The Ministry of Aviation on Thursday directed airline operators to remit their dues promptly to avoid the embarrassment of their airlines being grounded by its regulatory agencies.

This is contained in a statement issued in Abuja by the Assistant Director, Press and Public Affairs, Ministry of Aviation, Mr. James Odaudu.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the dues include en route, navigational, landing and parking as well as rent and passengers service charges.

The statement said that the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Hajiya Binta Bello, gave the directive at a meeting with members of the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) in Lagos.

It said that the prompt payment of the outstanding charges owed by the operators would enable the agencies to carry out their statutory functions effectively and efficiently.

“In spite of the perceived problems enumerated by the airline operators, the aviation sector has recorded commendable and laudable feats worth celebrating.

“I do not want to believe that everything about the aviation sector is negative.

“We have issues, challenges, but we have things that have worked well.

“If nothing, I have just received a certificate from the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) rating Nigeria 96 per cent after the security audit carried out recently.”

Bello, it added, informed the operators that the present administration was committed to repositioning the sector as a major player in the economy.

The statement said that the Chairman of AON, Capt. Nogie Meggison, decried the nation’s liberal airspace policy.

According to it, the Bilateral Air Services Agreements (BASA) allows foreign airlines to operate multiple entry points within the nation’s airspace.

The statement, however, said that the continued multiple entry would affect the development of domestic airlines. (NAN)