Mshelia advocates fair levy from airport service providers to reduce operational cost
The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of West-Link Airlines, Captain Ibrahim Mshelia has called on the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to consider introducing a fair levy for its services provided to airline operators.
In his Opening Remarks at the 25th Annual Conference of the League of Airport and Aviation Correspondents held in Lagos recently, Mshelia disclosed that the introduction of a fair levy would bring relief to the airlines vis-à-vis the huge burden of operational cost.
“The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has its defined roles; the roles are important to the safety and security of flight operations. We, however, should start thinking of arriving at a fair levy for the services FAAN provides to operators.
“The huge burden of the cost of operations would enjoy a degree of relief to the airlines,” Mshelia said.
He also enjoined stakeholders of the aviation industry to start thinking of a very fair operational ground where airlines can be allowed to handle their ground operations instead of depending on ground handling companies.
According to him, some of the ground-handling companies do not measure up to the standard of airlines, thereby causing them to lose passengers.
“We should also start thinking of a very fair operational ground that will allow airlines to register to handle themselves to taste.
“The idea of patronising the handling companies is a great value chain activity. However, sometimes some of these companies do not measure up to the niche or standard of airlines and has caused many to lose their passengers.”
“It would be a brilliant idea to allow airlines that can certify themselves to handle themselves provided they meet CAA standard,” he said.
In creating a fair operational ground for all stakeholders, Mshelia also demanded that FAAN should stop collecting landing and parking charges from domestic commercial operators.
The reason, according to him, is that FAAN is collecting charges from passengers brought in by the airlines, and part of the ticket sales is also shared with FAAN, among other charges.
“If FAAN is collecting charges from passengers brought in by the airlines, part of the ticket sales is also shared to FAAN, etc. I think it will foster growth and more support to the airlines if landing and parking charges for domestic commercial operators are made free, as a way of cushioning the biting effects of the economy on aviation business,” he said.
According to him, this model is not strange, as it is being practiced in other climes, where enviable standards are adopted to create a fair operational environment for all stakeholders.
“We are quick and good to look at enviable standards around us or elsewhere. We must sometimes muster courage and match our thoughts with actions if we truly want to evolve the sector,” Mshelia advised.
