Foreign airlines operating in Nigeria have bowed to the pressure from the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, directing them to patronise local caterers for meals during their flights.
Since October 2024, the Federal Government has been calling on foreign airlines to patronise local caterers, but the concerned airlines ignored the call.
Later, Keyamo threatened to reject the summer schedules of foreign airlines that refuse to patronise local caterers for outboard meals. Airlines sign this schedule quarterly to secure operations in the country.
The in-flight catering market is valued at $17.8bn as of 2023 and is projected to reach $30.2bn by the end of 2033, according to analysis by Fact.MR.
While stakeholders in the aviation sector hailed the government for the move, outbound passengers had also complained about onboard meals, the majority of which were foreign delicacies.
Already some big airlines have catering units in which they have built their trust over the years.
These airlines’ reluctance to use the catering services from Nigerian caterers has been shutting Nigeria out of the opportunity to tap into the $17.8bn market.
However, Keyamo at a stakeholders meeting last month, declared that flying in and out of Nigeria would be dependent on agreements signed with a local caterer.
He said the foreign airlines could choose to stop flying into Nigeria if they feel they cannot patronise local caterers.
He said, “I will not approve the summer schedule for foreign airlines until they show me an agreement showing they have partnered with our local caterers.
“You can stop flying into Nigeria if you can’t patronise Nigeria’s local caterers, and our airlines such as Air Peace will take over the route.”
On Monday, caterers at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos told our correspondent that after the minister’s strong warning in February, international airlines started patronising them.
Abimbola Olatunde, who pleaded that her business name should not be mentioned, said she was surprised to have been approached by two international airlines for passengers’ feeding services.
“I couldn’t believe that the airlines would agree with the minister because this is what we have been clamouring for a long time but no one was listening to us.
“Two international airlines have approached me alone but I have only started with one. As a matter of fact, they also ask that I handle their drinks. I am happy and I must appreciate the minister for his foresight and resolve to also help boost Nigeria’s economy through aviation and its components,”she said.
The President of the Association of Foreign Airlines Representatives in Nigeria, Dr Kingsley Nwokoma, in a telephone conversation with our correspondent confirmed that the foreign airlines had started obeying the directive of the government.
He added that the minister’s directive was a reiteration of the need to increase patronage of the domestic catering companies and Nigerian delicacies onboard.
“Just as I speak with you, I flew Virgin Atlantic from Lagos to New York and we were served Nigerian jollof rice as well as snacks. This further reinforces what I already know. The airlines now understand that Nigeria as a country cannot fold arms while their caterers can also benefit from the industry and that is a good thing the minister has done,” he said.
When contacted, Keyamo lauded the airlines’ high level of compliance, promising to publish a list that will show the level of compliance soon.
“My brother. Yes, the compliance level has been very impressive. Most of them have started turning in their agreements with our local caterers. We will soon compile a list and let you know,” he stated.
