The effects of COVID-19 pandemic on the air transport industry are not abating, making airlines struggle to stay afloat. Although the Federal Government has released a N5 billion stimulus package for the domestic carriers, the amount is considered a drop in the ocean if the airlines are to get out of the woods. The Chief Executive Officer, Arik Air, Captain Roy Ilegbodu, in this interview with KELVIN OSA-OKUNBOR, examines the lingering challenges airlines are grappling with since the outbreak of the pandemic. He also talks about the effects of the depreciating naira against other currencies on airline operations and the deplorable state of airport and air navigation facilities.
The Federal Government recently rolled out a N5 billion stimulus package for the aviation sector. To what extent will this resolve the problems of airlines?
What we got was definitely not enough as we could have done with a lot more. The impact of the pandemic has been quite significant allover the world. Globally, governments have massively supported airlines, so we did expect a bit more from our government. However, we also understand that the government itself faces significant challenges from all other sectors of the economy. Therefore, we do not think of ourselves as unique. So, we appreciate the little we got; something little is better than nothing. I think that helped in its own little way, aiding us to surmount some of the challenges we face.
What are the challenges of the airlines?
We have the challenge of foreign exchange – that is one big issue. The exchange rates have virtually gone up significantly by approximately 40 per cent since COVID-19 struck.You realise that our industry itself is tied to the supply from outside Nigeria.To support an aircraft with spare parts you need all sorts coming in. So significant sums of money are spent on maintenance, the airplane on a daily basis must be maintained. You can’t compromise maintenance of…