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Nigerian Tribune
June 8, 2006
VIRGIN Nigeria, the country’s fully private sector flag carrier, recently, was guest at two information sessions for Diaspora leaders to dialogue on the airline’s application to the U.S Department of Transportation (DOT) for an Aviation License to operate direct flights from Nigeria to continental USA. The sessions, which held in New York and Houston, Texas, respectively, were organised by the US chapter of Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO Americas Inc.) in co-operation with the All-Nigeria American Congress (ANAC).
Virgin Nigeria seized the opportunity of the information sessions to present pertinent information on its application to DOT to leaders of the Nigerian community in the US as well as solicit the support of the Diaspora for the success of the application. Chief Executive Officer of Virgin Nigeria, Mr. Conrad Clifford, said: “Virgin Nigeria’s proposed direct service from the US to Nigeria is aimed at easing the inherent difficulties attached to travelling from the US to Nigeria, and the need to transit over Europe with the attendant cost of time, money and physical strain, adding, “our service would meet this strong demand and will enhance price and service options available to the travelling public.”
He explained that since Virgin Nigeria launched in June 2005, it has remained steadfast in working to its goal of operating to standards that allow Nigerian aviation to hold its head up high around the world. “Virgin Nigeria’s absolute focus on safety and standards has led us to elect to operate to additional scrutiny and standards including audits by Virgin Atlantic and also the JAAR operation standards governed by the Joint Airworthiness Authority, the European regulatory body.”
Clifford highlighted two significant landmarks achieved by the airline in the recent past to ensure a high level of passenger comfort and safety. “We are very proud of our recent admission into the fold of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), just as we are proud of our early and successful adoption of regulations 4.4.8 of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), which stipulates that all hand carried and cabin baggage as well as all cargo are to be one hundred percent X-ray screened,” he said.
In a goodwill message to the sessions, the airline’s Chairman, Mr Felix Ohiwerei, noted that, “direct flights are a critical precursor to meaningful trade between any two points, stressing: “ it is imperative that Nigeria, with the largest population in Africa, must develop meaningful trade with the United States, the largest economy in the world.” “The effectiveness of trade generating strategic initiatives such as the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) will be impaired by the lack of direct air link,” Ohiwerei said.
Dr Yemi Osindero, Head, Corporate Development of Virgin Nigeria explained that Virgin Nigeria’s application to the US Department of Transportation was in line with the US government’s Safe Skies for Africa Initiative, which recognises the importance of aviation safety and security to the economic development of Africa.
“The Initiative recognises the role that assistance from the private sector can play and encourages the countries in question to utilise foreign technical expertise where necessary,” adding, “The approach adopted by the Nigerian government to its flag carrier is closely in line with this US policy.” The Ambassador of Nigeria to the United States, His Excellency George Obiozor, called on Nigerians in the Diaspora to work together for the development of Nigeria and again reiterated the Nigerian government’s support for improved US-Nigeria aviation and the establishment of direct air links.
Chairman of NIDO Americas Inc., Dr. Ola Kassim, explained that the Diaspora supports the application of Virgin Nigeria to open the Nigeria – US route, saying, “this will alleviate the current inconveniences suffered by Nigerians who have to route their travel to Nigeria via Europe.” Chairman of ANAC, Mr Dan Austin, also pledged full support for Virgin Nigeria’s application, saying, “the All Nigeria America Congress is keenly looking forward to the actualisation of the proposed direct service by Virgin Nigeria to the Department of Transportation, explaining that “this would greatly ease the hassles faced by Nigerians who cannot easily get home presently.”
It will be recalled that Virgin Nigeria was admitted into IATA in December 2005 on the heels of the successful conclusion of audit of its operations by both Virgin Atlantic Airways Ltd and three major multinational oil companies operating in the country. The airline also adopted ICAO’s regulation 4.4.8 in December 2005, ahead of the January, 2006 take off date stipulated by ICAO.
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