Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has requested airline operators to serve passengers Nigerian dishes. Keyamo said this while receiving the delegation of the Lufthansa Group in his office yesterday in Abuja.
The minister, who commended Lufthansa for their services in the aviation industry over the years, equally mandated all aircraft leaving or coming to Nigeria to ensure they treat Nigerians well on board their flights.
He said the essence of requesting local dishes during outbound flights is to promote Nigeria’s cultural heritage, and economic development, and encourage local caterers.
Keyamo appealed to foreign airlines to ensure all aircraft coming to Nigeria are in good shape and decried the level at which some foreign airlines lift Nigerian passengers with outdated aircraft while using the most modern ones in other countries.
Keyamo informed the Lufthansa Group that the Nigerian government has upgraded Muhammadu Buhari Airport Maiduguri to an international airport and urged them to utilise this opportunity to harness the huge market awaiting all airlines when the airport commences operations on January 1, 2025.
Rene Koinzack, Senior Director Sales, Southern and East Africa, Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea, commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the aviation minister for the uncommon transformation at the airports.
He said the Nigeria Immigration Service has been doing excellently well at the airport and promised to ensure all passengers have value for their money.
Rene said the essence of the meeting was to thank the minister for the ease of doing business in Nigeria and further strengthen the partnership between Nigeria and the Lufthansa Group.
He stated that going forward, Lufthansa would serve Nigerian dishes to Nigerian passengers on board Lufthansa, maintaining that the airline will continue to support the growth of Nigeria’s aviation and her economy.
