Keyamo Discusses Challenges Hindering Local Airlines’ Competition With International Counterparts

Keyamo Discusses Challenges Hindering Local Airlines’ Competition With International Counterparts

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has highlighted the challenges facing domestic airlines in competing with big international carriers. He pointed out that one of the key issues is the lack of access to aircraft on favorable terms compared to their international counterparts…….READ ALSO Emirates Airlines Set To Resume Nigeria Flights Soon, Says Keyamo

Keyamo revealed that the federal government is collaborating with the Aviation Working Group to address this issue by developing a practice direction that would enable domestic airline operators to dry lease aircraft.

In an interview on Arise Television, Keyamo explained that some local operators had previously breached the Cape Town Convention, which regulates aircraft leasing globally. Consequently, Nigeria faced potential blacklisting until it implemented laws to guide such transactions.

He emphasized the importance of aligning with international standards to ensure that Nigerian airlines have access to aircraft on competitive terms. Keyamo highlighted that the Aviation Working Group, co-chaired by Airbus and Boeing, plays a crucial role in overseeing compliance with the Cape Town Convention.

Keyamo expressed his engagement with various stakeholders, including the Attorney General of the Federation and the Chief Justice of Nigeria, to address the issue. He stressed the need for a practice direction that discourages granting injunctions to detain aircraft on dry lease in Nigeria, as it contradicts the Cape Town Convention and hampers the ease of doing business in the country.

The initiative underscores the government’s commitment to improving the aviation sector and enhancing the competitiveness of domestic airlines in the global market.