Aviation
THE Group Managing Director of Finchglow Holdings, Mr Bankole Bernard, has urged local airline operators to key into the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Clearing House (ICH) for global investment gains.
Bernard made the remarks at an interactive session with Aviation Correspondents in Lagos.
He said it would be difficult for local airline operators to survive without aligning with the ICH as it would enable them participate in forex, codeshare, foreign partnerships and more expanded inventories.
“Any airline that wants to survive and grow should not depend on point-to-point operations.”
He said some of the benefits included expanding the carriers inventory, its reach, and makes it available to players in the ecosystem globally.
The Finchglow boss also lauded the Federal Government for addressing the past issues regarding foreign airlines’ trapped funds in Nigeria, noting that such should not occur again.
“When you identify a problem and address it, the problems may never occur again. Let me tell you for a fact, airline trapped funds in this country is gone and is gone for good. It will never occur again.
“There are solutions in the midst of problems and the responsibility of government is to regulate and make policies but the private sector is responsible for running the business”.
According to him, government has put in place policies to stabilise forex.
He added that companies would be able to plan and not be in a dilemma of not knowing how to plan because they were not sure of the exchange rate.
Speaking on cargo business in Nigeria, Bernard said that cargo business was in disarray and that government needs to see the opportunities embedded in the sub-sector.
He also commended the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo, for making Nigeria visible in the global aviation space.
He also lauded the Cape Town Convention Agreement which had impacted positively on the sector.
On how the company fared in 2024, he specifically mentioned the opening of a new campus for the Lagos Aviation Academy (LAA).
He added that it played a significant role in the growth of the company.(NAN)
Photo Caption: L-R: Head of School & Training, Lagos Aviation Academy, Mr Bolaji Durojaiye; Managing Director, TravelDen, Mr Olugbenga Onitilo; Group Managing Director, Finchglow Holdings, Mr Bankole Bernard; Managing Director, Finchglow Travels, Mr Ezekiel Ikotun; Managing Director, FCM Nigeria, Adejoju Olutimayin at a Finchglow Holdings media interactive session in Lagos.
17th January, 2025.
C.E.
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