Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), a collective of domestic airlines, has urged the Federal Government to permit them to obtain the necessary license for the importation and distribution of aviation fuel, commonly known as JetA1. During a courtesy visit to the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, in Abuja on Monday, AON also requested a dedicated support line for accessing foreign exchange from the Central Bank of Nigeria, enabling airlines to fulfill their obligations to passengers.
President of AON, Abdulmunaf Yunusa, emphasized that the purpose of the visit was to apprise the minister of sector challenges, propose solutions, and extend congratulations on his recent appointment. During the presentation, Capt. Roland Iyayi of Top Brass Aviation stressed the urgent need for liberalizing JetA1 procurement and distribution, recommending that AON be allowed to secure the necessary license for importation and distribution. He also called for a review of industry taxes, fees, and charges in alignment with cost recovery principles.
Iyayi highlighted the forex challenge faced by airline operators and urged the government to establish a dedicated support line for domestic airlines to access foreign exchange through the CBN at the official I & E window, supporting both local and international transactions.
In response, Minister Keyamo acknowledged the persistent forex challenge and pledged to collaborate with the CBN to explore avenues for operators to obtain forex at a single-digit interest rate, as requested. He emphasized the paramount importance of airline safety in ensuring the success of the aviation industry.
