Oba Akiolu Wants Federal Government To Grant Soft Loans To Airline Operators

Oba Rilwanu Akiolu I of Lagos, on Thursday appealed to the Federal Government to grant soft loans to airline operators, to enable them buy new aircraft.

Akiolu made the appeal at an event to commemorate the commencement of domestic commercial flights by Med-View Airline, at the domestic wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja.

The event came as the airline also had its inaugural flight from Lagos to Abuja and Port-harcourt.

According to Akiolu, traveling by air is the safest and fastest mode of transportation the world over.

"Many people would want to patronize it when they know the airlines have new aircraft.’’

He urged the government to assist the airlines to make this a reality.

Dr Harold Demuren, the Director-General, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), who also spoke at the event, added that the 'soft and low digit loans' being proposed for airline operators was for them to buy new aircraft.

"They are expected to pay the loans back to the banks through the automated revenue collection points.

"The banks would separate the deposit into aviation fuel money, parking and landing fees, and what would go to the aircraft manufacturers.

"Through that, both the operators and the country would be credit worthy,’’ he said.

Demuren commended the management of Med-View for their patience and professionalism  in the last 18 months.

"During the period, Med-View obtained its Air Operation Certificate (AOC) and attained the 50 hours demonstration flight period without carrying any passengers as required by international regulating rules,’’ he said.

Demuren charged the airline to adhere strictly to NCAA regulations before, during, and after each flight.

 He said that NCAA planned to certify more airlines as soon as they crossed the AOC hurdles.

"With the coming of Med-View, the traveling public will have more airlines to travel with-- alongside Arik, Aero and IRS,’’ he said.                            

Demuren told the gathering that NCAA was also planning to instal Automated Flight Information Reporting System (AFIRS) on board all aircraft in Nigeria, as obtained all over the world.

"With that facility, it would be easy to detect any snag on any aircraft, in case of accident or incident during flight or on ground, and would improve service being provided by airlines,’’ he said.

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