Pilots, Engineers Ask Airlines to Merge

Pilots and engineers have advised Nigerian airline operators to consider mergers, acquisition, collaboration (code sharing), and the likes to save the industry from collapse.

Rising from their recent 13th National Delegates Conference, the stakeholders under the auspices of the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE), berated the operators for the allowing “go-it-alone syndrome” to becloud their senses of judgments, shunning the noble call for merges for a healthy system.

Nigeria CommunicationsWeek recalled that at the inception of the present administration, Princess Stella Oduah, minister of Aviation, said that with a view to strengthening operations and enhanced air safety of the nation’s airlines, the federal government was tinkering on a policy that could lead to two or more airlines to merge.

This came, as indications emerged that virtually all the carriers in the country were financially insolvent and heavily indebted to a staggering $5 billion.

Thus, the federal government is likely to raise the stake that would make it difficult to “go it alone’’, and could leave the operators with no other option than to merge as it is being done in Europe, United States and Asia.

It could be recalled that Air France in 2004 merged with KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, changing the operating name to Air France-KLM, however they still operate as separate airlines.

In a communiqué signed by Ocheme Aba, general secretary (NAAPE), the group  advised the Nigerian airline operators, “to accept wise counsel and co-operate with each other by way of mergers, acquisition, collaboration (code sharing), and the like, in other to succeed, as against the present go-it-alone syndrome which has failed woefully”.

Mr. Zemedeneh Negatu, a key note speaker at the conference had raised the issue, supporting the formation of about two big carriers from the whole lot of airlines in Nigeria.

According to him, the gesture will enable them (the airline operators) compete with the mega carriers in the global market.

“To do otherwise will only prolong the current miserable state of Nigeria Airlines,” he said.

At the end of the 2-day event, and after extensive deliberations, the conference notes the experience of Ethiopian Airline whereby the involvement of all stakeholders at its conception is given as a principal ingredient for its success story today.

Accordingly, the Conference advises the Federal Government, through minister of Aviation, to involve all stakeholders in important aviation policy decisions, particularly, ongoing processes to foster a National Carrier and the aerotropolis project.

“This is the only way to guarantee success of the ventures. NAAPE therefore makes itself available in this regard.

 However, the delegates note with delight the transformation taking place in the aviation sector and gives kudos to the Hon. Minister of Aviation and her team.

“The Conference commends the Aviation Roadmap, new airport terminals (delivered and to be delivered), the aerotropolis concept, aviation policy review, airside development, etc, and expresses hope that the effort will be sustained.

On the sideline of Unionism, “the Conference”, Aba highlighted, “seriously frowned at those aviation companies including Arik Air, IRS Airlines, Med-view Airlines, Dana Air, Chanchangi Airline, etc that have disallowed their workers from being members of the Union, contrary to the provisions of Labour Law. The Conference is of the view that non-unionization hinders human capacity development and holds back NAAPE’s effort to place Nigerian aviation industry on the global stage”.

“Therefore, the conference mandates the National Administrative Council (NAC) to use all lawful means to ensure that all working Pilots and Aircraft Maintenance Engineers are fully unionized. It should, however, be clearly stated that the notion which depicts Union as a foe is a misconception. As a matter of fact, NAAPE has been, and remains a worthy partner committed to the progress of aviation companies.

“The Conference mandates the National Administration Council to immediately set the machinery in motion to stamp out all abuses in the expatriate quota regime to ensure that Nigerian Pilots and Engineers are gainfully employed and also to enhance human capacity growth in the sector. The Conference also is of the opinion that the expatriate quota regime should be amended to contain provisions which make it mandatory for any foreigner intending to work in Nigeria to obtain a Labour certificate issued in consultation with the Union, after being satisfied that such foreigner would not usurp the job meant for Nigerians”.

The pilots and engineers also enjoined aviation companies and parastatals to take the issue of corporate governance very seriously as the absence of corporate governance is at the heart of the current poor financial health of organizations in the sector.