The Vice Chairman of the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) and Chairman of Air Peace, Allen Onyema, has warned that several domestic airlines could go out of business within the next 30 days if the Federal Government fails to urgently address the challenges facing Nigeria’s aviation industry.
Onyema made the statement on Wednesday during the launch of the book, “Pathways, Pilgrimage & Destiny: The Biography of Alhaji Muneer Bankole,” held in Lagos in honour of the former Chief Executive Officer of Med-View Airline, Alhaji Muneer Bankole.
According to him, the airline industry is facing serious financial pressure, making it increasingly difficult for operators to survive.
“Going into aviation is not a piece of cake. It is an industry that is not very rewarding. It is capital intensive, yet less rewarding. Today, we are facing a phase that has existential threats except something drastic is done very quickly within the next 30 days, a lot of airlines might go extinct,” Onyema said.
The Air Peace chairman also warned aviation unions against their planned picketing of airlines over the alleged non-remittance of the five per cent Ticket Sales Charge (TSC).
He maintained that airlines have no dispute with labour unions and insisted that any issues relating to the TSC should be resolved directly with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
“The Nigerian airline industry doesn’t have any problem with any union, nor do we have business with the unions. This is an aberration; it has never been heard before,” he said.
Onyema stressed that Nigerian airlines are already operating under extremely difficult conditions, citing high borrowing costs and multiple charges imposed on operators.
He noted that the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has also acknowledged the harsh operating environment for airlines in Nigeria.
“Everybody pities Nigerian airlines, yet nobody wants to do anything about their situation. Over 50 airlines have come and gone. Why are these airlines failing?” he queried.
He warned that if any airline is shut down through industrial action, other domestic carriers may also suspend operations in solidarity.
“If they picket any airline, others will go because there’s no need for that. There is nowhere in the world that government agencies use unions to talk about issues of debt,” Onyema added.
The airline executive said operators are not opposed to helping the government generate revenue but called for a more sustainable system that would allow airlines to survive while meeting their financial obligations.
He further appealed to the Federal Government to work with industry stakeholders to find practical solutions capable of preventing the collapse of more domestic airlines.
Speaking at the event, Alhaji Muneer Bankole reflected on his decades-long journey in the aviation industry, describing his career as one shaped by faith, experience and destiny.
He also praised the former Nigeria Airways, recalling it as one of the country’s finest airlines during its peak years.
