the first place and avoid contradictions. I have seen two articles attributed to AON since the last election. Crew issues: on one hand hand they want foreign pilots expelled to created jobs for locals, good thing! On the other, they want to export pilots. To where? To the countries you expelled their pilots or to where? The countries today who have involved private sector participation and formed flag carriers first developed the national carrier models successfully, AON wants to jump that. Nigeria can run a sussessfyl national Carrier first AON. Stop this selfish and cofusion adventure please!!! Allow the change tontakebplace and corruption wiped out! If that doesn’t work, then you argue. But it will certainly work. Capacity. Will grant you multi billion loan. Govermn has that capacity, not individuals