Consolidating international operations for indigenous carriers
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Consolidating international operations for indigenous carriers
INTRO : Last week’s foray by Medview Airlines into Dubai in the United Arab Emirates has raised the stakes in its international operations. But, it will need to step up its services to attract passengers, to slug it out with the Gulf carriers, KELVIN OSA OKUNBOR, reports.
Nigerian carriers are changing the narrative in international air travel.
In the last few few years, some indigenous carriers including Medview Airlines have expanded their operations to international on international routes.
The expansion of flights into international routes is a direct response by indigenous carriers to actualize the reciprocity clause in the bilateral and multi lateral air services agreement government signed with many countries of the world.
Nigeria has over 75 of such bilateral and multilateral air services agreement.
But, Nigerian carriers are yet to utilize less than 20 of the bilateral and multilateral agreements.
Medview Airlines last week made history when it commenced three weekly flights on the Lagos- Abuja – Dubai route. It is the airline’s second international route, barely two years after it launched flights on the Lagos – London route.
It is the only indigenous carrier operating on the Nigerian and United Arab Emirates route.
But, Emirates and Etihad Airways operate flights into Nigeria.
This lopsided arrangement, in the bilateral air services agreement, it was learnt motivated Medview Airlines to begin flights into the UAE.
Experts say such foray by a Nigerian carrier comes with a myriad of challenges, part of which borders on the airline’s capacity to offer services that could rival their competitors.
Many Nigerians experts say are attracted to foreign carriers because of the quality of service.
It remains unclear, how indigenous carriers will step up services to have a good share of available passengers on international routes.
Speaking in an interview with Muneer Bankole, chief executive officer, Medview Airline, said the airline has got its strategy right to consolidate its international flights on the routes it has been designated by government.
Bankole said Medview Airlines did not just dabble into the Dubai and London routes, but it commenced flights after detailed market surveys on what is required by passengers to enable it stay on the route.
He said though some Nigerian carriers had failed on the route before, but Medview will use excellent in flight service and fare structure to attract passengers.
Bankole said : “We thank God almighty for giving us this opportunity and for making this inaugural flight a success story. When you do domestic alone, you are limited in connectivity. When you do regional operations, you are limited to the ECOWAS communities and African Union.
“When you venture into any of the countries where we are now and the one that we intend to go, you have gone global and you have no hidden corridor any more.
" Here in Dubai and London, we are open to the whole world and we are contesting with the great masters of the industry such as British Airway, Lufthansa, KLM amongst others. We need to play the game the way it is played globally.
“We ventured into the United Kingdom(UK) and people thought we will not last up to six months but today, we have operated for two years on the London route. We have gone through various hurdles but in UK now, we have been accepted side by side with British Airways and that is the beauty of it all. This is what informed us and give us the strength to come here. This is a global market where everyone wants to play effectively.”
On the Dubai flight, Bankole said : “ We have been in talks with the Dubai government for three years and we have done the ground work by establishing a cargo company here, we have our workers here and we have an agency of travel and tour packages. We went into negotiation and got our first two sets of slots. We were working strongly to build the capacity.
"We sent our staff here to work and some went the university here. Today we can raise up our heads, we have everything on ground in Dubai. On our flight arrival flight, we came in with about 12 tonnes of cargo and on the first departure flight to Nigeria, we have 15 tonnes of cargo. We had about 80percent load factor on arrival flight.
"We went to Anglophone and Francophone countries and we are in the Middle East and UK now. “
He said Medview will continue to leverage on fare structure and enhanced in flight services to have the cutting edge on its international operations .
“We need to change a lot of things. Structures and discipline is always a problem in Nigeria. We saw the whole delay. Passengers were held up with immigration. There is no basis for the delays. We should have gone pass this level. Once passengers check in, they have minimum time and there is no need delaying them. We still have to get there. That is why the vice president brought up the idea of ease of doing business to show Nigeria the way to do business. We will get there. We will improve our service delivery onboard.
“For you to come to Dubai on Thursday, we can package your things, deliver your cargo and you will be able to board Medview flight. You have an advantage,”
.
