Posted by By Kenneth Ehigiator on
THE federal government said yesterday that the approval of extra flight frequencies to foreign airlines operating in the country was part of the incentives geared at encouraging investments in the economy.
LAGOS - THE federal government said yesterday that the approval of extra flight frequencies to foreign airlines operating in the country was part of the incentives geared at encouraging investments in the economy.
Government's explanation came against the backdrop of complaints by stakeholders in the aviation sector that approval of multiple frequencies for foreign airlines was aggravating capital flight from the sector, aside from stunting local airlines' growth.
Aviation Minister, Prof. Babalola Borishade, who defended government's action at a briefing in Lagos yesterday, also lamented that same foreign airlines were blackmailing the country over the late completion of repair works on runway 18R (right).
'Government decided to grant extra frequencies to the foreign airlines as part of efforts to encourage investments to boost the economy.
'At the rate things are going, in the next two years, foreign investors will fall over themselves to invest here and the airlines are no exception," he said.
He said Virgin Atlantic Airways and British Airways which altogether are operating 27 weekly frequencies have asked for it to be raised to 30, adding that Emirates has also applied for extra frequencies.
On runway 18R, Prof. Borishade said European carriers merely blackmailed the country by their refusal to use the Murtala Mohammed Airport a few weeks ago.
He said the airlines which, according to him, were seeking media attention, use the same airport to fly out of the country.