Arik Air chairman calls for total overhaul of aviation sector

Chairman of Arik Air, Sir Joseph Arumemi –
Ikhide yesterday called for total overhaul of
the aviation sector as one of the steps to be
taken for the sustainability of domestic
operators.
Arumemi – Ikhide said the overhaul should
involve policies, over taxation of airlines,
protection of domestic operators , a holistic
consumer protection law, legislation to
enhance patronage of domestic carriers and
development of local capacity for operators.
He spoke yesterday at a media briefing to
commemorate the seventh years anniversary of
the airline in Lagos.
He said a situation in which aviation agencies
give preferential treatment to foreign carriers
in the allocation of counters at the airport,
would not enhance the growth and
development of domestic operators.
He accused aviation agencies of inciting
passengers against Arik Air under the guise of
consumer protection, insisting that it is only
when Nigerians support and patronise
indigenous carriers that the sector will be able
to create enough jobs for teeming
professionals.
He called for collaborative efforts by all
industry players to save the sector from
collapse , insisting that the Nigerian Civil
Aviation Authority ( NCAA), should be less "
vindictive ", in the discharge of its oversight
duties .