Minister of Aviation, Chief Osita Chidoka, has promised that Nigeria will witness sustained transformation in the aviation sector in 2015 that will ensure improvements in the safety of the nation’s airspace and security and comfort of passengers.

Chidoka in a statement issued on his behalf by Assistant Director, Press & Public Affairs, James Odaudu, said that the initiatives of the Jonathan administration aimed at transforming the aviation sector have started bearing fruits with the coming on stream of more private airline operators, newer aircraft and improved passenger service.

He identified one of the initiatives as the Aviation Passengers Service (APS) Portal, which is designed as a one-stop platform that enables the flying public to access real time information about airline operations and services at any of the airports in Nigeria. It is also a reliable source of verified information designed to empower air passengers especially in planning their trips, and has such features as Flight Search Functionality, Feedback Service which enables passengers to provide reports on issues/incidences pertaining to any airport in Nigeria for immediate intervention or redress.

The portal, the minister said, also provides Airline Flight Performance Analysis which is designed to expose the deficiencies or otherwise of airlines operating in Nigeria which, by extension, enables passengers to make informed decisions on choice of airlines.

The recent retention of Nigeria’s Category 1 status by the United States Federal Aviation Authourity, according to Chidoka, remains one of the major achievements of the aviation sector in the year 2014 while efforts are on to ensure the categorisation of the nation’s airports among the 10 best in Africa, by International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards in 2015.

He also said that the resolve of the Jonathan administration to achieve a 100% threshold in the implementation of Aviation Accident Investigation Reports was informed by the desire to ensure safety and security in the sector, and promises Nigerians an Aviation sector that is primed on international best practices.

Chidoka assured Nigerians of the commitment of the Jonathan administration to the establishment of a private sector-driven national carrier that will be economically viable, self-sustaining and a pride to Nigerians.

He charged Nigerians to keep faith with the Jonathan administration in order to ensure the sustenance of the gains of the Transformation Agenda in the coming years.

•Photo shows Chidoka.

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