$1trn economy not realistic without aviation – United Nigeria CEO

Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the United Nigeria Airlines (UNA), Professor Obiora Okonkwo yesterday said Nigeria’s vision of a $1 trillion economy cannot be realised without the contribution of the aviation industry. He spoke in Abuja during the ceremony marking the inaugural flight of the airline to Accra, Ghana, the first international flight to be operated […]

Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the United Nigeria Airlines (UNA), Professor Obiora Okonkwo yesterday said Nigeria’s vision of a $1 trillion economy cannot be realised without the contribution of the aviation industry.

He spoke in Abuja during the ceremony marking the inaugural flight of the airline to Accra, Ghana, the first international flight to be operated by the airline four years after entering the domestic airline market.

The symbolic inaugural flight was attended by the crème-de-la-creme of the aviation industry including the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dr. Ibrahim Khana, Chairman, Senate Committee on Aviation, Senator Abdulfatai Buhari, among others.

With the United Nigeria Airlines’ entry into Ghana, one of the biggest busiest routes in the West Coast, the available seats per passengers have further grown with improved competitive fares.

…As Airline expands to Accra

The United Nigeria Airlines launched with a daily flight from Abuja to Accra and four weekly flights from Lagos to Accra.

 

 

 

The arrival of the aircraft, a CRJ-900 – at Kotoka International Airport (KIA), Accra was welcomed with a ceremonial water salute even as the aircraft was named after the former President of Ghana, Late Jerry Rawlings for his regional integration drive in West Africa.

 

 

 

Okonkwo who spoke at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja shortly before the take-off of the inaugural flight stressed the need for the federal government to support the airline industry in its bid to realise a $1trillion economy.

 

 

 

He stated that Nigerian airlines cannot achieve so much by creating values for the people and enhancing their movement when they are overburdened by taxes.

 

 

 

“We are appealing to the Nigerian government to continue to support the aviation industry. A one trillion dollar economy can never be achieved without aviation. Transportation in any part of the world is an enabler. Without it, any other thing you are doing is impaired.

 

 

 

“But we can’t fly higher if we are overburdened with taxes, if we are overburdened with so many levies more than anywhere in the world.”

 

 

 

He stated that other airlines operating to Ghana had crashed their fares by 50 per cent following the entry of United Nigeria Airlines.

 

 

 

…Single-digit loan for operators

 

 

 

Okonkwo who is also the Publicity Secretary of the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) called on the government to provide single-digit credit facilities for airline operators to compete with their contemporaries in other parts of the world.

 

“Today we source our money from the commercial banks,” he stated, adding that the government should intervene by providing single-digit loans for operators.

 

 

 

“We don’t want free money, we only ask for single-digit loans for the aviation industry,” he added.

 

 

 

Chairman of Air Peace, Barr. Allen Onyema reiterated his call on Nigerian airlines to unite, saying the sky is big enough to accommodate all the domestic carriers.

 

 

 

He stated that other airlines should emulate the bond between him and Professor Okonkwo, saying their closeness was aimed at supporting each other to grow and achieve great feats in the aviation industry.

 

 

 

According to him, with a Spring Alliance already existing among airlines in Nigeria, the domestic carriers would continue to support one another.

 

 

 

He hailed the resilience of the airline, saying his entry into the Accra route had deepened competition on the route.

 

 

 

The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry reiterated the continued support of the Nigerian government for the aviation industry.

 

 

 

In Accra, the Managing Director of Ghana Airports Company, Yvonne Nana Afriyie Opare stated that the commencement of operations represented the growing confidence in Ghana’s aviation industry, saying the service would boost connectivity and enhance businesses and leisure travels between the two countries.

 

 

 

With more airlines, she stated that there would be healthy competition which would create efficiency and enhanced customer service.

 

 

 

Representing the Rawlings family, Hon. Fritz Baffour said the flight symbolised the age-long friendship between Nigeria and Ghana.