By Albert Akota
The Senate has expressed concerns over the constant increases in air fares by airline operators, saying the development has the potential of affecting growth in the aviation sector.
The position was made by the Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Aviation, Sen. Biodun Olujimi, at the opening of the 2nd edition of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) national conference in Abuja on Monday.
The conference themed: ‘Sustainability of the Aviation Industry in Nigeria”, afforded the agency a platform to discuss partnership opportunities towards improved revenue generation.
Speaking in her capacity as chairman of the committee that oversights FAAN, the lawmaker warned that the industry may suffer if the increment is not addressed.
While noting that there may be valid reasons for the increase in airfares, the Ekiti-born politician underscored the importance of striking a balance, to enable more people to travel by air.
Olujimi said: “This is an opportunity for airline operators to be able to address the astronomical increase because the industry will suffer if there is this astronomical increase in airfares.
“Yes, there are reasons why the airfares go up, but there is also a need for us to have a balance for many people to embrace the aviation industry and that is key to the development of the sector.”
Speaking on the demolition of structures at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, the parliamentarian said: “Another is the constant demolitions and destructions around the airport and this is because people are encroaching on the facilities of the airport.
“Government should be up and doing to make sure that encroachment is constantly looked at and stopped before it gets out of hand. A situation where government seats until everything is destroyed before coming into the picture is not correct.”
“I want to suggest that it is time for the NLC and the workers to start settling their issues right behind closed doors and to ensure that when issues are resolved, they are resolved properly”.
Earlier, the Managing Director of FAAN, Rabiu Hamisu Yadudu, explained that the conference was aimed at furthering partnership and sustainability, as part of efforts to mitigate challenges hampering the aviation sector.
According to Yadudu, the event would serve as a forum to highlight available investment opportunities in the industry, to attract prospective investors, who are desirous of making great returns on their investments.
