US implements visa waiver changes

The US has made changes to its Visa Waiver Programme (VWP), restricting its usage to travellers who have dual nationality with, or have recently visited Iran, Iraq, Sudan or Syria.

The new restrictions – which have been implemented under the Visa Waiver Programme Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act of 2015 – come into effect today (January 21, 2016).

They mean that nationals of countries participating in the VWP, who have dual nationality with Iran, Iraq, Sudan or Syria, may no longer use the programme to enter the country.

FAAN targets 30m passengers on completion of Airport terminal

With the completion of the new terminal in Lagos, the terminal will be able to process additional 15 million passengers, which mean we will be able to service about 30 million passengers.

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) says it is targeting to handle 30 million passengers traffic after completion of the ongoing terminal at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport.

FAAN's General Manager, Corporate Affairs Yakubu Dati made this known when he spoke with aviation correspondents in Lagos on Wednesday. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that FAAN presently handles 15 million passengers, but has projected an additional traffic of 15 million before the end of 2016.

Dati expressed optimism that a more safe and secured airport would be witnessed this year when the new terminals under construction would be completed.

NUATE Gives Airlines 3-Month Ultimatum on Debts Owed Aviation Agencies

He said the unions were prepared to partner with the Minister of Transport, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, the Minister of State for Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika and other stakeholders in the sector.

The National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) has given a three-month ultimatum to domestic airlines to liquidate outstanding debts owed aviation agencies in the country.

NUATE's Assistant General Secretary, Mr Olayinka Abioye, gave the ultimatum in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Lagos.

Arik Air rewards Still On

The campaign, designed to endear passengers to the airline will run from November 4, 2015 to January 30, 2016. During a flight, a lucky draw will be done using ticket numbers of passengers onboard. The ticket number to be pulled out goes home with a gift handed out in mid-flight.

Commenting on the initiative, Managing Director of Arik Air, Mr. Chris Ndulue said:

“This year Arik Air turns nine. We have grown to be the largest airline in Nigeria and West Africa on the strength of the trust and loyalty of the millions of travelers who have chosen Arik Air as their preferred carrier. It is only fitting that we recognize such deep loyalty and reward it. That is the whole essence of the #ArikCares Give-Away.”
Jide Alade, Associate Vice President – Marketing & Communications, added further: “Nothing you do for your customers can be too much. So, while giving out an iPhone 6S or a 3D TV mid-flight seems pretty cool, a smile of satisfaction on a passenger’s face is worth much more than a million 3D TVs to us. ”

IATA Licensed FirstNation Airline with IOSA Certificate

Successful companies are included in the IOSA registry for a period of two years following an audit carried out by an organisation accredited by IATA. 

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has formally presented FirstNation Airways with the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) Certificate.

The certificate was presented to the airline's Director of Flight Operations, Capt. Chimara Imediegwu on Friday by IATA's Area Manager, South West Africa, Mr Samson Fatokun in Lagos.

Etihad Airways Wins airberlin Codeshare Appeal

Etihad Airways has won an appeal allowing it to continue to offer Air Berlin codeshare services on all but five routes.

At the end of last year a court had revoked approval for a number of its codeshare services with the German carrier, but Etihad appealed against the decision.

Holiday Destinations in West Africa

West Africa is made up of eighteen (18) Countries, the region shares a history of European colonialism from 1490’s. The West African States gained independence in the 1960’s.

However, we can still see the relics of the European cultural influences in many. Nature blessed this region with beaches, Mountains, Valleys, Game Reserve Resorts which will make many marvel..

These sites are maintained as Natural, Cultural, and Historical Religious and Political relics/sites that make for tourist attractions.

KLM offers virtual reality tour of B787-9 Dreamliner

KLM has developed a virtual reality app to enable passengers to explore its new B787-9 Dreamliner aircraft.

The new app allows a tour of both the economy and World Business Class cabins, and is available for both Android and Apple smartphones – for more information click on the links below:

• Android
• Apple

NEWS » Emirates to take delivery of 37 aircraft in 2016

Emirates will take delivery of a record 37 aircraft in 2016, including over 20 Airbus superjumbos.

A tweet on the Gulf carrier's Twitter page confirms Emirates will welcome 21 A380s and 16 B777-300ERs to its fleet, as it looks to replace older aircraft including selected A330-300, A340-500, B777-200 and B777-300s.

In recent weeks the Gulf carrier has announced plans to bolster its A380 services on routes to Perth, Amsterdam and Los Angeles, as well as introducing the superjumbo on its Washington route for the first time.

To put the figure of 37 new deliveries in some context, it is almost as many as fellow Gulf carrier Oman Air's entire fleet (currently 39 aircraft).

The airline currently operates just over 70 A380 superjumbos, and is by far the biggest customer for the double-decker Airbus aircraft, with a total of 140 firm orders.

Senate seeks probe of $40m loan to aviation industry

The Senate has mandated its committees on aviation and anti-corruption to commence investigation into alleged disbursement of 40 million dollars ($40m) loan for rehabilitation and development of infrastructure in the aviation industry.

The mandate is part of a 15-point recommendation adopted while considering report of the Ad Hoc Committee on Aviation on the poor state of the aviation industry in Nigeria. The report was presented by the Chairman of the Committee, Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso (APC Kano Central).

Arik Air Introduces New Wine Selection

Arik Air, says it has chosen to source all onboard wines from the Wildekrans Wine Estate, which sits just an hour away from Cape Town city centre. Each of Arik’s long haul services – New York, London and Johannesburg – will have a ‘From Our Cellar’ wine menu card in Premier Business Class that will be offered with food menu.