.
In the last few few years, some indigenous carriers including Medview Airlines have expanded their operations to international on international routes.
The expansion of flights into international routes is a direct response by indigenous carriers to actualize the reciprocity clause in the bilateral and multi lateral air services agreement government signed with many countries of the world.
Nigeria has over 75 of such bilateral and multilateral air services agreement.
But, Nigerian carriers are yet to utilize less than 20 of the bilateral and multilateral agreements.
Medview Airlines last week made history when it commenced three weekly flights on the Lagos- Abuja – Dubai route. It is the airline’s second international route, barely two years after it launched flights on the Lagos – London route.
It is the only indigenous carrier operating on the Nigerian and United Arab Emirates route.
But, Emirates and Etihad Airways operate flights into Nigeria.
This lopsided arrangement, in the bilateral air services agreement, it was learnt motivated Medview Airlines to begin flights into the UAE.
Experts say such foray by a Nigerian carrier comes with a myriad of challenges, part of which borders on the airline’s capacity to offer services that could rival their competitors.
Many Nigerians experts say are attracted to foreign carriers because of the quality of service.
It remains unclear, how indigenous carriers will step up services to have a good share of available passengers on international routes.
Speaking in an interview with Muneer Bankole, chief executive officer, Medview Airline, said the airline has got its strategy right to consolidate its international flights on the routes it has been designated by government.
Bankole said Medview Airlines did not just dabble into the Dubai and London routes, but it commenced flights after detailed market surveys on what is required by passengers to enable it stay on the route.
He said though some Nigerian carriers had failed on the route before, but Medview will use excellent in flight service and fare structure to attract passengers.
Bankole said : “We thank God almighty for giving us this opportunity and for making this inaugural flight a success story. When you do domestic alone, you are limited in connectivity. When you do regional operations, you are limited to the ECOWAS communities and African Union.
“When you venture into any of the countries where we are now and the one that we intend to go, you have gone global and you have no hidden corridor any more.
" Here in Dubai and London, we are open to the whole world and we are contesting with the great masters of the industry such as British Airway, Lufthansa, KLM amongst others. We need to play the game the way it is played globally.
“We ventured into the United Kingdom(UK) and people thought we will not last up to six months but today, we have operated for two years on the London route. We have gone through various hurdles but in UK now, we have been accepted side by side with British Airways and that is the beauty of it all. This is what informed us and give us the strength to come here. This is a global market where everyone wants to play effectively.”
On the Dubai flight, Bankole said : “ We have been in talks with the Dubai government for three years and we have done the ground work by establishing a cargo company here, we have our workers here and we have an agency of travel and tour packages. We went into negotiation and got our first two sets of slots. We were working strongly to build the capacity.
"We sent our staff here to work and some went the university here. Today we can raise up our heads, we have everything on ground in Dubai. On our flight arrival flight, we came in with about 12 tonnes of cargo and on the first departure flight to Nigeria, we have 15 tonnes of cargo. We had about 80percent load factor on arrival flight.
"We went to Anglophone and Francophone countries and we are in the Middle East and UK now. “
He said Medview will continue to leverage on fare structure and enhanced in flight services to have the cutting edge on its international operations .
“We need to change a lot of things. Structures and discipline is always a problem in Nigeria. We saw the whole delay. Passengers were held up with immigration. There is no basis for the delays. We should have gone pass this level. Once passengers check in, they have minimum time and there is no need delaying them. We still have to get there. That is why the vice president brought up the idea of ease of doing business to show Nigeria the way to do business. We will get there. We will improve our service delivery onboard.
“For you to come to Dubai on Thursday, we can package your things, deliver your cargo and you will be able to board Medview flight. You have an advantage,”
.
.
Air freight of agricultural produce could hit $350 billion in 10 years
he added.
Also speaking, Director of Aviation Business Management , Dubai Airports, Khalil Lamrabet, said the commencement of flight by Medview Airlines into the airport will provide choices for passengers
Managing Director of ABX World Limited, Captain John Okakpu has stated that Nigeria has the capacity to process agricultural produce worth over $ 350 billion for export through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in the next 10 years.
