Aviation experts in Finum Aviation Services have decried the estimated sum of N36 million spent by airlines in sponsorship for the fifty demonstration flight hours in the course of Air Operators Certificate (AOC) acquisition.

Aside that, experts at Finum believe that the process of (AOC) acquisition has and is perhaps still been seen as a task by those in the industry and by greenhorn investors from outside the sector.

Speaking at the 2nd memorial lecture in honour of Engr. Zakari Musa Haruna held at the NCAA annex, Lagos, Sheri Ayuba Kyari, managing director of Finum Aviation Services, said that the cost of fuel worked out by them shows that an average of Thirty Five or Thirty Six Million Naira is being expended by airline sponsors for the fifty demonstration flight hours in the course of AOC acquisition.

He said that FAS feel such sum can be reduced drastically to only five hours without passengers while ninety five hours can be done while carrying passengers.

According to him, this will reduce cost and the airlines can be made to use a large amount for the training of crew and engineers, et cetera.

To lead us in this task will be no other person than our amiable Guest Speaker, Mr. Gbenga Olowo, President, Sabre (WA), a man with a wealth of experience in airline management, marketing and economy.

He said, “This year, we are looking at the complex processes of acquiring the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA)’s Air Operators Certificate (AOC). The process has and is perhaps still been seen as a task by those in the industry and by greenhorn investors from outside the sector. Today we will all try to contribute to finding a middle of the road approach and open our industry for expansion in order to absorb the teaming young population dotting our airports in search of jobs.

“We at Finum will like to start by congratulating the Federal Government for proceeding with the award of contract for the construction of the second runway at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport; Abuja almost thirty five years after the only run was commissioned. With the incident of the Saudi airline last year which caused the runway to be close for eighteen hours and the closing of the runway for maintenance this year clearly shows the need for that facility – second runway.

“The next facility that is of dire need today is a maintenance centre capable of handling all the commercial airliners in the country that require heavy maintenance. The absence of this asset is encouraging capital flight and this song has been sung for too long to the stage that the music is losing its flavor.

“We will however continue till sing it till the tune actually loses it meaning, if it will. This is a facility that can be taken up by private investors but the fear of policy inconsistency is the order of the day. Government therefore, must provide guarantee and assurances to investors either by getting involved or providing a conducive environment for investors.

“Our airports need to raise the level of security in view of the sporadic bombing of public places in the country. And since airports are also public places, we have a duty to use technology for surveillance of secured environments around the airports.

“Undoubtedly, we need to increase the level of security awareness and employ latest technology to scan the airports to keep air travelers, workers and infrastructures safe and secure.

“Unemployment of pilots, engineers and other cadre of aviation workers is still an issue and last year we were told over two hundred young pilots were without work and similar situation is befalling others. We need to open up the industry for more investors and give these young ones an opportunity to achieve their aspirations.

“All bottle necks for investors should be removed and allow serious investors whether domestic or foreign to buy into aviation. This will also pave way for more jobs and even consultants to thrive.

“Aviation professionals have indeed failed the industry by the continuous bickering without coming together to find a way for a smooth management of the industry. Whether those in employment or the retired ones. There is no document forwarded to any minster of aviation by the totality of industry professionals.

“A document that has the input of Air Traffic Controllers, Meteorologists, Cabin Crew, Engineers, etc., itemizing priority areas, rather it is individuals that send proposals and use polarizing sentiments such as ethnicity, religion or regionalism to direct whoever happens to be Minister or chief executive. We are Finum, pray that we will find a cause to unite and present a common position for the benefit of the industry and the nation.

“The last thing on our mind is the protracted case of the Nigeria Airways ex-workers. The professionals and the other highly placed persons in the industry have failed to support in the fight for them to have their pensions paid.

“This is unfair and we believe that it is time for all groups to act and assist these ex-workers to secure what belongs to them, not as a gift, but as a constitutionally and legally endowed right for being government workers”.