From left: Pernmenent Secretary, Ministry of Aviation of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Dr. Ibrahim Abubakar Kana; Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo; Director General, NCAA, Capt. Chris Najomo; Chairman, Senate Committee on Aviation, Senator Buhari Abdulfatai and MD, FAAN, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, during the Stakeholders Forum on Transforming the Aviation Industry in Lagos on Friday
Festus Keyamo, Aviation and Aerospace Development Minister said on Friday he will not approve the Summer Schedule for foreign airlines operating into Nigeria until they patronise local caterers.
Speaking at the ongoing stakeholders’ engagement on transforming the Aviation Industry Through Strategic Partnerships: Advancing Airport Sustainable Development. holding in Lagos, Keyamo asked the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to ensure the airlines comply with the directive.
“Until they show me agreements demonstrating partnerships with our local caterers I will not approve summer schedule for foreign airlines if you’ wan to leave Nigeria because of food, you can, our airlines will fly the routes,” he said.
The minister expressed frustration that Nigerian catering companies have been excluded from the lucrative airline catering business, despite foreign carriers profiting considerably from Nigerian routes.
Speaking on his achievements since assumption of office, Keyamo said modernisation of D and E Wings of Lagos of airport was done recently in partnership with the Ministry of Interior and United Bank for Africa while over $830milion trapped funds of foreign airlines was cleared within the first six months while government made new policy that allowed easy access to forex by airlines.
“The Lagos- London route has been opened courtesy of the dogedness of Air Peace and its chairman, infrastructure development and for the first time, a deliberate policy was made to support our local airlines, we ensured the interline agreement between Air Peace and Emirates. Access to aircraft financing.and leasing was made possible through the Cape Town Convention Practice Direction. We have devoted funds to raining and capacity development apart from making deliberate efforts on optimisation of revenue.
“The historic trip we made to Dublin for the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on dry leasing and ease of doing aviation business, we also have plans for the North East region to receive its first international airport. Maiduguri airport is currently undergoing substantial upgrades to achieve international status, a development which represents a major milestone for the North East region, which has long sought improved international connectivity. And lastly, our policy direction on patronage of local caterers by foreign airlines subsists”, he said.
