Nigerian Flight Deck Travel and Business Reportage
RWANDAIR has attributed the increase patronage to Nigerian passengers’ preference of the airline’s competitive fares and its extremely comfortable services stating that in the last five years the airline has put in extra efforts to showcase its class as an airline.
The East African carrier made this known earlier today as it described the Nigerian route as a ‘cash cow’ stating that the airline has no plans to stop operations but instead is looking to put its very best on the route to make its customers happy.
Country Manager, Nigeria, Ms. Ibiyemi Odusi, who spoke today clarified that RwandAir is not planning to withdraw either its Airbus aircraft or operations from Nigeria , rather the East African carrier affirmed that it is consolidating on growing its frequency in Africa’s largest economy .
According to Odusi , the airline prides itself on its safety which she said was paramount, on time performance and its customer-centric packages reiterating that it is investing equipment in the Nigerian market to establish a stronger foothold.
Odusi said that the airline as part of the festive season has also slashed 30% off its fares for all its routes to encourage air travelers enjoy the airlines hospitality.
Ms. Odusi said, “RwandAir is offering a 30 per cent discount when you fly to any of its destinations and in line with giving back to the society at large, RwandAir in December 2016 is offering its customers bonus Christmas tour packages to Dubai, Nairobi and Mombasa from Lagos. “
She further said that in addition to its 20 routes, the airline plans a route expansion in 2017 looking at Cotonou, Abidjan, New York as well as London Gatwick to name some.
“RwandAir has increased its routes recently adding the destinations of Cotonou and Abidjan to its network. The airline is also on course to increase its network further to new cities in the coming year to include New York, London, Mumbai, Harare, Lilongwe, Conakry and Bamako.”
In statement released on allegations that the airline plans to relocate its operations and change its aircraft, the management of the airline in its headquarters in Kigali said such story in the media is a misrepresentation of the facts on ground concerning its operations in Nigeria.
According to RwandAir management, the clarification has become imperative in view of recent reports in a section of Nigerian media suggesting that the airline was planning to withdraw from Nigeria.
The statement by RwandAir reads,” Regarding the publication of a Nigerian Newspaper dated 8th December 2016, on RwandAir. RwandAir wishes to notify its esteemed audience that the entire article is erroneous, wrong, misinformed and invalid.”
“There is no basis whatsoever for what the story tries to portray or to insinuate. RwandAir has no intention of withdrawing its operations to and from Nigeria rather it has all intentions of growing in frequency and capacity in this market that it has been serving for the past five years.
“Furthermore, the only authorized person to speak to the media on behalf of the airline in Nigeria is the Country Manager, Ms. Ibiyemi Odusi, and as such it is regrettable that the newspaper did not make any efforts to contact her to verify their article ahead of publication. RwandAir requests that the Nigerian Newspaper immediately retract this fictitious article.”
RwandAir said it would consolidate on growing its frequency in Nigeria and does not have any plan to cease operations.
