FG Gives New Directive to Foreign Airlines in Nigeria, Announces Date to Begin Execution

• International airlines have been directed by the aviation minister to hire local caterers for their in-flight meals
• For strict compliance starting from January 1, 2025, all foreign airlines are expected to follow this directive
• The information was reportedly leaked after a Lufthansa representative paid a courtesy call

Legit.ng journalist Zainab Iwayemi has over 3-year-experience covering the Economy, Technology, and Capital Market.

The Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, on behalf of the federal government, has instructed international airlines to use local caterers for their in-flight meals.

This was contained in a letter to the acting director general of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), dated October 15, 2024, and signed by the director overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary, H.T. Ejibunu.

The minister said the agency should convey the decision to all foreign airlines for strict compliance.

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In the letter, Ejibunu stated:

“I am directed by the Minister of Aviation to convey his decision mandating all outbound flights from Nigeria, particularly foreign airlines, to utilize local caterers for on-board meals. You are hereby instructed to inform all foreign airlines of this decision for strict compliance starting from January 1, 2025.”

In a related development, Tunde Moshood, special assistant on media to the minister, confirmed the authenticity of the directive.

He stated:

“Although it is true, the information was leaked following a courtesy visit by a delegate from Lufthansa.

In a recent report, however, Festus Keyamo, said that Nigeria has been removed from the global aviation backlist as the country’s aviation rating rose to 75.5%.

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Keyamo disclosed this as he commissioned the Juhi-2 aviation fuel depot at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos on Thursday, October 17, 2024.

Airline offers tickets in dollars to Nigerians

Legit.ng reported that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) carrier, Emirates Airlines, recently opened ticket booking on Nigerian routes in dollars.

The airline said the service will be operated using a Boeing 777-300ER. EK783 will operate between Dubai and Lagos.

The Emirates Boeing 777-300ER serving Lagos will operate with eight first-class suites, 42 Business Class seats, and 304 seats in Economy Class.

Proofreading by Nkem Ikeke, journalist and copy editor at Legit.ng.

Source: Legit.ng