John Adoyi, PBA Journalism Mentee
Nigerian Airlines have issued stern warning to the government of Cote D’Ivoire, giving it 10 day ultimatum – beginning from April 18th, 2023- to grant access to operate or face the consequences of its next line of action.
Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace and Vice President of the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), Chief Allen Onyema, gave the warning at the ongoing Single African Air Transport Market Pilot Implementation Project Workshop(Cluster 1 Coalition Roadshow) in Abuja on Tuesday.
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Onyema said that if Cote D’Ivoire refuses to honour the reciprocity agreement they signed by the 28th of April, 2023, they will “see what will happen thereafter.”
The CEO of Air Peace went on to say that anyone who knows the Ivorian government should pass on this message and that any Nigerian who wishes to travel to Cote D’Ivoire after the deadline should do so at their own risk.
He added that whilst Nigeria open its aviation sector to almost free access to African countries, others, especially West African countries, have continued to deny Nigeria carriers access to their countries adding that the practice is unhealthy, evil, unacceptable and will be challenged henceforth.
Furthermore, he said the actions by Cote D’Ivoire and African countries like Togo and the Benin Republic are against the principle of reciprocity contained in the Bilateral Air Services Agreements they signed.
“Today is the 18th of April. If by the 28th of April, 2023, if Cote D’Ivoire refuses to honour the reciprocity they signed, they will see what will happen thereafter. Whoever knows them should tell them. And any other Nigerian who wants to go there must go there” he stressed.
He further stated that the sky is too big for African airlines to fight adding that Nigeria is the best market for them.
Onyema who spoke on behalf of the Airline Operators of Nigeria as Vice President said the Nigerian airlines are not against open skies but the implementation must be fair to all concerned.
He noted that Nigeria lacks nationalism which is why other countries take advantage of her.
He also complained about unfair billings by Agency for Aerial Navigation Safety in Africa and Madagascar, noting the spirit of Pan-Africanism must be activated and not unfair business practic
