The National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA) has expressed worry over the growing spate of near-fatal incidents in the Nigerian local travel space in recent times.
NANTA’s comment came on the heels of Max Air suspension of its domestic operations following the incident at Mallam Aminu Kano Airport (MAKA) in Kano,which resulted in the airline having a burst tyre and the collapse of its nose gear.
This is just as the association noted that safety operational ecosystem must be prioritised for the sake of passengers.
NANTA made its worries known in a statement signed by its President, on Thursday evening, signed by its President, Mr. Yinka Folami and
NANTA, Nigeria’s biggest organised travel trade professionals’ body, appealed to airline operators and government, aviation regulatory agencies to come together, settle any perceived differences andbaddress all safety concerns for the sake of the Nigerian travelling public.
Recall that the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) announced that it had commenced organisational risk audit for each airline operating in Nigeria, including Max Air, shortly after the airline’s B-737–400 series aircraft with registration mark 5N- MBD, 53 passengers and six crew members onboard suffered a tyre burst on landing at Mallam Aminu Kano Airport, on Tuesday night.
He advised that all hands must be activated to restore confidence in air travel across Nigeria, adding that we do not need unpleasant aviation mishaps; the Nigerian travelling public is already going through a lot and deserves better.
“We are concerned about the tail signs of near misses and operational discomforts ongoing in the Nigerian Air Space, and as much as we commend ongoing investigations to unravel the challenges in the system, we urge all service providers and government agencies to proactively enhance their emergency response systems to ensure the safety and unimpeded journeys of the Nigerian traveling public.”
“Some of our customers have called us to express their anxieties and worries, and as major stakeholders in the aviation downstream sector, we can not pretend that we are not concerned, NANTA President, ” Folami further stated.
Speaking further, Folami, appealed to airline operators, government agencies, and all aviation stakeholders to come together and address differences, adding that Nigeria is at a phase where we must work together for collective prosperity,,
He noted that by working together, Nigeria can risks and maximise passengers’ protection.
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