The Ministry of Aviation has continued stalling over the request by some foreign airlines to expand their operations to Kano, in spite of assurances given by the minister two weeks ago that this would be achieved by the end of March.
Emirates and Turkish airlines were among those that applied for approval to fly the Kano and Abuja routes a year ago, but the ministry initially blocked them and asked them to go to Enugu instead.
Under pressure from the National Assembly after a report by Daily Trust in August last year, the ministry agreed to approve the airlines’ requests.
On March 15, Aviation Minister Stella Oduah said in Kano that the two airlines would begin their Kano operations by the end of last month.
But investigations by Daily Trust show that despite those assurances, the ministry is still stalling over approving additional landing slots which the airlines would use to expand their operations.
When she appeared before a House of Representatives committee in November last year, the minister told lawmakers the necessary agreements would be signed on December 3 to give the airlines additional slots.
“The minister has continued to foot-drag on signing the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) on increasing the number of landing slots for the airlines,” a source who is privy to the matter told Daily Trust.
Our correspondent’s checks in Kano revealed that none of the airlines have established offices at the Kano airport as yesterday. read more on the link
http://dailytrust.com.ng/index.php/top-stories/53772-fg-keeps-emirates-turkish-out-of-kano-despite-minister-s-pledge-nobody-stops-them-ministry

Why does it seem like people (the F.G) is he.ll bend on destroying the northern economy? The same thing with OBJ who killed the northern textile mills and ginneries that employed hundreds of thousands, and many more northern industries. I am not a tribalist, but this is surely assuming a tribal dimension, cuz its getting clear that the F.G since obj's time uptill now all had a plan of destroying the northern economy . and the north's governors aren't helping by not taking initiatives on their own. By gods grace we shall survive and prosper no matter who's planning against us

Keeping tribal sentiments aside, Kano is insecure! Even are own local airlines are operating at risk in Kano and other volatile locations.

Keeping tribal sentiments aside, Kano is insecure! Even are own local airlines are operating at risk in Kano and other volatile locations.
It is the northerners who are bent on destrying their economy, all in d name of religious fanatism

cronsberg: The Ministry of Aviation has continued stalling over the request by some foreign airlines to expand their operations to Kano, in spite of assurances given by the minister two weeks ago that this would be achieved by the end of March.
Emirates and Turkish airlines were among those that applied for approval to fly the Kano and Abuja routes a year ago, but the ministry initially blocked them and asked them to go to Enugu instead.
Under pressure from the National Assembly after a report by Daily Trust in August last year, the ministry agreed to approve the airlines’ requests.
On March 15, Aviation Minister Stella Oduah said in Kano that the two airlines would begin their Kano operations by the end of last month.
But investigations by Daily Trust show that despite those assurances, the ministry is still stalling over approving additional landing slots which the airlines would use to expand their operations.
When she appeared before a House of Representatives committee in November last year, the minister told lawmakers the necessary agreements would be signed on December 3 to give the airlines additional slots.
“The minister has continued to foot-drag on signing the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) on increasing the number of landing slots for the airlines,” a source who is privy to the matter told Daily Trust.
Our correspondent’s checks in Kano revealed that none of the airlines have established offices at the Kano airport as yesterday. read more on the link
http://dailytrust.com.ng/index.php/top-stories/53772-fg-keeps-emirates-turkish-out-of-kano-despite-minister-s-pledge-nobody-stops-them-ministry

Why does it seem like people (the F.G) is he.ll bend on destroying the northern economy? The same thing with OBJ who killed the northern textile mills and ginneries that employed hundreds of thousands, and many more northern industries. I am not a tribalist, but this is surely assuming a tribal dimension, cuz its getting clear that the F.G since obj's time uptill now all had a plan of destroying the northern economy . and the north's governors aren't helping by not taking initiatives on their own. By gods grace we shall survive and prosper no matter who's planning against us

You are a born again tribalist. If you are remotely not a tribal icon, you should have a case for Enugu International airport since what is good for goose is also good for gander. Everything about Nigeria is sectional and idiotic. I am not even surprise that House of Representatives had to join issue with Minister on behalf of Kano. Is Enugu not part of idiotic Nigeria?

merciie: Keeping tribal sentiments aside, Kano is insecure! Even are own local airlines are operating at risk in Kano and other volatile locations.
It is the northerners who are bent on destrying their economy, all in d name of religious fanatism

Am sure the airlines know about the insecurity in Kano, but they are not complaining. If they consider Kano airport more viable than Enugu airport, then let them be. It's their planes, their crews, their investments and their risks.

