Chairman of Air Peace, Mr. Allen Onyema, don raise alarm say Nigeria airline industry fit collapse if Federal Government go ahead with new tax regime wey reintroduce customs duty and VAT on imported aircraft, spare parts and ticket sales.
Onyema talk dis matter during 29th League of Airport and Aviation Correspondents (LAAC) Conference for Lagos. Him yan clear say if di policy begin run from January next year, “airlines go die within 48 hours.”
According to am, di plan wey go force operators to pay 7.5% VAT on imported aircraft and ticket fares plus customs duty on aircraft/spares, no get example anywhere in di world and go suffocate industry wey already dey struggle.
“I happy say Aviation Minister, Festus Keyamo, don carry di matter, because if dem implement am, na instant death for airlines,” Onyema stress.
On National Carrier Project
Onyema no hold back, as e describe di Federal Government national carrier idea as moribund and waste of time.
“Government no get business to dey do business. E go fail like pack of cards. Air Peace today big pass many national carriers for Africa. Instead of importing failed models, we suppose dey lift our own,” e talk.
Foreign Pressure + Local Wahala
Air Peace boss also lament how local airlines dey face double wahala – from foreign conspiracy against Nigerian operators to domestic bottleneck from regulators.
He point finger at di 5% ticket sales charge wey NCAA dey collect:
“You no dey make 5% profit margin, but dem still dey take 5% from ticket fares. ICAO principle na cost recovery, no be to choke airlines,” Onyema vex.
Still Standing, But Under Pressure
Even with di burden, Onyema say Nigerian airlines dey still perform well given di huge investment aviation need. But profit no dey like other sectors such as farming or importation.
He conclude by beg government to support indigenous airlines, remind dem say survival of local operators na key to growth and stability of Nigeria aviation sector.
