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.”

Power outage mars flight operations at MMIA

International airlines are finding it difficult to operate scheduled commercial flights from the international terminal of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, following a severe power outage which started late Saturday.

The Lagos international airport gets its power supply both from the national grid and from its independent power plant. Daily Sun however learnt that both power sources had failed to work on Saturday and Sunday thus throwing up the entire airport into a state of darkness and disrupting the ability of airlines to make use of the requisite facilities that could enable them take off and land and also disembark passengers. Major airlines whose flight operations were disrupted  on Saturday lastweek included KLM/Air France, British Airways, Lufthansa and South Africa Airways flights.

Stakeholder cautions FAAN workers over N70m furniture scam

The publisher of Aviation Safety magazine, Alhaji Abdulyekeen Umar, has cautioned workers in the aviation industry; especially the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria staffs to exercise restraint in criticising the activities of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), investigating the alleged N70 million furniture scam in the organisation.

N12bn required to complete Lagos airport road rehabilitation project – ICRC

Aminu Diko, the Director General of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission, has said N12 billion would be required to complete the Lagos Airport road rehabilitation project.

A statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday by ICRC’s Head of Communications, Deborah Okafor, said Diko made the call when he led a management team on a courtesy visit to the Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika.

 

Diko also said a private investor had indicated interest in expanding the facility into eight-lane road with flyovers and that the procurement process was ongoing, after which construction would begin.

He also called on the ministry to speed up work on the concession of Nigeria’s four busiest airports – Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Kano.

Diko advised on the setting up of a Project Delivery Team and a Steering Committee to be chaired by the minister.

Diko said: “Public-Private Partnerships are complex and take time to consummate and so there is need to kick-start the process by quickly establishing the project team that would see to the engagement of a transaction adviser to manage the development and procurement stages.

Aviation workers protest against planned concession of airports

Workers at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on Tuesday staged a protest against moves by the Federal Government to concession the facility as well as three other vibrant airports across the country.

They also vowed to embark on subsequent protests, adding that they might be forced to shut down the country’s main airports if the government continued its moves to concession the facilities

Nigeria loses aviation hub status to Ghana

Nigeria has lost its status as the aviation hub in West Africa to Ghana.

Already, the revenue that accrued to Nigeria from the fuelling of aircraft and accommodation of cabin crews of foreign airlines has been taken over by Ghana, which now provides these services.

The situation is partly attributable to the 100 per cent increase in the price of aviation fuel in Nigeria, while Ghana slashed the same product by 20 per cent.

Air Peace takes delivery of 2 new aircraft for regional routes

Air Peace Limited said it has acquired two new Boeing 737-500 aircraft as part of efforts to boost its fleet in readiness for its foray into the African market.

The Chairman/CEO of the company, Chief Allen Onyeama, who spoke in an interview with journalists said the airline had just been licenced to fly outside Nigeria and that it had become necessary to make investments in the purchase of new aircraft for the new routes.

S.A.’s main opposition calls for emergency meeting to save national carrier

South Africa‘s main opposition the Democratic Alliance (DA) called on Friday for an urgent parliamentary meeting to work out how to prevent the state airline from missing payments to its creditors and being grounded by international partners.

Hong Kong’s tax authorities this week threatened to ground South African Airlines if the struggling airliner did not provide financial statements by Sept. 6.

SHORTAGES OF AVIATION FUEL

The scarcity of Jet A1 is stifling the aviation industry in Nigeria

For almost one year, airlines operating in Nigeria have been facing difficulties obtaining aviation fuel, known as Jet A1, at the right price and in the quantity demanded. The hardest hit are the domestic carriers that do not have the choice of flying across to other countries and can stop at neighbouring Abidjan in Ivory Coast, Accra in Ghana or Yaoundé in Cameroon to obtain the product at the right price. For an oil producing country, this is yet another emblem of shame.