The boutique vineyard is located in Cape Town and will supply the airline’s Premier Class and Economy Class wines. The Wildekrans Wine Estate is just an hour away from Cape Town city centre, so Arik Air is pleased to be supporting local wine producers.

The new wine selection will be progressively introduced to all domestic and regional Business Class services (those departing after 10am) during the course of the next few months.

NCCA Threatens To Sanction Airline Operators

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has threatened to sanction any airline operator that arbitrarily increases miscellaneous charges included in airfares without the authority’s approval.

Global Demand For Air Freight May Pick Up, Says IATA

The decline in global demand for air freight may be bottoming out, with increased cargo volumes in November, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) said on Monday.

In a statement made available by the Director-General of IATA, Mr Tony Tyler.

According to IATA, air freight volumes were down 1.2 per cent in November compared with a year earlier.

“Total cargo volumes were up when compared with October 2015.

“It appears that parts of Asia-Pacific are growing again and globally, export orders are looking better,’’ IATA said. (Reuters/NAN)

FAAN Furious As Turkish Airlines Arrives Nigeria Without Passengers’ Luggage Again

Turkish Airlines has again arrived Nigeria without passengers’ luggage, two weeks after the same situation caused a roar at the Abuja international airport. Saleh Dunoma, Managing Director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), has advised the airline to resolve the recurrent cases of carrying passengers without their luggage or face dire consequences.

NCAA Grants Airline Operating Certificate

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has granted a Nigerian based private jet charter company, Izy Air Limited an Air Operator’s certificate (AOC). At a short and colourful ceremony on December 17th, 2015, which was held at the NCAA Office, Ikeja, Lagos where the Certificate was presented to the President of Izy Air Ltd, Alex Izinyon II by the NCAA Director of Operations and Training, Captain Abdullahi Sidi, the organization said it is determined to give their clients the best interms of private jet services.

Etihad New Baggage Allowance as at September 2015

Etihad New Baggage Allowance as at September 2015 and as seen On 14 September 2015, Etihad Airways changed its checked baggage allowances and its excess baggage rates.

If you purchased your ticket prior to 14 September 2015, the pre-14 September checked baggage allowances will apply.

However, 2015 excess baggage rates will apply to all passengers, irrespective of ticket purchase date. The only exceptions to our new excess baggage rates are:

139 Suspect Drug Traffickers Arrested by NDLEA at the MMIA in 2015

NDLEA arrested 139 suspected drug traffickers at the Murtala Muhammad International Airport in year 2015 NDLEA stated.  

 

The Commander Mr. Garba Ahmadu speaks with journalist in his office stated that 119 of the 139 are male while the remaining 20 are female

He said “In 2015, we made 590.9 kilograms of seizure while about 120 cases were before the Federal High Court, with 17 convicted.

“There was a little increase in arrests by the command because we made a seizure of 436,065kg in 2014 while it increased in 2015 to 590.9kg.

NCAA lifts Sanction against Acorn Petroleum on Supply of Aviation Fuel

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has lifted the suspension it recently imposed on Acorn Petroleum Limited from supplying aviation fuel to domestic and foreign airlines at airports in the country.

 

NCAA had suspended Acorn and four other oil marketing companies from supplying aviation fuel to local and foreign airlines operating in the country.

In a notice to the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), the NCAA explained that the suspension became necessary due to lack of depot facilities by the oil firms and the inability to verify their integrity and competencies.

But THISDAY gathered that the sanction against Acorn has been lifted via a letter signed on behalf of the Director General of NCAA by the Director of Air-worthiness Standards, Mr. Benedict Adeyileka.

Why Aero, Arik and Dana are the most preferred airlines in Nigeria

A recent survey by a Nigerian business and management consulting company, Phillips Consulting Limited has revealed that out of the 20 domestic airlines operating in Nigeria to major cities such as Lagos, Calabar, Abuja and Enugu- Aero Contractors, Arik Air and Dana Airlines are the most preferred airlines. This survey was done between May and August 2015 in order to determine the perception and expectations of domestic travellers. Despite flight delays and safety concerns of these airlines Aero contractors ranked first with 39 percent, followed by Arik Air with 34 percent and Dana Airlines with 10 percent.

Aero Contractors

Source:- VenturesAfrica

Fares Price Raise by 50%

Airline operators in Nigeria have increased their fares by about 50% from, as travellers begin to return to their bases after the Christmas and New Year holiday.

At the ticketing counter of Aero, a one-way ticket from Enugu to Lagos was sold for N31,600 and at Arik it was sold for 46,400.

While FirstNation sold its ticket to Abuja for 19,000, Arik sold for N25,500, while the same ticket for an hour trip was sold for N28,600 at Aero.

Turkish airline probed over passengers’ baggage

The Consumer Protection Council (CPC) has directed the Turkish Airlines to provide a full situation report of events surrounding the alleged ill-treatment of its passengers arriving into Abuja from December 20, 2015.

Med-View Begins Saudi,Kano and Lagos Flight.

Medview has started direct flight service from Lagos to Kano and Kano to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, on direct four (4) hours on board time.

Medview lunched its flight to Saudi Arabia from Murtala Mohammed International airport, Lagos. At the recently lunched service Medview become the first Nigeria airline to start operating from Nigeria to Saudi in which 36 passengers were lifted.

Rat Spotted on Plane

An Air India plane flying to London was forced to return to Mumbai after passengers spotted a rat on board, the airline said Thursday. Though the rat was not found, the pilot returned to Mumbai on Wednesday keeping passenger safety in mind, Air India said in a statement. Passengers were later flown by a separate aircraft to London. The aircraft would be fumigated and checked before it is returned to service.