Okakpu said facility providers at the airport are already bracing towards the projection, given the measures being put in place for storage and packaging of agricultural produce.
He said the projection was based on current agricultural export initiatives put in place by some state governments.
He said the projection was based on current agricultural export initiatives put in place by some state governments.
Speaking in an interview in Lagos last week, the pilot turned agricultural export promoter said considering the level of success and acceptance of Nigeria's agricultural produce exported to Europe in 2017, there is ample evidence that in the next 10 years the country could net over $ 350 billion from such activity.
Citing strides by some state governments, he said in October this year, Anambra State Government in partnership with ABX World, exported the first agriculture produce from its revolution project, which started last year, to Europe.
The products, which were exported through the cargo section of Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, included yams, potatoes, pineapples, okro ,pumpkin leaves, and bitter-leaf.
Okakpu said huge success was recorded this year in terms of agricultural export which used to be the main stay of Nigeria’s economy.
He explained that Nigeria farmers, particularly those from Anambra, have keyed into the new agricultural revolution currently going on in Nigeria.
He said: “This year has been very remarkable in terms of agricultural export. Agriculture used to be the main stay of Nigeria economy. I thank God for the knowledge we have been able to pass on to the farmers and the awareness we have created. Please I enjoin Nigerians to come with me and let us move to where we belong.”
He added that,” Next year is going to be a remarkable year. Though there are little issues to be resolved by the government. There are still some agriculture products that are still under ban list by the federal government. I am happy that the National Assembly is reviewing some of the laws governing exportation of agriculture produce”.
On international acceptability of Nigeria produce, Okakpu said : “The market has already accepted our products. What we did early last year was to take it to them for test to see if it is acceptable. Now we have gone through the process of certification of the farmers because everything about food in Europe and any part of the world is safety. Global Gap is the network that controls all the supermarkets in the North America and Europe and once you have their certification, the market is guaranteed.”
He also appealed to the federal government to assist farmers to obtain single digit interest loans and provide the necessary logistics to make farming attractive to young Nigerians as the nation is yet to tap half of its agricultural potentials.
The products, which were exported through the cargo section of Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, included yams, potatoes, pineapples, okro ,pumpkin leaves, and bitter-leaf.
Okakpu said huge success was recorded this year in terms of agricultural export which used to be the main stay of Nigeria’s economy.
He explained that Nigeria farmers, particularly those from Anambra, have keyed into the new agricultural revolution currently going on in Nigeria.
He said: “This year has been very remarkable in terms of agricultural export. Agriculture used to be the main stay of Nigeria economy. I thank God for the knowledge we have been able to pass on to the farmers and the awareness we have created. Please I enjoin Nigerians to come with me and let us move to where we belong.”
He added that,” Next year is going to be a remarkable year. Though there are little issues to be resolved by the government. There are still some agriculture products that are still under ban list by the federal government. I am happy that the National Assembly is reviewing some of the laws governing exportation of agriculture produce”.
On international acceptability of Nigeria produce, Okakpu said : “The market has already accepted our products. What we did early last year was to take it to them for test to see if it is acceptable. Now we have gone through the process of certification of the farmers because everything about food in Europe and any part of the world is safety. Global Gap is the network that controls all the supermarkets in the North America and Europe and once you have their certification, the market is guaranteed.”
He also appealed to the federal government to assist farmers to obtain single digit interest loans and provide the necessary logistics to make farming attractive to young Nigerians as the nation is yet to tap half of its agricultural potentials.
He said :" We are very happy to have Medview as part of our family from an airline perspective and to provide more choices for travelers to Nigeria. We are very happy that this has been an account that we have been working on for the last three years. We are happy that it has materialized and look forward to more flights to Nigeria.
Medview flight will be connecting Dubai to Lagos and Abuja and this is really key. It is a very important market and destination in West Africa. We look forward to having more flights, more connectivity and to provide more choices for our passengers in addition to the flights that already operate into Nigeria.