SOURCE: THISDAYLIVE.COM

NANTA, institute collaborate to train travel agents

Second Deputy President, National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies (NANTA), Kabir Maiwada (left); National Publicity Secretary, Olumuyiwa Salami; National President, Bankole Bernard; National treasurer, Zackary Abdulllahie; First Deputy President, Susan Akporiaye and Vice-president North, Aliyu Abdullhahi at the NANTA press briefing held in Lagos recently

To raise capacity of travel agents in the country, the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA), has struck a partnership agreement with the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), on the training of travel agents nationwide.

The partnership, which was agreed during the visit of NANTA officials to NIHOTOUR, is to raise capacity and professionalism in the air travel services.

Nigeria to sign visa-free pact with 8 countries

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama, says plans have been concluded to sign visa-free pacts with a bloc of eight African countries to promote economic partnership on the continent.

 

Onyeama announced this in Abuja on Tuesday at a news confernce to mark one year of President Mohammadu Buhari’s Administration. The minister, who did not disclose the names of the countries making up the bloc, noted with concern that trading among African countries had been very low.

 

He, however, said that with the new idea by the President Mohammadu Buhari led administration, “it is expected that there will be upsurge in economic activities. “ Africa is the centrepiece of our foreign policy but it is a paradox that as a Nigerian, you cannot go to an African country without a visa unlike what is obtainable in Western Europe.

Nigerians Can Now Travel To The UK Visa Free For 6 Months

Do you desire to get a visa to the UK? Well, Teresa May provided you the opportunity to visit the United Kingdom without a visa. All commonwealth citizens can enjoy staying in the UK visa-free.
It seems that Nigerian citizens can benefit from the Brexit.

Theresa May, as a new Prime Minister of United Kingdom, announced a visa-free entry for Commonwealth citizens.
According to new regulations, the citizens of the commonwealth have a six-months visa-free corridor.

Nigeria is a participant of Commonwealth countries. It means that the United Kingdom provides visa-free travel for Nigerians to the lands of her Majesty for six months.

Theresa May provides a new foreign policy towards Commonwealth countries. The Crown desires to unite post-colonial citizens under its protection, but in this term, the Prime Minister desires do to that nicely.

The Commonwealth unity is consisted of 56 members, where eighteen members are from Africa: Zambia, Uganda, Tanzania, South Africa, Sierra Leone, Seychelles, Rwanda, Nigeria, Namibia, Mozambique, Mauritius, Malawi, Lesotho, Kenya, Ghana, Cameroon, Botswana. UK free-visa endorsement can be understood as a real present from Theresa May. Nevertheless, if one of the citizens of commonwealth desires to stay in the

UKVI launches new 24-hour Super Priority Visa service in Nigeria

 

The new service allows customers to process their applications within 24 hours On 1 August 2016 UK Visas & Immigration launched a new 24-hour Super Priority Visa service in Nigeria.

The introduction of this service allows customers greater flexibility to choose from a number of visa products to meet their needs; it is offered alongside our current Priority Visa (front of queue processing 5-7 day) and standard (15 day) services.

Firm to assist Nigerian companies buy aircraft

A New York-based firm, MVMM International, says it is set to assist aviation companies to broker deals for the sale and purchase of aircraft.

The United States company said some Nigerian firms would be assisted to maximise their profits while improving public relations.

In a statement on Tuesday, the firm, said, “We assist aviation companies to broker deals for the sale/purchase of aircraft, help clients protect assets and assist with property acquisition.

Dana Air rewards winners of National Travel Essay Competition

Dana Air has rewarded students with free tickets for their brilliant performance at the 7th edition of the National Travel Essay Competition and 6th Air Transport Youth Empowerment Seminar which was held at the training hall of the Nigerian Civil Aviation (NCAA) headquarters annex, Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.

The National Travel Essay Competition and Youth Empowerment Seminar with the theme “Choosing an Exciting Career – Why Aviation?” is designed to create greater awareness for the air transport sector and raise future aviation professionals.

Beware of fraudsters using our name – Air Peace

Air Peace has alerted members of the public about the activities of fraudsters using its name to swindle unsuspecting air travellers and job-seekers.

