Lufthansa signs joint venture with Air China

German airline Lufthansa and Air China said on Tuesday they had signed a deal to jointly operate all the groups’ connections between Europe and China.

“The Chinese aviation market is one of the most important growth markets worldwide. We want to profit from this growth together,” Lufthansa chief executive Carsten Spohr said in a statement.

Stakeholders okay airport concession plan

Former Director-General, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Harold Demuren (left); Chairman Airline Operators, Nigeria, Capt. Nogie Meggison and Chairman Senate Committee on Privatisation, Sen. Ben Murray-Bruce, at a stakeholders conference on aviation in Lagos…yesterday
PHOTO: NAN

The Senate yesterday threw its weight behind the Federal Government’s plan to concession the 26 airports nationwide.The Senate, with operators and key stakeholders in the aviation sector, were unanimous that concessioning would ensure efficient running and profitability of the airports especially at a time government has no resources to revamp the critical infrastructure.

Airlines to post record $40 bn profit in 2016 – IATA

 

Tony Tyler

Global airlines are expected to post record profits of almost $40 billion this year, the head of industry body IATA said Thursday, but he warned the sector faced threats from terrorism, a sharp rise in oil prices and protectionism.

Alexandre de Juniac, who took the reins at the International Air Transport Association on September 1, also called on Southeast Asian nations to invest in infrastructure to cope with surging demand for air travel in the fast-growing region.

‘How aviation sector can bail Nigeria out of recession’

Chairman of the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), Captain Nogie Meggison

Chairman of the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), Captain Nogie Meggison, in this interview with WOLE OYEBADE, calls for a review of policies and operating environment to revive the industry and the economy at large. Excerpts:

There is general apprehension about the aviation sector at this time. What are your fears as an operator?
First of all, I’m a pilot, an aviator, CEO of an airline, chairman of Nigerian Airlines Association and patron of the unemployed pilots’ union. When you see Nigerians out of jobs like today and standing on the roadside, it gives you cause for concern. Or when you sit in front of a television set or read in a newspaper to see any part of the economy going through hardship and at the brink of collapse, it will raise your antenna, as a Nigerian that wants things to work. Unfortunately, aviation is part of the country and Nigeria, as declared by the Minister of Finance; we are now officially in recession.

Retirees warn minister over concession plan

Hadi Sirika, Minister of State, Aviation

In solidarity with unions in the aviation sector, former workers of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) have warned the Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika, to be wary of concessioning that will not address germane issues relevant to the growth of the sector.

FAAN Pensioners, as the group is called, are worried that such exercises in the past “have not served the interest of the country as expected.”

New app to comfort nervous fliers by explaining happenings in real time

Some travellers really don’t like being tens of thousands of feet up in the air in a fast-moving metal cylinder. But there’s now hope for nervous fliers thanks to a new app which aims at calming uneasy travelers by making them feel like they are sitting next to the pilot.

Sky Guru, released this week, will explain to passengers what is happening during their flight in real time and what they can expect by using professional aviation data.

Virgin Atlantic slashes London fares ahead of Independence

 

Virgin Atlantic is making it even attractive to book a flight to London – by launching a special promotional fare for customers that want to visit family and friends to celebrate Nigerian 56 Independence anniversary.

This week, the British airline launched fares to London from $300, which is available for purchase from now till 26 October, 2016, for travel between 8 September and 10 December 2016.

ICAO, IATA, others revisit global airport security strategy

Scene of the recent terrorists’ attack at Ataturk international airport, Turkey.

• FAAN graduates 211 AVSEC, firefighting officers

Apparently worried by the growing security threat in airports across the world, international aviation bodies are closing ranks to re-examine and strengthen current security rules and procedure.

Bodies like the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and Airports Council International (ACI) aim to address evolving aviation security risks with integrated solutions.

Workers seek government’s intervention to reposition sector

A cross section of aviation workers during a protest in Lagos

Petition FG over ‘illegal’ appointments

Workers in the aviation sector have urged the Federal Government to intervene in the crisis facing the sector.

Rising from a general meeting in Ilorin, Kwara State, the workers under the aegis of National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) said though the hard times were not peculiar to aviation sector, but the government must be proactive in repositioning the sector as a potential mainstay of the economy.

Group opposes bailout for domestic airlines

Mr Gbenga Olowo

A group, the Aviation Round Table (ART), has called on the Federal Government to resist any pressure to offer bailout to ailing domestic airlines. 

 

President of the group, Mr Gbenga Olowo, made the call while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Lagos.

Olowo, who admitted that some of Nigeria’s airlines were currently facing challenging times, however, urged the government to pay serious attention to the aviation sector.

Sirika moves to pilot Nigerian aviation to new heights

Hadi Sirika

Last Tuesday, September 13, 2016, the Minister of State, Aviation, Sen Hadi Sirika, landed in Lagos from a trip and immediately moved to settle a trade dispute between Aero Contractors and its workers. When he got to the airline’s headquarters, the situation had even become worse as the workers were on a protest, over the shutdown of operations amidst unpaid salaries by its management.

FAA Stops Just Short of Banning Samsung Galaxy Note7

 

The FAA last week decided it could not ignore the potential safety risks for owners of Samsung’s recently released Galaxy Note7 smartphones. Samsung has urged owners to return all of the 2.5 million Note7s in service because nearly three dozen of the devices have spontaneously burst into flame due to a problem with the phone’s lithium battery.

