Photo Caption:
L-R: Head Of Sales, Finchglow Travels, Aderinola Desalu; Chief Cabin Crew Instructor and Quality Manager, Lagos Aviation Academy, Hakeem Lawal; Head Of Business, Finchglow Holidays, Oluwaseun Afolabi; Group Managing Director, Finchglow Holdings, Bankole Bernard; Managing Director, TravelDen, Olugbenga Onitilo; Head Of Business, FCM Nigeria, Ayodele Abiola at Finchglow Holdings media appreciation event held in Lagos Thursday
The Group Managing Director of Finchglow Holdings, Mr. Bankole Bernard has appealed to the federal government to see how it can reduce taxes and charges on airlines which is passed into the passengers.
Bernard explained that part of the reason why the cost of aviation is that high is because some airports are not generating enough revenue and the government has to meet up with the overheads in those places.
Speaking during a media appreciation event held in Ikeja, Lagos, Mr. Bernard attributed the rising cost of flight tickets to taxes and charges imposed by various aviation agencies.
Finchglow GMD posited that it has become necessary for the government to reduce charges, especially in a country where demand already exceeds supply.
He stated that Finchglow is positioning itself as a pivotal player in shaping Africa’s aviation future,
Bernard said the aviation training arm of the group is set to partner with a South African based flying school and Babcock University.
He disclosed of plans to
to expand its operations into Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal based on invitation as a result of their pedigree in the Nigeria’s aviation industry.
Bernard added that the company is committed to driving innovation, professionalism, and impact at home and abroad.
On the company’s increasing investment in technology, including artificial intelligence (AI), Bernard added that Nigeria can not operate in isolation
In his words: “We can’t operate in isolation. You can’t talk about AI when regulators are struggling to use computers. The regulatory agencies should automate processes to enable the industry to fully integrate modern technologies”.
Bernard maintained that despite operating in a competitive sector, Finchglow Holdings does not see itself as competing with others.
Finchglow GMD emphasised that: “We are our own competitors. Whatever level we achieved this year, we must surpass it next year. We value-driven strategy guided by integrity, professionalism and excellence”.
He observed that cargo operations hold strong potential for growth, especially as more Nigerian airlines join the Cargo Accounts Settlement System (CASS).
Finchglow boss commended the rise of state-owned cargo processing facilities that support farmers through proper packaging and export preparation.
He highlighted ongoing CSR initiatives, especially school outreach programmes, and revealed plans for more community-focused projects in 2026.
Speaking also on preparations for 2025 Detty December, the Managing Director of Travelden, a subsidiary of Finchglow, Mr Gbenga Onitilo stated that for now prices of hotels and other related services have risen above affordability .
Onitilo noted that this development is not reasonable as there is the challenge of over pricing as people are now planning based on people coming from abroad with forex.
According to Travelden boss, there is demand for Detty December, but pricing is the factor. Some operators have increased prices by as much as six times the usual rates which is short-sighted and harmful.
He explained that in 2024, Nigeria was not ready for Detty December and as a result of that could not handle it alone, stressing that this year, a lot of people are ready for it now as prices have risen above affordability.
Onitilo pointed out that excessive pricing across Nigeria’s hospitality and entertainment sectors poses a major threat to the long-term sustainability of the popular Detty December tourism season.
He noted that many operators are exploiting visitors, especially Nigerians in the diaspora and international tourists, by charging exorbitant rates for accommodation, entertainment, and related services.
He noted that Detty December gained significant momentum in 2024 due to the large number of diaspora Nigerians returning home after long periods abroad with their spendings boosting the economy of Lagos, Calabar, Owerri and other cities, through remittances and increased patronage of local businesses.
“Even facilities with available rooms placed their rates far above normal seasonal adjustments, with some tripling their prices. Some show promoters also set ticket and table fees beyond reasonable limits,” he said.
