Nigeria, China establish direct air link
The aviation industry in Nigeria received a boost yesterday as direct links between China and Nigeria began with the arrival of a China Southern Airlines A330-200 aircraft in Lagos.
Speaking at a short ceremony to mark the event, President Olusegun Obasanjo described the development as historic, being the first direct link from China, not only with Nigeria, but with Africa.
Obasanjo, represented by the Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi-Fani-Kayode, said the feat would transform air travel globally as it represented one between the most populous country in the Far East and that in Africa.
``China is a giant in the Far East and Nigeria is rising to be the giant of Africa,'' he stressed, lauding and noting that the relationship between both countries was always moving from strength to strength.
He hoped that very soon, Nigerian airlines would be able to reciprocate the coming of the airline by also flying to China through Dubai, explaining that the government would do everything to encourage the local carriers.
Obasanjo said that more foreign airlines, such as Maroc Air and Qatar Air, would soon come into the country, saying thatNigeria was attractive to many of the airlines.
Speaking in his capacity as the Aviation Minister, Fani-Kayode, stressed that foreign airlines must abide by local rules as he would not be gentle on any of them which violated the laws.
The Minister also said he was awaiting a detailed report on the allegation of forgery against Sosoliso airlines, and described a claim by the airline that it was untrue as childish.
He, however, said the issue was within the purview of the Nigerian Civil Aviation
Authority (NCAA) which had the backing of the government.
Earlier, the Vice-President of China's Civil Aviation Authority, Yuang Zhiza, had said that it was remarkable that China and Nigeria were having direct air links on the last day of December 2006.
He said that it was a joyful occasion for both countries.
The President of China Southern Airlines, Liu Shaoyong, said the airline, which had almost 300 aircraft on its fleet, carried 45 million passengers in 2005 which ranked it among the top 10 airlines in the world.
Liu said the airline would play a positive role in enhancingrelations between both countries.
The event was also witnessed by Amb. Olu Coker, Nigeria's ambassador to China, Mr Xu Jian Guo, the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria and Erelu Olusola Obada, the Deputy Governor of Osun, among others.