FLEET EXPANSION: FG, COMAC talks to empower domestic operators – NCAA

By Dickson Omobola

Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, has assured that home carriers volition proceed to get Federal Government’s support, saying discussions with Chinese planemaker, COMAC, are geared towards that purpose.

Director General of NCAA, Capt Chris Najomo, said arsenic a erstwhile operator, helium understands the challenges facing airlines, adding that conversations had been held with Boeing, Airbus and Embraer to boost section capacity.

On September 28, Reuters had besides reported that the NCAA was looking into certifying China’s C919 jet, manufactured by COMAC, for the country’s carriers.

Najomo was quoted saying: “We are looking astatine the certification of the airplane. First of all, that is wherever we person to start. We conscionable told them that if they tin marque definite they facilitate a bully adust lease arrangement, it is better.”

The DG told Reuters fewer days aft COMAC, led by Yang Yang, its Vice President, Marketing/Sales Committee, visited Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo, successful Abuja.

Keyamo had told the delegation: “We are acceptable for this collaboration and volition soon pb a delegation of home hose executives to COMAC’s office to deepen these discussions. Nigeria is unfastened to allowing COMAC to usage our state arsenic a basal to entree the wider African market.”

While addressing newsmen successful Abuja aft the maiden formation from the Gateway International Airport successful Ogun State, Najomo said: “I was an relation before; I americium present a regulator. From my experience, including arsenic a captain, Managing Director of an hose and now, a regulator, I cognize wherever it pinches. We are giving them (domestic operators) each the support.

“We person gone to Boeing, Airbus and Embraer successful Brazil. Now, the Chinese company, COMAC, has travel to spot the minister. We are doing everything to enactment our section content, I americium down the curate and helium is besides down me.”

The station FLEET EXPANSION: FG, COMAC talks to empower home operators – NCAA appeared archetypal connected Vanguard News.