Aviation experts from Nigeria converged at the Lagos airport recently to examine aeropolitics, aiming to chart ways to protect domestic airlines from aviation power tussles and to ensure the rework of Bilateral Air Service Agreements that are against local operators’ growth.
At the summit organised by SAPTCO, experts agreed that Nigeria has significant air traffic volume along the busiest Nigeria-UK routes, despite having low capacity to operate reciprocal flights to London. The professionals urged the Federal Government to be intentional in supporting local airlines in achieving capacity through all possible means, particularly via policies.
Speaking at the event, Chief Operating Officer of SAPTCO, Sam Adurogboye, appreciated the guests while emphasising that the summit will continually resolve industry-based issues as subsequent editions take place.
Adurogboye, who is a former spokesperson of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, further promised that the event will enrich and refresh the knowledge of aviation professionals.
He said the event, which was a dream come true for him, will continue to be a tool of support for the industry in Nigeria. He also advocated for developmental journalism in aviation, saying it is what the industry needs rather than sensationalism.
“For me, it’s a dream that has come to fruition. I have always supported the industry in my own corner. Way back as a journalist, I was and still am of the opinion that what aviation needs is developmental reporting and not sensationalism or over-sensitization. These gatherings will set the tone to turn that lofty opinion into a reality and hopefully make history as we forge ahead.
“So, you are all welcome to be part of that history, the birth of SAPTCO Lecture Series. Ladies and gentlemen, the start of SAPTCO Lecture Series today serves as a strategic announcement of our young consultancy firm. For us at SAPTCO, it is a long-term business development engine, where we will, in a sectoral fashion, be looking at issues with our thought and intellectual leaders both in PR and aviation, which is really my first love,” Adurogboye said.
The key speaker at the event, former Director-General of NCAA, Harold Demuren, urged the Federal Government to renegotiate some one-sided Bilateral Air Service Agreements to ensure balance and uphold the principle that both parties should benefit.
The aeronautic engineer, speaking on the theme: “International Aeropolitics: The Survival of Nigeria Carriers on the London Routes,” emphasised that some BASA agreements favoured international airlines to the detriment of Nigerian operators.
Speaking at the event, Chairman of Air Peace, Allen Onyema, the only domestic airline flying the Nigeria-UK route, appreciated the Nigerian government for its support in strengthening the airline on international routes.
Onyema, represented by Nowel Ngala, Chief Commercial Officer of Air Peace Limited, said passenger traffic on the route has risen to over 450,000.
He said, “The UK-Nigeria route is the first and highest traffic corridor among all markets in Nigeria. It has an annual traffic of over 450,000 travelers, making it the biggest market share in all the markets serving Nigeria. International foreign carriers, such as British Airways, have been operating on this route for over 90 years, since their creation.”
Appreciating the government, Ngala said, “We want to seize this opportunity to sincerely thank the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, the Minister of Aviation, and the Nigerian government for their relentless support and continuous push to ensure the full presence of a Nigerian carrier on this route, despite all challenges. We equally thank the Nigerian travel public for their patronage and patience with us as they continue to make their travel decisions by choosing Air Peace to travel to London.”
