18 domestic airlines share N4bn aviation bailout

The Nigerian government has reportedly distributed a N4billion bailout among 18 scheduled and non-scheduled carriers operating in the nation’s aviation country.

One of the requirements for access to the bailout was the possession of air operating certificates with the fund distributed based on the size of the carriers

Nevertheless, the criteria adopted made some comatose airlines recipients of the intervention fund.

In the heat of the COVID-19 crisis in April year, the Association of Private Transport Companies of Nigeria requested inclusion in the government’s stimulus support plan for sectors severely impacted by pandemic, stressing that road transporters had stronger claims to bailouts than aviation firms.

“Road transport definitely employs more Nigerians than airline operators. Millions of Nigerians work for the road transport business, both directly and indirectly,” Audu Gaddo, the spokesman of the transportation group, said at the time.

“Our requests only cover organised road transporters; companies that operate legitimate road transport services, having a proper business structure and paying taxes.

“So, government has no challenge identifying beneficiaries and channelling its support to those who contribute to government revenue,” he added.