Keyamo to foreign airlines: No local catering, no summer flight approvals
By Kunle Sanni
Foreign airlines operating in Nigeria will not receive approval for their summer flight schedules unless they partner with local catering companies for onboard meal services, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has warned.
Keyamo issued the directive during a stakeholders’ meeting in Lagos on Friday, reiterating his commitment to boosting Nigeria’s local economy.
He expressed concern over the continued lack of patronage for Nigerian catering services by foreign airlines, despite a government mandate issued on October 15, 2024.
“I will not approve the summer schedule for foreign airlines until I see an agreement showing they have partnered with our local caterers for onboard meals,” Keyamo stated.
The policy, which took effect on January 1, 2025, is part of broader efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s aviation industry by encouraging foreign operators to invest in the local economy.
In addition to enforcing the local catering directive, Keyamo announced that Maiduguri Airport is undergoing upgrades to become the first international airport in the North-East region.
He also urged the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to streamline the process of issuing Air Operator Certificates (AOCs), suggesting that approvals could be granted within 24 hours where feasible.
Speaking at the event, Olubunmi Kuku, Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), highlighted ongoing efforts to enhance airport safety. She noted that runway friction tests and de-rubberisation had been prioritised to ensure safer landings across the country’s airports.
“Over the past 12 months, we have been consistent in maintaining clean runways. We have also deployed additional equipment for friction testing,” Kuku stated.
She acknowledged progress in wildlife management but admitted that challenges such as bird strikes remain a concern.
Kuku also outlined FAAN’s achievements in 2024, including the recertification of several airports and the rehabilitation of Hajj terminals in Maiduguri, Kano, Abuja, Ilorin, and Katsina, with ongoing work in Lagos.
