Airbus, Boeing partner Nigerian airlines on new planes

World leading two aircraft manufacturing companies Airbus Industrie and The Boeing Company have arranged with the Federal Government to supply brand new aircraft to Nigerian airline operators. This is a way of injecting new aicraft into the nation’s aviation industry.

JOHN OSADOLOR & WALE HAASTRUP

The move which will see the lease-purchase of new aircraft by local operators is one of the safety valves being put in place by the Federal Government to improve safety in the country’s airspace and restore passengers’ confidence.

This is being consummated under the Yamassoukrou Declaration. Under the declaration, African airlines can lease-purchase planes with 30 percent discount.

Harold Demuren, director-general of the Nigerian Civil Aviation (NCAA), disclosed this development at the weekend in Ota, Ogun State while delivering a paper titiled: " Routine incidents and accidents in the aviation industry". The seminar was organised by the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) and the Ministry of Aviation for aviation correspondents and news editors.

Though Demuren did not name the first airlines that would benefit from the scheme, the agreement would enable Nigerian operators some of which have recently been granted licences to operate international routes the opportunity of owning and operating dreamliners like Boeing 737-800, Boeing 777, Boeing 787 and Airbus A320.

According to him, when the scheme takes off, "there would be no more aged aircraft in our airspace".

These aircraft models are less than 10 years old in the market. The first generation of Boeing 777 was rolled out of the factory in 1997.

Currently, the average age of the aircraft on the domestic route is 20 years.

Demuren said the domestic airlines were being encouraged to adopt best engineering and operational practices that would enable them go into partnership with renowned foreign operators.

"By doing this we can replicate the type of rewarding relationship between KLM and Kenya Airways in Nigeria," he said.

Boeing is the world's leading aerospace company and the largest manufacturer of commercial jetliners and military aircraft combined.

Its reach extends to customers in 145 countries around the world, and it is rated the number one U.S. exporter in terms of sales.

Boeing has a long tradition of aerospace leadership and innovation and continues to expand its product line and services to meet emerging customer needs.

Boeing broad range of capabilities includes creating new, more efficient members of commercial airplane family; integrating military platforms, defence systems and the warfighter through network-centric operations; creating advanced technology solutions that reach across business units; e-enabling airplanes and providing connectivity on moving platforms; and arranging financing solutions for our customers.

Airbus's mission is to meet the needs of airlines and operators by producing the most modern and comprehensive aircraft family in the market, complemented by the highest standard of product support.

Airbus fosters values of excellence and innovation among its culturally-diverse employees and considers its customers, contractors and suppliers to be partners working in the interests of safety, quality and performance.

The company's philosophy is always to listen to its customers and to maintain its vision-the forward thinking which has placed Airbus at the forefront of the industry. Nothing is taken for granted.

Airbus develops a clear empathy with its customers, encouraging a two-way flow of views, ideas and technical feedback on its aircraft in service around the world.

Ultimately the reputation of Airbus stands or falls by its integrity. Airlines and their passengers know that an Airbus aircraft is the product of an honest company which builds the safest, most reliable and best performing aircraft possible.