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Business News of Monday, 3 May 2021

Source: nairametrics.com

Why more airlines are flying in Nigeria - NCAA

Captain Musa Nuhu Captain Musa Nuhu

Captain Musa Nuhu is the Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). In this interview, he outlined the attraction of the Nigerian Aviation sector to investors, how the sector can tackle forex scarcity and updates on Azman Airline’s operations.

Excerpts:

Contrary to what is happening in other climes, more airlines have been flying in Nigeria in the last four months. How would you assess the Aviation sector?

There is a huge market here. The Nigerian market is not mature enough. There is a huge opportunity for the Nigerian market to grow.

That is why you see that many airlines are coming up in the country. We have Green Africa Airways, NG Eagle and so many other airlines coming up. I am sure that Green Africa Airways, NG Eagle are the next to fly. The market is there. It is economics.

Unfortunately, because of the condition of the roads, a lot of people prefer flying by air. So, the demand is growing and that is why you see many airlines growing.

I can tell you that out of the 9 million that are said to be travelling within Nigeria, only probably one million people are flying regularly. So, maybe only one or two million people travel in Nigeria, out of a population of 200 million. It is still a virgin market. If we uphold our policies and strategies, we will make a friendly environment of the industry and it will grow.

What role will MRO play in creating such a friendly environment?

You know airlines go to Europe for maintenance, but when we have MRO, it creates employment. You just roll in your aircraft and do your maintenance in there in Naira.

You don’t have to go to CBN looking for $100,000. It takes you six to seven biddings and your aircraft is on the ground for two months while you are waiting for money.