Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ABUJA612
2009-04-10 10:04:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Abuja
Cable title:
NIGERIA: GON Approves Delta's Abuja-New York Route
how-toVZCZCXRO5149 PP RUEHMA RUEHPA DE RUEHUJA #0612 1001004 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 101004Z APR 09 FM AMEMBASSY ABUJA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5720 INFO RUEHOS/AMCONSUL LAGOS PRIORITY 1112 RUEHGB/AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD 0185 RUEHRO/AMEMBASSY ROME 0419 RUEHDK/AMEMBASSY DAKAR 0378 RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC RULSDMK/DEPT OF TRANSPORTATION WASHDC
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
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
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