Following the promise that the Federal Government would give palliative to aviation industry in Nigeria, indication has emerged that only airlines with functional Air Operators Certificate (AOC) would be allowed to access the proposed fund.
The indication emerged on Wednesday during a Gateway webinar organized by League of Airports and Aviation Correspondents (LAAC).
Speaking during the webinar session, Director General of Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority ( NCAA) Capt Musa Nuhu who said the promised stimulus package is meant for every entrepreneur in the sector, however assured that with the policy guidelines in place only functional airlines would access the fund when released.
Musa also noted that the umbrella body of domestic airlines in Nigeria, Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) would not want to repeat the mistake of putting forward a defunct airlines for the palliative.
“Any airline can apply, whether functioning or not but it is a policy that participating airlines must be functioning and with Air Operators Certificate (AOC). I also believe that the AON has its own rules and they know the criteria, I believe the AON will not put forward a non- functioning airlines,” he said.
It would be recalled that the Minister of Aviation Senator Hadi Sirika has been spearheading the release of a N27billion stimulus package to the aviation industry to cushion the effects of COVID-19 on the industry.
On support for domestic airlines, the Director General said NCAA will do all in its powers to protect the airlines, adding the airlines should always go through the regulatory authority whenever they are planning to launch into any foreign route.
