While assessing the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the aviation industry during an NTA programme on Saturday evening, the Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Capt. Musa Nuhu has foreseen a merger of airlines in the due to the current crisis that has engulfed the sector.
Nuhu said, “The COVID-19 pandemic exaggerated a bad situation; some airlines may not survive but the industry will come back better. It has always gone through crisis but has come out stronger. The Airlines Operators of Nigeria are coming together to see what they can do to help the situation and they met with me. The industry will be different altogether.”
READ ALSO: Arik Air Operations Grounded by NUATE’s Protest
Reacting to the increase in airfares, he stressed that airlines were in financial distress and required bailouts. He disclosed that the airlines carry their maintenance out of the country and it is done in foreign exchange and they need to raise enough money to service the aircraft.
According to him, the airlines have to find a source of raising more naira since passenger load has decreased during the pandemic. That is why there have been significant increase in airfares.
