Tag: Keyamo

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has restated the commitment of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration’s resolve to address the lack of reciprocity in the bilateral air services agreement between Nigeria and the United Kingdom and other countries.

Specifically, Keyamo said he would be doing a written communication to the United Kingdom Secretary of Transport to seek reciprocity on the Nigeria / United Kingdom route.

The letter, Keyamo said, would seek to  correct existing gaps to ensure Nigerian carriers could secure slots to land at Heathrow Airport.

Keyamo, however, questioned why UK carriers choose prime Nigerian routes while giving Nigerian airlines second-tier airports.

He said: “Lufthansa is coming here, but we are not going to Frankfurt. Delta, United are coming from America, but we are not going there. South Africa is coming here with no reciprocity. Meanwhile, we have managed to get to London Gatwick, and we are pushing for Heathrow. I am writing a letter to my counterpart in the UK. You can’t tell us you have a slot committee. If you are concessioning your airports to people, you need to respect your obligations. Tell those in your slot committee to respect BASAs.”

Read Also: Keyamo seeks direct flight from Nigeria to Canada

Keyamo stressed that without reciprocity, Nigerian airlines won’t get the connectivity needed. When they access Heathrow, they can buy many tickets, and local airlines can codeshare with others.

He said airlines need access to aircraft, as the government is in discussion  with the Aviation Working Group, which includes Airbus and Boeing.

Furthermore, Keyamo questioned the capacity of local insurers, attributing it as one reason for high fares.

He made this assertion at the League of Airport and Aviation Correspondents (LAAC) Conference, themed “Aviation Survivability Amidst a Challenging Macro-Economic Environment.”

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has advocated for a direct flight from Nigeria to Canada following the increasing number of Nigerians who reside in Canada.

Keyamo, while stating that most flights to Canada are transit, said modalities need to be put in place to support the population there.

He also said Nigeria is equidistance to most countries in the world and should be a major hub in Africa.

The minister, who said that there was a need for infrastructural development in the Nigerian Aviation sector, added that Nigeria has a long-standing relationship with Canada and may consider cargo development since lots of Nigerian eateries are springing up in Canada.

He stated this on Monday, July 22, in Abuja when the Canadian High Commissioner in Nigeria paid him a courtesy call.

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Minister in a statement by the Head of Information, Press and Public Affairs of the Ministry, Odutayo Oluseyi, stated that a focal person from the Ministry will be appointed to firm up arrangements in terms of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Canada and Nigeria as regards direct route, repository, cargo flight and the proposed side meeting in Canada for business investments. 

The Canadian High Commissioner in Nigeria, Jamie Christoff stated that Nigeria has a student population of about 18,000 in Canada with a growing population in various sectors.

He said modalities will be put in place to see the possibility of a direct route to Canada.

Christoff said Canada has a large aviation sector of about $ 20 billion, adding that he was willing to introduce private sector investors to Nigeria.

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, will this month collaborate with other key players in the air transport industry to address the numerous challenges facing the sector.

Keyamo is set to speak at the 28th Annual Conference of the League of Airport and Aviation Correspondents (LAAC) in Lagos.

A statement confirming his participation highlighted that Keyamo intends to utilize stakeholders’ insights and resources to restore the sector to its former glory.

Keyamo said: “Stakeholders remain a key component of my desire to reposition the aviation sector onto its enviable path where the industry can stand shoulder-high with others on the global stage. I am aware that past recommendations from the LAAC Annual Conference have helped shape the course of the development of the sector positively.

“I have no doubt the deliberations and solutions proffer at the 2024 edition by the array of seasoned experts and stakeholders at this year’s edition.”

The minister added that the theme of the conference “Aviation Survivability Amidst A Challenging Macro-economic Environment”, couldn’t have come at a better time as the ministry is poised to ensure every obstacle is addressed to reposition the sector.

