Fakoyejo OlalekanChairman and Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace, Allen Onyema, says foreign airlines can’t survive challenges faced by airline companies operating domestic flights.
Onyema, who doubles as the vice-president of the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), said without preferential treatment, foreign airlines will quit domestic operations within 72 hours despite their deep pocket.
He explained that Nigerian airlines have been demonised by Nigerians without knowing the circumstances surrounding their operations.
The Air Peace founder gave an example of aviation fuel scarcity that forces domestic airlines to look for fuel at 8 o’clock, when they have a 6:30 flight.
Onyema, who was quoted in a report on Monday, also stated that domestic airlines have to make do with one screening machine in a terminal where over 2000 people would pass through.
“Nigerian airlines are very strong. Nigerian airlines have capacity. Nigerian airlines do what foreign airlines and others cannot do. Given the circumstances that we find ourselves in.
“If you bring the foreign airlines to come and operate in this country as indigenous airlines, with all their money but are not going to be given any preferential treatment, so they operate under the same circumstances as we operate, operate under the circumstance where in the morning you don’t know if you have fuel to fuel your aircraft.
“You have a 6:30 flight and you are still looking for fuel at 8 o’clock and the vendors have said there is scarcity of aviation fuel. Even when you buy, the price you buy in the morning may not be the same three hours later.
“Let the foreign airlines come and face the circumstances we face in this country without being given preferential treatment. Let them come where they said your aircraft would be inspected and you have to wait.” The Air Peace boss said.
The businessman also stated that, “Let them come and stay in a terminal where over 2000 people would pass through one screening machine. Let them come and go to Abuja airport where 10 airlines are scrambling for a small space.
“Let them come and find themselves in that crowd where there are no conveyor belts and they have to carry their loads on their heads. Let them come and perform, let us see.
“Foreign airlines will never last more than 72 hours before they walk away. So let us give credit to the Nigerian airlines, they are doing patriotic jobs for the country.
“The truth is that Nigerian airlines have been so demonised by even people who are supposed to protect them and of course the flying public. If they knew the truth, they would give kudos to these airlines.”
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