The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has proposed a law compelling public officials to fly Nigerian airlines on international routes.
The minister made the proposal on Sunday during the ceremonial send-off of Air Peace’s inaugural direct flight from Abuja to London Heathrow Airport.
DAILY POST reports that the event, held at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, was attended by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, and Air Peace Chairman, Allen Onyema.
During the occasion, Keyamo stated that the Federal Government would soon introduce a bill tagged the Fly Nigerian Act.
“We are going to bring the bill on the Fly Nigerian Air to him (Benjamin Kalu). He will pass it.
“The Fly Nigerian Air is to mandate every government official travelling abroad to patronise our local airlines if they are flying that route first, except there is no local airline flying that route,” Keyamo said.
The minister further explained that the idea aligns with global practice, noting that other nations prioritise their local carriers, and emphasised that Nigeria must not be left out in promoting its own airlines.
He also outlined how the law would work in practice.
“If a government official, member of the House of Representatives, member of the Senate, Minister, DG, or government official is flying to any part of the world, the first question you ask them is: Is there a Nigerian airline flying that route? You must buy that airline ticket first, except that they are not flying that route. That is the Fly Nigerian Act that we want to do,” Keyamo said.
