Despite inconsistent government policies coupled with bureaucratic bottlenecks hindering the smooth operations of indigenous airlines, West Africa’s largest carrier, Air Peace, recently recorded another breakthrough.

The absence of passenger transit facilities across international airports along with airlines’ inability to access foreign exchange from the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, are the significant challenges affecting domestic airlines operating on the international route.

In recent years, there have been very strong views and, criticisms by some members of Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) and indeed, some stakeholders in the Aviation Industry over what they consider “Disfavourable” Bilateral Air Services Agreements (BASA) between Nigeria and some countries.  Their grouse is the Multiple Entry Points granted to foreign airlines which they claim is negatively impacting their operations and profitability.

Aviation stakeholders have engaged in a contentious debate over the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, NAMA, move to exit the Treasury Single Account, TSA, and reduce the 40 percent remittances of Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, to the government.

Uganda Airlines has commenced direct connectivity to Lagos from Entebbe International Airport with three weekly flights to Lagos.