Cruising into aviation outlook for 2018
Will 2018 be different from last year in the aviation landscape?
Amid high expectations , industry players and watchers say government must navigate around its promise to facilitate the establishment of a national carrier ; an aircraft leasing company; a local aircraft maintenance centre as well as accelerate local refining of aviation fuel , KELVIN OSA OKUNBOR, reports
Despite failings in many fronts, 2017 bore a mixed narrative for the aviation industry.
From the closure of Abuja Airport for six weeks to the certification of Lagos Airport by the industry regulator ; the industry navigated around a labyrinth.
Besides all odd, stakeholders are asking : what lies ahead in the aviation sector in 2018 ?
National carrier question
This question is predicated on a litany of promises made by government in 2017 that it would deliver a national carrier to demonstrate Nigeria's sovereign pride as well as reciprocate its over 75 bilateral and multi lateral air services agreement.
Aside the national carrier yet to be delivered, government also failed to establish the aircraft leasing company and local aircraft maintenance centre it promised to encourage the private sector to set up.
Significantly, experts say government must give priority to the national carrier question because it would save the industry the huge billions of dollars taken out of the country by predatory foreign carriers .
Speaking in an interview, aviation analyst and Chief Executive Officer Katari Systems Limited, Mohammed Ali Magashi said in 2018 government must take a serious look at setting up a national carrier because it would assist in the development of local capacity in aircraft maintenance as well as in the training of indigenous pilots.
Magashi, said the sector could make significant progress if the government gives priority to the proposed carrier , which could lead to the creation of leasing companies and maintenance hangars.
If such carrier must be successful, government in 2018 , Magashi said must eschew the principles of federal character in selecting its executive management in addition to putting in place a transparent mechanism in running the proposed carrier.
Magashi said: “ If government wants to develop aviation in 2018 , it must make the initial investment and can only stop to invest until the airline develops with the right institutional compliance.
He continued: “For the proposed national carrier to succeed, the government must demonstrate the political will, handle issues bordering on vested interest and get directly involved in the process of aircraft purchase and other related procurement processes.
“The approach should be government to government in providing sovereign guarantee for purchase of airplanes. The governance structure should include stakeholders and sector integration in support of aircraft maintenance and manpower training."
Lopsided air services agreement
If government intends to take aviation seriously in 2018, experts say it must focus on review of existing bilateral and multilateral air services agreements, which they say is lopsided.
Speaking in an interview, Aviation Security Consultant, Group Captain John Ojikutu ( rtd) said government must review multi entry point given to foreign carriers.
He also canvassed stepping up of the proposed Fly Nigerian Act, a directive that would ensure that officials traveling on government funds must fly Nigerian carriers .
Ojikutu said this has become imperative because of the over N330 billion in 2016 ticket sales by foreign carriers in Nigeria.
Airport Security
A sore area experts say government should give attention in 2018 borders on airport security .
Experts say this has become critical in the face of current controversies over alleged poaching of aircraft on the airside.
In the last few weeks, the industry has been awash with stories bordering on aircraft being robbed while holding at the runway.
Though the airport authority said there is no substance in the allegation, security agencies are still investigating the alleged incident.
Ojikutu said rather than pass the buck, government should take seriously issues bordering on airport security and perimeter fencing as well as purchase of vehicles for airport runways and taxiways patrol.
Speaking in an interview, former Director General of Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority ( NCAA) , Dr Harold Demuren urged government to invest more in airside security.
Demuren said government should in 2018 go beyond terminal facilities and invest in air navigation infrastructure because of the projected increase in passenger traffic.
Harmonization of aeronautical charges
As domestic carriers struggle to keep their operations afloat in a hostile business environment , experts say government in 2018 must succumb to agitation by airline operators to harmonize aeronautical charges.
According to the Executive Chairman, Airline Operators of Nigeria ( AON) , Captain Nogie Meggison government in 2018 must urgently address the over 35 charges paid by domestic carriers.
Without a review or harmonization of such charges, many airlines Meggison said may go under.
Airport Concessions
Though the transaction advisers appointed by government is yet to come out with a template for the concession of major airport, experts say government should reflect deeply on the issue.
They say failure to reconsider the parameters may trigger industrial disharmony that could serve as disincentive to prospective investors .
Airport maintenance
Experts say government in 2018 must give attention to airport maintenance rather than embark on frivolous construction of alternate runways in many unviable airports.
Speaking in an interview, Chairman Governing Board of Nigerian Aviation Safety Initiative ( NASI) Captain Dung Pam said government this year should not commit scarce resources into constructing airport runway but other infrastructure.
Pam said :" Government should focus on mandatory maintenance programme for our airports ."
