Photo of the Week: Skyhigh

The Photo of the Week is a birds’ eye view of Lagos, shot from a plane about to land at Murtala Muhammed International airport.

From the sky, Lagos looks peaceful and surrounded by swaths of greenery and nature. Once you get closer, a tightly knitted labyrinth of streets and endless roofs overwhelms the traveler, about to step out into the tropical heat, the hustle and bustle of the largest city in Africa.

Our Photo of the Week also relates to a two days warning strike across Nigeria by a coalition of aviation unions, including the Association of Nigerian Aviation Professionals (ANAP), National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE), National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), and Air Transport Service Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN). They are calling for the implementation of negotiated agreements and other demands on pay, working conditions and respond to reforms proposed by the Federal Government. For many travelers on Monday 17 April, being sky-high remained a distant dream.

The air transport industry, including airlines and its supply chain, are estimated to support USD 600 million of GDP in Nigeria. Spending by foreign tourists supports a further USD 1.1 billion of the country’s GDP, totaling to USD 1.7 billion.

Civil aviation is a critical element in Nigeria’s transportation system and indeed its economy. According to Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority NCAA, Nigeria has 32 airports and many regulated airstrips and heliports; 23 active domestic airlines; 554 licensed pilots; 913 licensed engineers and 1700 cabin personnel. Nigeria being Africa’s most populous country is an important destination for over 22 foreign carriers. Nigeria currently has Bilateral Air Services Agreements with over 78 countries.