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Airlines pledge to liquidate outstanding debts
Airline operators under the aegis of Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) have pledged to ensure that all outstanding debts are paid to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) as agreed.
This assurance was given during a meeting between the management of the regulatory authority led by the Director General, Capt. Muhtar Usman and the operators at the NCAA on Wednesday.
A statement from spokesman for NCAA, Sam Adurogboye said over 20 airlines chief executives and their representatives attended the meeting. These included Arik Air, Medview, FirstNation, Chanchangi, Kings Airlines, Overland among others some of who also made contributions on how to offset their debts.
Speaking on behalf of the operators, the AON Chairman, Capt. Noggie Meggison remarked that it is incontrovertible that operators are heavily indebted but promised that all unremitted funds will be fully paid.
He thanked the DG for holding a series of meetings with all operators; a move he said was long expected.
Meggison, therefore requested for similar for a, ¨ where the authority’s vision will be properly articulated from time to time to enable us key into it.’’
He, however, called for a retreat where stakeholders will meet to brainstorm on some knotty challenges which operators and the entire industry is confronted with.
In his response, Capt.Usman enjoined the airlines to comply as agreed, adding that the issue of Ticket and Cargo Sales Charges is sacrosanct.
According to him, this is to enable the NCAA and other benefitting agencies effectively carry out its regulatory and statutory responsibilities.
The DG and the NCAA management emphasized the need for automation by operators which will offer real-time and transparent transaction.
He directed that all reconciliations must be done within the 60 days window provided.
He advised the operators to forward all required documentations to verify conflicting claims.
Capt. Usman admonished the operators to be alive to their responsibilities and challenges. He added that operators should take advantage of various Bilateral Air Services Agreements (BASA) entered into by the Federal Government to compete with their foreign counterparts thereby generating the much needed foreign exchange.
Muhtar assured the operators that there would be a broader stakeholders’ forum very soon where various grievances could be looked into and addressed and charge the operators to fully embrace the automation for the sake of transparency and an end to discrepancy over figures forthwith.
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