Senate to award zero allocation to aviation in 2017 budget

The Minister of State for Aviation, Mr. Hadi Sirika

Summons minister over failed MMA2 concession agreement 
Senate House Committee on Privatisation has disclosed that the aviation sector will get zero allocation in the 2017 budget proposal that the president will present soon.

The committee, led by its chairman, Senator Ben Murray-Bruce, said that the plan to concession the airports and readiness of private investors to assume responsibility means that the Federal Government would no longer need to commit revenue to run the facilities.

Business | Aviation Delta Airlines forecasts growth, pledges commitment to market

Delta Airlines

Effects of economic recession notwithstanding, Delta Airlines has reinstated commitment to keep flying Lagos-Atlanta route.

The American Airlines said, despite attendant effects of the recession, the air travel market in Nigeria remains positive with high potential for growth.

Senate committee orders review of tolling system in major airports

Engineer Saleh Dunoma, Managing Director, Federal Airport Authourity of Nigeria

Worried by the constraint to free access into the airports, the Senate House Committee on Aviation has ordered the review of toll collection system in airports around the country.

The committee directed the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), one of the aviation industry’s regulators, to ensure that the tolling system becomes flexible, to guarantee that vehicles conveying passengers are no longer delayed unnecessarily at the toll gates.

Aviation unions suspend industrial action against Caverton Helicopters

Caverton Helicopters

Aviation trade unions have suspended their industrial action against Caverton Helicopters over alleged anti-labour practices.

Mr Olayinka Abioye, General Secretary, the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), confirmed the development in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Lagos.

Abioye said the unions had suspended the action following an invitation by the airline’s management to them to come for a meeting.

‘Cargo loses over poor awareness, infrastructure at airports’

Segun Musa, NAGAFF

In the light of new data identification number policy on goods entering Europe, Chairman of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Dr. Segun Musa, in this interview with WOLE OYEBADE, explains why air cargo services in Nigeria are more at risk, among other sundry issues. Excerpts:

Minister lauds AFISNET on improved regional safety

Hadi Sirika

Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika, has commended the African and Indian Ocean

Satellite Communication Network (AFISNET) for significantly contributing to the enhancement of safety and efficiency of air navigation within and across the African and Indian Ocean (AFI) region.

Sirika, while declaring open the 24th meeting of the Western and Central Africa Satellite Network Management Committee (SNMC) in Abuja, noted with delight that the SNMC has commenced discussion on the feasibility of surveillance data sharing within the sub-region.

He said that the objective of Global Air Navigation Plan is to achieve a harmonised interoperable and seamless global air traffic management system that will facilitate cost effective, efficient and economic international civil aviation. Hence, the need to sustain, expand and improve technology and capacity of the AFISNET to accommodate navigational and surveillance data sharing.

Air New Zealand, Etihad, Singapore, others win awards

PHOTO:WIKIPEDIA

Air New Zealand has been crowned best airline in the world for the fourth consecutive year, with British Airways and Virgin Atlantic also rated in the top 10 in the global rankings.

‘NAHCO workers connived in narcotic export attempt’

PHOTO: CargotoNigeria

Company pledges cooperation in investigation

National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has revealed how staffers of the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) allegedly conspired with suspected drug traffickers in a botched attempt to export 144kgs of ephedrine to Maputo, Mozambique.

Abuja, Lagos new terminals to take extra N5b

New terminal at the MMIA, Lagos

More stakeholders rally behind airport concession plan
Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika, has faulted the locations of the new terminals simultaneously under construction at two of the busiest airports in the country, describing them as wrongly sited.

Scarcity of aviation fuel: Dana Air assures passengers of on-time performance

Dana Air on Friday assured its passengers of its commitment to on-time performance, even as the scarcity of aviation fuel (JET-A1) worsens across the country.

The airline gave the assurance in a statement signed by its Communications Manager, Mr Kingsley Ezenwa, which was obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

Arik targets 20m-passenger mark by next month

Deputy Managing Director, Arik Air, Captain Ado Sanusi (left); Managing Director, Chris Nduleu; 

and Chairman, Sir Joseph Arumemi at the 10th year anniversary of Arik Air in Lagos.

 PHOTO: SOLA OJEDOKUN

Plans fleet expansion for Asia, Middle East routes

Economic recession notwithstanding, Arik Air has hinted of growth in its operations and patronage, with 20 million-passenger mark already set for December 2016.

Reps okay Dana as official airline for SDGs summit

Obi Mbanuzuo

 

Dana Air has been named as the official airline of the House of Representatives 2016 Legislative Summit on Sustainable Development Goals, scheduled to hold on November 22 and 23, 2016 at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja. 

