Nigerian senate worried 47 foreign airlines left country

The Nigerian Senate has expressed concern over the departure of 47 foreign airlines from the country, citing a decline in the nation's aviation industry.

According to a report by the Punch, the Senate Committee on Aviation, led by Senator Smart Adeyemi, raised the alarm during a meeting with the Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, and other stakeholders in the industry.

The committee expressed worry that the departure of the foreign airlines, which include major carriers such as British Airways, Lufthansa, and KLM, would have a negative impact on the country's economy and aviation sector.

Senator Adeyemi was quoted as saying, "The departure of 47 foreign airlines from Nigeria is a serious concern to us. We want to know the reasons behind their departure and what the government is doing to address the issue."

The minister, Senator Sirika, attributed the departure of the airlines to a combination of factors, including the COVID-19 pandemic, high operating costs, and the country's harsh business environment.

He said, "The pandemic has affected the aviation industry globally, and Nigeria is not immune to this. Additionally, the high operating costs in Nigeria, including the cost of fuel, maintenance, and other expenses, have made it difficult for some airlines to operate profitably."

Senator Sirika also mentioned that the government was working to address the issues and attract more airlines to the country. He said, "We are working to improve the business environment and reduce the operating costs for airlines. We are also engaging with international organizations to attract more airlines to Nigeria."

The committee also expressed concern over the poor state of the nation's airports, citing issues such as poor lighting, inadequate facilities, and lack of maintenance as major challenges facing the industry.

Senator Adeyemi said, "The state of our airports is a major concern to us. We want to know what the government is doing to address these issues and improve the overall experience for passengers."

The minister assured the committee that the government was working to address the issues and improve the overall experience for passengers. He said, "We are working to improve the infrastructure of our airports, including the lighting, facilities, and maintenance. We are also engaging with international organizations to attract more airlines to Nigeria and improve the overall experience for passengers."