Domestic airlines operating in Nigeria are gradually bracing up to commence and expand international operations with acquisition of new aircraft and admission of the carriers into the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
BusinessDay’s checks show that the airlines are beginning to acquire more aircraft, join IATA membership, get international certifications and subject themselves to frequent audit and checks by international aviation organisations to enable them fly into Middle East, European and African countries.
Last week, Dana air and Air Peace were admitted as a member of the International Air Transport Association (IATA). These airlines achieved the feat few months after securing their IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) certificate. Two weeks back, Medview acquired a Boeing 777 for its London operations.
Allen Onyema, Chairman of Air Peace Airline said its admission into the global air transport body was a heart-warming development, coming at a time it was deepening the quality of its flight services and expanding its operations to seamlessly connect more local, regional and international destinations.
“We should have by now started our foreign operations but for some kind of hindrances that have to do with policy. We are ready to touch the whole world but we need the support of government and people of Nigeria. The Boeing 777 aircraft we bought have to be type certificated by the Nigerian Civil
Aviation Authority (NCAA), because before now, no Nigerian airline has operated the aircraft type.
“That is why we are waiting on Boeing and the Nigerian government, as represented by the NCAA to come together and type certificate Nigeria on the aircraft type. It is after that, NCAA will be able to carry out oversight function on the aircraft.
“We have facilitated the training of NCAA pilots and engineers on the aircraft. That is why the aircraft are not yet in Nigeria and it costs Air Peace hugely to maintain them where they are outside the country. After the type certification we can now bring in these beautiful birds into the country,” Onyema said.
He said the airline will save Nigeria a lot of money when it begins to operate international destinations, adding that Nigeria needs more domestic airlines to operate international.
He disclosed that Air Peace has received approval from one of the countries it wished to fly to, but will commence operations yet or announce it until the airline gets type certificated.
Obi Mbanuzuo, the accountable Manager of Dana Air, while responding to the airline’s latest achievement said, “becoming a member of IATA is a significant milestone for us at Dana Air and this only demonstrates our level of professionalism and commitment to operational efficiency in terms of providing our guests with safe, seamless and world-class air transport service in Nigeria.
“Apart from the fact that this membership will further strengthen our relationship with other international airlines, we see it as an opportunity to take our amazing products to the global stage through interline and code-share agreements.
“You would recall that Dana Air is the first and only Nigerian airline to have undergone an operational audit conducted by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority and its foreign partners – The Flight Safety Group, and we are determined to reinforce our strategic route network within and beyond Nigeria,’’ Mbanuzuo said.
The fierce competition in the highly priced Lagos-London route, where international carriers like British Airways and Virgin Atlantic make their kill with outrageous fares may have ebbed as the domestic carrier; Medview, joins the fray with state of the art aircraft and excellent service.
The new aircraft introduced by the domestic carrier has in-house entertainment that may rate as the best on the route with well-groomed cabin crew, unbeatable cuisine with a touch of local foods and flat beds in business class.
BusinessDay’s checks show that Medview airline return economy class ticket on the Lagos-London route, cost N333,000, while a British Airways airline return economy class ticket on the Lagos-London route cost almost N1.5million, almost four times the amount Medview is currently charging.
Lookman Animashaun, the Airline’s Chief Operating Officer said in a bid to satisfy its customers, the airline deployed this aircraft to London route.
“The aircraft was brought in from Portugal. It has the best state-of-the-arts facilities. This is the best aircraft for them to use. This aircraft will be used to ply the London route for two years. Passengers’ reactions towards this new aircraft have been amazing. They love it so much and have expressed their feeling,” Animashaun said.
He noted that last year’s patronage was great for the airline and it hopes to sustain the patronage, especially with the new aircraft.
“Our operations on the London route have been able to checkmate airfares for competing carriers on the London route. I learnt about few weeks back that British Airways brought down their airfares to below 600dollars which has never happened and this is because Medview has been able to standardise the fares,” he disclosed.
He further revealed that on November, 8th, the airline plans to commence Dubai route, and they are also planning to commence Johannesburg towards first quarter of next year.
IFEOMA OKEKE
