Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has issued an ultimatum to foreign airlines operating in the country to patronise local catering services or risk having their summer flight schedules rejected.
The statement was made during a stakeholders meeting focused on “Transforming the Aviation Industry” held in Lagos on Friday.
“I will not approve summer schedules for foreign airlines until they show me agreements demonstrating partnerships with our local caterers,” Minister Keyamo declared during the meeting.
The minister expressed frustration that Nigerian catering companies have been systematically excluded from the lucrative airline catering business, despite foreign carriers profiting considerably from Nigerian routes.
Keyamo made it clear that foreign airlines unwilling to comply with the new directive have the option to suspend their Nigerian operations entirely.
During the event, Keyamo also revealed plans for the North East region to receive its first international airport. The Maiduguri airport is currently undergoing substantial upgrades to achieve international status, a development which represents a major milestone for the North East region, which has long sought improved international connectivity