Read Also: Be accountable to Nigerians, don’t betray their trust, Tinubu tells public servants

A statement by the organising committee noted that the Chief Executive Officer of CITA Group, Dr. Thomas Ogungbangbe, will provide leadership for the conference, while a former Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) Captain Hamisu Yadudu will moderate the sessions.

The document disclosed that the Managing Director of Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Engr. Umar Farouk will deliver the keynote speech while the panel session will include the Acting Director General, Civil Aviation, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Chris Najomo, the Managing Director/Chief Executive of Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, and Dr. Wale Babalakin, Chairman, Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL) as members.

The statement added that a former Rector of Nigeria College of Aviation Technology, (NCAT), Zaria, Capt Samuel Caulcrick, and the Second Vice President of Aviation Safety Round Table Initiative (ASRTI), Dr. Alex Nwuba will offer their perspectives on salient industry issues.

The committee stated that this year’s conference theme was inspired by the challenging state of Nigeria’s economy, which has exacerbated existing constraints on the growth and development of the country’s aviation sector.

The challenges include limited access to foreign exchange, a weakening currency, high fuel and maintenance costs, inadequate airport infrastructure, regulatory hurdles, increasing manpower demands, the need for technology upgrades, and issues related to passenger comfort, all of which require urgent attention from industry stakeholders.

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo has said investment in the aviation industry would boost trade, tourism, create jobs and spur innovation.

The Minister said the sector plays a critical role in global trade by facilitating swift and efficient transportation of high-value, time-sensitive goods such as electronics, pharmaceuticals, and perishable items. 

He said the link between tourism and aviation cannot be overemphasised, stating that the growth witnessed in international tourism is largely driven by the expansion of air travel.

He also said investment in automation and artificial intelligence, would enhance the efficiency and security of air cargo operations, thereby making it an attractive prospect for investors.

The Minister spoke in Abuja on Friday while delivering a keynote address at the Nigeria-Middle East Investors Expo and Awards.

The event witnessed participation from investors and stakeholders who indicated readiness to explore the potential in Nigeria’s aviation sector.

The Minister in a statement by the spokesman of the Ministry,  Odutayo Oluseyi, the Minister commended the organizing committee of the Africa Industrial and Development Conference & Award for their dedication and efforts in creating a platform that underscores partnerships and investment opportunities within the aviation industry. 

Keyamo, while stating reasons for investment in the sector, noted that Nigeria’s strategic location and infrastructure initiatives places the country as a gateway to West and Central Africa’s vibrant markets.

Read Also: Keyamo urges visa restrictions removal for Africa’s business growth

He added that the impressive growth in passenger traffic and air connectivity in the recent years makes it a great potential for investment.

He said: “Domestic passenger traffic saw a 74% increase between 2020 and 2021, and a 6% rise between 2021 and 2022, surpassing pre-COVID-19 levels by the end of 2022.

“International passenger traffic also demonstrated significant recovery, with a 45% increase between 2020 and 2021 and a 64% rise between 2021 and 2022.”

 The Minister expressed confidence in sustaining the growth, emphasizing the lucrative opportunities for investment in airlines, airport infrastructure, and innovative travel technologies.

The Minister of Aviation & Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has called on the governments  of  African countries to take urgent steps in facilitating the  removal of  visa restrictions to enable the free movement of people and goods across the continent.

To achieve this , Keyamo said there is  need to work with Foreign Affairs Ministers across Africa to push for accelerated economic development.

Speaking at the Wings of Change Focus Africa Conference in Johannesburg, South Africa, the Minister made a case for adequate funding of air transport in Africa.

Also speaking at the event, IATA,s Regional Vice President, Africa & Middle East, Kamil Al-Awachi called for pursuit of net zero carbon emissions by 2050, which constitutes part of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria ( FAAN) recent programmes.

Speaking on the fall – out of the conference, FAAN ‘s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Mrs Obiageli Orah, said the authority, under the leadership of Mrs Olubunmi Kuku as Managing Director, has taken recent steps to make Nigeria’s airports safe and accessible by genuine tourists and travellers, alongside efforts to eliminate touting and other forms of criminal conducts around the airports.

