NIGERIA MASTERWEB DAILY NEWS

*FG Must Protect Nigerian Airlines Against Foreign Predators By Lateef Lawal Last week, members of the Airlines Operators of Nigeria(AON) cried out over the inclement environment they are currently facing as regards the high cost of operations, the favouritism granted foreign airlines to the detriment of Nigerian Registered Domestic Airlines, Stringent Regulations/High Recapitalization. As earlier reported by this journal to the effect that at the end of their brainstorming session last friday, where not less than 12 domestic operators gathered under the aegis of AON, they resolved to officially intimate President Umar Yar'Adua on their plights with the aim of coming to their aid and stem the tide of airlines going bust with Afrijet and Bellview already out of operations, even if temporary. More airlines could join the fray. However, it was heartwarming to read that the presidency has hearken to the distress call of the airline operators by calling them and other stakeholders for a meeting in the Federal Capital, Abuja October 22, 2009. The meeting I learnt was chaired by the National Economic Adviser to the President who is to communicate to the president, resolutions at the meeting and his own candid advice for vetting and final pronouncement as to what government intend to do to assist the airlines. It is pertinent to point out that the Ministry of Aviation contributed in no small measures to the predicament by over-protecting foreign airlines and leaving their own to dangerous fangs of the predatory carriers from other lands. For example, what is the sense in granting multiple entry points to several foreign airlines, who together operate not less than 140 frequencies in and out of Nigeria every week and a joint 560 frequencies monthly while before VirginNigeria(now Nigerian Eagle Airlines) withdrew from the London route and now Bellview, the trio of VirginNigeria, Bellview and Arik Air hardly operate 15 weekly fights to London or up to 40 flights a month. Apart from the market edge given the foreign carriers cum capital flights out of the country, the multiple entries granted these foreign airlines have taken the shine out of the government's avowed policy of making Lagos or any of the four busiest airports in the country a Hub for air transport business in the country. For better clarity of the point at issue, let us check the multiple routes being flown by foreign airlines courtesy of the Nigeria's Ministry of Aviation: Lufthansa flies Lagos, Port Harcourt and Abuja; Air France-Lagos, Abuja; British Airways-Abuja and Lagos; KLM Dutch Royal Airline-Lagos, Abuja; Emirates-Lagos, Abuja; Virgin Atlantic-Lagos, Port Harcourt; Egypt Air-Lagos, Kano; Afriqiya Airline of Libya-Lagos and lately suspended its Kano operations just to mention a few. When the Aviation Ministry had allowed foreign carriers to dominate our skies carrying passengers that domestic airlines ought to lift and leaving them with little passenger volume that could make them break-even to sustain their operations, why wouldn't they have problems? The first step the government should take is to immediately stop the multiple entry points granted these foreign airlines and ensure that no foreign airline has access to not more than one entry point into and out of the country. By the time this step is taken there is no doubt that domestic airlines will surely record an appreciable increase in their passenger volume with an attendant positive effects on their revenue generation capability.Other issues as regards certain aspect of regulation and those bordering on double taxation on aircraft spares and rotables and other high charges should also be critically reviewed with a view to assist the Nigerian registered airlines.Its time we protect our own.This is the essence of good governance!