Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06LAGOS673
2006-05-18 10:10:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Consulate Lagos
Cable title:
NORTH AMERICAN AIRLINES TO START DIRECT LAGOS-NY
how-toVZCZCXRO9220 PP RUEHMA RUEHPA DE RUEHOS #0673/01 1381010 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 181010Z MAY 06 FM AMCONSUL LAGOS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7167 INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHDS/AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA PRIORITY 0153 RUEHBS/AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS PRIORITY 0353 RUEHDK/AMEMBASSY DAKAR PRIORITY 0739 RUEHRO/AMEMBASSY ROME PRIORITY 1057 RULSDMK/DEPT OF TRANSPORTATION WASHDC PRIORITY
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 LAGOS 000673
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE PASS FAA FOR ACONLEY,
TRANSPORTATION FOR FAA; DAKAR PLEASE PASS TO FAA REP ED
JONES; ROME PLEASE PASS TO TSA REP JOHN HALINSKI
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAIR EINV PREL KFRD ATRA NI
SUBJECT: NORTH AMERICAN AIRLINES TO START DIRECT LAGOS-NY
ROUTE
-------
Summary
-------
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 LAGOS 000673
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE PASS FAA FOR ACONLEY,
TRANSPORTATION FOR FAA; DAKAR PLEASE PASS TO FAA REP ED
JONES; ROME PLEASE PASS TO TSA REP JOHN HALINSKI
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAIR EINV PREL KFRD ATRA NI
SUBJECT: NORTH AMERICAN AIRLINES TO START DIRECT LAGOS-NY
ROUTE
--------------
Summary
--------------
1. (SBU) North American Airlines (NAA) has received final GON
approval to start direct service from Lagos to New York's
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). The airline
plans to begin flights some time between June 26 and July 17,
with the latter date being more probable. NAA informally
requested consular and DHS assistance during the first two
weeks of the flight to handle document checks and assist with
safety and security issues. End Summary.
-------------- --------------
NCAA Gives NCAA Final Approval to Establish Route
-------------- --------------
2. (SBU) After a few minor bureaucratic delays, NAA received
authorization from the Aviation Ministry (MOA) and Nigerian
Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to begin a direct route
between Nigeria and the United States.
3. (SBU) At a meeting with EconCouns, the Aviation Minister
regretted the misunderstandings that led to his predecessor's
rejection of Continental Airlines' request for a direct route
pursuant to the bilateral Open Skies agreement. The Minister
hoped Continental would reconsider the Nigerian market, and
he welcomed other U.S. airlines as well. The Minister also
told EconCouns he was very interested in technical assistance
to improve air safety and security and hoped postponed
Department of Transportation and Transportation Safety
Administration (TSA) visits would be rescheduled in the near
future. The MOA is also discussing programs with the World
Bank under its regional initiative.
--------------
NAA Asks for Consular Assistance
--------------
4. (U) In a conversation with Mission officers, NAA Vice
President for Passenger Sales, Bob Perry, requested
Department of Homeland Security and TSA assistance during the
first two weeks of the new flight, at a minimum. He asked
for consular assistance with document inspection at the point
of embarkation as well as document training for NAA employees
from the Lagos Consular section as well. NAA has hired
Aviation Logistics and Management Ltd. to handle their
security and document checking. They will employ Israeli
trainers and intend to have 20 security agents doing hand
searches and screenings at the airport. (Note. Post's
assessment of NAA's request for consular and other assistance
will be provided septel. End Note.)
-------------- --------------
NAA Committed to Local Content and Customer Service
-------------- --------------
5. (U) Affirming NAA's commitment to local content, Perry
admitted that identifying indigenous talent had not been
easy. Nevertheless, NAA has been asking their service
providers, including accountants, hotels, etc., for referrals
and NAA continues to make every effort to hire Nigerians, he
stated. NAA expected to hire at least 15 local staff.
6. (U) NAA plans to use electronic ticketing exclusively,
despite the risks associated with credit cards in Nigeria.
