……as the industry records over N330 billion in ticket sales
The Director General, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA,Captain Mukhtar Usman says 2016 was not all takes of woes as the industry recorded over N330 billion in ticket sales by airlines.
Captain Usman who disclosed this during a review of the industry in 2016 and his 4 point agenda in strengthening the growth and development of the sector in 2017 said despite the challenges of the economic recession, paucity of foreign exchange, scarcity of aviation fuel and inability of foreign carriers to repatriate funds, the industry perform below average.
While giving a breakdown of passenger movement, Usman said in 2015 airlines flown 42,000 passengers daily while flights were 700 daily while in 2016 passengers flown daily was 42,000 and flights out at 597 daily.
He added that in 2015 on the domestic routes total number of passengers were over 11 million and on the international routes also 11 million but a little less than 2015.
According to him,”total value of tickets sold in 2015 from January to December was
N385,909,897,028.80 (NAIRA) while that of 2016 from January to October was N330,548,324,796.84 (NAIRA)”.
He added that inspire of the challenges faced last year, the industry has remain attractive with increase in Bi-lateral Air Services Agreement and application for Air Operators Certificate.
“Nigeria has BASA with 88 countries, increased to 90 in December last year, there is also additional countries like Seychelles and Bahamas, additional frequencies by UAE , Netherlands, Turkey, Brazil, Qatar and Côte d’Ivoire”
He goes on to say,” there Re several new applicants for Air Operators Certificate, AOC, 18 firm applications, AOC certification process ongoing and 9 unfirm, at the level of intent”.
While expressing joy for the zero accident last year, the NCAA boss said several achievements were recorded which included review and amendment of the Nigerian civil aviation regulations which officially took effect from July, 2016, successful ICAO Universal Oversight audit programme, automation of NCAA personnel licenses and the American’s Transportation security Administration(TSA) audit.
Others are the election of the NCAA DG as BAGASOO chairman, 4 ICAO certified security auditors described as unprecedented in any CAA in the world among others.
Reeling out his 4 point agenda to ensure zero accident in the industry, captain Usman said there would be sustained increased in zero accident, reviewing and strengthening economic regulation, improved consumer protection and continuous prioritization of training which he noted was key in the NCAA.
