Aviation Safety Round Table Initiative (ASRTI), a think-tank group of the local air transport sector, has called for a review of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (NCARs) to separate low-cost airlines from other scheduled carriers.
ASRTI, in its observation for proposed amendments to the NCARs, sought the review of Part 9, bordering administration and the issuance or denial of AOC.
The professional group called for another layer of scheduled operator licensing to be urgently initiated for operators whose total fleet seats should not be more than 100. And on exceeding 100 seats, such operators must apply for the prevailing category of AOC, which will go through all the necessary certification processes as applicable.
The call is in tandem with earlier protests against subjecting all scheduled carriers – without consideration of business plan and size – to the same regime of AOC administration.
General Secretary of the ASRTI, Olumide Ohunayo, said the ASRTI believed that the different layers of criteria would stimulate growth of new entrant low-cost carriers, who will also be granted fee exemptions and tax holidays.
“It can also encourage the existing carriers to set up subsidiaries that are independently managed and complementary. Just like we have in the United States of America, Part 135 for commuter and Demand Operations vis-à-vis Part 121 Operations.
“Our proposal is not for the NCAA to create a restricted airline operation with stringent safety regulations, but to encourage new entrants into operations that would expand airport access and create new markets,” Ohunayo said.
Among the benefits anticipated are more aircraft and jobs for different professionals in the industry, improved use of airports otherwise termed unviable or dormant in Nigeria, better use of our air space, augmented patronage and the enplanement of passengers and cargo.
Others are better revenue to all agencies and the entire aviation value chain, an increase in aviation contribution to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and veritable ground for training pilots, engineers, and allied professionals.
