THE disagreement between Nigeria and the United Kingdom over the denial of slots to a Nigerian airline at the Heathrow Airport on the one hand, and a retaliatory cut in the flight frequency of the British Airways (BA) into Nigeria on the other, was needless and avoidable if the spirit of reciprocity that underpins the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) had been respected.The Nigerian aviation authorities recently reduced, because of 'operational reasons,' the frequency of BA flights from 14 to 10, including only three from the very lucrative Lagos-London route. This was, ostensibly, in response to the denial of landing slots to Nigeria's privately-owned Arik Air at Heathrow Airport, which is arguably the most-sought-after in the aviation world. The airline has thereby suffered huge financial losses.Without prejudice to the ongoing discussion to resolve the disagreement, no party to an agreement should unilaterally decide to act in its own interest as it appears to have been done to Arik Air. That was wrong. The response of the Nigerian Minister of Aviation to that action was commensurate. Indeed, the point was sufficiently made that the UK prime minister reportedly sought President Goodluck Jonathan's intervention. Nigeria showed maturity by granting a reprieve to the UK national carrier in deference to Mr. Cameron and to allow the matter to be resolved amicably. In the course of negotiation, our officials should be at their most patriotic beat, and defend the national interest accordingly.This is not the first time that Nigeria's tolerance has been tested by the UK authorities. Sometime during the Babangida administration, the British government decided in its wisdom to impose visa requirement on Nigeria Airways crew. A corresponding response by Nigeria, however, led to the issue being sorted out to mutual satisfaction. Our national interest and pride, which were well protected then, must be similarly safeguarded now.Generally, BA seems to receive such favourable treatment, to the point of being pampered, from the Nigerian aviation authorities, including having all to itself, a dedicated desk at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos. That the airline has, for 75 years made very good business serving itself by 'serving Nigeria' is public knowledge. But its parent owner seems to have developed an arrogance of sorts, taking its good fortune of high patronage for granted, and the patience of the Nigerian government for weakness. There should be an end to this attitude.First, our government should do whatever it can to designate one or two local airlines as national carriers that will utilise the full frequencies on the Lagos-London route. Second, in order to boost patronage, public officials on public assignments must, as a rule and policy, patronise the national carriers. Nigerians would also be encouraged to be patriotic and, like citizens of other nations, patronise their national airlines. Third, aviation regulators must help local airlines to observe the rules of best practices in the business. Four, the reported intention of government to review flight agreements with other countries is notable; the sole objective must be to protect Nigeria's interest. Surely, in this season of the much- bandied 'transformation agenda,' agreements well thought-out and implemented by patriotic officials can contribute to transform our aviation sector into world class.From experience, it is easier to urge government to assist local airlines to grow than to persuade the airline operators to do business according to global best practices. Indeed, some local airlines have shown abysmal incompetence merely plying domestic routes. Too many airlines have gone down because the operators sought quick money in a business that is capital intensive and requires a long gestation period to generate profit.Other operators cut corners and compromised on quality of planes, equipment, management, and funding.All these tend to make pleading the case of Nigerian airlines difficult. But of course, there is no alternative to pursuing what is best for our country.Admittedly, political cover is crucial for business. But business must act business-like to justify the political support it expects. As Nigerian and UK government officials sort out the current disagreement on slots, frequency and sundry matters, airline operators must commit themselves to think and act globally, to run the business as it is done internationally.In sum, Nigerian airlines must earn their patronage. No one wants to travel by an airline that cannot meet its advertised flight schedule; that takes passengers mid-way on journeys only to abandon them; that flies rickety, life-threatening aircraft; that parades ill-mannered staff and crew and render shoddy in-flight services.Furthermore, our airlines must think more creatively. What stops them reaching deals with international airlines to render seamless connecting flights to local destinations' We have no reason to think that such arrangement will not be profitable - if operated at international standards.Nigeria's national interest must be paramount at all times. In this particular instance, the Nigerian government, regulatory authorities, local airlines, and Nigerian air travellers should play their respective parts to enable local airlines hold their own in the aviation business. But the point must be made too that, if UK national carriers want to, in the words of BA regional commercial manager Ian Petrie, 'keep serving Nigeria' into the next 70 something years, the parent authorities must learn to relate with others on the basis of equality and reciprocity.
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