Experts in the Nigerian Aviation sector have lauded the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, over his efforts to ensure the Bilateral Air Service Agreements (BASA) the nation signed with the United Arab Emirates is upheld with all fairness but called for better scrutiny of the agreement with other nations.
The experts, who spoke with Nairametrics, explained that though the last few months were filled with drama among FG, UAE and Air Peace Airlines, it is time for Sirika and his team to look beyond the Arab and scrutinize other BASA signed with over 40 other countries.
According to them, some of the countries have not been fair, especially to some Nigerian airlines operating within their routes.
What they are saying about BASA
An aviation expert, Muyiwa Lucas, lauded the efforts of the minister to compel UAE to conform with the agreement it has with Nigeria but also argued that the development would favour the partner countries more than Nigeria.
According to him, most of the agreements are only beneficial to the countries and their foreign carriers, without any reciprocal benefits to Nigeria.
He said, “Nigeria does not really benefit from the deal, especially with no National carrier or a domestic airline that has the required equipment to compete with their foreign counterparts. The partners are always quick to choose a favourable destination in Nigeria (Lagos and Abuja), while they dictate to Nigeria the airport to land its aircrafts in their countries.
“Nigerian flights are only allowed to drop passengers at Gatwick, which handled 46.1 million passengers in 2018. They don’t allow such in Heathrow airport, which is London’s main hub and also one of the world’s busiest airports with 80.1 million passengers in 2018.
What is a Bilateral Air Service Agreements (BASA)?
A bilateral air service agreement is concluded between two contracting countries and liberalizes commercial civil aviation services between those countries. The bilateral air services agreements allow the designated airlines of those countries to operate commercial flights that cover the transport of passengers and cargoes between these two countries. Also, they normally regulate the frequency and capacity of air services between countries, pricing and other commercial aspects.
Managing Director, Starburst Aviation Limited, Capt. David Olubadewo, had told Nairametrics in an interview before now that that the nation does not have the capacity/equipment to compete favourably with the countries it signed the deal with.
He said, “In most cases, BASA entails specific agreement between two partners, where parties involved will agree on the exchange of flights. It could be 10 flights weekly from Country A and same from the other country.
“So, if the US for instance, has done 10 flights to Nigeria as agreed and Nigeria has not, it will not affect the US in anyway but the disadvantaged.”
In case you missed it
On October 6, 2020, Nairametrics reported that the Federal Government announced the signing of Bilateral Air Service Agreements (BASA) with the United States, India, Morocco and Rwanda. A copy of the agreement showed that it was signed in Abuja by President Muhammadu Buhari on September 30, 2020.
Following a diplomatic row between Nigeria and the UAE over allocation of flight slots to Nigeria’s Air Peace, the latter finally agreed to concede more slots to the airline, thanks to pressure by the Aviation Minister.
