The Chairman and CEO of Air Peace, Allen Onyema, has said that what Nigeria needs the most now is airport infrastructure and not a national carrier.
Onyema, who commended Nigerians and the federal government for their role in making the airline a success as it turned nine last week, stated that not having transit facilities at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja has weakened the competitiveness of Nigerian airlines.
He stated that Air Peace serves numerous destinations in West and Central Africa, adding that the airline’s strategic position allows it to bring passengers from cities like Douala, Banjul, Accra, Lome, Monrovia, Dakar, and Freetown to its hub in Lagos
He however, said even though the airline facilitates seamless travel to long-haul destinations including India, China, South Africa, and Jeddah, underscoring its role as a key regional connector, the passengers lack a facility to wait till they board their next flight.
“Unfortunately, we don’t have a transit facility where these passengers will stay until they board their next flight and Nigeria Immigration Service and Nigeria Customs Service are yet to segment this class of passengers who in other countries are made to wait in the transit facility on the airside until they are due to fly again.
“What we need now is airport infrastructure, not a national carrier. If supported by the government, Nigerian airlines can provide the needed capacity. What the airlines need is the support which government in other countries give their airlines.
“We need transit facilities at the Lagos and Abuja airports. Some airports in African countries have these facilities and that is why airlines that operate from those airports are excelling. Suppose we have to maximise the benefits of air transport and the fact that we are the most travelling people in Africa.
“In that case, we must have to provide the infrastructure that will enable our airlines to benefit from flight operations.” he said.
Onyema further stated that for Nigerian airlines to compete and benefit from the Single Air Transport Market (SAATAM), there must be an upgrade of the airports to include the transit facilities.
“If Air Peace can bring these passengers from neighbouring countries and take them to farther destinations, the airline will do well on the long-haul routes. It is these kinds of policies that inhibit the success of Nigerian airlines. For example, the Katoka International Airport, Accra, has such transit facility and we take our passengers from there to Monrovia.
“For Nigerian airlines to compete and benefit from the Single Air Transport Market (SAATAM), we must upgrade our airports to include transit facilities. Immigration should adopt a new policy that recognizes transit passengers.
“Currently, Immigration treats them like other passengers whose final destination is Nigeria and are expected to obtain visas and follow other procedures like other passengers arriving in Nigeria. What is usually obtained is that as long as the passengers are not leaving the airport, they do not need visa because they are in transit.” he said.
Chioma Kalu
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