Corroborating his position Ojikutu said :" I think government should this year focus on periodic runway and airport maintenance programmes and not just hurry into certification of airports."
Stakeholders are however worried over what would become the fate of five airport terminals under construction with a $ 500 million loan secured from the China Import Export Bank.
The terminals are in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Kano and Enugu.
Concerns over new terminals
Experts say government in 2018 must give priority to the concerns raised about the new international airport terminals in Lagos and Abuja.
The National Joint Committee on Aviation observed last year that the existing capacity for water and electricity will not optimally drive facilities at the new Abuja Airport terminal.
The committee said the Ministry of Aviation must draw attention to this sore point so as to enable the Ministry of Finance make provision for funds to fix the identified gaps .
Improved water and electricity supply the committee noted is not accommodated in the terms of contractual agreement with the Chinese Civil Engineering Construction Company for the Abuja Airport new international terminal.
Domestic airlines capacity
Though the capacity of some domestic carriers was called to question in 2017, arising some glitches in their operations, experts have called on them to step up the ante in 2018.
Worried over this, Chairman of Air Peace, Allen Onyema said the carrier has pledged to end the air travel woes of most underserved destinations in Nigeria , West Coast of Africa .
He said Air Peace will offer the flying public a preferred alternative on some key international routes in 2018.
The airline, Onyema however said, still had a lot of grounds to cover in its vision to transform air travel experience in Nigeria, the West Coast of Africa ,Dubai, Guangzhou-China, London, Houston, Mumbai and Johannesburg routes.
A lot could be achieved in 2018, according to Onyema if government supports indigenous carriers to actualize their dream of flying into different parts of the world.
One of the ways of doing this, he said is for government to create a level playing field for both foreign and indigenous carriers.
He said Nigerian government must support its carriers in the vicious aero politics orchestrated by some countries to block indigenous carriers from getting approval to fly into international routes they are designated.
But, experts say Nigerian carriers need to step up the game on international routes, as glitches associated with delayed , cancelled or rescheduled flights on the Lagos - London , Dubai routes by Medview Airlines does not represent the country positively.
Some passengers said the inconvenience they suffered during the yuletide at both Gatwick and Lagos Airports on account of operational hitches on the part of Medview Airlines should not be repeated in 2018.
As Air Peace and Medview Airlines conclude plans to operate flights into the United States later in 2018 experts say they should raise service levels to save the country the huge embarrassment of disappointing passengers.
In the year, stakeholders expect the government to consider seriously the issue of airport perimeter and security fencing in line with Annex 17 of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
If the government adopts this suggestion, it will reduce the recurrence of stowaways and other unlawful acts, which could cause unlawful interference to civil aviation
Besides airport perimeter fencing, experts said, the government should focus on poor radio communication in the airspace to address the serious gaps of ground to air communication between pilots and air traffic controllers.
Overhaul of obselete equipment
Towards this end, they canvass the overhaul of obsolete air navigation equipment managed by the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA).
These include the upgrade of the Total Radar Coverage of Nigeria (TRACON) components, switch of fixed telecom equipment to Aeronautical Information System (AIS) automation.
For optimal utilisation of equipment to be acquired by the airspace agency, experts said, recruitment of aeronautical professionals, including air traffic controllers and engineers, would improve service delivery.
Significantly, the government should embark on an aggressive debt recovery drive to enable agencies have enough funds to carry out ambitious projects.
Regulatory oversight / manpower development
Above all, experts want government to focus on improved civil aviation regulations in line with global practices.
This is just as they look forward to upgrade of facilities at the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology ( NCAT) , Zaria, Kaduna State, to enable it serve as a regional centre of excellence in West Africa.
Concession controversies
As 2018 opens, stakeholders look forward to resolution of controversies surrounding some concessions , including the tenure and scope of operations of the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two (MMA2) managed by Bi- Courtney Aviation Services Limited.
According to former Secretary of African Airlines Association ( AFRAA) Mr Nick Fadugba without resolving contentions surrounding fidelity of contractual agreements attempts by government to attract investors into aviation in 2018 could suffer some hitches.
Conclusion
Will the NCAA certify more airports in 2018?
Will the authority allow regional flights to originate from the MMA2 in 2018 ?
Will the five new international airport terminals in Lagos, Abuja , Kano , Port Harcourt and Enugu be completed for flight operations in 2018 ?
Though there are eight struggling domestic carriers : Air Peace, Arik Air, Overland Airways, DANA Air, AZMAN Air , First Nation Airways , Medview Airlines and Aero Airlines, the number is likely to shrink in 2018.
Will any of the collapsed carriers : Chanchangi Airlines, Discovery Air, Afrijet Airlines, IRS Airlines and Air Nigeria bounce back ?
Answers to these questions lies in the belly of time .
