The Nigerian aviation sector grapples with a controversial dilemma as allegations surge that the Federal Government’s policies are inadvertently stymieing local airlines while granting undue advantages to foreign carriers. This stark concern has been thrust into the spotlight by a prominent industry stakeholder, further underscoring the urgent need for equitable measures to safeguard the interests of indigenous airlines.
Capt. David Olubadewo, the resolute Managing Director at Airline Management Support Limited (AMSL) – the esteemed supplier of Dunlop aircraft tyres – minced no words during an exclusive interview with Nairametrics in the vibrant city of Lagos. In an impassioned indictment of prevailing circumstances, Olubadewo denounced the government’s laissez-faire approach, contending that such neglectful treatment culminated in the premature closure of several Nigerian airlines.
A clarion call for bolstered governmental support reverberates through Olubadewo’s stance. He vehemently implores authorities to proactively institute policies that fortify the local carriers against the invasive influx of foreign competition. Astute to international precedent, he invoked exemplary instances of nations like China and the United Arab Emirates. Their strategic nurturing of domestic airlines catapulted them to preeminent stature within global aviation.
Olubadewo propounded an astute remedy to quell the burgeoning disquiet – establishing a pioneering leasing enterprise tailored for native airlines. This multifaceted initiative, he argued, would not only invigorate the domestic aviation ecosystem but also curtail the economic haemorrhaging associated with substantial capital outflows via aircraft leasing agreements abroad.
With undeterred conviction, Olubadewo decried the lack of a level playing field, an assertion bolstered by the demanding challenges local operators face in accessing foreign exchange, a pivotal resource. This call to rectify prevailing disparities resonates with urgency as he emphasises that Nigerian-owned airlines are being perilously divested at a pittance to foreign counterparts, which portends grave consequences for the nation’s aviation sovereignty.
Lamenting the undervaluation of indigenous airlines, Olubadewo underscored their potential, branding them as paragons of excellence on the global stage. He adroitly spotlighted a need for robust regulations akin to international norms, articulating the necessity of safeguards that shield native carriers from the overbearing spectre of competition.
The trailblazing luminary praised the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) for pioneering progressive initiatives. Effusive in his praise, Olubadewo lauded the NCS for streamlining duties, facilitating the seamless import of critical spare parts – a boon for airlines striving to maintain airworthiness, particularly in Aircraft on Ground (AOG) scenarios.
Standing as a resolute bulwark, Airline Management Support Limited (AMSL) emerges as a beacon of service to the lion’s share of indigenous carriers. Serving as a tireless conduit for the supply of Dunlop tyres, and a purveyor of Eastman turbine oil vital to aircraft operations, AMSL’s unwavering commitment underscores the indispensable dealings between auxiliary services and the broader aviation ecosystem.
As the Nigerian aviation narrative hangs in the balance, the clarion call for equitable policies resounds ever louder. Capt. David Olubadewo’s impassioned plea encapsulates the collective yearning of local airlines for a promising atmosphere that nurtures their growth and propels them to soar as triumphant vanguards on both domestic and international fronts.
In this crucible of challenges and opportunities, the Nigerian aviation sector awaits a pivotal crossroads that could determine its trajectory for future generations.
