An aviator, Mr. Olumide Ohunayo has called on the Federal Government to be cautious of the way it handles and implement the recent controversies that surround Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) it signed with foreign countries.Ohunayo who expressed his delight as the nation, through the ministry of aviation begins to address the imbalances noted in the existing BASA agreements signed between Nigeria and other nations, urged the federal government to be cautious with the implementation."It's with great relief to hear and see that the government is finally listening and understanding the aspirations of the industry, but there is a need to be cautious with the implementation process. The industry genuinely yearns for a general review of some Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) signed with some countries which have been noted to be detrimental to the growth of our carriers and other facets of the industry while deceptively enriching our acrimonious and deeply secretive BASA account." He said.The former President of the National Cabin Crew Association of Nigeria (NCCAN) who challenged the exorbitant prices the operators of Heathrow Airport, London expected Nigerian flag carriers to pay before allocated slots in the airport, advised that Federal Government through the concerned authority must pay airlines from that country operating into Nigerian airports in their own coins, if the nation's flag carriers must go through such an ordeal before allocated slots in London. "It's unfair not to give our carriers landing slots in Heathrow or required to bid for it at exorbitant prices, if that is the situation then the government should factor the cost and other entry points in the next round of negotiation.The head of research at Zenith Travels, however suggested that the federal government in reviewing the agreements should not leave it alone to the ministry officials as it was done in the past, but must involve requisite government parastatals, departments as well as officials of nation's flag carriers especially those that have been designated on intercontinental routes."In reviewing the agreement the government should quite naturally involve all parties, by building a team comprising of requisite government agencies, departments, designated airlines and probably a representative of the other Nigerian Airlines."Ohunayo however said: "Our carriers should not only be willing but must demonstrate their ability to reciprocate Nigerian side of the agreements by either operating directly or through a code share. He specifically said: 'Arik needs to look inwards and address the perennial delayed departure and other operational lapses which ultimately affect arrival time, disrupt operational activities in slot constrained airports.' The operational laxity being overlooked by MMIA management team, he noted 'will not be replicated by an airport owned and managed by private hands, whose only objective is to maximize profit while proving excellent service."He said that Nigeria needs to renegotiate all unfavorable agreements, using diplomatic and legal timelines that will not embarrass the country. Ohunayo said 'The corporate arrogance of British Airways as exemplified in the first press release while also using Nigerians who are highly placed BA frequent milers to push their selfish position in private and public to the detriment of the country, is irritating and condemnable." He advised the Federal Government to go further and investigate alleged issues of discriminatory fares on the Lagos-London route and other routes, using fines as appropriate sanctions." We should manage this crisis well, so fares will not rise on the Lagos London (Heathrow ) route and also avoid a situation where other European and the rising Middle East airlines operating into the country will capitalise on the crisis and begin to make more money at the detriment of Nigerians and carriers".Ohunayo said it is time now for the Nigerian airlines which are not financially strong to begin looking for how they can overcome their short comings through regulations and finances which would encourage foreign investors invest into them instead of waiting for money launderers who would disappoint them later.'The alarm bell is ringing, we should start looking at how to heal our limping carriers by regulation and finance, and so they can attract foreign investors, partners or carriers rather than wait for money launderers to deceive us again."The aviator who noted that Nigerian airlines are not operating into the Middle East despite the huge passenger volume on the route, reasoned that the economy is mainly financed through public funds. He therefore, suggested that since this is the situation, all travels financed by public funds should be done with Nigerian flag carriers. This, he argued must be backed by fly-Nigeria-Act.
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