The Federal Government has hailed the establishment of more sub-national, stateowned airlines, saying it will significantly strengthen the domestic and regional aviation markets.

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, said this after the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) yesterday presented an Air Operator Certificate (AOC) to Bayelsa State-owned Pioneer Airline, officially clearing the carrier to start commercial flight operations.

According to a statement by the ministry yesterday, Keyamo, who received the airline’s management after they received the AOC, said the government is open to having more airlines.

He said: “Today is one of my happiest days as minister because we are beginning to see more subnationals getting involved in the airline business.

“We have not stopped at developing policies, and Pioneer Airlines is coming at a time when the Federal Government is ready to fully support domestic airline operators through a Special Purpose Vehicle in the form of the Nigerian Leasing Company.

“My ultimate prayer is to have enough sub-national airlines to keep fighting for the regional routes because we have the market. “For instance, we have about 277 frequencies being operated weekly by international airlines.

Imagine what would happen if we had enough sub-national airlines participating actively in those regional operations.”

Pioneer Airlines Group Managing Director, Okobaundu Ungbuku, thanked the ministry and its agencies for their support through the certification process. Ungbuku credited Keyamo’s push for indigenous carriers with creating a more enabling environment for new operators.