"We thank the management and the team we have been working with and we look forward to enhanced operations out of Nigeria. "
Consolidating international operations for indigenous carriers
INTRO : Last week’s foray by Medview Airlines into Dubai in the United Arab Emirates has raised the stakes in its international operations. But, it will need to step up its services to attract passengers, to slug it out with the Gulf carriers, KELVIN OSA OKUNBOR, reports.
Nigerian carriers are changing the narrative in international air travel.
In the last few few years, some indigenous carriers including Medview Airlines have expanded their operations to international on international routes.
The expansion of flights into international routes is a direct response by indigenous carriers to actualize the reciprocity clause in the bilateral and multi lateral air services agreement government signed with many countries of the world.
Nigeria has over 75 of such bilateral and multilateral air services agreement.
But, Nigerian carriers are yet to utilize less than 20 of the bilateral and multilateral agreements.
Medview Airlines last week made history when it commenced three weekly flights on the Lagos- Abuja – Dubai route. It is the airline’s second international route, barely two years after it launched flights on the Lagos – London route.
It is the only indigenous carrier operating on the Nigerian and United Arab Emirates route.
But, Emirates and Etihad Airways operate flights into Nigeria.
This lopsided arrangement, in the bilateral air services agreement, it was learnt motivated Medview Airlines to begin flights into the UAE.
Experts say such foray by a Nigerian carrier comes with a myriad of challenges, part of which borders on the airline’s capacity to offer services that could rival their competitors.
Many Nigerians experts say are attracted to foreign carriers because of the quality of service.
It remains unclear, how indigenous carriers will step up services to have a good share of available passengers on international routes.
Speaking in an interview with Muneer Bankole, chief executive officer, Medview Airline, said the airline has got its strategy right to consolidate its international flights on the routes it has been designated by government.
Bankole said Medview Airlines did not just dabble into the Dubai and London routes, but it commenced flights after detailed market surveys on what is required by passengers to enable it stay on the route.
He said though some Nigerian carriers had failed on the route before, but Medview will use excellent in flight service and fare structure to attract passengers.
Bankole said : “We thank God almighty for giving us this opportunity and for making this inaugural flight a success story. When you do domestic alone, you are limited in connectivity. When you do regional operations, you are limited to the ECOWAS communities and African Union.
“When you venture into any of the countries where we are now and the one that we intend to go, you have gone global and you have no hidden corridor any more.
" Here in Dubai and London, we are open to the whole world and we are contesting with the great masters of the industry such as British Airway, Lufthansa, KLM amongst others. We need to play the game the way it is played globally.
“We ventured into the United Kingdom(UK) and people thought we will not last up to six months but today, we have operated for two years on the London route. We have gone through various hurdles but in UK now, we have been accepted side by side with British Airways and that is the beauty of it all. This is what informed us and give us the strength to come here. This is a global market where everyone wants to play effectively.”
On the Dubai flight, Bankole said : “ We have been in talks with the Dubai government for three years and we have done the ground work by establishing a cargo company here, we have our workers here and we have an agency of travel and tour packages. We went into negotiation and got our first two sets of slots. We were working strongly to build the capacity.
"We sent our staff here to work and some went the university here. Today we can raise up our heads, we have everything on ground in Dubai. On our flight arrival flight, we came in with about 12 tonnes of cargo and on the first departure flight to Nigeria, we have 15 tonnes of cargo. We had about 80percent load factor on arrival flight.
"We went to Anglophone and Francophone countries and we are in the Middle East and UK now. “
He said Medview will continue to leverage on fare structure and enhanced in flight services to have the cutting edge on its international operations .
“We need to change a lot of things. Structures and discipline is always a problem in Nigeria. We saw the whole delay. Passengers were held up with immigration. There is no basis for the delays. We should have gone pass this level. Once passengers check in, they have minimum time and there is no need delaying them. We still have to get there. That is why the vice president brought up the idea of ease of doing business to show Nigeria the way to do business. We will get there. We will improve our service delivery onboard.
“For you to come to Dubai on Thursday, we can package your things, deliver your cargo and you will be able to board Medview flight. You have an advantage,”
.
.
