Author: Wole Shadare

The Chairman, House of representatives Committee on Aviation, Nnolim Nnaji has called on the Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19 to consider partial opening of the airports to unlock the economy. This is coming as the Ministry of Aviation and its relevant agencies are planning a gradual return to full flight operations in the country,  Nnaji enjoined the Federal government to ensure that at least one airport is reopened immediately in each of the six geopolitical zones…

Emirates has opened bookings on its website for flights from Dubai, where it is based, to 12 Arab countries from 1 July. Bookings are now available on Emirates’ website for destinations including Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, Saudi Arabia and Tunisia. Customers have been warned that any bookings are subject to change. “Currently some of our flights are available for booking starting  July 1; however, the situation still  remains dynamic and these…

Given the industry thin margins, particularly taking cognizance of the scale and size of domestic operations, the corporate income tax regime should be reviewed downwards to 5% for airline companies, but allowing an immediate 24-month tax holiday as a cushion for the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, the Value Added Tax (VAT) should be removed from airline ticket sales once and for all. The government in 2006 had accepted the recommendation of the Air…

  The issue of airport unviability speaks to the problem of air connectivity in Nigeria. ICAO defines air connectivity as an indicator of a network’s concentration and its ability to move passengers from their origin to their destination seamlessly. It is key to unlocking a country’s economic growth potential, in part because it enables the country to attract business investments (FDI’s) and human capital. Increased air connectivity also accelerates tourism, which is vital to many…

The House of Representatives Committee on Aviation chaired by Nnolim Nnaji has warned that on no account should a UK based Titan Airways be granted approval to fly into the country for evacuation flight if Nigerian Airline is refused landing rights for similar flight by the  United Kingdom Authorities. The committee arrived at this decision at the end of the investigative hearing Friday on the use of foreign airlines to evacuate stranded Nigerians out of…

   GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION / BAILOUT – STRUCTURE & CONTENT Moreover, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly increased the country’s fiscal deficit. Notably, the 2020 fiscal budget, which already had a huge deficit, assumes a US$57 per barrel, whereas Brent crude, the equivalent of our Bonny Light was selling at US$32.5 per barrel on 11th May 2020. Additionally, the Naira has already surreptitiously suffered 22% devaluation and the Minister of Finance has also announced…

  Ex NCAA DG advocates single digit interest rate Air Peace seeks funds to save job losses The Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt Musa Nuhu said the country’s airlines were yet to articulate what they want to do with the stimulus package they seek from the Federal Government. He urged them to come up with broad based plans of the utilization of the bailout fund that the Federal Government is considering to…

    GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION / BAILOUT – STRUCTURE & CONTENT In solving a complex problem, there is a need to define the problem, identify the underlying issue(s), embrace all its simple facets and understand the peculiar nuances of each facet. Then determine the inter-relatedness or otherwise of the facets, aggregate these different facets in order to appreciate the best fit of the whole and finally proceed to resolve the issue(s). The aviation conundrum is a…

  Crew to undergo compulsory test every 14 days Airlines to pay for test   As the country prepares for the reopening of businesses, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has issued post COVID-19 protocols for Nigerian based crew operating international flights. According to the new protocol, flight crew are now expected to wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and observe Infection, Prevention and Control (IPC) measures for the duration of the flight. Contrary to the…