Nigerian Aviation News
Arik Air, has lauded President Goodluck Jonathan over the waiver of import duty on commercial aircraft and spare parts as announced in the 2013 budget presentation to the National Assembly on Wednesday.
Mr. Chris Ndulue, the Executive Vice President/Managing Director of Arik Air described the concession as heart-warming and one that will not only enhance safety but also assuage the high operating cost incurred by Nigerian airlines.
He praised the President for mustering the political will to incorporate the tariff waiver in the 2013 budget presentation thereby giving vent to the long sought relief for domestic airlines that have been reeling under the cumbersome Custom procedures for imported aircraft and spare parts.
“There can be no better time than now for this tariff waiver announced by the President as Nigerian airlines are bleeding from excessive taxes. We have been clamouring for this kind of succour over time and are happy that it has finally come”.
“The waiver of import duties on aircraft and spare parts will undoubtedly reduce the financial burden on airlines and encourage good maintenance practices since spare parts will now be available at lower costs,” Ndulue stressed.
President Goodluck Jonathan had during the 2013 budget presentation to the National Assembly on Wednesday observed that airline operators in the country maintain their aircraft overseas at heavy cost and that the relief would go a long way in assisting the airlines to re-new their fleet of aircraft.
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