In the last few few years, some indigenous carriers including Medview Airlines have expanded their operations to international on international routes.
The expansion of flights into international routes is a direct response by indigenous carriers to actualize the reciprocity clause in the bilateral and multi lateral air services agreement government signed with many countries of the world.
Nigeria has over 75 of such bilateral and multilateral air services agreement.
But, Nigerian carriers are yet to utilize less than 20 of the bilateral and multilateral agreements.
Medview Airlines last week made history when it commenced three weekly flights on the Lagos- Abuja – Dubai route. It is the airline’s second international route, barely two years after it launched flights on the Lagos – London route.
It is the only indigenous carrier operating on the Nigerian and United Arab Emirates route.
But, Emirates and Etihad Airways operate flights into Nigeria.
This lopsided arrangement, in the bilateral air services agreement, it was learnt motivated Medview Airlines to begin flights into the UAE.
Experts say such foray by a Nigerian carrier comes with a myriad of challenges, part of which borders on the airline’s capacity to offer services that could rival their competitors.
Many Nigerians experts say are attracted to foreign carriers because of the quality of service.
It remains unclear, how indigenous carriers will step up services to have a good share of available passengers on international routes.
Speaking in an interview with Muneer Bankole, chief executive officer, Medview Airline, said the airline has got its strategy right to consolidate its international flights on the routes it has been designated by government.
Bankole said Medview Airlines did not just dabble into the Dubai and London routes, but it commenced flights after detailed market surveys on what is required by passengers to enable it stay on the route.
He said though some Nigerian carriers had failed on the route before, but Medview will use excellent in flight service and fare structure to attract passengers.
Bankole said : “We thank God almighty for giving us this opportunity and for making this inaugural flight a success story. When you do domestic alone, you are limited in connectivity. When you do regional operations, you are limited to the ECOWAS communities and African Union.
“When you venture into any of the countries where we are now and the one that we intend to go, you have gone global and you have no hidden corridor any more.
" Here in Dubai and London, we are open to the whole world and we are contesting with the great masters of the industry such as British Airway, Lufthansa, KLM amongst others. We need to play the game the way it is played globally.
“We ventured into the United Kingdom(UK) and people thought we will not last up to six months but today, we have operated for two years on the London route. We have gone through various hurdles but in UK now, we have been accepted side by side with British Airways and that is the beauty of it all. This is what informed us and give us the strength to come here. This is a global market where everyone wants to play effectively.”
On the Dubai flight, Bankole said : “ We have been in talks with the Dubai government for three years and we have done the ground work by establishing a cargo company here, we have our workers here and we have an agency of travel and tour packages. We went into negotiation and got our first two sets of slots. We were working strongly to build the capacity.
"We sent our staff here to work and some went the university here. Today we can raise up our heads, we have everything on ground in Dubai. On our flight arrival flight, we came in with about 12 tonnes of cargo and on the first departure flight to Nigeria, we have 15 tonnes of cargo. We had about 80percent load factor on arrival flight.
"We went to Anglophone and Francophone countries and we are in the Middle East and UK now. “
He said Medview will continue to leverage on fare structure and enhanced in flight services to have the cutting edge on its international operations .
“We need to change a lot of things. Structures and discipline is always a problem in Nigeria. We saw the whole delay. Passengers were held up with immigration. There is no basis for the delays. We should have gone pass this level. Once passengers check in, they have minimum time and there is no need delaying them. We still have to get there. That is why the vice president brought up the idea of ease of doing business to show Nigeria the way to do business. We will get there. We will improve our service delivery onboard.
“For you to come to Dubai on Thursday, we can package your things, deliver your cargo and you will be able to board Medview flight. You have an advantage,”
.
.
Air freight of agricultural produce could hit $350 billion in 10 years
he added.
Also speaking, Director of Aviation Business Management , Dubai Airports, Khalil Lamrabet, said the commencement of flight by Medview Airlines into the airport will provide choices for passengers
Managing Director of ABX World Limited, Captain John Okakpu has stated that Nigeria has the capacity to process agricultural produce worth over $ 350 billion for export through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in the next 10 years.
