* Airline operators exonerate NCAA of bribery allegations

Chinedu Eze

The main Nigerian carrier, Air Peace, said it will connect to more destinations in Nigeria on the west coast and create thousands of new jobs with the delivery of a brand new additional aircraft, Embraer E195-E2, which is the fourth of the 13 planes already paid for. for by the airline.

It comes as Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) exonerated the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) of corruption allegations and expressed confidence in the agency’s oversight activities.

Air Peace Chairman and CEO Allen Onyema made this known upon receipt of the delivery of the 4th E195-E2 aircraft at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja and revealed that three more brand-new planes would be delivered before the end. 2021 of the 13 already paid due to currency issues as it became very difficult to get dollars due to the dwindling value of the naira.

Onyema said that each plane delivered to the airline directly and indirectly creates 1,000 additional jobs; so the 13 planes, when fully delivered, would create an additional 13,000 jobs, which include those who work with the airline, suppliers and other service providers, adding that the goal he set the airline for was being realized because he wanted to create jobs for Nigerians.

“Although we paid for these planes, we need the forex to pay the delivery payment whenever they want to bring in more planes. Because it is difficult to source foreign currency, we decided to bring three more planes before the end of the year. That will make them seven brand new planes.

“Each of these planes generates nearly a thousand jobs. If older planes make eight flights a day, these can make about 15 flights a day.

We have increased connectivity and additional destinations. We do Port Harcourt, Asaba –Kano, Bénin-Port Harcourt. We have started Lagos-Douala and we will connect to other destinations in West and Central Africa, ”he said.

Onyema said Air Peace has decided to go for these new planes in order to give Nigerians what they deserve and put them at ease, adding that the airline wants to make connectivity easier for Nigerians by interconnecting all of them. Nigeria’s cities to revitalize the country and create jobs. .

NCAA chief executive Musa Nuhu during his remarks praised the Air Peace chairman for being consistent and deliberate in his plans to renew the airline’s fleet with new planes and connect more than cities in Nigeria.

“I am glad that Nigerian airlines are getting not only new planes, but also the right aircraft. Connectivity in Nigeria has improved and is improving.

“These new planes have low maintenance and operating costs and are environmentally friendly. This is the way to go. I believe that over time Air Peace will change its entire fleet to new ones, ”said Nuhu.

He recalled that before COVID-19, 10 to 12 million passengers passed through the country’s airports per year, which represents only 10% of the country’s population.

Meanwhile, Airline Operators of Nigeria has expressed confidence in the NCAA oversight functions.

Airlines have shown support for the regulatory agency after a meeting in Abuja and have dismissed the claim that agency officials collect bribes to give or renew the air carrier certificate (AOC ).

AON Chairman and Azman Air Operator Alhaji Abdulmunaf Yunusa said that although the NCAA strictly regulates airlines, they know it is about ensuring the safety of air travel in Nigeria, adding that there are good relations between the airlines and the regulatory authority. .

“We call on the international community to reject any statement that portrays our NCAA in a bad light. Most of us would like to apply for the AOC today and get it tomorrow, but one mishap or accident can bring down the entire industry. We want to dissociate ourselves from whatever someone has had to say, it didn’t come from us and it never came from us. We trust the NCAA is led by Captain Musa Nuhu, ”he said.

Also affirming AON’s position, the association’s vice president Allen Onyema said no airline should try to intimidate the regulator because it is not done in any part of the world, adding that the NCAA has ensured efficiency and safety in its interface with the airlines.

“No one is intimidating the CAA of any country into doing your bidding, it is not done. When this issue was raised, we intervened as an organization. We are on the side of the truth and some of you are aware of what’s going on at CAA i have a flight request to UK and it has been delayed for the last three years and no one at NCAA has asked me money. The truth is, the NCAA doesn’t ask us for a bribe. If someone asks you for a bribe, you should be able to provide proof. The NCAA may have its limits in some areas, but it is not a corrupt agency. The international community stigmatizes this country and we also stigmatize ourselves and that is not fair, “said Onyema.