Read Also: Keyamo’s victories and challenges

She said the recent creation of a dedicated Department for Cargo Services in FAAN has underscored  the need for improvement of trade facilitation.

Orah said some interventions have been put in place to boost 

 Air cargo Facilities and Infrastructure, Cargo Compliance, Closer collaboration amongst African countries and Stakeholders as well as Cargo Specialized Training for stakeholders.

She said on issues at the IATA conference:”  There was emphasis on digitalization of passenger processing and how the embrace of robotics technology by airports in Africa would help to give customers further experience of speed, efficiency and excellence. The use of technology to drive efficiency has been part of FAAN’s priority agenda under the present dispensation.

“There were also concerns expressed about staffing challenges associated with embrace of technology as well as portability skill of aviation training in the airport system.

“Stakeholders emphasied the need to train and engage fresh minds and to retain younger people in the airport system while encouraging professionals within the system to return so as to sustain the industry’s development. This applauds the recent massive trainings conducted by FAAN’s training schools across the country.

“FAAN’s recent efforts to optimize and improve revenue generation was equally justified by deliberations around airports revenue improvements.

“Generally, discussions at the IATA Conference confirmed the fact that FAAN is on the right course in pursuit of its vision of becoming one of the best airport companies in the world.”

…IATA commends Nigeria for clearing foreign airlines trapped funds

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has advocated the inclusion of African Foreign Affairs Ministers to drive full implementation of the Yamoussoukro Declaration (YD) and the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM).

He made the call during the plenary discussion at the IATA Wings of Change Focus Africa Conference in South Africa.

He argued that since the ministers were responsible for drawing the Agenda of the African Union (AU) Summit, it is expedient for them to be sensitised on the need to bring the issue of YD and SAATM to the front burner for political decisions to be taken to address existing challenges.

This is contained in a statement in Abuja by the Head of Information, Press and Public Relations of the ministry, Odutayo Oluseyi.

The Minister said: “To make SAATM work, it is not African Civil Aviation Ministers alone to drive them, we need to mobilise the African Union to remove the domestic restrictions, as the political leaders in Africa are the ones bestowed with the power to give directive to their Ministers on the way forward.”

Read Also: Private jets in Nigeria used for money laundering, other vices – Keyamo

Participants welcomed the recommendation as the best way to go in driving the successful operationalization of the two programmes geared towards connecting Africa and growing civil aviation in the continent.

Meanwhile, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has commended the Nigerian Government for clearing the backlog of foreign airlines trapped funds of over $831 million.

The Regional Vice President of Africa and Middle East of IATA, Mr. Kamil Al-Awadhi, made the commendation in his opening address during the conference.

Kamil, while noting the negative impacts of foreign airlines, trapped funds in some countries singled out Nigeria and commended the Government of Nigeria.

The IATA Wings of Change Focus Africa Conference themed “Towards a More Resilient and Sustainable African Aviation” serves as a premier industry event in Africa.

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has claimed that certain private aircraft operating in Nigeria are being used for money laundering, drug trafficking, and other illicit activities.

The disclosure was made by Keyamo on Thursday, June 27, at the Abuja Ministry of Aviation during the formation of a Ministerial Taskforce Committee aimed at stopping illicit charter activities in the nation.

Despite not naming the airlines, the minister said that the illicit actions had cost the industry billions of dollars and created serious security issues.

Read Also: Keyamo kicks off Zamfara Airport project

The minister went on to say that some of those engaged in illicit activity had obtained permits for flying non-commercial aircraft but had violated the terms of those licenses.

Speaking to the committee members, Keyamo ordered them to compile a list of all operators of non-commercial flights, look into all professional licenses and verify their legitimacy, and suggest sanctions for airlines found to be culpable.

The eight-member group, led by Ado Sanusi, the CEO of Aero Contractors, was tasked with reporting to the minister on its conclusions within the next three months.