Airlines operating internationally within Nigeria have complied with the request from Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, instructing them to use local catering services for meal provisions during their flights.
Starting from October 2024, the Federal Government has urged international carriers to use local catering services; however, these airlines have not heeded this request.
Subsequently, Keyamo warned that he would dismiss the summer schedules of international carriers which decline to use local catering services for their external meals. These airlines agree to adhere to this schedule every quarter to maintain their operational rights within the nation.
As of 2023, the in-flight catering market has been estimated at $17.8 billion and is forecasted to grow to approximately $30.2 billion by the year 2033, based on an analysis conducted by Fact.MR.
Although industry players welcomed the government’s decision, departing travelers voiced complaints regarding the in-flight cuisine, with most dishes being international specialties.
Several major airlines already possess catering units where they have established their reliability over time.
This hesitation from these airlines to utilize Nigerian catering services has excluded the country from accessing the $17.8 billion market opportunity.
Nevertheless, during a stakeholders meeting last month, Keyamo announced that entry into and departure from Nigeria would hinge upon accords made with a domestic catering service.
He stated that foreign airlines had the option to cease operations in Nigeria if they believed they couldn’t support local caterers.
He stated, “I won’t endorse the summer timetable for international carriers unless they present an accord demonstrating collaboration with our domestic food service providers.”
You can cease your flights to Nigeria if you refuse to support local catering services here, and airlines like Air Peace will handle these routes instead.
On Monday, the catering staff at Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos informed our correspondent that following the minister’s firm warning in February, international airlines began to favor their services.
Abimbola Olatunde, who requested that her business name remain confidential, expressed surprise at being contacted by two global airlines regarding their passenger meal services.
I couldn’t fathom the airlines agreeing with the minister since this is something we’ve demanded for ages, yet nobody seemed to hear our pleas.
“Two international airlines have approached me alone but I have only started with one. As a matter of fact, they also ask that I handle their drinks. I am happy and I must appreciate the minister for his foresight and resolve to also help boost Nigeria’s economy through aviation and its components,”she said.
The President of the Association of Foreign Airlines Representatives in Nigeria, Dr Kingsley Nwokoma, in a telephone conversation with our correspondent confirmed that the foreign airlines had started obeying the directive of the government.
He mentioned further that the minister’s instruction emphasized the importance of boosting support for local food vendors and traditional Nigerian cuisine aboard.
“As I converse with you, I traveled from Lagos to New York on Virgin Atlantic, and during the flight, they served Nigerian jollof rice along with some snacks. This experience only strengthens my belief. It shows that airlines have realized Nigeria should not stand idle when its caterers can also profit from this sector. That’s definitely a positive step taken by the minister,” he stated.
Upon being reached out to, Keyamo praised the airlines’ significant adherence to regulations, stating that he would release a list shortly illustrating the degree of their compliance.
“My brother. Indeed, the adherence has been quite remarkable. The majority have begun submitting their confirmations with our local food suppliers. We’ll gather the information shortly and keep you informed,” he said.
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