Opinion Nigeria recalls that more than 26 months ago, foreign airlines—including Air France-KLM—blocked their inexpensive tickets on routes through Nigeria due to ticket revenue that was stuck in Nigeria, amounting to hundreds of millions of euros.
In order to guarantee equity in ticketing, Festus Keyamo, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, has encouraged Air France-KLM, a French airline, to make available its cheaper ticket pricing to Nigerian travelers.
In addition, Keyamo reaffirmed the administration’s open-door policy and stated a willingness to work with airlines to improve Nigerians’ access to and affordability of travel.
He was speaking while being visited by Damilola Ogunseye, the deputy station manager, Antonia Umunna, the key account manager for the commercial division, and Christine Quantin, the country manager for France-KLM.
Opinion Nigeria recalls that more than 26 months ago, foreign airlines—including Air France-KLM—blocked their inexpensive tickets on routes through Nigeria due to ticket revenue that was stuck in Nigeria, amounting to hundreds of millions of euros.
In March, the airlines began to unblock their low-priced fares when the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, completed the payment of about $7bn backlog, which includes over $700m unremitted ticket revenue.
At the meeting, however, Air France-KLM expressed excitement over the intervention and successful facilitation of fund repatriation by Keyamo, saying it speaks to his desire to overcome challenges in the country’s aviation sector.
Special Assistant on Media and Communications to Keyamo, Mr Tunde Moshood, in a statement, said they also hailed Keyamo’s leadership in fostering a smoother relationship between their team and aviation regulatory agencies in Nigeria.
The statement reads: “During the meeting, Air France-KLM expressed appreciation for the improved facilities at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, particularly acknowledging the enhanced experience at wing E. They also extended gratitude for the Minister’s leadership in fostering a smoother relationship between their team and various aviation regulatory agencies.
“Highlighting their commitment to innovation and service excellence, Air France-KLM announced the launch of their new Airbus A330/A350 aircraft, emphasising their dedication to deploying modern and improved aircraft services on routes within Nigeria. This initiative aligns with their overarching goal of providing Nigerian travellers with a superior journey experience.
“Air France-KLM commended the Minister for his intervention and successful facilitation of fund repatriation, showcasing the effectiveness of collaborative efforts in overcoming challenges within the aviation sector.
In response, the Minister welcomed the Air France-KLM team and expressed gratitude for their visit. He emphasized the importance of equitable pricing for Nigerian travelers, urging the airline to consider offering lower-priced ticket fares to ensure parity with fares in neighbouring regions.
“He reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to fostering partnerships within the travel industry, emphasizing the government’s open-door policy and willingness to collaborate with airlines to enhance travel accessibility and affordability for all Nigerians.
“The courtesy visit by Air France-KLM exemplifies the mutual commitment to advancing the aviation sector in Nigeria and lays the groundwork for future collaborations aimed at delivering unparalleled travel experiences to passengers across the nation.”
