ABUJA – The Minister of Aviation, Mr Osita Chidoka, said on Tuesday that the creation of a new flight route to Abuja by the Turkish Airline would further boost relations between Nigeria and Turkey.
Chidoka said this when the Turkish Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Mustafa Pulat, visited the minister in his office in Abuja.
“I look forward to greater corporation with Turkish Airline; I am sure that the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) negotiation will improve things.
“I want to open up Nigeria airlines — domestic airlines — to more business and opportunities to Nigerians. I will like to see Turkish Airline serving with a local partner to do its business.
“I will like to see them employ more Nigerians, more Nigeria air hostesses and potentially see Nigerian pilots working for the Turkish Airline; that will make us happy,’’ Chidoka said. [eap_ad_1] “I assure you of our cooperation in making sure that Turkish Airline and Nigeria-Turkish relations witnessed a boost,’’ he said.
The minister said that the aviation sector would do everything possible to modernise the country’s airports to improve passengers’ experience, so as to open up more business opportunities for Nigerians.
According to him, the aviation sector will within a year, concentrate on making sure that safety and security systems meet international standards and more.
Earlier, Pulat said the objective of the visit was to solicit for approval of the ministry for Turkish Airline’s new flight route to Abuja.
He said that Turkish Airline had two existing flight routes to Kano and Lagos.
According to him, the airline is in partnership with the Nigerian aviation industry in cargo and technical operations.
“We are open to partnership; we are here to cooperate with you. We are here to request for your approval to commence a new route to Abuja,” Pulat said.(NAN)
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