IATA celebrates Nigerian aviation

Allied Air bags IOSA Safety Certification
In spite of the seeming depression in the Nigerian aviation industry, trending events have shown that under the present Federal administration, the industry still has the potential for further global recognition.

A pointer to this is the recent score made on the global aviation scene by Allied Air Limited, one of the oldest airlines in Nigeria which became the first African cargo carrier to scale the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Operational Safety Audit (IOSA).

The success is a lesson that with the kind of efforts being made by the Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, to correct the ills in the industry; more gains will soon be made in the aviation sector.

Following the new drive by the government to reposition the sector for a greater height, Allied Air, is now listed on the IOSA Registry. The airline described as the foremost in cargo operations on the African continent, has also been admitted as a member of the prestigious International Air Transport Association.

A membership certificate was handed to the Chairman/ Chief Executive of the Airline, Captain Val Tongo by the immediate past Director -General of IATA, Mr. Tony Tyler at an impressive ceremony held during the just concluded 72nd Annual General Meeting of the association in Dublin, Ireland.

According to industry watchers, for a cargo carrier to bag IOSA certification, Nigeria has gloriously moved to the leading edge of aviation in the world and consequently translating to an honour for the Minister of State for Aviation and the regulatory agency, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

The IATA Operational Safety Audit program is an internationally recognized and accepted evaluation system designed to assess the operational management and control systems of an airline, in terms of global standards.Allied Air operates with a fleet of Boeing 737-400 freighters, and this certificate has established the airline as a notable business entity in the world aviation industry with productive contribution to cargo movements and trade facilitation around the globe.

Allied success story, no doubt has placed it in a position of a model for others to learn the techniques and economics of running air transport as envisioned by Captain Val Tongo, a veteran pilot and a seasoned aviation administrator with track record at both the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) where he served as a board member. He also served in various aviation committes.

Regardless of its category of operation, Allied Air has remained the oldest operating carrier in Nigeria having been in the sky for over 14 consecutive years.Elated by the achievements, Captain Tongo said the success recorded was as a result of dint of hard work, focus, determination, honesty and commitment to set goals and above all he pointed out that he committed every aspect of the company’s operations to God.

Commenting on the Allied feat, Prince ‘Supo Atobatele, former General Manager, Public Affairs, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, (NAMA) expressed delight that the country recorded yet another significant feat at a time when aviation critics felt the industry has nothing to offer.

He therefore urged the regulatory body to see the achievement as its own glory worthy of celebration while enjoining other airlines to key into the success of Allied Air.