The Chairman of Air Peace, Allen Onyema has lauded the Federal Government’s decision to enforce the principle of reciprocity, stating that the move is the beginning to the end of stigmatisation of Nigerian airlines.
Onyema said this in a commendation letter sent to the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika on Friday in Lagos.
The Minister on Thursday had said that the Federal government would enforce the principle of reciprocity in granting permission to airlines to resume operations in the country.
Sirika had explained that only airlines from countries that allow flights from Nigeria would be allowed to fly into and out of the country.
He said Nigeria’s position was informed by the ban placed by some countries on flights from Nigeria and that Nigeria’s decision was taken in the interest of its citizens.
Onyema said the decision would elevate the image of the country in the comity of nations and send signal to international airlines that it was no more business as usual.
He said: “You are causing a positive revolution in the aviation world. You have, by this action, brought so much respect to our people and our nation.
“Nigerians all over the world are walking tall with enormous pride since the last few hours when the news broke out.
“This is the beginning of the end of the stigmatisation of Nigeria and everything Nigerian. God bless you always. From my sincere heart, I have come to appreciate your nationalistic tendencies.”
Onyema said the minister by his conduct and commitment, had ensured that the aviation industry was unencumbered.
He noted that Sirika had facilitated the customs duty waiver on aircraft and spares and currently working on the unification of charges paid by domestic airlines.
The chairman also commended the minister for his overall commitment to the aviation industry, from his efforts toward restoring infrastructure at the airports to his intervention in labour issues.
He said Sirika had performed well to protect domestic airlines by spearheading earlier the policy that only Nigerian carriers should engage in evacuation conducted by the federal government.
Onyema noted that the two aircraft were dispatched to the cities of Chengdu and Beijing respectively for important national assignments on behalf of the governments of Nigeria and China.
The airline chief said said the two aircraft with registration numbers 5N-BVE and 5N-BWI, departed the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos on Thursday night, just few minutes away from each other.
“We have evacuated 313 Chinese nationals in one flight and will return with over 300 stranded Nigerians.
“The other aircraft will be returning with expatriates at the behest of the federal government.
“Air Peace is commending the federal government of Nigeria for standing by Nigerian airlines,” he said.
