Onyema laments FG’s inability to protect Nigerian airlines
Managing Director, Air Peace Airline, Barrister Benson Onyema, has decried the poor treatment meted out on Nigerian airlines, stressing that the Federal Government lacks the capacity to protect them.
Onyema expressed this view at the 22nd League of Airport and Aviation Correspondents (LAAC) Seminar with the theme: “Financing Aviation Development Through Private Sector Partnerships,” which held yesterday at the Sheraton Hotels and Towers, Lagos.
He pointed out that Nigeria is the only country where foreign airlines are given preferential treatment at the detriment of the domestic carriers.
According to the Air Peace Boss, Nigerian airlines are not being protected by the government and this has contributed immensely to foreign carriers pillaging of the Nigerian market.
In Onyema’s words, “Apart from giving preferential treatment to foreign airlines, we operate in a harsh economic environment without any form of support from the government”.
He further said that what Nigeria allows with regards to foreign airlines originating flights from the country is not allowed anywhere in Africa and this has greatly affected airline operations in the country.
He gave examples of how government officials choose not to protect Nigerian carriers but open up advantages to foreign airlines especially African airlines that end up stifling Nigerian carriers.
“ASKY airline was established in Togo and their population is not as many as the population of Lagos state, yet they are flying into Nigeria and other countries meaning their market is not Togo; yet when we (Air Peace) wanted to go there, we were given approval in Nigeria only to get there and we were told we cannot fly. I went to the media and also threatened to file legal actions and then someone comes to me and says don’t go to court”.
“This is supposed to be where the country stands up for the airline, but no. Eventually, they decide to give us the approvals we need to fly then they charge us $5000 landing fee and yet we say we are protecting our own, Up until now, we are not flying into Cote d’Ivoire because of their unreasonable charges, yet Air Cote d’Ivoire flies here, so how have we protected our airlines?” Oyenma asked”.
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