The gap
between the rich and the poor is as wide as the Grand Canyon. From the ways
they live in opulence and style to places where
they go to, the moneyed class never wavers in the tiniest of details that have to do with their well-being. It is why many of them are splurging on private jet travels to choice destinations despite the closure of airspaces around the world.
they go to, the moneyed class never wavers in the tiniest of details that have to do with their well-being. It is why many of them are splurging on private jet travels to choice destinations despite the closure of airspaces around the world.
Since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, thereby,
necessitating countries around the world to impose a travel ban to contain its
spread, wealthy Nigerians have been circumventing flight bans with private jet
flights as they are desperate to continue living their life of luxury and, as
some argued, to minimize their public exposure. Though the money they spend on
private jet flights is staggering as one round trip to Europe in a Gulfstream
550 jet from the United States with five passengers can easily cost the client
six figures, they are not bothered. Life is for the living, many of them may
have reckoned.
Pandemic or no, the ultra-wealthy still have places to be and
airline options are not available. Thus, when Seyi Tinubu, scion of Asiwaju
Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC,
had to go be with his pregnant wife, Layal, in London days back, he settled for
a Bombardier Express 7000 with registration number VP-CBT, one of his
billionaire father’s private jets. Layal put to bed yesterday, June 25th. In a
statement signed by his aide, Khadijah Ibrahim, Seyi was said to be present
during the birth of his second child in the London hospital.
One of the former Lagos State governor’s jets, a Falcon 900X
with registration number T7-JAT, was recently in the news for flying President
Muhammadu Buhari’s Personal Assistant, Sabiu ‘Tunde’ Yusuf, from Abuja to Lagos
and back. It was also reported by a popular news website that two children of
the oil magnate, Folorunsho Alakija – Folarin and Rotimi – flew a private jet
with registration number VP-CFO from Lagos to Luton Airport, London, on May
22nd.
Earlier on May 8, six members of the late Chief of General
Staff, Vice Admiral Mike Okhai Akhigbe’s family reportedly also boarded a
private jet with registration number 5N-KAS from the Muritala Mohammed Airport,
Lagos to Stansted Airport, Essex.
The same month, Karl Olutokun Toriola, Vice President, West and
Central Africa of MTN, was onboard a private jet with registration number
FLJ611 from Spain to Nigeria. It was also revealed that Belo-Osagie Yasmin,
daughter of billionaire banker and former chairman of Etisalat, Hakeem
Belo-Osagie, was the only passenger in a private jet with registration number
D-CAWX, which flew from London to Nigeria on May 8.
Locally, the situation is not any different as private jet
owners have seen a spike in the demand for their services. But it came at a
cost for Executive Jet Services recently. The airline had flown rave singer,
Naira Marley, to Abuja from Lagos for a concert contrary to the federal
government’s interstate travel ban.
The resultant backlash from Nigerians compelled the Ministry of
Aviation to place its operations on indefinite suspension. That, still, is not
enough deterrent as the Lagos to Abuja route remains very lucrative for private
jet operators.,
thecapital.ng
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