FG promises to address travel trade concerns

The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, has promised to address all travel trade concerns and ensure stability in the aviation industry.

This is contained in a statement signed by the Media Consultant to the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agents (NANTA), Mr Frank Meke, on Thursday in Lagos.

According to the statement, the Aviation Minister, Mr Festus Keyamo (SAN), made the disclosure in Abuja, when NANTA officials went to discuss travel trade concerns with him.

It said that Keyamo noted that there were various issues plaguing the industry, particularly the capacity of Nigerian airline operators to compete profitably and satisfy the demands of the Nigerian travelling public.

It said that Keyamo’s mission was to restore the glory of the Nigerian aviation industry.

“That is why I have embarked on visits to aircraft manufacturing companies to help our local investors acquire aircraft.

“We need to open up the market for dry leasing to Nigerian operators. Wet leasing is killing our capacity to grow the sector sustainably. It is my major concern to empower Nigerians.

“We must work together to clean up the system. I must commend NANTA for the support during the most difficult periods in our industry.

“We need you to continue to keep faith with us as we need all the help we can get to create jobs and empower our people,” the statement quoted Keyamo as saying.

The statement also quoted the President of NANTA, Mr Olayinka Folami, as assuring Kayamo of NANTA’s support and collaboration.

It quoted Folami as saying that the minister deserved accolades from Nigerians and NANTA in particular.

It said that Folami lauded the minister’s courage in cleaning up the sector and requested for the minister’s intervention in ensuring equity and fairness in Nigeria’s travel trade market.

“The market has shrunk by about 40 per cent in recent times due to unmitigated cross border trading by foreign merchants and their local collaborators.

“We have no problem with global players in our market, but they should play fairly and stop encroachment of global fares with its attendant depressing effect on the Nigerian economy and Nigerian travellers.

“Our market is eroded by this development and jobs threatened; so, we want the government to initiate policies to check these unethical practices,” the statement also quoted Folami as saying.