The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has called on foreign airlines operating in Nigeria to incorporate local Nigerian dishes into their onboard meal options.
Speaking during a meeting with representatives of the Lufthansa Group at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja, Keyamo emphasized the importance of showcasing Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage and supporting local caterers.
Keyamo mandated that all airlines flying in and out of Nigeria provide top-quality service and maintain aircraft in excellent condition.
He expressed dissatisfaction with the use of outdated planes for Nigerian routes while modern aircraft are deployed elsewhere, urging airlines to offer Nigerians the same standard of service they provide in other regions.
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Highlighting the Nigerian government’s efforts to enhance aviation infrastructure, Keyamo announced the recent upgrade of Muhammadu Buhari Airport in Maiduguri to an international airport, with operations set to begin on January 1, 2025.
He encouraged the Lufthansa Group to leverage this development and capitalize on the expanding market.
Rene Koinzack, Senior Director of Sales for Southern and East Africa, Nigeria, and Equatorial Guinea at Lufthansa, praised the efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the aviation minister for the substantial transformation of Nigerian airports.
He also commended Nigeria’s immigration service for its efficient operations. Koinzack reaffirmed Lufthansa’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with Nigeria and announced plans to introduce Nigerian dishes onboard flights. He assured that Lufthansa would continue supporting Nigeria’s aviation growth and contribute to the country’s economic development.
