Anthony Kila, Professor of Structural Engineering, has identified aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) as a necessary investment to improve the efficiency of the aviation industry in Nigeria.
Mr Kila, Director of the Commonwealth Institute of Advanced and Professional Studies (CIAPS), told the Nigerian News Agency in Lagos on Thursday.
According to Mr Kila, the significant increase in air traffic will inevitably lead to an increased need for new aircraft and a larger number of aircraft requiring maintenance and repair.
In particular, he expressed concerns about why the private sector has not taken advantage of the opportunities offered by the MRO sector for the industry.
“Recently, an airline had to suspend operations and send its staff home because some of its aircraft had to be taken outside Nigeria for maintenance.
“I think there is something fundamentally wrong with the way we deal with MROs, aircraft maintenance and equipment in Nigeria.
“I think there is something wrong because everyone knows that maintenance, repair and overhaul are crucial for an aircraft.
“It is a mystery to me why no one – private or government – sees it as a necessary investment to have MRO facilities in Nigeria that can service Nigerian aircraft,” Mr Kila said.
He believes that it is a worthwhile investment, if you ignore the cost of setting up the plant, adding that the market is in Nigeria and the whole of Africa.
“Currently, we see MRO as a problem. We need to start seeing it as a solution to create jobs, prosperity and efficiency in the aviation industry.”
“If the Minister for Aerospace Development thinks along these lines and we can make it happen, that would be fantastic.
“However, I would not advise the government to do this itself, but to create an environment in which the private sector is able to do so.
“Where people come together, invest and achieve something. But remember, no matter how, the important thing is that it happens.”
“I think the government should facilitate implementation, you know, but if we can’t get private companies to do it, the government can do it itself,” he said.
He commended the Minister of Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, for recognizing the problem but hoped that a solution would be found in due course.
Recall that statistics from Mordor Intelligence showed that the Nigerian aircraft MRO market is expected to reach a volume of $330.16 million in 2024, at a compound annual growth rate of 2.66 percent, and grow to $386.97 million by 2029.
Kila also spoke about other challenges facing the industry, noting that the approach to suspending airlines or ceasing operations needs to be fine-tuned.
“Given the current situation in the country, we need to think more about allowing airlines to operate and keep operations going so that things happen.
“Instead of shutting down airlines when there is a problem, we need to try to solve it while maintaining operations.
“We already don’t have enough airlines, not enough flights. And if we reduce the number of airlines and flights, airfares will rise. Passengers will be stranded and people will probably lose their jobs.”
“We should focus on creating jobs and wealth and then making flights available. That’s why our regulators need to be more constructive,” Kila said.
He also stressed that operating costs are one of the challenges affecting fares.
Mr Kila therefore called for discussions among industry representatives on the cost of flying in Nigeria and the availability of
