Nation’s aviation industry to undergo major developments in the coming years —Sirika

The nation’s aviation industry will undergo major developments in the coming years with the implementation of the stakeholder-developed roadmap.

The Minister of Aviation, Mr Hadi Sirika, promised Nigerians better flying experiences just as he warned that henceforth, no foreign airline operator will be allowed to treat Nigerian travellers with disdain.

Sirika made the declaration on Saturday in Abuja in a statement signed by the Director of Public Affairs in Aviation ministry Mr James Odaudu.

The minister further advised other airline operators to take a cue from the recent Turkish Airlines’ experience.

“Following the threat by the nation’s aviation regulators to ban its operations in Nigeria, Turkish Airlines last night flew into Abuja with a bigger aircraft A330 as against the usual smaller B737.

“Officials of the airline, alarmed by the prospect of losing their Nigerian market, had rushed into a meeting with the Nigerian authorities to pledge total commitment,” he said.

The minister further noted that the organisation had tried to comply with the conditions given to it in order to continue its operations in Nigeria,

According to him, Turkish airlines has been notorious for the shabby treatment of Nigerian travellers over time.

He added that such behaviours by the airline had always given rise to security issues at the airports with protests by affected passengers.

The minister, however, said the airline had now shown commitment to improving its treatment of Nigerian travellers by operating a bigger and more comfortable aircraft