A statement by the Corporate Communications Manager of the airline, Mr. Chris Iwarah, said that fraudsters were using fake internet sites and placing calls to members of the public to deposit money into different bank accounts for air tickets.

Delta system failure marks wake-up call for airline industry

The failure of Delta Air Lines Inc.’s worldwide computer network this week spotlights the vulnerability of the information systems sustaining the biggest U.S. carriers, each of which has contended with major disruptions during the last year.

Complex networks cobbled together over the decades need major overhauls requiring significant new investments, said Bob Edwards, a former chief information officer for United Continental Holdings Inc. Recent flaws in computer systems quickly escalated into corporate black eyes that exacted costs in both money and reputation.

Recovery of N30bn debt may ground domestic airlines

Despite the plummeting fortunes of domestic airlines in the country due to the harsh economy, they will have to pay up their debts worth more than N30 billion or be grounded by regulatory agencies.

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) are going after airlines to recover over N30 billion debts accumulated in the last 16 years.

Stakeholders laud Med-View over new Boeing 777, 747 aircraft

Stakeholders in the aviation industry have lauded one of Nigeria’s flag carriers, Med-View Airline, for its giant strides, especially on the international front.

The commendation is not unconnected with the airline’s acquisition of a new Boeing 777-200, shortly after taking delivery of a super jumbo 747 as additions to its fleets.

 

The feat, stakeholders said, was most “courageous” particularly at a time the sector is buckling due to pressure of economic recession.

While the 747 has since been deployed to the Lagos – London Gatwick route, the triple-seven aircraft on Monday airlifted pilgrims from Lagos to Saudi Arabia for the commencement of the 2016 Hajj operations.

No fewer than 150 flights operations are expected to be carried out while the Hajj exercise lasted.

Regional Manager of British Airways, Kola Olayinka, said the Med-View management had again demonstrated the resilience of the Nigerian spirit to survive all odds.

Paucity of Funds Threatens NAMA Operations

 

Lack of funds has made it difficult for the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) to carry out its financial obligations, THISDAY investigations have revealed.

Sources familiar with the agency’s operations hinted that it is facing great difficulty in funding the maintenance of its critical equipment as well as payment of staff remunerations and pensions to its retired personnel owing to airlines’ huge indebtedness to it (NAMA).

Aviation Stakeholders Berate FG over Failure to Establish MRO in Nigeria

Industry stakeholders on Wednesday berated the federal government for what they described as “wrong-headed policies, lack of vision and self-centredness”, which they said have been responsible for the retrogression of the aviation industry over the years.

The stakeholders including airline operators, airport managers, analysts, pilots, engineers and others accused government of being responsible for non-establishment of Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility anywhere in the country.

They noted that the lack of MRO facility in the country is a major setback which is partly responsible for the high demand of foreign exchange in the industry, lack of developed technical manpower and the inability for Nigeria to carry out C-checks and D-checks (aircraft maintenance) locally.

Business How not to privatise Nigerian airports, by stakeholders

Murtala Muhammed Airport II

Murtala Muhammed Airport II (MMA2), under the watch of Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited, is a good example of why airports in the country should be privatised for viability. However, stakeholders are unanimous that the airport is also a case study of how not to go about privatisation. WOLE OYEBADE reports.

A travel website, The Guide to Sleeping in Airports, last year rated the Port Harcourt aerodrome as the “world’s worst airport”. Lagos and Abuja international airfields were also named among the 10 worst airports in Africa.

FG Sets Up Inter-Ministerial Committee On Aviation Security

The Federal Government is setting up an inter-ministerial committee on aviation security, aimed at providing modalities for training of aviation security officers, for improved security at airports across the country.

Minister of Interior, Lt. Gen. (rtd) Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau made the disclosure when the Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika visited him in his office.

Dambazau emphasized the need to secure the nation’s airport and its environs, adding that this is part of border security management, which is part of the mandate of his ministry.

