Experts Call For Financial Audit Of Airlines

Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has been advised to undertake a financial audit of carriers operating in the country to ascertain their solvency.

The President of Aviation Roundtable, Captain Dele Ore and a traffic control consultant, Mr. Sam Akerele gave the advice while assessing the state of domestic airlines in the country.

They decried a situation where some of the carriers could not carry out regular maintenance of their aircraft, pay insurance premium on their operational equipment as well as meet their financial obligations to staff.

They also called on the Federal Government to come up with a road map for the development of the aviation industry and stressed the need for the privatisation of the nation’s airports.

“We recommend a complete privatisation of the airports than remodelling the airports. The development or expansion of infrastructure at the airports should depend on availability of lands and funds.

Meanwhile, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority and the United States have agreed to explore full implementation of Open Skies part so as to reduce air fares on the Trans Atlantic routes.

At a meeting in the Aviation House, the US Assistant Deputy Secretary of State, Ms Sussan McDermott said “we are encouraged by what has happened so far between the two countries. There are very large points in the US that can support Nigeria and we feel that not only are consumers well served, but the competition as well.

“Where you have only single provider, there is a problem of high price, but if there is competition, fare will automatically go down, the airlines will be very efficient, they will compte on fares on service and passengers treatment.