Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, on Sunday proposed a law that would require government officials to patronise Nigerian airlines when travelling on international routes.
The announcement came during the ceremonial send-off of Air Peace’s inaugural direct flight from Abuja to London Heathrow Airport, held at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.
The event drew top officials, including the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, and Air Peace Chairman, Allen Onyema.
Speaking at the ceremony, Keyamo said the Federal Government plans to introduce a bill, dubbed the Fly Nigerian Act, which would compel public officials to use local carriers whenever available.
“The Fly Nigerian Air is to mandate every government official travelling abroad to patronise our local airlines if they are flying that route first, except there is no local airline flying that route,” he explained.
Keyamo, himself a senior advocate of Nigeria – Nigeria’s highest elite club of lawyers, noted that the proposal aligns with global practices, citing examples such as the United States’ Fly American Act and India’s similar policy.
“We have the Fly American Act. I think we have the Fly India Act. We have these laws all over the world, but we have not implemented them. There is a Fly American Act; go and look at it. But we don’t have the Fly Nigerian Act. We want to bring it here,” he said.
He further outlined the operational mechanics of the law, explaining that for any government official — whether a minister, legislator, or director general — flying abroad, the first consideration would be whether a Nigerian airline services the route. If so, that ticket must be purchased unless no local airline flies the route.
Keyamo assured that the ministry is committed to seeing the law passed, describing it as a crucial step in promoting domestic carriers and strengthening the nation’s aviation sector.
The Fly Nigerian Act, if enacted, would represent a significant policy shift in Nigeria’s civil aviation, potentially boosting local airline revenue, enhancing route viability, and encouraging investment in domestic carriers.
The Air Peace flight to London marks a milestone in Nigeria’s aviation history, further positioning the country as a growing hub for international air travel, and the proposed law would complement these ongoing efforts to support the sector.
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