The Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development has said that foreign airlines have unhindered access to all Nigerian international airports and challenged them to make the best use of these facilities.
The ministry has also commended Ethiopian Airlines for standing by Nigeria during the COVID-19 pandemic era and urged other foreign airlines to emulate the East African carrier.
Speaking at the commencement of a second daily flight of Ethiopian Airlines from its base at the Bole International Airport, Addis Ababa International Airport to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Dr. Ibrahim Kana, said that Nigerian airports, especially the international airports are opened for business.
He assured that the government would continue to give Ethiopian Airlines and other foreign carriers the needed support to expand their operations into the country.
Kana also declared that part of the agenda of the Federal Government was to make the Lagos Airport a hub, just as the Ethiopian Government has done with Bole International Airport.
He said: “For us in Nigeria and the Ministry of Aviation, our dream is to see that Lagos becomes a hub.
And in no distant future, ladies and gentlemen, I can guarantee you that where we are standing here will be the hub for many airlines. If Ethiopian Airlines can serve Addis Ababa as a hub, Lagos Airport too is going to be a hub. Ethiopian Airlines can fly as many flights as they wish.
“Our dream is to make Lagos continually the capital of Africa in terms of business and commerce. And that we can achieve through aviation and aerospace activities. No doubt Ethiopian Airlines has trailed the blaze once again, moving people and goods all across Africa.
“The Ministry of Aviation will continue to give you all the support that you desire and request from us. And we will continue to give you all the support that Ethiopian Airlines requires.
Similarly, all other airlines that want to fly into Nigeria are welcome. Ethiopian Airlines is challenging you.
The Ministry of Aviation of Nigeria is challenging you. Lagos is welcoming everyone. We have Abuja, Enugu, Port Harcourt Airport and indeed Kano airports.
These airports are wide open for all international airlines to fly in and out of Nigeria. Nigeria is ready for business. This is the new agenda. Thank you and may God bless Ethiopia.”
Also speaking, the Area Manager, Ethiopian Airlines, Nigeria, Firiehiwot Mekonnen, said that the airline was dedicated to serving Nigerians with more flexibility and affordable flight options.
She expressed that the second daily operation out of Lagos to Addis Ababa brought Ethiopian Airlines frequency in Nigeria to 31 weekly flights from all stations Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Enugu and 14 weekly flights to/from Lagos with early morning, mid-day and evening departures.
She stated that the airline had become the most preferred by passengers for its flexible and convenient options.
Mekonnen in her speech emphasised that with this second daily flight, the airline could connect all of its 66 African destinations within 12 hours of flight time, noting that there would be no need for layovers as there are instant connections available to Asia, Middle East, India, and Africa and other 150 global destinations.
She challenged the passengers to take advantage of this second frequency and the opportunity it offers to them.
She added: “With this, Ethiopian is willing and able to partner and support travel and tourism in Nigeria. We have also offered to support inbound and outbound tourism in Nigeria. In the coming months, Ethiopia will unfold its plan to support tourism in Nigeria with the recent success of Detty December, Carnival Calabar, Ojude Oba and Durbar Festivals in Nigeria.”
She also lauded the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) for supporting the expansion of the airline in Nigeria.
