NIGERIA: GON Approves Delta's Abuja-New York Route

UNCLAS ABUJA 000612 SIPDIS DEPT PASS TO USTDA-MARIN; EXIM-RICHTER DEPT PASS USAID AFR/SD FOR CURTIS AND ATWOOD BAGHDAD FOR MCCULLOUGH ROME PASS TO TSA - ANTHONY GIOVANNIELLO DAKAR PASS TO FAA - MOIRA KEANE DEPT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR FAA MEL CINTRON, AHARRIS DOC FOR 3317/ITA/OA/KAREN BURRESS AND 3130/USFC/OIO/ANESA/MCREED E.O. 12598: N/A TAGS: EAIR ECON EAID ASEC ERTD EINV PGOV NI SUBJECT: NIGERIA: GON Approves Delta's Abuja-New York Route REF: A. ABUJA 592 ¶B. ABUJA 456 ¶C. ABUJA 361 SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED; BUSINESS PROPRIETARY INFORMATION; NOT FOR DISSEMINATION OUTSIDE USG ¶1. (SBU) Ambassador received a letter on April 8, 2009 from Minister of Aviation Babatunde Omotoba recounting the agreement reached by the Minister and Ambassador in their April 3, 2009 meeting on Delta Airlines Abuja-New York route with operations to begin on June 8, 2009 with a upgrade to a Boeing 777-200 aircraft for the Lagos-Atlanta route on July 1, 2009(reftel A). ¶2. (SBU) The complete text of the letter follows below: BEGIN TEXT: RE: Proposed Delta Air Operations into Abjua The Federal Ministry of Aviation of Nigeria presents its compliments to the esteemed Ambassador of the United States of America in Nigeria, Her Excellency, Ms. Robin Renee Sanders and have the honour to forward herewith, for your information, reference and records, the response of the Federal Ministry of Aviation of Nigeria to the request by the attached letter from Delta Airlines to allow them operate flights to Abuja. The Federal Ministry of Aviation will allow Delta Airlines to commence operations into the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on 8th June, 2009 as long as the airline with effect from 1st July, 2009 redeems its pledge to change its Lagos operating aircraft to B777-200 equipment. Please transmit accordingly, and accept my best wishes and consideration of high esteem. (Signed) Babtunde Omotoba, Honourable Minister. END TEXT. ¶3. (SBU) Comment. The new 777-200 equipment and new flight times for the Lagos - Atlanta route will meet and hopefully exceed the customer and baggage service expectations of the ministry and the Nigerian community and improve Delta's customer relations issues in Nigeria. Post has transmitted scanned copies of the Minister's letter to the Department. End Comment. ¶4. (U) This cable was coordinated with Consulate Lagos. SANDERS