Uganda will from October 19, begin direct flights into Nigeria. The Ugandan Ambassador to Nigeria, Nelson Ocheger, disclosed this during a courtesy visit to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo, when he came to convey the request of his government to the minister to witness the inaugural flight of Uganda to Nigeria. He further informed the minister of the business forum slated for October 21st, where business entrepreneurs from Uganda will meet their Nigerian counterparts for collaboration and business opportunities.
Keyamo, while thanking the Ambassador for the visit, said Nigeria and Uganda have a long history of brotherhood, saying the direct flight will mark the beginning of partnership between the two countries as free trade agreement between African countries can only easily come through free skies. He said the demand for a direct flight to Abuja will be achieved, saying that the meetings of aeronautical engineers from both countries slated earlier for December will be brought forward tentatively to November 7th to fast-track the BASA agreement review as demanded.
Speaking earlier, the Algerian Ambassador expressed appreciation to the minister for hosting him. He demanded for a review of the July 14th, agreement to include a direct flight to Abuja, saying that the government of Algeria has identified Nigeria and South Africa as business opportunities countries and is willing to partner with them. As part of strategies to beat high operating costs in the aviation industry, domestic airlines have increased the number of flight seats, allowing more travellers to commute and boost revenue.
The President of the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies, Susan Akporiaye, responding to the effect of foreign exchange scarcity in an exclusive interview with our correspondent, said the new development was part of coping mechanisms, employed by airline owners to increase the capacity of their airlines amid dwindling revenue.
According to her, the lower seats, although cheaper, were to drive up the average seats per departure and translate into lower per-seat costs. The only thing that has changed is that airlines are beginning to release the lower seats now. Some of them have started releasing lower seats.