They made an arrangement with the United Bank of Africa (UBA)
so that passengers without U.S. credit cards can either pay
for tickets at bank branches or by debit card through the
widely available Interswitch platform. NAA Vice President
for Sales, Peter Bogovich, said the company had done trial
runs using Air France's on-line system and felt NAA's
ticketing plan was appropriate for Nigeria. Perry said NAA
had been asked by the Ministry to consider a code-share
agreement with either Virgin Nigeria Airways (VN) or another
Nigerian carrier. NAA originally attempted to team with
Bellview Airlines; however, Bellview's only input so far has
been an agreement to reschedule flights so their domestic
connections would harmonize with NAA flights and to function
as a travel agent to sell NAA tickets. In return, NAA would
sell Bellview tickets. NAA confirmed they belong to the same
LAGOS 00000673 002 OF 002
holding company that owns World Airways, which ran an
unsuccessful Lagos-JFK route in the past. NAA claimed to
operate independently from World.
-------------- ---
NAA to Use Boeing 767-300ER Three Times Per Week
-------------- ---
7. (U) For this route, NAA purchased a 1996 Boeing 767-300ER
model plane from KLM Airlines, and removed rows in the
economy class section for added room. Pilots and crew will
be all American, except for three flight attendants and one
Ghanaian pilot. The return flight will operate three thrice
weekly, beginning Monday, leaving Lagos at 11:55 a.m. and
arriving JFK at 6:25 p.m. the same day. The flight will
leave JFK at 3:00 p.m. and arrive Lagos at 6:45 a.m. the next
day. NAA is satisfied with the times, because there are very
few international flights at MMIA in the morning. NAA will
consider a route from Abuja once Lagos has been
satisfactorily established.
8. (U) NAA currently operates an all economy charter between
Accra and JFK once weekly. Starting June 3, they plan to
switch to thrice weekly flights that include business class
accommodations. They hope to commence a direct flight from
Banjul to JFK in June also. NAA does not have a mileage
plan, nor any codeshare agreements, but will provide
travellers with connection options on Jet Blue.
--------------
Comment
--------------
9. (SBU) That NAA has gotten approval demonstrates the change
in policy that has taken form since the current Aviation
Minister was appointed last year. This cannot be solely
attributed to the pro-American posture of the Minister nor to
a newly found respect for the Open Skies agreement. By
opening the door for NAA in Nigeria, the GON hopes to lessen
opposition to VN's request to fly directly from Nigeria into
the American market. At bottom, a direct NAA flight will
mark a major achievement for a ministry beset by two major
crashes and undergoing a near total restructuring in the last
6 months. While some delay in preparation can be expected,
NAA will likely be able to start service in July. End
Comment.
10. (U) This cable was cleared by Embassy Abuja.
BROWNE
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE PASS FAA FOR ACONLEY,
TRANSPORTATION FOR FAA; DAKAR PLEASE PASS TO FAA REP ED
JONES; ROME PLEASE PASS TO TSA REP JOHN HALINSKI
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAIR EINV PREL KFRD ATRA NI
SUBJECT: NORTH AMERICAN AIRLINES TO START DIRECT LAGOS-NY
ROUTE
--------------
Summary
--------------
1. (SBU) North American Airlines (NAA) has received final GON
approval to start direct service from Lagos to New York's
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). The airline
plans to begin flights some time between June 26 and July 17,
with the latter date being more probable. NAA informally
requested consular and DHS assistance during the first two
weeks of the flight to handle document checks and assist with
safety and security issues. End Summary.
-------------- --------------
NCAA Gives NCAA Final Approval to Establish Route
-------------- --------------
2. (SBU) After a few minor bureaucratic delays, NAA received
authorization from the Aviation Ministry (MOA) and Nigerian
Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to begin a direct route
between Nigeria and the United States.
3. (SBU) At a meeting with EconCouns, the Aviation Minister
regretted the misunderstandings that led to his predecessor's
rejection of Continental Airlines' request for a direct route
pursuant to the bilateral Open Skies agreement. The Minister
hoped Continental would reconsider the Nigerian market, and
he welcomed other U.S. airlines as well. The Minister also
told EconCouns he was very interested in technical assistance
to improve air safety and security and hoped postponed
Department of Transportation and Transportation Safety
Administration (TSA) visits would be rescheduled in the near
future. The MOA is also discussing programs with the World
Bank under its regional initiative.
