Published On:Sunday, April 29, 2012
Posted by Unknown
Air Nigeria in second chance to shine on Lagos-London route
The recommencement of Air Nigeria's operations to London and Johannesburg has generated excitement in the aviation industry. At least, this will bring choices to travelers on the lucrative Lagos-London route.
THE planned return of Air Nigeria on the international route has elicited joy for teeming Nigerians. Their excitement is understandable as it is coming at a time many Nigerians are crying of lack of choices. It is equally coming at a time travellers, particularly premium travellers, lovers of Business and First class fliers are complaining of exorbitant high fares on the lucrative London route.
The resumption of the airline to London on May 16 and to Johannesburg on May 17 would make the carrier to also partake in the huge market share lost to foreign airlines on the route.
Two European mega carriers, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic Airways are the undisputed heavy weight on that route and their monopoly has been attributed to the quality of service, high safety level, timeliness that has made them the preferred choices among Nigerian travellers.
Nigerian airlines have been accused of the opposite of what these carriers stand for. But Air Nigeria would only have itself to blame if it fails on the route.
Government has also not helped the carriers like what is obtained in other climes.
Stakeholders urged the government to come up with a policy to protect airline operators like what is obtained in the United States where airlines are protected under the bankruptcy law.
Speaking to The Guardian recently, the Secretary-General of Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), Captain Mohammed Joji said, "All we are saying is give us a single digit loan and use the assets as security. America has chapter five, chapter six and chapter 12 bankruptcy protections. They protect the industry from going bankrupt.
"One American airline alone has over 750 aeroplanes and employs over 200,000 people; the government has to protect them because if that airline collapses, the entire economy of that region will collapse, including fuel suppliers."
The AON general secretary added, "If I borrow, for instance, $10 million from abroad for a three-year period, I will pay an equivalent of N353 million on it. If I do the same thing in Nigeria, I will pay equivalent of N1.35 billion, how can you survive under that condition? How much will you charge?
"Sometimes, we had to go to Ghana to change an engine and bring it back to Nigeria, why should we do that? That is what we are saying that there are so many issues, which we have to look at; the cost of operations is very high."
Joji tasked the government to come up with a policy to protect airline operators like what is obtained in the United States where airlines are protected under the bankruptcy law.
"If I say I am going to bring an aeroplane for lease, Customs will demand performance bond. Performance bond is given just for a year and is renewable twice every six months; what happens to the balance of three years? The business is anti-airline."
Joji lamented a situation whereby the tax exemption granted the aviation industry by the former President Olusegun Obasanjo administration even years ago had yet to be implemented.
According to him, such a development will make Nigeria to play second fiddle to other nations in terms of aviation, adding that the sector was a catalyst to economic growth and development.
Already, there are signs that the airline has studied the terrain very well and with the assurance coming from the Director, International Operations of the airline, Mr. Richard Aisuebeogun, the carrier is at the verge of providing the services that Nigerians would enjoy.
Air Nigeria is to start schedule flights from the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos to London Gatwick on May,16 2012.
Also, the following day-May 17, commence flights to Johannesburg, South Africa, using Airbus A330-200 aircraft to service both routes.
This was disclosed last week by the Chief Executive Officer of the airline, Mr Kinfe Kahssaye at a press briefing in Lagos to announce the new development.
Speaking on the commencement of both services, Kahssaye, said: "After the successful turn-around of the airline over the last two years, the airline is now well positioned to compete favourably on the international market".
The airline is currently implementing a growth phase strategy initiated by Jimoh Ibrahim who acquired the airline two years ago.
The recommencement of the long-haul flights mark a historic moment for Nigerian aviation and in the West African sub-region as passengers now have a wider array of choice and more than ever before, can conveniently connect onwards to London and Johannesburg and points beyond.
Kahssaye further noted that the recommencement of the long-haul flights confirms Air Nigeria's commitment to boost business and tourism travels through regular growth and innovation that will meet the aspirations of the travelling publics.
"Passengers will have distinctive onboard experience on the flights as indigenous meals and variety of movies will be offered as the airline is committed to delivering quality services at an affordable price".
At the inauguration of the international flight operations on May 16 and 17, Air Nigeria will operate three flights weekly to both London and Johannesburg, and by June 16, 2012, increase the frequency on the Lagos-London Gatwick route to daily flights.
The long-haul services will be operated with the recently acquired modern Airbus A330-200 aircraft in two class configurations of 24 Business seats and 244 Economy class seats.
The aircraft is equipped with state-of-the-art iPADS for in-flight entertainment in the business class cabin, making Air Nigeria one of the first African airline to offer such a product to passengers.