LAGOS, Nigeria (PANA) - South Africa Airways has won the bid for partnership with Nigeria Airways on the lucrative Lagos-New York route, setting the stage for the Nigerian national airline to resume flights to the American city in August after a seven-year break.
Aviation minister Kema Chikwe and the head of the Nigeria Airways, Yomi Jones, announced in Lagos Thursday that South Africa Airways, one of Africa's best airlines, beat co-finalist Ghana Airways to clinch the partnership deal.
A 10-member panel set up by Chikwe shortlisted the two airlines from an initial list of eight airlines bidding for an alliance with Nigeria Airways.
The move followed the December lifting of the air embargo, which the US Federal Aviation Authority imposed on Nigeria in 1993 for poor security at the Lagos Murtala Mohammed International Airport, the nation's main gateway.
The embargo came a few months after the cancellation of the 12 June 1993 presidential elections by the Gen. Ibrahim Babangida administration, leading to speculations that the flight suspension was politically motivated.
"We have chosen South African Airways as our partner on the Lagos-New York route. I am delighted to give you this news, and it should be the delight of every Nigerian that our national colours will be adorning the American skies," Jones told reporters.
The minister added: "I am happy to announce to you that in the next few weeks, we will have direct flights between Lagos and New York. This will be operated by the joint efforts of South African Airlines and the Nigeria Airways."
Explaining the choice of South Africa Airways, the spokesman of the Nigerian airline; Chris Aligbe, said technical strength and fleet size of the airline played a major role.
"We took our time in selecting a profitable partner on this route which records an increasing passenger flow on daily basis. This, no doubt, is the best arrangement put in place for this route. South Africa, with 50 aircraft, strong asset and technical base is our sure bet for this route," he said.
Other airlines that met the 3 July deadline for the submission of the bid for the partnership deal included North Atlantic Airline, Virgin Atlantic, Tower Air, and Trans American Airline.