NAMA rallies stakeholders for takeoff of AIS

Director of Transport at the Nigerian Civil aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. A M Sidi (left); Director General,

 Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), Dr. Anthony Anuforom; Acting Managing Director of the Nigerian

 Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Engr. Emma Anasi and Military Airport Commandant, Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Wing Cmdr Imoke Emeng Imoke, at the AIS Automation forum, NAMA headquarters, Lagos

Ahead of the takeoff of Aeronautical Information Service (AIS) automation in 11 locations next month, the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has solicited the co-operation of data originators and other stakeholders to ensure a smooth takeoff of the project and enhance its sustainability. 

RwandAir bags IATA certification on ground operations

RwandAir, the national flag carrier of the Republic of Rwanda, has bagged International Air Transport Association’s Safety Audit for Ground Operations (ISAGO).

The certification follows an audit conducted on RwandAir Ground Operations in July this year by Wake QA, an IATA approved Audit Organisation. The audit was concluded with minimal findings and observations. ISAGO registry is valid for two years.

Special services Before You Fly With Arik

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Infants

If you are traveling with an infant (aged 8 days to 23 months), you can include them on your seat booking by making an infant reservation. Infants less than 7 seven days old are not accepted on Arik Air flights. For safety and insurance requirements, infants must be accompanied by a passenger aged 16 years or above and booked in the ratio of one infant per adult. Extra seats can be purchased for infants, but only if seated in an approved infant car seat.

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Arik Air celebrates 10 years of safe and secure travel

 

Arik Air, West and Central Africa’s largest carrier is rolling out the drums to celebrate 10 years providing safe and secure air travel to the Nigerian public and continually contributing towards the elevation of Nigeria’s global standing.

On October 30, 2006, Arik Air ushered in a new chapter in Nigerian aviation history by beginning commercial operations using new Bombardier CRJ-900 aircraft - the first new aircraft Nigeria had seen in over 20 years.

Cronos Airlines launches Lagos-Douala-Malabo flights

Malabo-based leading carrier, Cronos Airlines, has partnered a subsidiary of Nigeria’s Peacock Group, Peacock Aviation and Allied Services, to open a new travel gateway-Lagos-Doula-Malabo flights.

Business and pleasure travelers will have the opportunity to fly the new travel gateway, which began with grand and special inaugural and maiden flight on October 26.

IATA seeks better cooperation against security threats

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has urged industry and governments to work together in an even stronger partnership to provide durable solutions to aviation’s security challenges.

These efforts, which must be based on common principles, include such areas as overflying conflict zones, landside security at airports, insider threats, cyber security, harmonisation of PNR (passenger name record) and API (advance passenger information) requirements and airport checkpoints.

Nigeria, Portugal to implement BASA

The Minister of State, Aviation, Mr Hadi Sirika, says Nigeria and the Republic of Portugal are set to implement the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA).

Sirika disclosed this while receiving the Portuguese delegation led by Mrs Theresa Ribeiro, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Portugal, in Abuja.

‘Agreement default stalls $20m re-fleeting exercise for NCAT’

The contract to acquire 20 new training aircraft for the Nigerian College of Aviation and Technology (NCAT) at the sum of $20million has lately been enmeshed in controversies, with allegations and denials that the contract bypassed due process and might have been inflated. At the middle of it all is the contract awardee, Interjet Nigeria Limited, whose its Chief Executive Officer, Seun Peters, explains to reporters why none of the aircraft has been delivered till date among other sundry issues. WOLE OYEBADE was there. 

Multiple air crashes alert: Blunt assessment or bad advertisement of troubled aviation industry

The Senate penultimate week sent a shock wave down the spines of Nigerians and aviation industry, as it declared that multiple air crashes are imminent.

For many in the sector, it was like saying the turbulent aviation Year 2005/6 with worst cases of plane crashes in the country, is sudden upon the country again! 

British Airways and Qatar Airways expand codeshare agreement

Qatar Airways has expanded its codeshare agreement with British Airways, to include BA flights within the UK and selected routes from Heathrow to Europe.

The carriers recently announced a joint business agreement on routes between the UK and Doha, and the new deal will see Qatar Airways codeshare on all BA flights within the UK, including routes to Aberdeen, Belfast, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, Leeds, Bradford, Manchester and Newcastle.

Delta, Virgin Atlantic and Jet Airways announce new codeshare agreement

Delta, Virgin Atlantic and Jet Airways have announced a new codeshare agreement covering services between North America and India via London Heathrow.