--------------
NAA Asks for Consular Assistance
--------------
4. (U) In a conversation with Mission officers, NAA Vice
President for Passenger Sales, Bob Perry, requested
Department of Homeland Security and TSA assistance during the
first two weeks of the new flight, at a minimum. He asked
for consular assistance with document inspection at the point
of embarkation as well as document training for NAA employees
from the Lagos Consular section as well. NAA has hired
Aviation Logistics and Management Ltd. to handle their
security and document checking. They will employ Israeli
trainers and intend to have 20 security agents doing hand
searches and screenings at the airport. (Note. Post's
assessment of NAA's request for consular and other assistance
will be provided septel. End Note.)
-------------- --------------
NAA Committed to Local Content and Customer Service
-------------- --------------
5. (U) Affirming NAA's commitment to local content, Perry
admitted that identifying indigenous talent had not been
easy. Nevertheless, NAA has been asking their service
providers, including accountants, hotels, etc., for referrals
and NAA continues to make every effort to hire Nigerians, he
stated. NAA expected to hire at least 15 local staff.
6. (U) NAA plans to use electronic ticketing exclusively,
despite the risks associated with credit cards in Nigeria.
They made an arrangement with the United Bank of Africa (UBA)
so that passengers without U.S. credit cards can either pay
for tickets at bank branches or by debit card through the
widely available Interswitch platform. NAA Vice President
for Sales, Peter Bogovich, said the company had done trial
runs using Air France's on-line system and felt NAA's
ticketing plan was appropriate for Nigeria. Perry said NAA
had been asked by the Ministry to consider a code-share
agreement with either Virgin Nigeria Airways (VN) or another
Nigerian carrier. NAA originally attempted to team with
Bellview Airlines; however, Bellview's only input so far has
been an agreement to reschedule flights so their domestic
connections would harmonize with NAA flights and to function
as a travel agent to sell NAA tickets. In return, NAA would
sell Bellview tickets. NAA confirmed they belong to the same
LAGOS 00000673 002 OF 002
holding company that owns World Airways, which ran an
unsuccessful Lagos-JFK route in the past. NAA claimed to
operate independently from World.
-------------- ---
NAA to Use Boeing 767-300ER Three Times Per Week
-------------- ---
7. (U) For this route, NAA purchased a 1996 Boeing 767-300ER
model plane from KLM Airlines, and removed rows in the
economy class section for added room. Pilots and crew will
be all American, except for three flight attendants and one
Ghanaian pilot. The return flight will operate three thrice
weekly, beginning Monday, leaving Lagos at 11:55 a.m. and
arriving JFK at 6:25 p.m. the same day. The flight will
leave JFK at 3:00 p.m. and arrive Lagos at 6:45 a.m. the next
day. NAA is satisfied with the times, because there are very
few international flights at MMIA in the morning. NAA will
consider a route from Abuja once Lagos has been
satisfactorily established.
8. (U) NAA currently operates an all economy charter between
Accra and JFK once weekly. Starting June 3, they plan to
switch to thrice weekly flights that include business class
accommodations. They hope to commence a direct flight from
Banjul to JFK in June also. NAA does not have a mileage
plan, nor any codeshare agreements, but will provide
travellers with connection options on Jet Blue.
--------------
Comment
--------------
9. (SBU) That NAA has gotten approval demonstrates the change
in policy that has taken form since the current Aviation
Minister was appointed last year. This cannot be solely
attributed to the pro-American posture of the Minister nor to
a newly found respect for the Open Skies agreement. By
opening the door for NAA in Nigeria, the GON hopes to lessen
opposition to VN's request to fly directly from Nigeria into
the American market. At bottom, a direct NAA flight will
mark a major achievement for a ministry beset by two major
crashes and undergoing a near total restructuring in the last
6 months. While some delay in preparation can be expected,
NAA will likely be able to start service in July. End
Comment.
10. (U) This cable was cleared by Embassy Abuja.
BROWNE