Air Peace Boeing 777 being launched for service
According to the proclamation by Dr Harold Olusegun Demuren, the legendary, and yet-to-be-matched Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, {2006-2012}, during his tenure, he often made the pronouncement thus, “you cannot be wrong supporting your own”. This obiter dictum has been severally and collectively adopted and overtly exhibited especially in the Nigerian aviation sector of the national economy.
There is no doubt that most Nigerians, especially air travellers, aviation professionals, air transport stakeholders, and the federal government, are excited that one of Nigeria’s flag carriers, Air Peace, will begin to cultivate the Nigeria-London route, beginning 30th March 2024. It’s certainly momentous to have arrived at this point.
The support has been overwhelming. It started with the past administration under the leadership of Mr. Hadi Abubakar Sirika, the Minister of the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development. In that dispensation, Air Peace got all its international routes and destinations it presently serviced. Records abound to corroborate this claim.
Succinctly put, the support predates the present administration at the ministry. However, the hard nut that the London route posed to Air Peace airline nay Nigeria, was instigated by the shenanigans the British are very well known for, from time immemorial. British heinous and self-centred diplomacy predates the slave trade. It also predates the period of subtle politics the King and later the Queen of England were noted for as the supreme, and later titular head of the Church of England, before, during and after the slave trade.
The overt demonstration of selfishness and sheer greed by these progeny of the colonialists started by reneging on the principle of the agreement that binds nations signatory to the Bilateral Air Services Agreement, BASA.
On the principle of fairness, and equity, Air Peace should operate from Nigeria to London Heathrow. Also taking cognizance of the norm in BASA, the reciprocity clause which flows from equity and fairness, Air Peace with all fair intent ought to have been gladly offered a slot at Heathrow Airport, which is Britain’s primary airport. But sadly Nigeria was denied her right.
With the logjam that ensued at this juncture, the sitting minister of aviation, barrister Festus Keyamo, had to intervene, along with the amiable Acting Director General Civil Aviation, Ag DGCA, of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, Capt. Chris Najomo.
In the company of these high-ranking government officials, Air Peace Chairman, barrister Allen Onyema, travelled to London and discussed with the authorities concerned, the unlawful denial of a Nigerian flag carrier, to fly to the United Kingdom’s, UK, primary airport which is London Heathrow.
Having been compelled to take the second best- Gatwick Airport- here lies the challenge for Air Peace. Good as the management of Air Peace chose not to be deterred. But must be at its wit’s end to make a success of that route with its attendant nuances as against Heathrow airport.
The slot allocated to Air Peace is inherently laced with a clear and present danger test that could impact the operation negatively if not skillfully managed. The bad outcome intended needs to be turned around through ingenuity and make the route productive. Air Peace is expected to depart Nigeria 12.05 am, midnight. Passengers will be arriving at Gatwick Airport in the wee hours of the day.
This slot is akin to the manner Joseph’s siblings in that Bible account dealt with him mindlessly. Remember the children of Jacob, they intended to kill him as a way to prevent him from actualizing his dream. Because of their father who was in the twilight of his life, Joseph’s brothers settled for the second-worst idea. Instead of the initial conspiracy to terminate his life, they later agreed to sell him into slavery. Thinking that their evil machination would permanently thwart whatever dream that would make Joseph greater. Yet, they unwittingly launched his track to greatness.
Ultimately, all their diabolical schemes which flowed from a morbid desire to nip in the bud, the revealed future greatness of Joseph, turned into a ladder, and a perhaps special purpose vehicle, SPV, that worked for the fulfilment of Joseph’s dream. What his brothers were determined to prevent, came to pass. They bowed down for Joseph when he was appointed by Pharaoh, the Deputy Prime Minister in Egypt.
There is no iota of doubt that an aggressive public education must be developed to bring out the buried/hidden benefits from the heinous slot. It’s the quintessential public relations strategy to be adroitly developed, that will help consumers’ nay travellers keep their eyes and minds on what can be accomplished with the early morning arrival in Gatwick.
CHALLENGES GATWICK AIRPORT POSE ARE SURMOUNTABLE
It cannot be wished away the comparative advantages Heathrow have over Gatwick. However, with sacrosanct data at the disposal of Air Peace, it will inspire planning that will enable the airline to be armed to the hilt. No doubt the British government has laid siege for Air Peace.
Prime among the plans is the deployment of state-of-the-art equipment to that route. Barrister Allen Onyema has severally assured of deploying modern aircraft to the route as soon as his orders are delivered.
Also imperative on the part of Air Peace is the critical self-appraisal of what led to the outcome of the airline’s operation to the Johannesburg route. Improvement from those findings will ensure a lasting ovation for the Lagos/Abuja London Gatwick route.
The London Gatwick route should be productive. Nothing wholesome should be spared in achieving this lofty goal. There is no doubt that the cost of operating into London Gatwick from Nigeria will be slightly cheaper than London Heathrow but, the market viability of Lagos/Abuja to London Gatwick still deserves very critical examination. It will help mirror likely returns at least on the short and medium-term operations. The findings will also provide a guarantee for productive, long-term operations. Glimpses from the market viability research could also provide the impetus to continue pounding the authorities without letting up for future slots in Heathrow.
Moreover, a fact worthy of excavation is the history of about two decades ago. The event now deserves consideration to unearth the factors that compelled British Airways, BA, to make a hurried and spontaneous transition of her transatlantic flights from London Gatwick to London Heathrow.
Another incontrovertible fact is that to most Nigerians, the United Kingdom, UK, is their second home. Albeit, some claims may be worthy of investigation. Such as the notion about social interaction of Nigerians in London, areas where the majority reside, where and how they “flex” socially, and economically and where they eke out a living.
Findings therefrom will help to generate a good idea of the ratio of Nigerians living in the South East of London. Also worth consideration is the cost of transportation by any means, rail or road from Gatwick to central London and the convenience. These findings will also provide a guide as to the likely percentage of Nigerians that would fly from Lagos/Abuja to London Gatwick.
Since air transportation is a game of the number of passengers that are flown, and there is a minimum load factor to attain for a voyage to be productive. This will in the short term provide bases for a promising medium-term operation. These will provide the rationale to cautiously sustain the cultivation of the route to become a profitable long-term service.
In Nigeria, air transport is a federal matter, on the exclusive list. Moreover, the flag carrier will begin to hoist the Nigerian flag in London Gatwick, the national assembly should treat with all urgency, the private members bill calling for FLY NIGERIA ACT. It is very urgently necessary now. And that will be a most patriotic support from the legislators. Its enormous benefits need no elucidation.
As Nigeria nation and the entire Nigerians are behind AIR PEACE, the launch of London Gatwick shall be profitable. The slot to London Heathrow maliciously denied the Federal Republic of Nigeria, barrister Festus Keyamo may revisit. Through the use of instrumentalities of the law and the priviledged information his office could avail him, may elicit a subsisting slot thereon for Nigeria’s flag carrier to Heathrow.
In consonance with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, PBAT, Renewed Hope mantra, let Air Peace explore Heathrow’s benefit. Nigeria’s flag carrier operations to Gatwick, and sooner than later to Heathrow shall all be productive and become permanent.
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