Foreign Carriers To Increase Flight Frequency In Nigeria

Foreign airlines are seeking to increase their flight frequencies in Nigeria as long as the move does not affect the nation’s interests.

The Minister of State Aviation, Sen.Hadi Sirika, who made this known over the weekend said, government would give consideration to requests by the international airlines.

This development is coming as the federal government has promised to improve the economic and operational viability of the nation’s designated international airports by creating the enabling environment for international airlines operating in Nigeria to use them.

Sirika who made these promises while receiving the Turkish Ambassador to Nigeria, Hakan Cakil in his office, said the nation’s relationship with foreign airlines would be based strictly on the Bilateral Air Services Agreements with the Airline’s home governments.

He informed the Ambassador of government’s determination to revamp the aviation sector through the concessioning of its airports, beginning with “the big four” in Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt. According to him, the concession is to address issues of infrastructure, and ensure world class maintenance.

In his remark, the Turkish Ambassador, Hakan Cakil told the Minister that he was in the Ministry to express his country’s gratitude for the excellent relationship between the two countries, especially in the aviation sector, and to explore more areas of cooperation.

He requested, on behalf of the Turkish Airlines for more frequencies in airline’s operations in Nigeria, saying that with the nation’s population and air traffic volume, the request can be granted for mutual benefits