NAN-H-37
Stakeholder
By Adekunle Williams/Solomon Asowata
Lagos, Oct. 31, 2016 (NAN) Stakeholders in the aviation sector have urged African governments to give priority to air transportation in order to maximise its benefits for the continent.
They said Africa was set to become one of the fastest-growing aviation regions in the next 20 years, with annual expansion averaging nearly five per cent.
According to them, this opens up incredible economic opportunities for the continent’s 54 nations.
They gave the advice while speaking on the topic, “Aviation in Africa and Why Airlines Fail,” at the 2016 Aviation Day of the Akwaaba African Travel and Tour Market on Monday in Lagos.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that those who spoke include: Mr Richard Aisebeogun, a former Managing Director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and Mr Chris Aligbe, an aviation expert.
Others are : Capt. Dapo Olumide, former Managing Director of Virgin Nigeria, Mr Yomi Jones, a former Managing Director of the defunct Nigeria Airways Limited and Capt. Mike Omokore, a search and rescue expert.
“By transporting some 70 million passengers annually, aviation already supports 6.9 million jobs and $80 billion of economic activities on the African continent.
“However, the growth of the sector is being constrained by the highly industry cost, inadequate infrastructure at several airports, and slow implementation of the Yamoussoukro Decision.
“The potential of aviation are under-utilised. This means that there are huge opportunities for the airlines to thrive.
“Therefore, for the continent to realise its full economic potential, aviation – particularly, air transport- must be priotised,’’Aisebeogun said.
The former FAAN boss, therefore, called on the African Union (AU) to fast track the implementation of a common passport for Africans to enable people travel across the continent for business and leisure purposes.
Aisebeogun also stressed the need for modernisation of African airports to be in line with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) standards.
Also speaking, Capt. Dapo Olumide observed that nearly all the 37 airlines launched on the continent within the past 12 years, including 25 from Nigeria, had failed.
“The biggest problem with African aviation is lack of corporate governance. The financial models of the airlines are wrong and they also lack maintenance culture,’’ Olumide, a former Managing Director of Virgin Nigeria, said.
He, however, commended the Ethiopian Airlines for breaking the jinx, stressing that the non-interference in the operations of the airline by the government had led to its success story today.
Similarly, Mr Yomi Jones said that it was possible for Nigeria to have a successful national carrier, especially if there was the political will by the government.
Jones, a former Managing Director of the defunct Nigeria Airways Limited (NAL) said that Nigeria with over 170 million populations remained a viable market for aviation.
He said this should be supported with the right policies and a conducive environment for airlines to thrive.
Also, Mr Chris Aligbe said the infrastructural deficits at most African airports could be addressed through concessioning and private-sector participation.
Earlier, Mr Ikechi Uko, the Promoter of the Akwaaba African Travel and Tour Market, urged the governments to also address the scarcity of aviation fuel.
He said this was having a negative effect on airlines’ operations on the continent. (NAN)
WAC/ASO/ENN/PAD
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(Edited by Edwin Nwachukwu, controlled by Peter Dada)