By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Local airlines are cutting costs, downsizing staff and operations, and also fiercely competing to retain existing passengers and attract potential ones with incentives in a Nigerian market that is lucrative but beset by a harsh business environment.
Some upgrade tickets from Economy to Business Class, others offer Health Maintenance Organisation (HMO) card gifts to woo passengers, boost revenue, and cruise well in the post-pandemic firmament.
Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) Director General, Musa Nuhu, confirmed that airlines have re-strategised using cost-effective aircraft.
“Already, there is a paradigm shift. People are beginning to realise you can’t use Boeing 737 aircraft for short flights,” Nuhu told Nairametrics.
“I can see Air Peace has got an E-195, and he plans to replace all the B737 in the long term. United Nigeria is using Embraer 145. Green Africa is using ATR 42, 72.
“There is one that has started processing its documents; he wants to use Embraer 145. Chanchangi wants to come back and they want to use ATR. The demand is there.
“The thinking is changing because this B737 business is not working for us. It is going to take a while but it is a positive change in the industry.”
A source in Green Africa added that the airline does not plan to employ more than 15 staff across the country.
“We are only employing less than 20 direct staff but will get more contract staff to do more work. Most of the other jobs will be outsourced.
“The era of employing scores of staff and paying them fortunes for the same jobs agents and temporary workers can do is gone. To survive during difficult times, we must implement certain measures,” the source insisted.
And, per Nairametrics reporting, below are some of the freebies the airlines are offering passengers to come on board.
Air Peace
Air Peace, Nigeria’s acclaimed biggest airline, launched “random act of love” in April and has been exciting passengers with gifts onboard to put a smile on their faces.
The airline places gift cards in random seat pockets. During flight, passengers are instructed to check their front seat pocket to see if they have won a gift.
Items won include thermos bottles, food flasks, diaries, umbrellas, notebooks, remote organisers, and free HMO cards.
Air Peace spokesperson, Stanley Orisa, explained that “this is an extension of the airline’s Random Love Act campaign, aimed at demonstrating a customer’s love for flying with the airline.
“Also with the card, you enjoy certain Business Class privileges when flying.”
Azman Air
Azman Air has slashed the cost of a flight from Lagos to Kano from N72,458 to N52,983.
I has also started rewarding loyal passengers with free ticket upgrades from Economy to Business Class.
“@AzmanAir is back and stronger. I also wish to thank you for the free upgrade to business class,” one passenger tweeted.
Green Africa
The new entrant, which took delivery of its second aircraft on May 13, is offering potential customers (gFlyer Community) 10 per cent off first bookings.
“To mark this major milestone, we are offering the gFlyer Community 10 per cent off their first booking with us.
“We are crafting a network plan that will afford more customers the opportunity to pursue their economic interests or simply spend more time with family & friends,” said Babawande Afolabi, Green Africa founder Chief Executive Officer.
A unique code to claim the offer is shared with each gFlyer, who has to fill a form on the airline’s website to enjoy the benefits.