The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has revealed that one domestic airline is indebted to the Federal Government to the tune of N14bn, warning that the mounting liabilities are undermining the ability of aviation agencies to provide critical services despite the government’s efforts to ease the burden on operators.

Keyamo said the Federal Government had deliberately refrained from taking a hard approach against indebted airlines, opting instead to grant debt relief and negotiate repayment plans in recognition of the difficult operating environment facing the aviation industry.

Speaking during a recent interview on Channels Television, the minister disclosed that although the government had written off 30 per cent of the debts owed by operators, the outstanding debt remained substantial, particularly for the airline owing N14bn.