Fadugba Proposes “Vision 2030” For Nigeria Aviation
Nick Fadugba is the Chairman of the African Business
Aviation Association (AfBAA). Advisor to the Association of African Aviation
Training Organisations (AATO), and is a former Secretary General of the African
Airlines Association (AFRAA). He could not hide how passionate he is,
concerning African aviation and much more for his fatherland, Nigeria. At the
just concluded 23rd League of Airport and Aviation Correspondent (LAAC) in
Lagos, Nigeria Fadugba presented his Vision 2030 for Nigeria aviation covering Enabling Environment; Airlines and Infrastructure. Ariyo Akinfenwa
was there. Excerpts:
Enabling Environment
By 2030, the Federal Government of Nigeria will have
adopted the business models of Singapore and Dubai, UAE, by seriously embracing
aviation as a strategic tool for economic and social development.
There will be zero import duties on aircraft, engines and
spare parts. Value Added Tax (VAT), as promised, will have been removed.
Bilateral Air Service Agreements (BASA) with non-African
states will have been reviewed on the basis of reciprocity, as access to the
Nigerian market has an economic value.
Airlines
By 2030, Nigeria will have two airlines operating regular
scheduled services on intercontinental, regional and domestic routes. One will
have a minority Government stake and the other will be totally private
sector-driven. Each airline will have a fleet of 25 to 40 modern aircraft. One
will be a member of a global airlines alliance.
Four or five smaller carriers, each with five to 10
aircraft, will provide niche services, such as domestic routes, regional routes
or cargo operations. One will become Africa’s established leading Hajj
operator.
The Government and AMCON will have, at last, taken the
necessary tough steps to resolve the receivership impasse at Arik Air and
Aerocontractors, so they are no longer in limbo.
The sizeable combined fleets of Nigerian airlines will
have provided a ready market for the establishment of a viable aircraft
maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility in Nigeria, a joint venture
with an experienced foreign MRO.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Aviation College of Technology
will have partnered with at least one Nigerian University to offer Aviation
Degrees and build manpower capacity, especially in Air Transport Planning and
Management.
By 2030, Nigerian carriers will be maximising the
benefits of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) through regional
growth and win-win partnerships.
Aviation Infrastructure
By 2030, a new modern Murtala Muhammed International
Airport will have been built and the previous building torn down as it was no
longer fit for purpose. The new airport will have three runways and will be a
leading hub in Africa with seamless connectivity for domestic and international
flights.
The structural and planning problems at Nnamdi Azikiwe
International Airport will have been resolved and the airport will have two
runways to boost connectivity.
By 2030, Nigeria’s airports will have been concessioned
in a transparent manner and will be run efficiently and profitably.
By 2030, a well-run Nigerian aviation industry, in which
loans and leases are repaid on time, and there is no financial leakage, will
attract more financing at a lower cost.
He concluded by saying: “I believe the solutions to the
challenges facing the Nigerian aviation industry are within our grasp. To
succeed we need discipline, focus, hard work, patriotism, unity and good
governance. Nigerian Aviation: Vision 2030 is achievable - and much more.”
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