AVIATION INDUSTRY AND IMPLICATION FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study
Aviation has become an integral part of the socioeconomic life of the country. According to Igbatayo and Igbinedion (2014), the aviation industry can be defined as those activities that relate directly to transporting people and goods by air from one place to another. The industry comprises various activities such as airline and transport operations, general aviation aircraft maintenance, scheduled and chartered flights for passengers and freight, as well as air traffic control and regulation. It also includes activities directly serving air passengers, such as check-in, baggagehandling and on-site retail and catering facilities (OEF, 1999) cited in ( Igbatayo and Igbinedion 2014).
It is important to note that the aviation sector is regarded as a strategic industry, not only for its potential for economic growth but also its crucial role in national development and regional integration. As put by (OEF 1999), the most important contribution aviation often makes to the economy is through its impact on the performance of other industries and as a facilitator of their growth.
The aviation industry is part of transport infrastructure on which many other part of the economy depends. It contributes to the economic growth, providing better transport link across the economy. It facilities international trade by providing fast transportation network (Ismail et al 2014).