Expert tells FG to designate two local airlines as national carriers

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace, Festus Keyamo, has promised that the Nigerian economy would continue to experience growth despite the teething challenges confronting the nation.

Also, the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs Olubunmi Kuku, has reiterated the commitment of the agency in advancing the country’s aviation sector by strengthening its airports and providing services that reflect the dignity and pride of the nation.

Keyamo in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Communications yesterday, Tunde Moshood, urged Nigerians to embrace a spirit of renewed hope and unity as the country continued on its path of growth.

Keyamo acknowledged the challenges Nigeria had faced over the years, but emphasised that Nigeria remained on a steady march towards greatness.

Meanwhile, an aviation security consultant, John Ojikutu, has urged the Federal Government to designate two flag carriers from Air Peace, Arik, Aero, or Ibom Air, among others.

Ojikutu made the recommendation yesterday in Lagos.

While appraising the aviation sector as Nigeria marked its 65th independence, the consultant advised that one of the private carriers could operate regional and continental, and the other, intercontinental.

On his part, the General Secretary of the Association of Nigerian Aviation Professionals (ANAP), Abdulrasaq Saidu, said that the country urgently needed a national carrier.

Saidu said the liquidation of the defunct Nigerian Airways was wrong and that President Bola Tinubu should consider correcting the wrong.