By correspondent in Abuja.
Photo credit: Leadership.
A socio-cultural group, Niger Delta Youth Council (NDYC), has called on operators in the aviation sector to avoid unhealthy competitions targeted at sabotaging rival airlines.
The National Coordinator of NDYC, Mr Jator Abido, made the call in a statement signed and made available to newsmen in Abuja on Wednesday.
Abido,who was reacting to a media report stated that about 13 Nigerian airlines have been blacklisted by international aircraft lessors for various contract breaches, including Air Peace.
The group coordinator, who described the report as false and misleading, frowned at those behind the falsehood and maintained that Air Peace, Nigeria’s airline of choice and other airlines were not blacklisted as alleged.
“The aviation sector is crucial to our economy and particularly in the Niger Delta region where a lot of economic activities involving expatriates are domiciled.
“It was therefore necessary for us to immediately verify the authenticity of the claim especially as it touched on a very key player in the industry with a huge presence in our region.
“Sadly enough, no such thing has happened as our investigation has revealed that those behind this fabrication are those who are intimidated by the towering business success of Air Peace and other airlines who are breaking into international destinations and gaining momentum by the day.
“We frown at such barbaric tactics employed by other airlines operating in Nigeria including international carriers.
We also request the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and other regulators to act fast to forestall future occurrence as this is capable of causing panic amongst air travelers with adverse effects on the economy.’’
The group noted that since Air Peace went global and took business control over the London route and other promising international destinations, ending the cycle of exploitation of Nigerians, the airline has come under series of attacks especially by international carriers.
“This fresh media attack is not different from the price war launched by international airlines earlier in the year to put Air Peace out of business.
“The whole talk about contract breaches between lessors and the targeted Nigerian airlines is nothing but a decoy to create panic and reduce ticket sales.
“If not a mischievous plot orchestrated to harm the reputation of burgeoning airlines, how could one explain the fact that lessors to over 13 airlines sat and decided to blacklist them at the same time?
“Even if this was to happen, did all the airlines breach their contract agreements at the same time? Can two contracts even be the same? This and many more questions beg for answers.’’
The group urged Nigerians not to fall for the cheap blackmail making the rounds from desperate competitors and continue to patronise Nigerian airlines especially Air Peace for both local and international travels as there is no atom of truth in the alleged blacklisting of Nigerian airlines.
“Fellow Nigerians, let us not fall to the cheap blackmail and propaganda that’s been peddled by our enemies.
“They simply want to push airlines like Air Peace out of business so they can resume their exploitation of innocent and unsuspecting Nigerians. Air Peace specifically owns most of its aircrafts and cannot just be blacklisted by a lessor.
“Let us join outstanding individuals and institutions like the Nigerian Army in honouring and supporting the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace, Dr Allen Onyema for his service to Nigeria.
“We must grow Nigeria and patronise Nigeria to build and strengthen our economy.’
