The Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria has said that the idea of a national carrier for Nigeria if implemented would create employment opportunities for new pilots.
The Managing Director, Rabiu Yakubu, made the statement on Tuesday in Abuja at the 7th edition of Aviation workers’ week.
Yakubu explained that most of the new pilots in the country remained unemployed because they lacked the required experience in the industry.
He said once approval had been given for the floating of a national carrier for the country, the unemployment situation in the aviation industry would change for the better.
For Nigeria to have pilots flying, there is a need to have enough airlines and aircraft.
Yakubu said, “The national carrier will create lots of employment for the new crop of pilots because pilot training is one of the things needed in the industry and we cannot have pilots that are not trained.
“When we have pilots that are not trained, they are almost like no pilots again.”
Also speaking, the Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, said the government was determined to float the national carrier soon.
The minister did not give a specific date for the takeoff of the national carrier.