Arik Air Passenger Planning to Travel Internationally Travel Documents

Each Arik Air passenger planning to travel internationally is responsible for obtaining all necessary travel documents and for complying with the laws of each country flown from, through or into which he or she desires to travel to.

International travel document requirements

Passport should be valid for at least 6 months from the date of intended travel. Please make sure that you are in possession of all required travel documents with the appropriate entry visas, including any vaccination certificates that may be required. Additionally, many countries require proof of return/onward travel and proof of sufficient funds to support you during your overseas stay.

Arik Air Checked Baggage Policy

You are responsible for your personal baggage when you fly, therefore we recommend all passengers of Arik Air read this section containing information on what you can and cannot take on board.

Free allowance				Excess calculation
Concept	Business Class	Economy Class	Infant	Rate	Factor
Weight	30 kg	20 kg	10 kg	NGN500	per additional kilogram

AS SEEN ON ARIK AIR WEBSITE

Arik Air resumes Normal operations from 11 am on Wednesday, 14 September, 2016

Arik Air, West and Central Africa’s largest airline, is pleased to announce that scheduled flights will resume from 11 am tomorrow, Wednesday September 14, 2016.

Members of the public and our esteemed customers are advised to discountenance the disparaging allegations, unsubstantiated and uninformed claims about the airline’s inability to meet its financial obligations to aviation fuel marketers and a purported withdrawal of insurance services to Arik Air by its insurers.

Outage disrupts operations at Lagos Airport

FAAN apologises, says construction work damaged power cables

Operations at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, were for several hours grounded on Monday due to outage.However, General Manager, Public Affairs, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), 

Yakubu Dati, said yesterday that the frequent outages were due to the construction at the new international terminal next to the MMIA.

The outage threw the facility into darkness till 3:00 p.m. and airport officials had to plead with angry passengers until power was restored by 7: 00p.m.The Guardian learnt that the screening and immigration procedure of passengers, both inbound and outbound, had to be done manually and under intense heat in the terminal.

Nigeria’s largest airline, Arik, suspends operations

Nigeria’s largest airline, Arik Air Limited, has announced the suspension of its flight operations, blaming a delay in insurance documentation.

Arik’s Public Relations and Communications Manager, Olabanji Ola, said the airline will resume operations as soon as the problem is resolved.

Reports that Arik had cancelled flights on Tuesday morning and afternoon had fueled speculation that the airline might have become the latest casualty in the financial crisis plaguing Nigeria’s aviation sector.

But Mr. Ola said the delay in “approval of documentation” was caused by the Sallah public holiday which was followed a “long weekend”.

Visa Information: How to Apply for Kenya Visa in Nigeria

Kenya is home to a variety of stunning attractions, wildlife and sandy coastlines, that is why the country is fast becoming a popular destination of choice for many Nigerians. The country’s unparalleled beauty and charm has made it to be on most Nigerian’s bucket list.

 

If you are planning to travel to Kenya for tourism, education, job opportunities, business or to reside in the country, and you are wondering how you would get your visa within a short time; well, there is a perfect way of making the visa application process very easy and that is why we are sharing our vast knowledge with you about how to apply for Kenya visa in Nigeria.

If you want to visit Kenya to see all the beautiful things the country offers, you’ll need to plan for your trip. And the first step is to get a Kenya visa because Nigerians require visa for entry into Kenya. You can either get a visa at the Kenyan embassy here in Nigeria or at the point of entry in Nairobi.

Please be well informed that your possession of Kenyan visa may not allow you into the country. The immigration officers at the port of entry can deny you entry if you do not meet the immigration requirements.

SOURCE: TRAVELSTART.com.ng

NANTA Declares State of Emergency in Aviation Sector

In order to save the air transport sector, which is described as a catalyst to economic development of any nation, the President of the National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies (NANTA), Mr. Bankole Bernard has urged authorities to declare a state of emergency in the aviation industry.

Eviction: Retirees Slam N10.02b On Aviation Agencies

Some retirees of the agencies under Federal Ministry of Aviation, have slammed a N10.2 billion fundamental rights enforcement suit on the agencies before the Federal High Court in Lagos over their alleged illegal and forceful eviction from their quarters.

The retirees are also seeking an order of perpetual injunction restraining the agencies from arresting, intimidating, harassing, humiliating, detaining, evicting or disturbing them in any manner whatsoever.

The applicants in the suit are: Oni Babatunde, MoshoodJimoh, TemitopeTubi, NwokeOgbonna, and BryankKaduru, and 35 others, who are former employees of Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN). 

FirstNation Airline to resume operations September 15

Local carrier, FirstNation Airways, will return to business on September 15, an official said on Monday.

Rasheed Yusuf, FirstNation’s Head of Corporate Affairs, said the airline suspended operations last week to carry out routine maintenance on its fleet in line with safety standards and regulations. 

Mr. Yusuf’s statement came a few days after the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority announced that FirstNation had been ordered to shut down operations indefinitely because one of its fleet was undergoing repairs. 

“In these circumstances, these airlines clearly cannot continue to undertake schedule operations, hence the inevitable recourse to self-regulatory suspension,” the NCAA said in a statement signed by the Director-General, Mukhtar Usman. “It is against the Nigerian civil aviation regulations for airline operators to carry out scheduled commercial operations with only one aircraft.”