BASA Deals: PPK Aviation Urges FG To Approve More International Routes For Air Peace, Ibom Air, Others

… Congratulates United Nigeria Airlines, To Fly Into UK, USA, Netherlands, Italy, UAE, Ireland

The board and management of a Lagos based Aerospace services and flight training agency, PPK Aviation International, has appealed to the federal government under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, to take full advantage and explore commercial opportunities available under the Bilateral Air Services Agreement, BASA, which it signed with other countries as a potent means of stabilizing and advancing the growth of aviation industry in Nigeria.

The appeal which was contained in a statement on Sunday by the agency’s Public Affairs Officer, Mr Philip Omolayo, commended the federal ministry of aerospace and aviation, for the prompt approval of international routes for one of the vibrant domestic operators, United Nigeria Airlines, which got the go-ahead, to commence preparations for international flights into United States of America, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Italy, Ireland, and the United Arab Emirates.

According to the agency, the official approval letter signed by the Director, Air Transport Management, H.T. Ejiburu, for the Federal Ministry of Aerospace and Aviation, is indeed a significant milestone, and a highly proactive step by the Tinubu administration to rapidly grow the sector, make it vibrant, competitive, create new jobs and generate huge revenue for the airlines and the federal government.

Omolayo, disclosed that the Chairman of PPK Aviation International, Dr Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe, Esq, on behalf of the board and management of the agency, commended the proactive steps of the aviation Minister, Olorogun Festus Keyamo, SAN, pointing to show that the near moribund aviation sector will soon return to her good, old booming days.

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“The Federal Government should, of a necessity, approve more international routes for other viable domestic operators like Air Peace, Ibom Air and Value Jet, so as to create healthy competition between foreign and domestic airlines to reduce cost of international and regional flight tickets.

“United Nigeria Airlines has received approval for the operation of international flights to the United States of America, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Italy, Ireland, and the United Arab Emirates.

“This is a significant milestone in the industry, and we commend, once again, the aviation and aerospace minister, Festus Keyamo, SAN, for major steps taken so far to revive and grow the industry.

“President Tinubu is in UAE, negotiating the lifting of visa ban on Nigerians, and possible repatriation of Emirates airlines foreign earnings in Nigeria to the UAE, pointing to show that this administration is ready, prepared and willing to rebuild the nation’s economy, and truly develop and grow the aerospace and aviation industry.

“PPK Aviation International, is delighted about these positive signs for growth in the industry, and we urge the federal ministry of aerospace and aviation not to relent in her consistent push and determination to approve additional international flight operations under BASA, for any eligible and financially capable airline,” the statement added.

Omolayo, also announced that PPK Aviation International, recently signed and sealed a viable deal; Helicopter flight training agreement with South Africa based Helicopter Pilot Training Centre, HPTC, with standard facility at Port Elizabeth, adding that the deal was facilitated by its Chairman, Olorogun Barr Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe.

“Based on popular demand, we have added Helicopter (Rotary) training to our services for students training in South Africa. This facility, Helicopter Pilot Training Centre, is based in Port Elizabeth. The total package for complete training is $92,000 (Ninety Two Thousand United States Dollars) only, for a maximum training duration of eighteen (18) months, including accommodation.

“Our deal with AEROSTAR Flight Training Centre in Florida, USA, shall be sealed and signed before end of September, making it three standard fixed wings flight training schools for prospective students willing to train in the United States, at a cost of N85,000 from Private Pilot License to Commercial Pilot License with Multiengine and Instrument Ratings,” Omolayo added.