Sirika Clarifies Multiple Designations For Foreign Airlines

Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika has defended the granting of multiple designations to foreign airlines in Nigeria saying, it is part of the expansion and growth of the economies of airlines but also generates revenue for the country.

According to Sirika, these multiple entries help domestic airlines by improving their distribution and connections opportunities. The Minister made this known today at the 1st Quarter Aviation Safety Round Table Initiative (ASRTI) Business Breakfast Meeting at the Golf View Hotel.
He explained that the granting of multiple entry points to foreign airlines into Nigeria has been ab issue of contention in the industry.

Most recently Qatar Airways was granted an extra two entry points, into the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) and Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa ( PHIA) which irked domestic airlines under the aegis of the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON).

Despite this, the minister explained that the grant of multiple designations opened up prospects to domestic airlines saying it improved their market by distributing passengers for connection.

The Minister’s speech was presented by, Group Captain John Ojikutu at the event

Sirika, “Multiple entries points were granted to foreign airlines based on the nature of their basis. It expanded the business and grow the economy of foreign airlines.

“It also generates revenue for the country as foreign airlines can land at different airports connecting different areas of the country to foreign countries thereby promoting commercial trade, tourism and friendly relations.

Sirika reeled out some obvious disadvantages of the move but still said there were things to gain,” The grant of entry into more than 2 airports in Nigeria exposes foreign airlines to domestic routes and therefore into the domestic markets of the domestic airline and this has its negative implications which include the following: It is against the Cabotage Act, It does not allow the airlines to generate much-needed revenue that would help in their growth.

“Although it expands the business and grows the economy of Foreign Airlines, it also puts pressure on demand for forex as need to repatriate funds which they require for their smooth operations. Technically, it creates a capital flight from Nigeria.”

The Minister however said domestic airlines stand to gain from opportunities created by International airlines distributing passengers for connection with these airlines.

“Nevertheless, there are prospects for domestic airlines as they have opportunities for improved domestic markets by distributing International passengers for connection with these airlines. The grant of entry points to foreign airlines should also be such that they are giving multiple entries, to either Lagos or Abuja and not Lagos and Abuja, in addition, to any other airport outside the geographical area of the 1st choice of Lagos and Abuja e.g Port Harcourt, Kano and Enugu”, he said.