COVID-19 Costs Nigerian Aviation N17bn — Sirika

Hadi Sirika, minister of aviation, says many airlines will not survive the economic crisis which is a fallout of COVID-19.

Speaking at the briefing of the presidential task force on COVID-19 on Wednesday, Sirika said though COVID-19 has affected different sectors of the economy, none could be compared to that of aviation.

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He put the loss suffered by the Nigerian aviation industry during COVID-19 at N17 billion, saying the loss can never be recovered.

“Certainly in civil aviation, we’re in very difficult moments like everyone else. All of this started because someone travelled. Unfortunately, he came back home with it and the consequence is what we’ve been going through,” he said.

“We are very aware of our responsibilities and the weight attached to this. We are worst hit among all the sectors. Some 17 billion is being lost by the airlines monthly, thanks to COVID-19. The sector is highly regulated and very coordinated and has set standards that must be followed at all times, regardless, because we speak to safety.

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“This is the situation of civil aviation. It is really a pathetic one and I can guarantee you that several airlines won’t come out of this, unfortunately.”

Amid the economic crisis, Arik Air, one of the leading airlines in the country, had asked 90 percent of its staff to embark on unpaid leave beginning from May 1.