By TheDailyNewsHub
The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has called for an urgent review of the numerous charges imposed on airlines in the country, warning that Nigerian carriers cannot achieve sustainable growth and competitiveness without reducing the financial burden on operators.
AON Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace, Allen Onyema, made the call at the 30th Annual Conference of the League of Airport and Aviation Correspondents (LAAC) in Lagos.
The conference, themed “Towards Sustainable Aviation Industry: Balancing Government Revenue Demands with Sector Growth,” brought together stakeholders to discuss the challenges confronting Nigeria’s aviation industry.
Onyema said airlines currently pay about 54 different charges, which he described as among the highest burdens facing operators and a major obstacle to profitability in both domestic and international operations.
“One thing I want to mention is that there are many charges. If I were to list them, there are about 54 that airlines pay. Even for international flights, it’s the same,” Onyema said.
He also recalled an ECOWAS agreement aimed at reducing taxes across the region, saying the proposed 25 per cent reduction in taxes had yet to be implemented.
According to him, reducing the cost burden on airlines would not only strengthen local carriers but could also benefit the government and passengers by supporting a healthier aviation industry.
Onyema appealed for an opportunity for airline operators to engage directly with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the challenges facing the sector.
He recalled the removal of a 4 per cent FOB customs duty after discussions involving the Presidency and Customs authorities, describing the development as an example of how government intervention could quickly address challenges affecting airlines.
“The problem is that the president has not seen us. He has too many things to grapple with. When he does see us, aviation will flourish in this country. It will benefit the agencies, the government, and the flying public,” he said.
The AON’s position comes amid wider concerns about the cost of operating airlines in Nigeria, including airport charges, taxes, foreign exchange pressures, maintenance costs and other operational expenses.
Another major concern raised at the conference was the financial impact of bird strikes on airline operators.
The Chairman of United Nigeria Airlines and AON spokesperson, Professor Obiora Okonkwo, said one of his airline’s Embraer E-190 aircraft had remained out of service for 13 days following a bird strike.
He said such incidents impose significant financial pressure on airlines, particularly operators that have financed aircraft purchases through bank loans.
Okonkwo also raised concerns about airport congestion and the rapid issuance of Airline Operating Certificates (AOCs), arguing that infrastructure must expand alongside the number of airlines operating in the country.
He said that while obtaining an AOC previously took his airline between two and three years, some operators are now receiving theirs in about six months.
According to him, increasing the number of airlines without a corresponding expansion of airport infrastructure could create operational challenges.
He cited a recent incident in which a United Nigeria aircraft reportedly remained on the tarmac for about 30 minutes because passengers could not disembark due to congestion on the ramp.
The airline executive also urged government officials responsible for communicating on aviation matters to develop a better understanding of the industry, warning that statements that undermine confidence in the sector could affect investors and operators.
The AON’s concerns come as stakeholders continue to debate how Nigeria can increase government revenue from aviation without imposing charges that make air travel and airline operations excessively expensive.
The ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government has previously expressed concern over the high cost of air travel in the region and directed member states and civil aviation authorities to implement the ECOWAS Common Policy on Aviation Charges, Taxes and Fees.
For Nigerian airlines, AON’s latest position is that achieving a sustainable aviation industry requires a balance between government revenue expectations and the financial realities confronting operators.
The operators argue that reducing excessive charges could help airlines remain profitable, invest in newer aircraft, improve services and compete more effectively within Nigeria and on international routes.
TheDailyNewsHub will continue to monitor developments around aviation reforms, airline operating costs and efforts to make air travel more sustainable and affordable in Nigeria.