Keyamo: Govt Officials, Contractors Mandated to Fly Nigerian Airlines

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has announced a policy requiring government officials and contractors to exclusively use Nigerian airlines for both domestic and international travel. The directive aims to bolster the country’s aviation industry and reduce the outflow of foreign exchange.

Supporting the Nigerian Aviation Sector

The policy is part of broader efforts to strengthen local airlines and ensure their sustainability in a competitive industry. Keyamo highlighted the following reasons for the directive:

1. Economic Growth: Encouraging the use of Nigerian carriers will increase revenue for local airlines and help create more jobs in the aviation sector.
2. Foreign Exchange Savings: The move will reduce the reliance on foreign airlines, curbing the significant outflow of forex for ticket purchases.
3. Industry Development: Supporting local airlines could drive improvements in service quality and operational capacity.

Implementation Guidelines

The directive applies to all categories of official travel funded by the government, including those by:

• Civil servants.
• Contractors working on government projects.
• Public officials on official assignments.

Exceptions may be made only in cases where Nigerian airlines do not operate on specific routes.

Reactions and Concerns

The policy has received mixed reactions from stakeholders:

• Supporters: Advocates of the policy argue that it will provide the much-needed boost for local airlines and promote national pride.
• Critics: Some have raised concerns about the readiness of Nigerian airlines to meet the demand in terms of fleet size, route coverage, and service reliability. Others worry that the directive could limit travel options and potentially increase costs for certain routes.

Challenges for Nigerian Airlines

To fully capitalize on the policy, Nigerian airlines will need to address existing operational challenges, such as:

• Fleet expansion to cover more international destinations.
• Consistent adherence to global safety and service standards.
• Infrastructure improvements, including better maintenance facilities.

Conclusion

The government’s directive for officials and contractors to fly Nigerian airlines signals a strong commitment to supporting the local aviation industry. While it presents opportunities for growth, the success of the policy will depend on the capacity of Nigerian carriers to rise to the occasion and deliver world-class services.