A NEW national carrier largely driven by the private sector but with substantial public ownership will soon be set up by the Federal Government.

President Goodluck Jonathan disclosed this in Abuja yesterday at a meeting of African aviation stakeholders.

He charged the experts to chart a new path for safety and sustainable development in the sector.

The President said the government would fashion guidelines and institutional framework to promote the growth of domestic airlines and “the emergence of a national carrier driven by the core private sector with substantial public ownership.”

Represented at the ministerial conference on “Aviation safety in Africa” by Vice President Namadi Sambo, the President further asked the experts to assist Nigeria on ways to remove geriatric aircraft from its airspace as one of the first steps in tackling air disasters in the country.

He explained that his administration was working toward the construction of a Maintenance Repair Overhaul (MRO) hangar to enable domestic airlines maintain their aircraft in the country to cut the huge expenditure in ferrying airplanes for maintenance abroad.

And even without a consensus among aviation industry regulators and experts on the link between the age of an aircraft and its safety on air, the Federal Government has resolved to peg the age limit of domestic planes at 15 years.

The clamour for a new age limit for aircraft operating on the domestic routes gained momentum after the Dana Air’s Flight 0992 crash in Iju-Ishaga, Lagos, on June 3, 2012, where all the 153 passengers and crew members on board died.

Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah-Ogiemwonyi, hinted yesterday that in line with the government’s renewed quest for air safety, the age limit for aircraft on the local routes would be reduced from 22 to 15.

The minister told African aviation stakeholders that once the appropriate policy was evolved, the government would no longer certify aircraft above 15 years to operate in Nigeria.

Oduah-Ogiemwonyi however said the government was not unmindful of the short-term implications of the policy, but assured the airlines that when implemented, the measure would engender the desired growth for the domestic operators.

The government said the goal was how to strengthen the carriers and enhance their viability as going concern.

Princess Oduah-Ogiemwonyi said the issue of aviation safety on the continent remains worrisome, noting that available data indicated that “Africa is at the lowest rung of the ladder in terms of ensuring safety in our airspace.”

afam4eva: Okay oo

Euroclydon: yesso! Now they are talking...its a step in the right direction. Kudos!

Captwahala: The biggest killer in Nigerian avition history, Nigeria Airways, had most of its aircraft delivered brand new from the manufacturers. Except for one or two, all the aircaft WT crashed were younger than 15 years old.

Madam Minister, Please enlightened as to how you came about this figure. what formula was used? what research was done?The gullible Nigerian public is going to go to bed feeling very safe, even though the factors that caused the numerous crashes have not been eradicated from the system.
The aviation ministry and its parastatals are awash with mediocres in positions of responsible. Same thing with the so called aviation experts (numerous "captains" who have never flown for any airline).

As for National carriers, this is a thing of the past. Airlines are now privately run companies. In fact, government funding conflicts with international competition laws. The government should set up policies that make it easier for local airlines to flourish. This law is actually a set back for local airlines. There is no bank in Nigeria that can finance brand new aircraft, so the only option is for airlines to go for older, cheaper (and not necessarily more dangerous) aircraft. so Madam minister should tell us how i can get financing to by my new shiny jet.

Ladies and Gentlemen, this policy is not going to make flying in Nigeria safer.

ebamma: Nigeria government should stop creating any company,cos government companies are always poorly managed.

Kolababa: Jimoh Ibrahim is about to collapse AIR NIGERIA. Let the FG take the airline over from him.

berem: And what are they going to name it dis time around? RETARDINHO AIRLINE? Or maybe PATIENCE JONATHAN AIRLINE? Shake my head for this country!

ypzilanti:

Dont mind the fooools.

Thats what they want to budget public funds into now.

Just reducing taxation on the airlines by 20% will free up cash for the safe operation of these airlines and pay some of their debt.

Also, it will reduce airfares and increase demand for airfligts by Nigerians.

Instead of looking for market based solutions, they are creating airline.

Billyonaire: [size=20pt]GEJ, FRESH AIR[/size]