The aviation sector in Nigeria is at the forefront of the concerns of the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Aviation, Senator Abdulfatai Buhari. Speaking at the South West Regional Air Transport Summit, SWATS 2024, hosted by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority in Lagos, the Senator made a bold proposal aimed at improving the performance of domestic airlines.
In his speech, Senator Buhari highlighted the underperformance of domestic airlines and expressed concerns over the high rate of flight disruptions. To address the situation, he suggested a policy of requiring airlines to have at least four aircraft to ensure more efficient operations.
Drawing on the positive example of Overland, which has achieved success by concentrating on a limited number of routes with only one aircraft departing, the Senator encouraged aircraft owners to specialize and professionally serve specific routes. He stressed that requiring airlines with only two or three aircraft to operate to a wide range of destinations is not only irrational but also detrimental.
Calling for stricter regulation of the aviation industry, Senator Buhari stressed the need to ensure passenger satisfaction by establishing high standards of performance and reliability. He also urged Nigerians to be more demanding of airlines and not hesitate to take legal action when flights are disrupted.
This proposal by Senator Buhari paves the way for further reflection on how to restructure the aviation industry in Nigeria to make it more efficient, cost-effective and focused on passenger satisfaction. With a focus on quality of service and strict regulation, the aviation sector could witness a positive transformation, thereby delivering sustainable economic and financial benefits to the country.
In concluding, it is essential to underscore the importance of innovative proposals like that of Senator Buhari in driving the sustainable development of the aviation industry in Nigeria and ensuring high standards of quality and performance.