LAGOS/Nigeria: The board and management of PPK Aviation International, a Lagos-based aerospace services and flight training agency, have urged the federal government, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, to fully embrace and exploit commercial opportunities arising from the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) signed with other nations. This appeal comes as a crucial move to stabilize and advance the country’s aviation sector.
The plea, conveyed through a statement released on Sunday by the agency’s Public Affairs Officer, Mr. Philip Omolayo, extends gratitude to the Federal Ministry of Aerospace and Aviation for the swift approval of international routes for United Nigeria Airlines, a vibrant domestic operator. United Nigeria Airlines has received the green light to prepare for international flights to the United States of America, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Italy, Ireland, and the United Arab Emirates.
The official approval, signed by H.T. Ejiburu, the Director of Air Transport Management at the Federal Ministry of Aerospace and Aviation, is hailed by PPK Aviation International as a significant milestone and a proactive step taken by the Tinubu administration to rapidly bolster the sector, enhance its competitiveness, create jobs, and generate substantial revenue for both airlines and the federal government.
Dr. Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe, Esq, Chairman of PPK Aviation International, lauded the proactive measures of the Minister of Aviation, Olorogun Festus Keyamo, SAN, expressing optimism that the once sluggish aviation sector will soon experience a resurgence.
Omolayo emphasized the importance of granting more international routes to other viable domestic operators such as Air Peace, Ibom Air, and Value Jet to foster healthy competition, thereby reducing the cost of international and regional flight tickets.
The statement highlights President Tinubu’s ongoing negotiations in the United Arab Emirates regarding the lifting of visa bans on Nigerians and the possible repatriation of Emirates Airlines’ foreign earnings from Nigeria to the UAE. These efforts underscore the administration’s commitment to rebuilding the nation’s economy and fostering genuine development and growth in the aerospace and aviation industry.
PPK Aviation International welcomes these positive signs of industry growth and encourages the Federal Ministry of Aerospace and Aviation to persist in its efforts to approve additional international flight operations under BASA for eligible and financially capable airlines.
Omolayo also revealed that PPK Aviation International has recently sealed a significant agreement for helicopter flight training with the South Africa-based Helicopter Pilot Training Centre (HPTC) in Port Elizabeth. This strategic move, facilitated by Chairman Oghenesivbe, diversifies the agency’s training services to meet the demands of students seeking helicopter (rotary) training in South Africa. The total training package, including accommodation, is priced at $92,000 for a maximum duration of eighteen (18) months.
Furthermore, PPK Aviation International is on the brink of finalizing another training agreement with AEROSTAR Flight Training Centre in Florida, USA, expanding their offering to include fixed-wing flight training in the United States. This move, costing N85,000, encompasses training from Private Pilot License to Commercial Pilot License with Multiengine and Instrument Ratings and is set to be formalized before the end of September.