From November 2 Jet Airways customers travelling between India and North America will be able to connect at Heathrow onto nine US destinations operated by Delta, namely Atlanta, Boston, Detroit, Minneapolis, New York, Philadelphia, Portland, Salt Lake City and Seattle.

Etihad launches new amenity kits designs

Etihad Airways has unveiled new destination-inspired business class amenity kits designs for routes to New York, Sao Paulo, Rome, Melbourne and Bangkok.

British Airways offers complimentary one-way first class upgrade

British Airways is offering business class travellers a complimentary one-way upgrade to first class on flights to the UK and Europe from Hong Kong, as the airline marks 80 years flying to the city.

The offer is available to flyers who book selected Club World business class tickets before November 30, 2016 from Hong Kong to one of its 22 UK destinations or 40 European destinations for travel before June 15, 2017.

Guinea-Bissau, Mali to adopt Med-View as national carrier

Area Manager, South-West Africa,  International Air Transport Association, (IATA) Dr. Samson Fatokun (right); Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, (MD/CEO), Med-View  Airline Plc, Muneer Bankole; Head, Flight Operations, Med-View, Capt. Godfrey Ogbogwu and Executive Director, Technical, Med-View, Lookman Animashaun at the presentation of IOSA certificate in Lagos.

Firm gets IOSA certificate
Two African countries – Guinea-Bissau and Mali – have extended invitation to Med-View airlines to assume the status of their national carrier.The invitation, The Guardian learnt, is not unconnected with the airlines’ giant strides in domestic and international operations.

In a related development, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has awarded Med-View the prestigious IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) certificate, as an endorsement of its compliance to international safety rules.

Travel agencies laud forex concession grant to airlines

Travel agencies in the country have hailed the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) decision to grant a concession to foreign airlines on access to foreign exchange.

The agencies, under the aegis of National Association of Nigerian Travel Agents (NANTA), commended the Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika, for giving attention to the persistent advocacy of the association to the effect that capital controls placed by government were stifling development in the aviation sector, making business difficult for airlines and reducing the capacity of Nigerians to embark on their legitimate travel business due to escalating air fares.

Airlines seek government’s intervention on fuel, charges

An airliner being fueled

Airline operators in the country have again cried out to the Federal Government to see to their plight in the area of aviation fuel and multiple charges levied by the regulatory agencies.

 

The operators, who claimed to be at the mercy of both the fuel marketers and regulators, said a proper review of both fuel cost and multiple charges would enable the airlines survive the current financial distress.

Dunoma emerges ACI president

Engineer Saleh Dunoma, Managing Director, Federal Airport Authourity of Nigeria

• FG appoints new directors at FAAN

Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Engr. Saleh Dunoma, has been elected President of Airports Council International (ACI), Africa Region. Dunoma was elected at the 25th ACI-Africa annual assembly and regional conference and exhibition in Maputo, Mozambique.

British Airways launches Apple Pay through app

British Airways has added Apple Pay to its iPhone app, allowing customers to store payment card details and pay for flights “with just the swipe of the finger”.

The payment option is available for purchases made using UK billed cards, for British Airways flights departing UK airports, although BA intends to roll it out to include customers departing other airports flying to the UK “over the coming months”.

SA drone operator issues warning as it flies across Africa

A Cape Town company, UAV Industries, has announced that it is the first drone operator in Africa to be licensed to train pilots and operate drones, receiving their Remote Operating Certificate from the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA). 

According to a leading online platform on military reports, Defence Web, globally the drone business is proving to be one of the most volatile new growth industries in recent years, South Africa being a relatively late bloomer. With only a handful of training providers in the country and thousands of uncertified illegal pilots, the industry is in urgent need of upskilling and compliance.

Etihad to add Dreamliner to Tokyo route

Etihad is to upgrade its Abu Dhabi-Tokyo service from December 1, when it replaces the current A340 operating the route to a three-class B787 Dreamliner.

The aircraft features the carrier’s latest Economy Smart seats, Business Studios and First Suites, with a total of 235 seats (eight in first class, 28 in business and 199 in economy).

Kevin Knight, Etihad Aviation Group Chief Strategy and Planning Officer, said the upgrade to the B787 Dreamliner “reflected the importance of the Japan route and the airline’s commitment to the market”.

Etihad launched flights to Tokyo Narita in March 2010, initially as a five times-weekly service before being increased to daily in 2013.

Forex Concession: NCAA charges airlines to improve operations

 

Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), has advised Airline operators to operates with renewed vigour having secured a special sectoral Foreign Exchange (Forex) allocation in the Secondary Market Intervention Sales (SMIS).

