The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority has encouraged local airline operators to partner with their foreign counterparts to develop the country’s strengthen operations and the aviation industry.

The Managing Director of NCAA, Capt. Musa Nuhu, stated this while speaking at the 27th League of Aviation and Airports Correspondent Conference, titled ‘Aviation Industry: Changing Times, Changing Strategies’, in Lagos recently.

According to him, until Nigerian airlines embrace collaboration, they will continue to be more fragmented and less competitive with individual identities.

Capt. Nuhu, who was represented by the Director of Airworthiness Standard, Gbolahan Abatan, said despite the numerous challenges, Nigeria’s air transport was making tremendous progress. He said, “Synergy, collaboration, cooperation or merger is the rule of the game. I want to encourage Nigerian airlines to avoid I-want-to-do-it-alone as reflected in their lone-wolf operational tactic. While I want to appreciate our operators for a job well done in terms of spirit and impact, we urge airlines to partner with their willing foreign counterparts through code sharing in developing Nigeria’s aviation industry.