The Federal Government has pledged to offer more assistance to local airline operators to create an enabling environment and ease of operations.

The Minister of Aviation and  Aerospace, Festua Keyamo,  made this known when he presented his master card  at the ministerial news briefing on the administration of President Bola Tinubu sectorial update.

According to him, the government will support and empower local airline operators as it did with Air Peace to enable them compete with other international airlines.

The minister said the government would also facilitate the acquisition of aircrafts under dry lease agreement which he said was cheaper compared to wet lease.

Mr Keyamo said that the government planned to review the nation`s Bilateral Air Service Agreements to favour local operators.

He said that the government was making conscious and gradual efforts toward embracing eco-friendly practices and green technologies in line with International Civil Aviation Organisation’s long-term global aspirational goal of net-zero carbon emission in the aviation sector.

“We are rehabilitating some airports/airstrips, enhancing collaboration with the state government to improve state airports infrastructure, training and re-training of aviation professionals (Accident investigators, pilots and air traffic controllers),’’ he added.

On the establishment of the Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul centre, Mr Keyamo said the federal government was in advanced stage in discussions with investors across the world who would collaborate through public private partnership.

He disclosed that the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, successfully resolved a longstanding land dispute that had hindered construction of the Abuja second runway within two weeks of assuming office.

The minister added that with the development, contractors had commenced work on the project which had been stalled for over a year.

The minister said he had relocated international airlines to the new international terminal in Lagos to address design flaws that had previously rendered the facility unusable for many international flights.

Mr Keyamo said the relocation and remodelling of the arrival hall at Lagos airport, done with active collaboration and support of the ministry of interior through a public-private partnership arrangement, had enhanced smooth operation of the terminal.

The minister said he facilitated the swift repair and reactivation of Lagos’ second runway (18R), which had been out of service for nearly a year.

He said the operation of the two Lagos airport’s runways had increased efficiency and reduced congestion.

Mr Keyamo said he worked closely with the Central Bank of Nigeria to ensure clearance of the longstanding backlog of trapped funds for foreign airlines.

“By actively engaging the UK authorities on the reciprocal rights under our BASA, I successfully broke the long-standing monopoly of foreign airlines on the UK-Nigeria route. This led to the granting of reciprocal operating rights to Air Peace, a local airline, resulting in increased competition and reduced international airfares for Nigerian travellers. This allows liberalised air transport commercial activities without any restrictions as to routes and capacity among others,’’ he said.

The minister said the “United States-Nigeria Open Skies Air Transport Agreement’’ came into force under his watch.

He added that the significant milestone opened doors for local airlines to operate the route, promoting increased connectivity and trade between the two countries.

Mr Keyamo said he successfully facilitated the resumption of Emirates flights through diplomatic efforts coordinated with United Arab Emirates’ authorities to strengthen air travel connectivity between Nigeria and the UAE.

The minister said there was a plan in place for the development of a master plan for the nation’s major airports to transform them into proper hubs and aerotropolis.

(NAN)