By Joshua Yousouph
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has urged the National Assembly to strengthen legislative support for Nigeria’s aviation sector, stressing that deliberate policies are needed to sustain and expand its economic contribution.
Speaking on Thursday in Ibadan at the 50th Annual General Meeting of the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies, IATA’s Area Manager for West and Central Africa, Samson Fatokun, highlighted the sector’s strategic importance to the nation’s economy.
Fatokun noted that Nigeria’s aviation industry contributes approximately $2.5 billion, representing about 0.7 per cent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), but warned that the figure could be at risk without targeted government intervention.
He emphasised that airlines in Nigeria operate under significant cost pressures, making it imperative for lawmakers to introduce policies that would not only sustain the current contribution but also unlock further growth potential in the sector.
According to him, global uncertainties, including tensions linked to the Iran–Israel conflict, have disrupted projections for the aviation industry, adding to the challenges faced by carriers.
Fatokun explained that high operational costs remain a major concern, noting that Jet A1 fuel in Africa is about 17 per cent more expensive than global averages, while taxes, charges and fees are between 12 and 15 per cent higher. He added that airlines also contend with elevated air navigation charges and increased costs for maintenance, insurance and capital.
He further revealed that African governments are currently holding back about $954 million in blocked airline funds, a development he said contributes to higher airfares across the continent.
He reiterated the need for the National Assembly to work closely with the Federal Government to create a more enabling environment for airlines to thrive.
In his remarks, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Aviation, Abdulfatai Buhari, called on NANTA to formally document and present the industry’s challenges to the National Assembly, assuring stakeholders of legislative action.
Buhari also criticised some foreign airlines, including Delta Air Lines, United Airlines and Emirates, for insisting on dollar-only ticket sales in Nigeria, describing the practice as detrimental to the local economy.
Earlier, NANTA President, Yinka Folami, reiterated the association’s commitment to sanitising the travel sub-sector, particularly by tackling touting and promoting professionalism among operators.
