Enlist new national carrier at capital market.. Ex AON boss
The former president of the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) Capt Mohammed Joji has called on the Federal Government to enlist a new national carrier at the capital market in order to make profits and ensure survival.
Capt Joji, who spoke with aviation journalists in Abuja at the just concluded International World Aviation Forum, also called for the setting up of a presidential committee to look into all Air Operators Certificates in the country to examine their operational status.
According to Joji, over ten attempts have been made to establish a national carrier by various administrations in the country, but had not been successful; adding that government has no business running an airline.
He maintained that money generated while Nigeria Airways was operating was never used to run the airline as it never made profits.
Joji noted that only enlisting the new national carrier at the capital market will restore confidence and yield profits.
He advised that for the survival of the airline, government must also provide enabling environment such as free land and subsidies other facilities for the carrier.
According to Joji, while chief executives of airlines in other countries were allowed to stay in office for about six years, the situation was the opposite in Nigeria, and stressed that it was not healthy for operations.
