Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, has pledged to confront the persistent challenges facing Nigeria’s aviation sector, particularly issues related to flight delays and cancellations.
Keyamo’s pledge came in light of Nigeria’s recent removal from the Aviation Working Group’s watchlist of non-compliant countries, a significant milestone that reflects the country’s progress in aviation safety and regulatory compliance.
In an interview with Saturday PUNCH, Keyamo expressed his excitement over the latest Cape Town Convention Compliance Index, which saw Nigeria’s compliance score rise from 70.5% to 75.5%.
This increase is a crucial factor in the country’s official removal from the AWG watchlist, a status that previously signified a need for improvement in various areas of aviation regulation and safety.
The AWG watchlist serves an essential function in monitoring and enhancing the safety and security of the aviation industry.
It also plays a pivotal role in ensuring that countries comply with international standards, thus fostering trust in their regulatory frameworks.
By being removed from the watchlist, Nigeria is now viewed as a country that meets significant compliance standards, reassuring stakeholders about its commitment to safety.
Keyamo emphasised that the development marks a turning point for the Nigerian aviation sector, which he believed was on the brink of “unprecedented heights.”
He stated, “That is one of the highest compliance ratings in the world. Because we are fully compliant, they now trust our regulatory authorities to respond effectively in cases of private sector defaults.”
The minister vowed to address some challenges, particularly concerning flight cancellations and the ability to service domestic, regional, and international routes.
He expressed optimism that addressing the issues was achievable, especially as the sector continues to mature.
“This is a vital step toward solving some of the problems we face in aviation,” Keyamo added.