Why FG should review aviation policies in 2019

IN four days time, Nigeria like other countries of the world will be bidding farewell to year 2018 to herald in 2019.

The outgoing year which was full of ups and downs did not exempt the country’s aviation sector including its airlines.

With particular focus on the activities of the airlines, while the foreign airlines operating into the country enjoyed a very seamless and profitable ventures in and out of the country, reverse was the case with majority of the domestic airlines.

It is no longer news that most of the domestic airlines in the outgoing year became a shadow of themselves in view of various challenges that almost rocked their boat of business.

Top on the challenges included: the preferential treatment of foreign airlines by the government over the domestic carriers, economic down turn, unfriendly business environment, excessive taxation, unlimited free access granted to the foreign airlines operating in Nigeria, expensive aviation fuel, unstable foreign exchange and many more.

Earlier in the outgoing year, many of the airlines started well with some providing the required services on the domestic routes while few designated on the West Coast and regional routes were not doing badly until the second quarter of the year when their fortunes started nose diving.

The height of the hardship became prominent when one or two of the domestic airlines had to suspend their operations to some regional and international routes due to logistic problems ranging from lack of required number of aircraft to financial predicaments.

Most of the domestic carriers up till now have been hugely indebted to their workers, the various aviation agencies, banks, oil marketers and even the ground handling companies.

The suspension of the domestic airlines designated on the regional and international routes has continued to put the Nigerian travelers at the disadvantage while their exploitation continues by the foreign carriers including the sister African carriers.

Another major set back that confronted the domestic airlines in the outgoing year was observed in the failure of government to protect its own airlines before the foreign countries whose own airlines received red carpet treatment in Nigeria.

Amidst these negative vibes, there are one or two of the domestic airlines that refused to allow the challenges to dwarf them as they kept the flag flying.

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Among the airlines that sustained the tempo on the domestic scene is Air Peace Airline which despite the challenges still kept the pace as it succeeded in expanding its operations beyond the shores of Nigeria.

While the airline had in the outgoing year put all machineries in place to commence operations to some international routes, the height of its resilience and preparedness was witnessed in the acquisition of ten new Boeing 737 Max aircraft at a go.

Without doubt, nearly all the domestic airlines performed below standard due to the various challenges listed above which was responsible for the agony travelers went through on the domestic scene, hope is very high as the new year draws nearer.

Many of the key players have urged the government to look review  its policies as they affect domestic airline business.

In the new year, government is asked to review the frequencies already issued to the foreign carriers which they described as a major bane to the stability of the domestic airlines.

In the coming year, the government is also expected to join other countries to play aero politics for the purpose of protecting its own airlines.

The need for government to play aero politics in the coming year becomes imperative because designation of airlines to foreign routes is not enough to make such airlines succeed. Rather, what makes such airlines succeed is the ability of the Nigerian government or any government at all to prevail on the foreign  government of the country to treat its airline or airlines fairly.

Above all, there is the need for government to review its policies regarding how the environment will become more friendly for airline business in the new year.