Meggison, New AON Chairman Harps on Safety, Customer Protection

Captain Nogie Meggison, new chairman of Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), has said that safety, protection of customers and the development of the aviation industry are the priorities of the new leadership of the Association.

While giving the assurance, in Lagos, during a media briefing, he also debunked rumours that there was a splinter group in the AON, adding that the body was still intact under his leadership.

Meggison, who is also the chief executive officer of Jed Air, said that the AON under his leadership was going to form a formidable body by bringing all operators under one umbrella to sustain efficient service expected of the sector.

“I attended a meeting of all AON members last Saturday in Kaduna where we discussed the way forward and how to further strengthen it.

“We will be meeting the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) management tomorrow in Abuja to discuss the recently upward review of charges NAMA asked non-scheduled charter operators to be paying,” he said.

Meggison added that his election followed due process, stating that, “There are 26 airline operators s that have Aircraft Operating Certificates (AOC) in Nigeria issued by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

“Twenty out of them attended the AGM, 18 out of them voted for me while two voted against me”.

However, reports filtered in that a splinter association bearing same led by Chairman of Arik Air as the leader, the ex-scribe of Airline Operators of Nigeria, Captain Mohammed Joji elected Secretary General and Ibn N'allah of the House of Representatives elected Publicity Secretary during an election that took place last Saturday in Kaduna.

Commenting on the development, Meggison said there were many associations in the industry and that as far as he was concerned all professional, business and trade associations in the industry belong to same family and working toward the same goal- the development and safety of the industry.

He said though there were some members who were aggrieved on certain issues, but he was striving to meet with some key members in Abuja yesterday evening to have a common front on the proposed meeting today (Tuesday) with the management of Nigerian Airspace Management Agency(NAMA) on the contentious  issue of newly introduced charges.

“We airline operators are in business because there are passengers that want to fly. Their safety is of importance to us and so we must promote consumer protection.

“Through that, the passengers will restore confidence in our operations, foreign investors will want to invest in the sector   and we will jointly grow the aviation sector", he said.

“There are 26 airline operators s that have Aircraft Operating Certificates (AOC) in Nigeria issued by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

“20 out of them attended the AGM, 18 out of them voted for me while two voted against", he said.

 When asked why only two positions were filled-that is-chairman and vice chairman, while that of General Secretary, Treasurer, Finance and others not filled, he said members at the meeting decided to defer decisions on the vacant position to a later date but assured that the positions would definitely be filled shortly.