After six years, a Nigerian carrier, Air Peace, reactivated the bilateral air service agreement (BASA) Nigeria signed with the United Kingdom by launching a direct flight to London.
Amidst widespread plaudits and jubilation, the inaugural flight of Air Peace touched down at London Gatwick with the federal government throwing its weight behind the airline.
Dinosaurs Spine at Hang Dong, Ta Xua, Son La seen from above
Daily Trust reports that no fewer than three Ministers were on ground for the inaugural flight. They are Ministers of Aviation; Trade and Investment and Foreign Affairs, Festus Keyamo, Doris Uzoka-Anite and Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar.
The foreign affairs Minister was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ambassador Adamu Lamuwa.
Daily Trust reports that some Nigerian carriers had flown the highly lucrative Nigeria-London route in the past and crashed out leaving the route with only British Airways and Virgin Atlantic doing direct flight while other Nigerians used connecting flights, spending almost a day to connect London.
Med-View Airline, which last operated the route, suspended its operation in April 2018.
However, Air Peace’s entry into the route has crashed fares even as the federal government vowed to give the airline all the support to survive on the route.
The Minister of Aviation said Air Peace’s flight to London would not only crash fares but would strengthen the naira as the airline would not be looking for dollars to repatriate like other foreign airlines.
He said the federal government is not unmindful of the aero-politics that might play out but it is ready to reciprocate if the British government comes up with any unfavourable policy.
He reiterated the policy of the federal government to support indigenous carriers to thrive.
He said: “What we are going to do is to ensure that we support local operators in accessing lease arrangements like what Air Peace is doing today (Friday). Nigeria is on a blacklist to get dry lease. That is part of what I have been undertaking since I came in. I have been trying to assure the world and aircraft manufacturers that we can protect their assets when they bring them into Nigeria.
