The Federal Government will not allow any foreign airline operator to treat Nigerian travellers with disdain, the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, said on Saturday.

Sirika disclosed this in a statement issued in Abuja by the Director of Public Affairs, Federal Ministry of Aviation, James Odaudu.

The minister warned other airline operators to take a cue from the recent experience of Turkish Airlines as he stressed that the government would not hesitate to sanction erring international carriers.

Sirika said, “Following the threat by the nation’s aviation regulators to ban its operations in Nigeria, Turkish Airlines last night flew into Abuja with a bigger aircraft A330 as against the usual smaller B737.

“Officials of the airline, alarmed by the prospect of losing their Nigerian market, had rushed into a meeting with the Nigerian authorities to pledge total commitment.”

According to him, Turkish Airlines tried to comply with the conditions given to it in order to continue its operations in Nigeria.

He explained that the foreign airline had been notorious for the shabby treatment of Nigerian travellers over time.

Sirika stated that such behaviour by the airline had always given rise to security issues at the airports with protests by affected passengers.

He, however, noted that the airline had now shown commitment and had pledged to improve its treatment of Nigerian travellers by operating a bigger and more comfortable aircraft.

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The aviation minister assured Nigerians that the government would ensure that air travellers enjoy better flying experience during the yuletide and beyond.

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Air travellers had commended the government for its intervention in the Turkish Airlines issue, following the poor treatment of passengers by the airline.

Well good that FG reacted strong this time around, better if we have our own working national airline.

Good job. Thumbs up for Sirika. No one will respect you by default, you must show you are respectable!

We are already insulted......we should be working hard to get our dignity back.......Good one from Sirika for the measures taken so far

Story! Then why do foreign airlines charge more for Nigerians to leave the country than booking from abroad? Who is monitoring these ticket prices and finning these airlines? They are taking advantage of us big time and you people do nothing about it.

Is it possible for a part of this country to secede legitimately? Please , Yorubas should teem up and complete the processes as fast as possible.

The Nigerian Government have been treating their citizens with gross contempt for over 4 decades now. So, don't patronize me, Mr Sirika.