Will 2018 be different from last year in the aviation landscape?
Amid high expectations , industry players and watchers say government must navigate around its promise to facilitate the establishment of a national carrier ; an aircraft leasing company; a local aircraft maintenance centre as well as accelerate local refining of aviation fuel , KELVIN OSA OKUNBOR, reports
Despite failings in many fronts, 2017 bore a mixed narrative for the aviation industry.
From the closure of Abuja Airport for six weeks to the certification of Lagos Airport by the industry regulator ; the industry navigated around a labyrinth.
Besides all odd, stakeholders are asking : what lies ahead in the aviation sector in 2018 ?
National carrier question
This question is predicated on a litany of promises made by government in 2017 that it would deliver a national carrier to demonstrate Nigeria's sovereign pride as well as reciprocate its over 75 bilateral and multi lateral air services agreement.
Aside the national carrier yet to be delivered, government also failed to establish the aircraft leasing company and local aircraft maintenance centre it promised to encourage the private sector to set up.
Significantly, experts say government must give priority to the national carrier question because it would save the industry the huge billions of dollars taken out of the country by predatory foreign carriers .
Speaking in an interview, aviation analyst and Chief Executive Officer Katari Systems Limited, Mohammed Ali Magashi said in 2018 government must take a serious look at setting up a national carrier because it would assist in the development of local capacity in aircraft maintenance as well as in the training of indigenous pilots.
Magashi, said the sector could make significant progress if the government gives priority to the proposed carrier , which could lead to the creation of leasing companies and maintenance hangars.
If such carrier must be successful, government in 2018 , Magashi said must eschew the principles of federal character in selecting its executive management in addition to putting in place a transparent mechanism in running the proposed carrier.
Magashi said: “ If government wants to develop aviation in 2018 , it must make the initial investment and can only stop to invest until the airline develops with the right institutional compliance.
He continued: “For the proposed national carrier to succeed, the government must demonstrate the political will, handle issues bordering on vested interest and get directly involved in the process of aircraft purchase and other related procurement processes.
“The approach should be government to government in providing sovereign guarantee for purchase of airplanes. The governance structure should include stakeholders and sector integration in support of aircraft maintenance and manpower training."
Lopsided air services agreement
If government intends to take aviation seriously in 2018, experts say it must focus on review of existing bilateral and multilateral air services agreements, which they say is lopsided.
Speaking in an interview, Aviation Security Consultant, Group Captain John Ojikutu ( rtd) said government must review multi entry point given to foreign carriers.
He also canvassed stepping up of the proposed Fly Nigerian Act, a directive that would ensure that officials traveling on government funds must fly Nigerian carriers .
Ojikutu said this has become imperative because of the over N330 billion in 2016 ticket sales by foreign carriers in Nigeria.
Airport Security
A sore area experts say government should give attention in 2018 borders on airport security .
Experts say this has become critical in the face of current controversies over alleged poaching of aircraft on the airside.
In the last few weeks, the industry has been awash with stories bordering on aircraft being robbed while holding at the runway.
Though the airport authority said there is no substance in the allegation, security agencies are still investigating the alleged incident.
Ojikutu said rather than pass the buck, government should take seriously issues bordering on airport security and perimeter fencing as well as purchase of vehicles for airport runways and taxiways patrol.
Speaking in an interview, former Director General of Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority ( NCAA) , Dr Harold Demuren urged government to invest more in airside security.
Demuren said government should in 2018 go beyond terminal facilities and invest in air navigation infrastructure because of the projected increase in passenger traffic.
Harmonization of aeronautical charges
As domestic carriers struggle to keep their operations afloat in a hostile business environment , experts say government in 2018 must succumb to agitation by airline operators to harmonize aeronautical charges.
According to the Executive Chairman, Airline Operators of Nigeria ( AON) , Captain Nogie Meggison government in 2018 must urgently address the over 35 charges paid by domestic carriers.
Without a review or harmonization of such charges, many airlines Meggison said may go under.
Airport Concessions
Though the transaction advisers appointed by government is yet to come out with a template for the concession of major airport, experts say government should reflect deeply on the issue.
They say failure to reconsider the parameters may trigger industrial disharmony that could serve as disincentive to prospective investors .
Airport maintenance
Experts say government in 2018 must give attention to airport maintenance rather than embark on frivolous construction of alternate runways in many unviable airports.
Speaking in an interview, Chairman Governing Board of Nigerian Aviation Safety Initiative ( NASI) Captain Dung Pam said government this year should not commit scarce resources into constructing airport runway but other infrastructure.
Pam said :" Government should focus on mandatory maintenance programme for our airports ."
