Vice-President Kashim Shettima has assured that the federal government will work towards creating a more favorable environment for Nigerian airline operators. This commitment was made on Tuesday during a meeting with aviation sector stakeholders, including members of the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), at the presidential villa in Abuja.

The meeting focused on addressing critical issues within the aviation sector, particularly foreign exchange (FX) concerns, and payment backlogs involving the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), and airline operators.

Allen Onyema, CEO of Air Peace, highlighted the sensitivity of airline operations, stating that even minor setbacks could force an airline out of the market. He stressed the importance of ongoing government support, emphasizing that, “All over the world, airlines are supported to support the economy. It is not elitist.” Onyema praised the government’s recent signing of the Cape Town Convention (CTC) practice directions, which is expected to reduce operational costs in the sector and potentially transform Nigeria into an economic hub. He also suggested that the CBN provide a special window for airline operators to facilitate smoother operations.

Jumoke Oduwole, Special Adviser to the President on the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), described the discussions as “fruitful” and reassured stakeholders that the federal government will continue to explore ways to improve the business environment, promoting growth and sustainability in Nigeria’s aviation industry.