THE Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has announced that, similar to Air Peace Nigeria-United Kingdom route, local airlines will soon launch direct flights to America and South America, marking the first-ever direct flights between Nigeria and South America.
Keyamo disclosed this during an interview with Otega Ogra, Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu, as shown on the official YouTube page of the State House of Nigeria, following the Air Peace approval to fly the Lagos-Gatwick route.
He emphasized that the planned expansion of local airlines’ routes to the United States of America (USA) and South America is part of the federal government’s strategy to enhance Nigerian private airlines’ competitiveness on international routes, which have long been dominated by foreign airlines, aiming to drive down airfare prices. “We are looking at the South American route. They are not even flying to South Africa now. Something is in the works for us to start that route to aid the Nigerian flying public and bring down the price,” the Aviation Minister said.
Keyamo highlighted that as the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, the Bilateral Air Service Agreements (BASAs) with other sovereign nations are being enforced.
He emphasized that local airlines looking to service these routes are being presented as flag carriers, so they are respected as Nigeria’s representatives, not just private businesses.
Keyamo further noted that to enhance the competitiveness of local airlines against foreign airlines, the federal government has initiated the process of amending local laws to encourage aircraft lessors to lease their assets to Nigerian operators.
He mentioned ongoing discussions with the Attorney General of the Federation, the Chief Justice of the Federal High Court, and Justices of the Supreme Court to amend laws that currently allow defaulting private airlines to obtain court injunctions to ground aircraft when they fail to meet their obligations.
Additionally, Keyamo mentioned that the government is urging the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) to reconsider its policy requiring all insurance to be handled by local companies, as domestic insurers may not be equipped to handle the significant risks associated with wide-body aircraft.
He argued that local insurance companies would need to reinsure to manage these risks, which contradicts the federal government’s objective of significantly reducing air transportation costs, as reinsuring would further drive-up operational costs for local airlines.
