- Says upheaval about BASA reciprocity incorrect
[dropcap]C[/dropcap]hief Executive of Med-View Airlines, Alhaji Muneer Bankole has expressed optimism for the aviation industry in Nigeria to grow stating that stakeholders need to put their heads together and chart a course forward.
Alhaji Bankole who spoke on the sidelines of the 27th League of Airport and Aviation Correspondents (LAAC) Conference with the theme: “Aviation Industry: Changing Times, Changing Strategies,said there was no need for setting up a national carrier and urged people to eschew selfish interests in dealing with national issues.
Bankole said, “Things can still change for the better. For that change to come, we have to go to the basis. We told them that there was no need when the government was setting up Nigeria Air to champion a national carrier because the one that was put together by decent committed human beings who started the first Republic set up Nigeria Airways.
He continued,”What we need is to call stakeholders to the table to chart a path for the industry, remove selfish interests or selfish mindsets and we can begin to identify that it is still possible and it is possible.
On the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) and reciprocity, said no one has denied Nigerian airlines but said airlines must meet their requirements
He said, “We are making a grave mistake. I will tell you honestly that all those who run into airlines telling people that BASA is one-sided, it is absolutely not correct. The reciprocity that we are talking about is nothing.
“I visited London, Virgin came up and everybody wanted to fly to Nigeria because this is the market. How many of our people want to go there? I repeat, I don’t know and I say it openly; we went there. There are four airports in the UK and they are Heathrow, Gatwick, London City Airport, and Stansted Airports.
“We asked them, where do you want Med-View to fly? I did a study and I chose Gatwick. They are calling on Med-View to come back. The reason they are calling us to come back is because we opened up the business for the world to see and Nigerians were going and coming. The airport was nothing to write home about then and that is BASA for you. We are not going to say that somebody has 15 frequencies.
“Nobody has said to us that we should not come, but you must meet their requirements. Nigerian airlines should come together.
“There is no sentiment about it. You have 17 aircraft, and you have five aircraft, go and put heads together and discuss with a good mind, open your heart, and let people know who is speaking so that Nigeria can drive a new way forward.