Senate President Godswill Akpabio said politicians preparing for Nigeria’s 2027 elections are struggling to hire private jets, citing December pressure on airlines during a debate on China air links.
Premium Times and BusinessDay reported that Akpabio made the remarks on Tuesday, Nov. 3, and quoted him as telling lawmakers, “Watch December and the confusion.” They said he urged the federal government to address pressure on airlines. Neither report quantified aircraft availability or unmet charter demand.
The outlets said senators adopted the motion by voice vote during the debate. It was sponsored by Senate Chief Whip Tahir Monguno and called for revising Nigeria’s Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) with China to enable Nigerian airlines to operate direct flights. The Senate tasked its Aviation and Foreign Affairs committees with monitoring the resolution and reporting within four weeks.
Nigeria and China signed the agreement on May 7, 2014, records from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) show. China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs lists Feb. 9, 2018, as the treaty’s entry-into-force date, meaning it was already in effect when senators called for revision.
Under the route schedule, China-designated airlines may serve Lagos, while Nigeria-designated airlines may serve Guangzhou. The pact requires airline designation and operating authorization. Its route list does not establish which carriers currently have permission to operate those routes or whether a carrier is using either route.
Monguno argued direct flights could shorten journeys, improve supply chains, reduce foreign-exchange outflows and support small businesses and non-oil exports. Those were the benefits he cited in making the case for the motion. Nigeria’s Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development says its Air Transport Management Department monitors bilateral agreements and coordinates their negotiation or review with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The committees’ report is the next step in the Senate process and is due within four weeks of the motion, the outlets reported.
