Tunde MacAlabi, the head of the Africa Investment and Trade Summit and Exhibition (AITE), has given high praise to Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, for his unwavering dedication to protecting Nigeria’s interests in aviation since taking office a year ago.
MacAlabi mentioned that if previous aviation ministers had shown the same dedication to the country as Keyamo, Nigeria’s aviation sector would be on par with that of developed nations. In a recent statement to the media, he highlighted Keyamo’s commitment to national interests.
One of the notable actions Keyamo took was to cancel a controversial flight agreement made by his predecessor with Ethiopian Airlines, a deal that was seen as unfavorable to Nigeria. MacAlabi also pointed to a recent letter from Keyamo to the British government as another example of his patriotism. In this letter, dated August 1, 2024, Keyamo urged the UK’s Secretary of State for Transport, Louise Hugh, to ensure that Air Peace, a Nigerian airline, is granted access to a slot at Heathrow Airport by November. He warned that if this doesn’t happen, British Airways and Virgin Airlines might lose their rights to operate at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.
Currently, Air Peace is restricted to using Gatwick Airport in London, which MacAlabi deems unfair. He argued that this arrangement is part of a larger scheme to undermine Nigerian airlines like Air Peace, Arik, and Bellview, which have tried to establish routes to Europe.
MacAlabi recalled how international airlines tried to sabotage Air Peace when it launched its Lagos-London route with a fare of just N1.2 million per seat, while foreign airlines were charging up to N4 million. These international carriers even lowered their prices below N1.2 million in an attempt to squeeze Air Peace out of the market, but the Nigerian airline held its ground.
He praised both the Nigerian government and the public for standing behind Air Peace as it expanded its international operations. According to MacAlabi, Air Peace is not only competitive in terms of ticket prices but also excels in the quality of its services and safety standards. He even noted the airline’s exceptional offering of Nigerian dishes to passengers.
Reflecting on the past, MacAlabi said that if the Nigerian government and public had shown the same level of support to airlines like Bellview and Arik when they started flying internationally, those airlines might have been able to survive the challenges they faced.
He also pointed out the lucrative nature of the London route, noting that in the 1990s, when Nigeria had a diplomatic dispute with the UK, British Airways went so far as to offer its equipment and crew to Nigeria Airways to ensure that the UK wouldn’t lose access to the route.
MacAlabi expressed frustration over the longstanding imbalance in the Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) between Nigeria and the UK, stating that the agreement has always been skewed in favor of the UK. He recalled that until the 1980s, British Airways could land at both Lagos and Kano airports without paying the required fees, while Nigeria Airways was limited to Heathrow alone. It wasn’t until the late 1980s, during the Ibrahim Babangida administration, that this imbalance was corrected, despite opposition from those who supported British Airways’ interests.
MacAlabi advised Keyamo to ensure that Air Peace can resume flights to Dubai under terms equal to those enjoyed by Emirates, which flies into Lagos. He emphasized that Keyamo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), has so far carried out his duties with the patriotism, courage, and foresight needed to protect Nigeria’s aviation interests.