He offered the services of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in building the capacity of airport security personnel, particularly in the aspect of proper use of arms, in line with international best practice.

Marketers Accused of Raking in Profits Selling Aviation Fuel as Kerosene

As the price of kerosene continues to soar because of inadequate supply, marketers have been accused of selling Jet A1, better known as aviation fuel, as kerosene, in the process making a kill of N50-N100 per litre.

The diversion of the product to fuel outlets where it is sold as household kerosene has also been blamed for the scarcity of Jet A1 and several flight cancellations and delays in the aviation sector in the last one month, THISDAY has learnt.

FG pledges support to foreign airlines

The Minister of State for Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika, says the Federal Government will improve the economic and operational viability of the nation’s international airports to encourage the international airlines.

This is contained in a statement by Mr James Odaudu, Deputy Director, Press and Public Affairs, Office of the Minister of State, Aviation, Ministry of Transportation, in Abuja on Sunday.

Sirika made the promises while receiving the Turkish Ambassador to Nigeria, Hakan Cakil in his office.

Airlines Battle Scarcity Of Aviation Fuel

As the nation’s aviation industry continues to face the challenges of fuel scarcity; stakeholders have expressed worry on how government’s inaction is affecting the fortunes of the sector. Roseline Okere and Wole Oyebade report on the challenges of aviation fuel in Nigeria.

Air France strike, in fifth day, has affected 150,000

PHOTO: John Nguyen

Thousands of people faced flight cancellations in France on Sunday, the fifth day of a strike by Air France flight crew at the height of the holiday travel period, the airline said. So far the strike has affected around 150,000 people, the airline said.

Some 900 flights, or about one in five, have been cancelled since the action began on Wednesday, the airline said, estimating the cost to the company at “tens of millions of euros”.

Some flights have gone ahead but with a reduced passenger load for security reasons as there were not enough flight attendants.

Historic solar flight marks first round-the-world journey

Solar Impulse 2, the solar powered plane, arrives at Al Batin Airport in Abu Dabi to complete its world tour

 flight on July 26, 2016 in the United Arab Emirates. Solar Impulse 2 landed in the UAE early on Tuesday, 

July 26, 2016, completing its epic journey to become the first sun-powered airplane to circle the globe without

a drop of fuel.
KARIM SAHIB / AFP

The world’s first round-the-world flight to be powered solely by the sun’s energy made history Tuesday as it landed in Abu Dhabi, where it first took off on an epic 25,000-mile (40,000-kilometer) journey that began more than a year ago.

Number of pilots, technicians to hit 1.5m by 2035, says Boeing

PHOTO: cargofacts.com

As global economies expand and airlines take delivery of tens of thousands of new commercial jetliners, Boeing has projected a demand for nearly 1.5 million pilots and technicians over the next 20 years.

It revealed in its 2016 Boeing Pilot and Technician Outlook forecasts that between now and 2035, the aviation industry will need to supply more than two million new aviation personnel, which include 617,000 commercial airline pilots, 679,000 maintenance technicians, and 814,000-cabin crew.

The Airline (Qutar Air Ways) Renewed Sponsorship Of FC Barcelona For Another Season

UPDATED: Qatar Airways logo back on FC Barcelona kit

Qatar Airways has renewed its shirt sponsorship agreement with FC Barcelona for one more season under the same conditions as their current deal, it was announced earlier.

The airline’s logo will continue to feature on the FC Barcelona’s kit until June 30, 2017.

Callywood DG Egor Efiok Calls Out Lufthansa Airline For Unfair Treatment

Egor Efiok,The Director General of Callywood Film Studios recently called out Lufthansa airline...

Egor was amongst the passengers stranded after their flight was cancelled last weekend.

 The flight which was from Port Harcourt to London via Frankfurt was cancelled without notice or explanation and the airline Management according to Egor

lodged she and other black passengers at a dirty hotel D-B Gardens in the slum part of the city but white passengers were lodged in the posh Presidential Hotel.