OAM4J:

Am sure the airlines know about the insecurity in Kano, but they are not complaining. If they consider Kano airport more viable than Enugu airport, then let them be. It's their planes, their crews, their investments and their risks.

my point exactly, enugu airport doesn't even come close to kano airport in terms of traffic and passenger numbers. and if they say kano isn't secure and therefore unsafe for planes, then its the choice of the airline companies to take decisions on whether to risk it or not. They obviously aren't stupid and ain't buying into the over exageration of the media about insecurity, thats why they requested for slots by themselves plus they go where passengers (money) is. thats why egypt air and KLM still run daily flights from kano.

To further buttress my point, i am in no way against enugu airport, but why divert them from kano airport, how about she divert some slots from abuja or lagos to enugu if she's not actually following a tribalistic plan to short change the north.

On a lighter note, kudos to the madam for a wonderful renovation/reconstruction of most airports in the country(give credit to whom it is due )

@Op, nobody is stalling the request by foreign airlines to expand their operation in the North, and the article you posted from Daily Trust lacks objectivity as it only contains one side of the story. Below is the minister's response to what has transpired so far, hope it helps your inquisition.

FG approves Turkish Airways flight to Kano

Federal Government yesterday said Turkish Airways has been granted approval to fly to and from the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano just as Emirates have been granted approval for Abuja.

This is just as government said Emirates and Etihad Airlines have not indicated any interest to operate into the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, MAKIA, Kano.

Making clarifications, Special Adviser Media to the Minister of Aviation, Joe Obi, said Emirates expressed interest on the Abuja route and approval, via a Letter from the Minister dated February 14, 2013 was conveyed to the airline. Andrew J Parker, Senior Vice President, Public, International, Industry and Environment Affairs for Emirates, acknowledged receipt and expressed gratitude for the approval.

He, however, said the airline has not yet settled on a date to commence the Abuja operations. “Abuja is on our radar, but we do not as yet have a firm date for operation there. We are monitoring the fuel price movements and market conditions and at an opportune time we would come up with a deployment plan for Abuja”, Parker wrote.

With regard to Turkish Airlines, a letter conveying the Minister’s approval for the airline to operate the Kano route was dated February 26, 2013.

On March 20, 2013, the airline’s General Manager, Nigeria, Ali Bulut in a Letter to the Minister, acknowledged the approval granted the airline.

Details on when the airline would commence operations on the route are currently being worked out between officials of the Ministry and Turkish Airlines. Obi, however, said Etihad has not applied to operate into MAKIA, Kano and neither has Emirates.

“Emirates applied to operate the Abuja route. Approval has been granted but the airline is yet to decide on when to commence operations on the route”, he said.

Turkish airlines applied and has been granted approval to operate theMAKIA route.

Obi further stated that regardless of whether or not Emirates or Etihad airlines had applied to operate either into MAKIA, Kano or Abuja, subsisting Bilateral Air Services Agreements (BASA) between Nigeria and the UAE already grants them landing rights to the two destinations.

“ All they need do is apply for approval to commence operations on the routes.

Instructively, neither of the two airlines have indicated any interest to operate into the two destinations”, he said.

http://championonlinenews.com/index.php/champion-mainnews/item/5218-fg-approves-turkish-airways-flight-to-kano

So approval finally granted, no doubt thanks to due pressure from the House of Reps, good development nonetheless. Of course, it wouldn't have reached the Reps if there wasn't some truth in the allegation of foot dragging by the minister.