Through the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, the federal government has promised to address all travel trade concerns and ensure stability in the aviation industry.

This is contained in a statement on Thursday.

According to the statement, aviation minister Festus Keyamo said this in Abuja when NANTA officials went to discuss travel trade concerns with him.

It said Mr Keyamo noted various issues plaguing the industry, particularly the capacity of Nigerian airline operators to compete profitably and satisfy the demands of the Nigerian travelling public.

It said Mr Keyamo’s mission was to restore the glory of the Nigerian aviation industry.

“That is why I have embarked on visits to aircraft manufacturing companies to help our local investors acquire aircraft. We need to open up the market for dry leasing to Nigerian operators. Wet leasing is killing our capacity to grow the sector sustainably. It is my major concern to empower Nigerians.

“We must work together to clean up the system. I must commend NANTA for the support during the most difficult periods in our industry. We need you to continue to keep faith with us as we need all the help we can get to create jobs and empower our people,” Mr Keyamo said.

The president of NANTA, Olayinka Folami, assured Mr Kayamo of NANTA’s support and collaboration.

“The market has shrunk by about 40 per cent in recent times due to unmitigated cross-border trading by foreign merchants and their local collaborators. 

“We have no problem with global players in our market, but they should play fairly and stop the encroachment of global fares with its attendant depressing effect on the Nigerian economy and Nigerian travellers.

“Our market is eroded by this development and jobs threatened; so, we want the government to initiate policies to check these unethical practices,” Mr Folami said. 

(NAN)