Okakpu said facility providers at the airport are already bracing towards the projection, given the measures being put in place for storage and packaging of agricultural produce.
He said the projection was based on current agricultural export initiatives put in place by some state governments.
He said the projection was based on current agricultural export initiatives put in place by some state governments.
Speaking in an interview in Lagos last week, the pilot turned agricultural export promoter said considering the level of success and acceptance of Nigeria's agricultural produce exported to Europe in 2017, there is ample evidence that in the next 10 years the country could net over $ 350 billion from such activity.
Citing strides by some state governments, he said in October this year, Anambra State Government in partnership with ABX World, exported the first agriculture produce from its revolution project, which started last year, to Europe.
The products, which were exported through the cargo section of Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, included yams, potatoes, pineapples, okro ,pumpkin leaves, and bitter-leaf.
Okakpu said huge success was recorded this year in terms of agricultural export which used to be the main stay of Nigeria’s economy.
He explained that Nigeria farmers, particularly those from Anambra, have keyed into the new agricultural revolution currently going on in Nigeria.
He said: “This year has been very remarkable in terms of agricultural export. Agriculture used to be the main stay of Nigeria economy. I thank God for the knowledge we have been able to pass on to the farmers and the awareness we have created. Please I enjoin Nigerians to come with me and let us move to where we belong.”
He added that,” Next year is going to be a remarkable year. Though there are little issues to be resolved by the government. There are still some agriculture products that are still under ban list by the federal government. I am happy that the National Assembly is reviewing some of the laws governing exportation of agriculture produce”.
On international acceptability of Nigeria produce, Okakpu said : “The market has already accepted our products. What we did early last year was to take it to them for test to see if it is acceptable. Now we have gone through the process of certification of the farmers because everything about food in Europe and any part of the world is safety. Global Gap is the network that controls all the supermarkets in the North America and Europe and once you have their certification, the market is guaranteed.”
He also appealed to the federal government to assist farmers to obtain single digit interest loans and provide the necessary logistics to make farming attractive to young Nigerians as the nation is yet to tap half of its agricultural potentials.
The products, which were exported through the cargo section of Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, included yams, potatoes, pineapples, okro ,pumpkin leaves, and bitter-leaf.
Okakpu said huge success was recorded this year in terms of agricultural export which used to be the main stay of Nigeria’s economy.
He explained that Nigeria farmers, particularly those from Anambra, have keyed into the new agricultural revolution currently going on in Nigeria.
He said: “This year has been very remarkable in terms of agricultural export. Agriculture used to be the main stay of Nigeria economy. I thank God for the knowledge we have been able to pass on to the farmers and the awareness we have created. Please I enjoin Nigerians to come with me and let us move to where we belong.”
He added that,” Next year is going to be a remarkable year. Though there are little issues to be resolved by the government. There are still some agriculture products that are still under ban list by the federal government. I am happy that the National Assembly is reviewing some of the laws governing exportation of agriculture produce”.
On international acceptability of Nigeria produce, Okakpu said : “The market has already accepted our products. What we did early last year was to take it to them for test to see if it is acceptable. Now we have gone through the process of certification of the farmers because everything about food in Europe and any part of the world is safety. Global Gap is the network that controls all the supermarkets in the North America and Europe and once you have their certification, the market is guaranteed.”
He also appealed to the federal government to assist farmers to obtain single digit interest loans and provide the necessary logistics to make farming attractive to young Nigerians as the nation is yet to tap half of its agricultural potentials.
He said :" We are very happy to have Medview as part of our family from an airline perspective and to provide more choices for travelers to Nigeria. We are very happy that this has been an account that we have been working on for the last three years. We are happy that it has materialized and look forward to more flights to Nigeria.
Medview flight will be connecting Dubai to Lagos and Abuja and this is really key. It is a very important market and destination in West Africa. We look forward to having more flights, more connectivity and to provide more choices for our passengers in addition to the flights that already operate into Nigeria.
"We thank the management and the team we have been working with and we look forward to enhanced operations out of Nigeria. "
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- Other Apps
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