Airline boss urges Fed Govt to improve airport facilities

The Managing Director of ValueJet, Capt. Omololu Majekodunmi, has urged the Federal Government to equip the nation’s airports with night facility equipment for late-night operations.

He said this would assist the growth of the airline business in Nigeria.
Providing such operational/navigational facilities, including runway lights, he said would help the operators to have maximum utilisation on their aircraft.

Majekodunmi said this would also end or reduce delayed or canceled flights.
Speaking in Lagos, the airline boss said airline operators would not be struggling to serve such airports before they close at 6 p.m.

He said: “All flights will be properly spread for the day. There will be nothing like if you can’t land at the airport before 5 p.m, everyone would have to wait for the next day.”

Majekodunmi advised airlines to shelve the idea of going it alone, if they want to be profitable and reliable as airlines, hinting that the carrier was open for talks.

The ValueJet managing director described competition as healthy for the business, stressing that his airline was on the verge of formalising an interline agreement with a domestic airline.

He said: “Code-sharing within the airlines in an alliance is healthy for the industry, but first things should be put in place. Airlines clearinghouse and others are needful. This will help to strengthen and expand the airline’s presence and reduce wastage on seats.”

He said the carrier is about to open talks with an unnamed partner to drive its brand values to foster an edge over its competitors, especially in On-Time Departure (OTD).

He said the bilateral agreements between nations to operate within each one’s territory is one area of concern for Nigerian operators, who are supposed to pull resources for comparative advantages.

The airline had in August this year signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Plateau State in driving connectivity between the state capital, Jos, and the federal capital, Abuja.

The ValueJets Airlines boss said : “ Many state government demand to start operations into their airports. We are sensitive to starting with those with great economic potential. Plateau state has been one with agricultural potential.”

He disclosed that in the second year, the carrier would be opened to expansion of its cargo operations to the West Coast, interlining with other carriers with similar vision, codeshare as well as providing the executive charter operations.

He equally stated that ValueJet would explore regional operations, but noted that it would be carefully done to avoid problems that come with the overgrowth of fleet and routes in a short period of time.

His words : ” We are happy to have this many passengers to have experienced us in the 365 days of celebration, as of the past year, we had projected what the industry should be expecting from a startup airline like ValueJet. We have surpassed most of the expectations by concentrating on very high standards of airport passenger processes, on-time Departure (OTD), and onboard service attendance. This is also together with consistent and high standards of staff service across both the airport and onboard service environment.”

He went on : ” To many, one year may not mean so much in the life of any individual but to many others, it means a lot especially in the life of airlines in the country’s aviation industry with so many ups and downs in the country’s aviation industry.

“Though relatively new, ValueJet has positively impacted Nigeria’s domestic airline scene positively.The company’s business model is poised to ensure that Nigerians have access to affordable flights through competitive pricing.

With a long-term vision and growth mindset, it has set its sights on the coming years to expand beyond the Nigerian airspace.

“It is building a cost-conscious business with an understanding of the sector and how Nigeria is poised to play a key role in developing Africa’s aviation by joining the rest of the global players in regional and international markets.

“When the airline took to the skies on October 10, 2022, not many gave it a chance because of the high turnover of airlines in the country.

“But the last year has been fruitful and rewarding to the carrier as the airline which started small the days of little beginnings is fast becoming the first choice of many travelers because of its on-time departures, neatness of its aircraft cabins, sound business model, a futuristic partnership among others.

He said the airline was expected to do well based on its staff formation and commitment to excellent service.”