Local airlines seek Keyamo’s approval for forex to reduce industry challenges
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Domestic airlines have urged the government to allow them acquire licence to import and distribute aviation fuel, also called Jet A1, as part of solutions to the challenges clipping the wings of the aviation sector.
The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) also asked Abuja to provide a channel for domestic air carriers to access foreign exchange (forex) from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to facilitate better service for air travellers.
The operators made the pleas during a visit to Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo in his office in Abuja.
AON President Abdulmunaf Yunusa said the purpose of the visit was to brief him about the challenges in aviation and proffer solutions, as well as congratulate him on his recent appointment as Minister.
AON made a presentation to Keyamo in which Top Brass Aviation Chief Executive Officer Roland Iyayi pressed the need to ensure supply of aviation fuel.
“There is an urgent need to facilitate the liberalisation, procurement and distribution of JetA1 nationwide and allow AON to procure requisite licence for product importation and distribution and also immediate review of all industry taxes, fees and charges to determine applicability in line with cost recovery model,” he said.
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Accessing forex, another major challenge
Iyayi reiterated airline operators are the end users of aviation fuel and should be granted permission to source and distribute the commodity, stressing AON has been denied that right for a long time, according to The PUNCH.
In his presentation, Iyayi also told Keyamo forex has become a major challenge for the airline operators.
“We call on the federal government to establish and provide a dedicated support line for domestic airline operators to have unfettered access of foreign exchange through the Central Bank of Nigeria at the official I&E window in support of local and international transactions.”
Keyamo said the challenge of forex has been a lingering one, but promised “the ministry will liaise with the CBN to see how operators can get forex at a single-digit interest rate of 1.5 to 2 per cent as requested.”
He charged the operators to always ensure the safety of their aircraft and airlines, both being the key to the success of the aviation industry.