VZCZCXRO9220
PP RUEHMA RUEHPA
DE RUEHOS #0673/01 1381010
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 181010Z MAY 06
FM AMCONSUL LAGOS
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7167
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHDS/AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA PRIORITY 0153
RUEHBS/AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS PRIORITY 0353
RUEHDK/AMEMBASSY DAKAR PRIORITY 0739
RUEHRO/AMEMBASSY ROME PRIORITY 1057
RULSDMK/DEPT OF TRANSPORTATION WASHDC PRIORITY

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 LAGOS 000673 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE PASS FAA FOR ACONLEY, 
TRANSPORTATION FOR FAA; DAKAR PLEASE PASS TO FAA REP ED 
JONES; ROME PLEASE PASS TO TSA REP JOHN HALINSKI 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EAIR EINV PREL KFRD ATRA NI
SUBJECT: NORTH AMERICAN AIRLINES TO START DIRECT LAGOS-NY 
ROUTE 
 
 
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Summary 
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¶1. (SBU) North American Airlines (NAA) has received final GON 
approval to start direct service from Lagos to New York's 
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK).  The airline 
plans to begin flights some time between June 26 and July 17, 
with the latter date being more probable.  NAA informally 
requested consular and DHS assistance during the first two 
weeks of the flight to handle document checks and assist with 
safety and security issues.  End Summary. 
 
--------------------------------------------- ---- 
NCAA Gives NCAA Final Approval to Establish Route 
--------------------------------------------- ---- 
 
¶2. (SBU) After a few minor bureaucratic delays, NAA received 
authorization from the Aviation Ministry (MOA) and Nigerian 
Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to begin a direct route 
between Nigeria and the United States. 
 
¶3. (SBU) At a meeting with EconCouns, the Aviation Minister 
regretted the misunderstandings that led to his predecessor's 
rejection of Continental Airlines' request for a direct route 
pursuant to the bilateral Open Skies agreement.  The Minister 
hoped Continental would reconsider the Nigerian market, and 
he welcomed other U.S. airlines as well.  The Minister also 
told EconCouns he was very interested in technical assistance 
to improve air safety and security and hoped postponed 
Department of Transportation and Transportation Safety 
Administration (TSA) visits would be rescheduled in the near 
future.  The MOA is also discussing programs with the World 
Bank under its regional initiative. 
 
-------------------------------- 
NAA Asks for Consular Assistance 
-------------------------------- 
 
¶4. (U) In a conversation with Mission officers, NAA Vice 
President for Passenger Sales, Bob Perry, requested 
Department of Homeland Security and TSA assistance during the 
first two weeks of the new flight, at a minimum.  He asked 
for consular assistance with document inspection at the point 
of embarkation as well as document training for NAA employees 
from the Lagos Consular section as well.  NAA has hired 
Aviation Logistics and Management Ltd. to handle their 
security and document checking.  They will employ Israeli 
trainers and intend to have 20 security agents doing hand 
searches and screenings at the airport.  (Note.  Post's 
assessment of NAA's request for consular and other assistance 
will be provided septel.  End Note.) 
 
--------------------------------------------- ------ 
NAA Committed to Local Content and Customer Service 
--------------------------------------------- ------ 
 
¶5. (U) Affirming NAA's commitment to local content, Perry 
admitted that identifying indigenous talent had not been 
easy.  Nevertheless, NAA has been asking their service 
providers, including accountants, hotels, etc., for referrals 
and NAA continues to make every effort to hire Nigerians, he 
stated.  NAA expected to hire at least 15 local staff. 
 
¶6. (U) NAA plans to use electronic ticketing exclusively, 
despite the risks associated with credit cards in Nigeria. 
They made an arrangement with the United Bank of Africa (UBA) 
so that passengers without U.S. credit cards can either pay 
for tickets at bank branches or by debit card through the 
widely available Interswitch platform.  NAA Vice President 
for Sales, Peter Bogovich, said the company had done trial 
runs using Air France's on-line system and felt NAA's 
ticketing plan was appropriate for Nigeria.  Perry said NAA 
had been asked by the Ministry to consider a code-share 
agreement with either Virgin Nigeria Airways (VN) or another 
Nigerian carrier.  NAA originally attempted to team with 
Bellview Airlines; however, Bellview's only input so far has 
been an agreement to reschedule flights so their domestic 
connections would harmonize with NAA flights and to function 
as a travel agent to sell NAA tickets.  In return, NAA would 
sell Bellview tickets.  NAA confirmed they belong to the same 
 
LAGOS 00000673  002 OF 002 
 
 
holding company that owns World Airways, which ran an 
unsuccessful Lagos-JFK route in the past.  NAA claimed to 
operate independently from World. 
 
--------------------------------------------- --- 
NAA to Use Boeing 767-300ER Three Times Per Week 
--------------------------------------------- --- 
 
¶7. (U) For this route, NAA purchased a 1996 Boeing 767-300ER 
model plane from KLM Airlines, and removed rows in the 
economy class section for added room.  Pilots and crew will 
be all American, except for three flight attendants and one 
Ghanaian pilot.  The return flight will operate three thrice 
weekly, beginning Monday, leaving Lagos at 11:55 a.m. and 
arriving JFK at 6:25 p.m. the same day.  The flight will 
leave JFK at 3:00 p.m. and arrive Lagos at 6:45 a.m. the next 
day.  NAA is satisfied with the times, because there are very 
few international flights at MMIA in the morning.  NAA will 
consider a route from Abuja once Lagos has been 
satisfactorily established. 
 
¶8. (U) NAA currently operates an all economy charter between 
Accra and JFK once weekly.  Starting June 3, they plan to 
switch to thrice weekly flights that include business class 
accommodations.  They hope to commence a direct flight from 
Banjul to JFK in June also.  NAA does not have a mileage 
plan, nor any codeshare agreements, but will provide 
travellers with connection options on Jet Blue. 
 
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Comment 
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¶9. (SBU) That NAA has gotten approval demonstrates the change 
in policy that has taken form since the current Aviation 
Minister was appointed last year.  This cannot be solely 
attributed to the pro-American posture of the Minister nor to 
a newly found respect for the Open Skies agreement.  By 
opening the door for NAA in Nigeria, the GON hopes to lessen 
opposition to VN's request to fly directly from Nigeria into 
the American market.  At bottom, a direct NAA flight will 
mark a major achievement for a ministry beset by two major 
crashes and undergoing a near total restructuring in the last 
6 months.  While some delay in preparation can be expected, 
NAA will likely be able to start service in July.  End 
Comment. 
 
¶10. (U) This cable was cleared by Embassy Abuja. 
BROWNE