Aviation safety Round Table Initiative ( ART) has called on Nigerian government to persuade Canada through diplomatic means to review her rejection of a Nigerian flag carrier, Air Peace as the airline approved for airlifting Nigerians who are stranded in the North American country as a result of COVID-19 pandemic crisis.
ART today, made the call in a press statement issued by its spokesperson person, Olumide Ohunayo.
ART which registered its displeasure against the rejection of Air Peace by Canadian authorities, as the airline approved by the Federal government of Nigeria for the assignment, insisted that the stand of Canada, was unfriendly, unwarranted discriminatory and anti- competition acts bordering on avoidable aeropolitics at a time the world demands maximum cooperation of all to overcome the challenges posed by ravaging COVID-19 pandemic.
“The demand of our common humanity at these challenging times posed by the ravaging COVID- 19 requires the maximum cooperation of all.
“In the diplomatic spirit of respect and cooperation among nations, the ART requests that Nigeria should persuade Canada to review her position and bring succour to the stranded Nigerians in her domain
“We therefore request our government, especially the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and aviation to stand firm against this discriminatory and unfriendly act. Air Peace remains Nigeria’s flagship duly authorised by Nigeria for the evacuation mission of her distressed citizens in Canada,” the statement said.
It added, “The Aviation Safety Roundtable Initiative (ART) hereby registers its displeasure at the botched Air Peace Airline evacuation flight for stranded Nigerians in Canada due to the prevalent global lockdown caused by the Corona Virus (COVID-19) pandemic.
“We reject in totality the nebulous safety concerns conveyed by the government of Canada.
“ART views this action not only as an unfriendly act but an unwarranted discriminatory and anti- competition acts bordering on avoidable aeropolitics,”
