The Chief Executive Officer of West Link Airlines, a charter operator, Capt. Ibrahim Mshelia, has described civil aviation regulations in Nigeria as great moves, but limiting the growth of the airline sub-sector.
Speaking in Lagos during the week, Mshelia said that the regulations were discouraging and contributed to the collapse of some of the indigenous airlines.
Mshelia also said that the Federal Government through its multiple charges was responsible for the early deaths of the Nigerian airlines. According to him, the airlines are overburdened with charges, thereby limiting their potential for growth and expansion.
The charter operator explained that some of the unnecessary charges are passed over to the flying public, which makes air tickets expensive and reduces traffic for the airlines, while others are borne by the airlines.
He said: “So, the regulation has been a great move, but it has been retrogressive for us as operators. It is very discouraging and they blame the airlines for not surviving. It is the government that is killing the airlines.
Recall that last month, the International Air Transportation Association (IATA) rated the Lagos and Abuja airports in Nigeria as the most expensive to operate in terms of levy and tax charges in the world.
