The swift changes
that have been recently witnessed in the aviation sector has not been entirely hitch
free, as like every other government socio-economic entity, it embraces its
share of criticisms and sometimes opposition. A recent, and still on-going being
an accusation towards the ministry of aviation regarding the refusal of landing
rights to certain airports, and a marginalized citing of cargo terminals.
There were
several statements by party officials, government officials and the general
public to support and counter these arguements as the accusation went viral on
the media. Most arguements however were based on unconfirmed information lacking
the presence of a clear and factual position concerning the accusations held.
Reacting to this the General Manager, Corporate Communications, Federal
Airports Authority of Nigerian, Hon. Yakubu Dati issued a press release
identifying key areas of relative dispute and citing supporting information
towards clarifying these disputes.
On the alleged
refusal to grant landing rights to Emirates and Etihad Airlines, Hon. Yakubu
Dati through his press release stated that the Bilateral Air Service Agreement
(BASA) between Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), clearly grants and
entitles these airlines to landing rights at Lagos, Abuja and Kano
International airports with an equal
entitlement to operate cargo services at these destinations. The
airlines which have been used to generated controversy, Emirates and Etihad he however
stated have not made indications to take up landing rights, and continue cargo operations
in Kano in line with the BASA agreement.
A similar
accusation leveled at the Minister of Aviation was with regard to Turkish
Airways, Hon. Dati disclosed that the Ministry of Aviation had granted approval to Turkish Airways to
also operate in Makia, Kano. The approval which was granted on 1st of August
2012, also enjoined the airline to partner with the local carrier, IRS on the
Kano route.
Another argument for which clarification became
necessary in the press release was the charge that a
Cargo Terminal meant for the North East geo-political zone was diverted to
Asaba. Reacting to this the communications general manager made clear to note
that the proposed designated terminals were Cargo terminal at Port-Harcourt Airport, Cargo
terminal at Kano airport, Cargo terminal at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International
Airport, Abuja, Cargo terminal at Lagos airport, Cargo terminal at Asaba,
Owerri and Calabar airports. Others being Cargo
terminals at Yola, Jos, Makurdi, Jalingo, Maiduguri, Ilorin and Akure airports.
Other charges
addressed by Hon. Dati include the denial of Skyline Limited, a foreign airline
to land at the Kano airport. Responding to this he pointed out that the
Ministry of Aviation had no knowledge or record of such existing airline.
While speaking
Hon. Yakubu Dati concluded with the need for information verification by
stakeholders and the general public to avoid the dangers associated to
mis-information.
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