‘There is room for significant growth, improvement in Nigeria’s aviation industry – NCAA

Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Friday, posited that the country’s aviation industry has improved ‘exponentially’ over the years, but that there remains room for significant growth and improvement.

Capt. Musa Nuhu, who was speaking during the 46th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA) held in Kano, further assured air travellers that the country’s aircraft were safe.

The NCAA boss, however, advised aviation stakeholders across the country to focus more on working unanimously to take the industry to an enviable height.

“The Nigerian aviation industry has grown exponentially but there is room for significant growth and improvement.

“Some government policies being put in place should be made to complement the private sector in the Nigerian civil aviation industry.

“We need understanding to work together, this is the reason we are coming up with quarterly stakeholders’ meetings so that people can open up on their challenges,” he said.

Nuhu who noted that currently, local airfares were truly expensive compared to other climes, however, added that this could be addressed when there is a significant competition for the airlines.

According to Nuhu, domestic airlines operating international routes and offering good services should continue such, but with lower airfares while the foreign airlines would have no choice but to reduce their airfares too.

“The international airlines will lower their airfares in order not to lose significant portion of the market, the issue is developing our airline to be able to fly various destinations,” he said.

On the state of aircraft operated by domestic carriers in the country, Nuhu debunked the notion that local operators only purchase old aircraft.

“Nigerian aircraft are safe.

 “All local aircraft are safe, we don’t have old ones,” he said.

Nuhu recalled that March 25 was a significant day in the aviation industry, being the 75th anniversary of KLM airline operations in the country, as they introduced Kano-Amsterdam flight in 1947.

He said that aviation began in Nigeria on November1, 1925 when the first flight landed in the city of Kano, Nigeria.

“So, today is the 96th year and 4 months anniversary of when aviation began in the country.

“Aviation started in the city of Kano on November 1, 1925, the first aircraft to ever land in Nigeria, a British air force royal aircraft.