Stakeholder Calls for Policy Support for Business Aviation
Managing Director of Toucan Aviation, Achuzie Ezenagu has called on aviation policy makers in Nigeria to support business aviation in order to grow the nation’s GDP.
Ezenagu made the call on Tuesday in Dubai at the inauguration of Aviation Africa where African aviation experts discussed key factors underpinning aviation development on the continent.
Ezenagu, a Lagos-based contract charter specialist, and Vice Chairman of the Association, spoke on the need for policy makers to support the growth of the industry.
He argued that the growth of general aviation goes hand in hand with rising GDPs and that it actually drives economic development.
“Aircraft are serious business tools, so the more they levy taxes on us the more they stifle the economy. The opportunities are endless, we are still very much at the beginning of the development of this industry and with the new government’s support we predict that business aviation will become a leading industry that drives economic growth and development in Nigeria,” Ezenagu.
According to him, Nigeria is going through a renaissance period in terms of its economic development.
Recently the Managing Director of Landover Airways, Captain Edward Boyo said business aviation is an upcoming sub-sector that will help to grow the aviation industry and contribute in the development of the industry.
He said that though the Nigerian aviation marketplace has been dominated over the years by scheduled commercial aircraft operation, business aviation has made a significant impact in the market over the last 5-10 years, adding that it is estimated that close to 150 business aircraft exist in Nigeria today owned by government, corporate organisations and individuals.
According to him, over 200 business and private flight clearances are processed by NCAA monthly and over 50 percent of the civil aircraft registered in Nigeria are used for business and general aviation operations. Also, more than 80 per cent of helicopters registered in Nigeria are used for business aviation operations.