Group Urges Nigerians To Patronise Indigenous Airlines To Strengthen Naira

The National Civil Society Council of Nigeria (NCSCN) praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s unwavering support for Air Peace and other local airlines.

The group also urged Nigerians to support indigenous airlines in order to strengthen the naira.

Comr. Blessing Akinlosotu, the executive director of NCSCN, told journalists in Abuja on Monday that the federal government should consider honouring Air Peace with a National Honours award.

He emphasised Air Peace’s long history of sincere and logical contributions to the nation, particularly the recent reduction in airfare on the Lagos-London route, which has garnered support from all Nigerians and redirected them towards indigenous patronage in air transportation.

“The federal government and all well-meaning Nigerians must rise to save our most patriotic and progressive indigenous operator, Air Peace, and other indigenous airlines, from international aero-politics and pricing warfare by foreign carriers.”

Akinlosotu emphasised the rising profile and business strategies of Nigerian operators with impressive global flight operation records between Nigeria and other countries such as China, the United Arab Emirates, Israel, Brazil, South Africa, and India.

“Air Peace has exposed foreign operators, just as GLO Nigeria challenged foreign telecom providers who nearly killed Nigerians in the telecommunications industry.”

Speaking further, Comr. Blessing stated, “The council remains undeterred and will continue to fight for good governance, equity, justice, and excellent service delivery to all Nigerians.”

“It is an acknowledged fact globally that Nigerians are among the most travelled demographics in the world. With a massive population of over 70 million people travelling in and out of the country each year, accounting for more than 70% of Africa’s total travel statistics, Nigeria’s aviation industry is critical to national development.

“Air travel must be elevated to the forefront of national discourse and no longer treated as an exclusive concern of the elite or a luxury reserved for the rich. This is a crucial sub-sector of our national economy with significant implications across economic, political, and socio-cultural aspects of our national life,” Blessing said.