Airline operators commend FG over stance on UAE slot dispute
Umbrella body of owners of commercial airlines in the country, the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), has commended the Federal Government for the position it took over the dispute with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) following the refusal of the Gulf nation to grant flight slots to a Nigerian operator, Air Peace.
Consequently, the Federal Government through the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, last Friday,an earlier special permit it had granted to the UAE’s national carrier, Emirates Airlines to operate 21 slots of 14 frequencies into the Lagos airport and 7 into Abuja.
Unconfirmed reports, however, claim that the UAE has since backtracked on its position as it has now granted Air Peace four more slots than the three it originally requested as well as, permitting the airline to operate into Dubai, instead of the Sharjah destination it reuested.
Expressing its appreciation to the Federal Government for standing by a local operator, the AON commended the Minister of Aviation, Sirika, ‘for the courageous way he stood up for the honour, dignity and respect to Nigeria’s sovereignty as a nation on the diplomatic matter between Nigeria and UAE.’
A press statement issued, Wednesday, by the group, expressed gratitude to President Muhammadu Buhari ‘for his unwavering stance on the issue which emboldened the Minister of Aviation to reciprocate with equal measures the treatment meted out to a Nigerian airline operating into the UAE.’
“The AON wishes to commend the Minister of Aviation, Sen. Hadi Abubakar Sirika, for the courageous way he stood up for the honour, dignity and respect to our sovereignty as a nation on this matter”.
“AON is not unmindful of the leading roles the Minister played in getting our dear President to sign the Customs Duty and VAT waivers into law immediately the National Assembly passed the bill.
“We commend President Muhammadu Buhari’s government for standing solidly and protectively behind not only Nigerian airlines but also indigenous investments and investors in Nigeria.
“By the recent reciprocal actions undertaken by the Federal Government, National sense of pride and belief in Nigeria rose to an all-time high,” the statement further read.
Similarly, the airline operators commended the Director-General, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Musa Nuhu, ‘for his dogged and courageous actions which did not leave anyone in doubt about his resolve to do all within his capacity not to allow any country disrespect us.’
The AON stressed that it is not opposed to other foreign airlines operating into Nigeria but added that it frowns upon the underhand actions of these airlines and their countries in making it difficult for Nigerian airlines to get the necessary permits to operate in their countries.
“We encourage the Federal government of Nigeria to continue to reciprocate, in equal measures, against any country that tries, in any manner whatsoever, to disrespect our sovereignty again”, the body stated.
