Aviation expert bemoan lack of access to Forex by domestic airlines

The Managing Director of Aero Contractors, Capt Abdullahi Mahmood has identified the inability of domestic airlines to access Forex as the greatest reason for the gradual collapse of airlines in the country.

Mahmood who spoke with journalists in his office while reacting to salient issues in the operations of the airline explained, that lack of forex was affecting the smooth operations of any domestic airline.

“The forex issue is very very tough and if I tell you it is easy, I am lying every operator is finding it very tough. We have the money in naira but we can source the forex”

According to the Aero boss, the airline remained lucky as a result of the Maintain, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facilities it has been operating which has saved it from going abroad for maintenance

He noted that without the MRO at this crucial time of the pandemic, the cost would have been unbearable for the airline to stay afloat

Mahmood pointed out that so many domestic airlines were using Aero MRO for their maintenance without paying in hard currencies to fly them abroad which he said have saved those airlines a huge amount of money.

“The AMO here is not saving only Aero but saving other airlines to make sure that they save and they will not go and start looking for forex. That is what is saving Aero today because we do our maintenance here. Without this maintenance today, I am not sure if Aero will survive”

He said the aviation industry in the country find it difficult to survive as a result of charges by various agencies adding that the greatest is the men of the Nigeria customs service, who despite waivers on aircraft spares were still not allowing them to bring parts into the country even with the Presidency”s approval.

“There are a lot of government charges and importing spare parts, dealing with Customs. The federal government has given waivers for spares but up till now they are still dragging, some will say they are not aware of the government waivers. Every time, it is a problem “

He also identified lack of proper planning by airline operators as one of the reasons why domestic airlines do not survive in the country adding that from the beginning, some airlines have failed.