…Says it is against National interest, economic growth
Calls for sanctions against those who granted such request
A respected aviation pressure group in Nigeria, Aviation Round Table (ART) has condemned in totality the granting of multiple entry points to some foreign airlines operating into the country.
ART which argued that granting multiple entry to foreign airlines was detrimental to busniess of domestic airlines and would kill the proposed new national carrier, said the Federal Government should as a matter of national interest, growth and economic development of the airlines, urgently reverse such approval.
“The current regime of multiple entry points into the country granted to airlines like Ethiopian, Qatar Airways, and others may minimize the chances of success and survival of the proposed national carrier if it is eventually launched,” ART reasoned.
ART in the resolutions reached at the end of its first quarter 2022 breakfast business with the theme: Economic Implications of Multiple Entry Points by Foreign Airlines into Nigeria, insisted that qualified professionals in Bilateral Air Services Agreements (BASA) related issues should be engaged when attending meetings related to signing of the agreements between Nigeria and other countries.
The group which resolved that granting multiple entry points to foreign airlines flying into Nigeria should be done in such a manner that it does not impede or work against the growth of domestic carriers and the economy, therefore stated that commercial discussions and investments in our airlines should be encouraged.
The meeting held at Golfview hotel, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos ART blamed Nigerians who acceded to the request of foreign airlines for multiple entry points into the country insisted that those behind such approval should be sanctioned.
“Public officials responsible for approvals that are detrimental to the growth of the industry should be sanctioned in or out of office,” the group canvassed.
While the group agreed that entry points and frequencies are allocated to foreign airlines in line with the Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) reached with the home countries of such airlines, however suggested that the process should be transparent and handled by qualified professionals in BASA related matters.
“There should be transparent procedures and national interest in activities related to granting of frequencies and entries to foreign airlines.,” it added. “Entry points must be specific these may vary when dealing with sub regional and regional airlines due to multiple agreements signed and instruments deposited.
ART also called on the federal government to support the growth and development of private airlines in the country and to avoid giving undue advantages to some investors.
“It is imperative for government to support the private airlines such that Nigeria as a country can develop very strong airlines that can compete effectively with foreign airlines while also avoiding a situation where some private investors are giving more protections or concessions.
ART also encouraged Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) and other interested Nigerians to consider buying into the 46 percent stake in the proposed national carrier and the government ‘s 5 percent when it is made available in a transparent process through the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) to expand the performance of the market and access to the proposed national airline.
