There are indications that suggest some domestic airline carriers may have to close because they cannot obtain the foreign exchange needed to either return or transport their aircraft abroad for maintenance.
The nation’s twelve scheduled carriers, which operate various aircraft, including Dash 8 to MD 83, the Boeing 737 series, Airbus A320-300, A220-300, ATR, Embraer CRJ, Embraer E2, and Embraer ERJ-145, have seen significant fleet depletion.
Additionally, Vanguard reported that fluctuating exchange rates have been discovered to impact the price of aircraft spare parts, resulting in operators having to modify ticket prices continuously.
Captain Roland Iyayi, the CEO of Top Brass Aviation Limited and a prominent member of Airline Operators of Nigeria, AON, lamented the lack of forex and demanded an immediate remedy.
He said,
He opined that a state of emergency in aviation should be declared by the government.
Iyayi also claims that if the nation keeps going at this rate, within the next three months, the domestic market’s fleet size might drop to as low as 35 to 50%, “meaning airfares will increase.”
According to Captain Ado Sanusi, managing director of Aero Contractors, because no part of an aircraft is made in Nigeria, any fluctuations in the exchange rate have a direct impact on the cost of purchasing spare parts.
He said,
TimesNow.com.ng reported that the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has threatened legal action against airline owners and operators that fly into nationally restricted regions.
The authority said it had received a letter from the national security adviser’s office reporting the sighting of an unidentified aircraft flying over the presidential villa.
The letter, titled “Warning to All Operators Against Flying Into Restricted and Prohibited Areas,” was addressed to operators and owners.
Source: TimesNow.com.ng
