By: Theresa Igata

With its vast potential, experts in the aviation sector have advised the Federal Government to look to investing money in Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul, MRO as well as Simulators (Trainers), instead of a national Carrier to enhance the growth of the industry.

They gave the advice at the Nigerian Aviation Business Exhibition, NABE, 2018, with the theme: “Opportunities in the Nigerian Aviation Industry, its Complexity and its Needed Human Capital.”

Speaking at the conference organised by Mr and Ms Aviation Nigeria, MAMAN, Mr. Trevor Henry, Head, Commercial, Med-view Airline, said the government should channel the money meant for a national carrier into having an MRO facility and simulators where aircraft would be maintained and people trained in various areas in the industry.

“Why would the Nigerian government not reconsider spending the money for a National Carrier on MROs and Simulators. I propose these because of the opportunities inherent”, he said.

It would be recalled that the estimated funding requirement for the establishment of the Nigeria Air project was 300 million dollars up to 2020 and the expected initial start–up capital of 55 million dollars was made up of 25 million dollars for deposit for new aircraft and 30 million dollars for working capital from June to December 2018.

Henry noted that the lack of an MRO facility has impacted negatively on airline operations in the country as airline operators struggled to maintain their fleet or stay in business for consistently long period as seen in other climes.

“All the 8 airlines in the country have to send their pilots overseas to do their simulator training and the aircraft for maintenance.”

According to him, the establishment of MRO facility and simulators would address the issue of capital flight and integrate more youths into the sector as more jobs will be created.

“The governments in Africa have invested so much in their airlines for it to survive. The Ethiopian Government has done what I am speaking about and they are reaping the benefits, I believe the money and efforts of Nigerian government should be channeled into similar things,” he said.

Tayo Orisadare, Aviation and Logistics Manager, Sahara Group said the opportunities in the industry are enormous, a lot of which are untapped. He urged youths to look beyond the façade in the industry.

He added that aviation companies have failed because they do not look at the skills set. He called for the deconstruction of the aviation space.

Capt. Josiah Choms, the Managing Director, Caverton Helicopters, said that for the nation’s aviation industry to progress considering the ever changing technology advancement, the skill set of the sector’s workforce must be constantly improved.

He said that the development and sustainability of the aviation sector was hinged upon strict adherence to safety procedure and proficient personnel. “No country makes its point without its aviation sector being developed”, he added.

Other however, expressed concern on reports that by 2025 there will be shortage of professionals in the aviation sector because there are no new individuals coming into the market to fill the lots of opportunities in the sector.

While accusing the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, of refusing to make policies in the sector functional, they however called on the government to collaborate with the private sector, as operators.

In agreement, Abiodun Akindolire, Safety Inspector at NCAA said he also believed in collaboration between operators and regulators but noted that NCAA was working for the operators as well so that they could have a conducive operating environment.