The President of Aviation Round Table, ART, Dr Gbenga Olowo has advised the new government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to completely stat clear of National Carrier unending controversies, or doing any direct business at all in power supply , oil & gas, communications, aviation among others.
Dr Olowo noted that this has become necessary given that Nigerian nation desires for national carrier and the unending accusations and counter accusations on how and how not to proceed, including court injuctions and labour crisis.
The ART President advised the federal government to rather drive the solution through private sector stakeholders
He stated that the 20 or more licensed Airline operators in Nigeria should form 2 to 3 strong Alliances and or merge to form the flag carriers.
According to him: “Each Alliance must parade aircraft fleet size of 50 each either through Direct leases, Acquisitions, Alliances, etcp. The 3 Carriers will in total be parading 150 Aircraft to equate one Ethiopian Airline ( ET) (the largest airline in Africa) who today operate 144 modern Aircraft to more than 150 domestic and international destinations across five continents.
Large Operational Fleet and not Share Capital is the nessary and sufficient condition for good on time performance (OTP) of airlines.
Thereafter, ensure all Bilateral Air Services Agreement, BASA, are reviewed for competitive reciprocity with full government backing to the 3 Flag carriers who will reciprocate to all the destinations being currently operated by Foreign airlines only.
Olowo said banking regulators made Merger happen successfully in the banking sector ( with some surgical pain,) and, adding that today the country can boast of strong and competitive banking sector.
He stated that the NCAA must do same in the circumstance.
In his words: “Needless emphasizing the advantage of 3 reliable Nigerian flag carriers in terms of economic tariffs, efficient passenger experience, curb brain drain, reduced foreign airline home remittances, reduce unemployment, among others.