Corroborating his position Ojikutu said :" I think government should this year focus on periodic runway and airport maintenance programmes and not just hurry into certification of airports."
Stakeholders are however worried over what would become the fate of five airport terminals under construction with a $ 500 million loan secured from the China Import Export Bank.
The terminals are in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Kano and Enugu.
Concerns over new terminals
Experts say government in 2018 must give priority to the concerns raised about the new international airport terminals in Lagos and Abuja.
The National Joint Committee on Aviation observed last year that the existing capacity for water and electricity will not optimally drive facilities at the new Abuja Airport terminal.
The committee said the Ministry of Aviation must draw attention to this sore point so as to enable the Ministry of Finance make provision for funds to fix the identified gaps .
Improved water and electricity supply the committee noted is not accommodated in the terms of contractual agreement with the Chinese Civil Engineering Construction Company for the Abuja Airport new international terminal.
Domestic airlines capacity
Though the capacity of some domestic carriers was called to question in 2017, arising some glitches in their operations, experts have called on them to step up the ante in 2018.
Worried over this, Chairman of Air Peace, Allen Onyema said the carrier has pledged to end the air travel woes of most underserved destinations in Nigeria , West Coast of Africa .
He said Air Peace will offer the flying public a preferred alternative on some key international routes in 2018.
The airline, Onyema however said, still had a lot of grounds to cover in its vision to transform air travel experience in Nigeria, the West Coast of Africa ,Dubai, Guangzhou-China, London, Houston, Mumbai and Johannesburg routes.
A lot could be achieved in 2018, according to Onyema if government supports indigenous carriers to actualize their dream of flying into different parts of the world.
One of the ways of doing this, he said is for government to create a level playing field for both foreign and indigenous carriers.
He said Nigerian government must support its carriers in the vicious aero politics orchestrated by some countries to block indigenous carriers from getting approval to fly into international routes they are designated.
But, experts say Nigerian carriers need to step up the game on international routes, as glitches associated with delayed , cancelled or rescheduled flights on the Lagos - London , Dubai routes by Medview Airlines does not represent the country positively.
Some passengers said the inconvenience they suffered during the yuletide at both Gatwick and Lagos Airports on account of operational hitches on the part of Medview Airlines should not be repeated in 2018.
As Air Peace and Medview Airlines conclude plans to operate flights into the United States later in 2018 experts say they should raise service levels to save the country the huge embarrassment of disappointing passengers.
In the year, stakeholders expect the government to consider seriously the issue of airport perimeter and security fencing in line with Annex 17 of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
If the government adopts this suggestion, it will reduce the recurrence of stowaways and other unlawful acts, which could cause unlawful interference to civil aviation
Besides airport perimeter fencing, experts said, the government should focus on poor radio communication in the airspace to address the serious gaps of ground to air communication between pilots and air traffic controllers.
Overhaul of obselete equipment
Towards this end, they canvass the overhaul of obsolete air navigation equipment managed by the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA).
These include the upgrade of the Total Radar Coverage of Nigeria (TRACON) components, switch of fixed telecom equipment to Aeronautical Information System (AIS) automation.
For optimal utilisation of equipment to be acquired by the airspace agency, experts said, recruitment of aeronautical professionals, including air traffic controllers and engineers, would improve service delivery.
Significantly, the government should embark on an aggressive debt recovery drive to enable agencies have enough funds to carry out ambitious projects.
Regulatory oversight / manpower development
Above all, experts want government to focus on improved civil aviation regulations in line with global practices.
This is just as they look forward to upgrade of facilities at the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology ( NCAT) , Zaria, Kaduna State, to enable it serve as a regional centre of excellence in West Africa.
Concession controversies
As 2018 opens, stakeholders look forward to resolution of controversies surrounding some concessions , including the tenure and scope of operations of the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two (MMA2) managed by Bi- Courtney Aviation Services Limited.
According to former Secretary of African Airlines Association ( AFRAA) Mr Nick Fadugba without resolving contentions surrounding fidelity of contractual agreements attempts by government to attract investors into aviation in 2018 could suffer some hitches.
Conclusion
Will the NCAA certify more airports in 2018?
Will the authority allow regional flights to originate from the MMA2 in 2018 ?
Will the five new international airport terminals in Lagos, Abuja , Kano , Port Harcourt and Enugu be completed for flight operations in 2018 ?
Though there are eight struggling domestic carriers : Air Peace, Arik Air, Overland Airways, DANA Air, AZMAN Air , First Nation Airways , Medview Airlines and Aero Airlines, the number is likely to shrink in 2018.
Will any of the collapsed carriers : Chanchangi Airlines, Discovery Air, Afrijet Airlines, IRS Airlines and Air Nigeria bounce back ?
Answers to these questions lies in the belly of time .
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