Capt. Muhtar Usman, the Director-General of NCAA), gave the advise in a statement obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Lagos.

CBN approves special forex intervention for airlines

 

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has approved a Special Secondary Market Intervention Retail Sales (SMIS) for airlines operating in the country to enable them to access foreign exchange.

Mr James Odaudu, Deputy Director, Press and Public Affairs, Ministry of Transportation, announced the plan in a statement in Abuja on Friday.

Odaudu explained that the intervention was a direct result of the interaction with CBN by the Minister of State, Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika, on behalf of the airlines.

The making of a national carrier in lean times

 

With barely 14 years of flight history and a total of nine airplanes in its fleet, RwandAir is today a good example of how to nurture an airline to project national image abroad. WOLE OYEBADE writes.

Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, last Sunday witnessed an unusual gathering on the airside that is never open to the public except on rare occasions. And it was on that day. Officials and dignitaries funneled through security profile beginning from 4p.m. to converge at one of the ports of entry. Colourful balloons and buffet set on the corridor tells of an imminent celebration.

Representatives fault pace of work at MMIA’s new terminal

Side view of the new terminal

*Wade into airport concession plan
*FAAN, Caterpillar partner to end power outage at Lagos airport

Members of the House of Representatives Committee on Aviation have expressed concerns on the slow pace of work ongoing at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport new terminal in Lagos.

During the inspection of projects at the airport, the lawmakers were worried that the project would still not be completed by December, for the Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) concession agreement to begin.

In a related development, the committee has pledged to wade into the talks on concession of airports nationwide, to ensure it is in the best interest of all parties.

Air Europa, Turkish Airlines sign codeshare agreement

Turkish Airlines / AFP PHOTO / JACK GUEZ

Air Europa and Turkish Airlines have jointly announced the start of a code-sharing partnership effective as of 1st October, 2016 that enables both carriers to tap into new markets and offer their passengers more travel options.

At the initial stage of their cooperation Air Europa will place its marketing code on Istanbul-Madrid route operated by Turkish Airlines while Turkish Airlines will place its marketing code on Madrid – Las Palmas/Ibiza/Palma de Mallorca and Madrid – Havana/Santo Domingo/Lima flights operated by Air Europa.

Samsung Galaxy Note 7 banned by more airlines over fire risk

There are several reports of Samsung's Galaxy Note 7 phones catching on fire Ariel Gonzalez Photo

An airline flight ban on Samsung's Galaxy Note 7 is spreading fast after reports some phones have caught fire.

Carriers in Australia, Asia and Europe put the phone on a prohibited list over the weekend, which comes after the US banned the device last week. Carriers flying to the US inevitably had to follow suit, but the bans are spreading worldwide.

Airtraffic communicators decry dearth of trained, licensed personnel in airports

Airtraffic communicators have decried the gross shortage of trained and licensed manpower to effectively handle operations in airports across the country.

The communicators, under the aegis of National Airtraffic Communicators Association of Nigeria (NACAN), said they are only 97 trained and licensed personnel nationwide, servicing the 24 functional airports.

Emirates revamps corporate loyalty programme

AFP PHOTO / ROMEO GACAD

Emirates has revamped its corporate loyalty programme, Emirates Business Rewards, to provide greater value and added features for customers.

Nigeria secures ICAO Council seat with historic votes

ICAO

For the first time, all 152 International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) member states voted for Nigeria to secure Council seat in the Part II category at the on-going 39th Assembly of the world aviation regulatory body.

FAAN woos cargo operators, others to Enugu Airport

Ethiopian airliner at Enugu airport recently

As Dunoma tasks staff on diligence
Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria has urged airline operators, service providers and the business community to take advantage of the new freight opportunities now available at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu.

NCAA defends five per cent ticket sales charge

As stakeholders harp on integrity in sector

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has defended the mandatory five per cent Ticket Sales Charge (TSC) it collects through the operators, saying it has no connection with the financial distress faced by some domestic airlines.

Airline compensates passengers with free tickets

PHOTO: www.calitown.com

An airline, Air Peace, has approved hundreds of free tickets for passengers who flew two of its Abuja-Lagos aircraft at the weekend.

The free tickets to 196 passengers, the airline said, were to compensate them for the delayed take-off of their flights.

British Airways to scrap free meals

British Airways. PHOTO: ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images

British Airways is scrapping free meals for short-haul economy fares from next year and inviting passengers to instead pay for Marks and Spencer sandwiches, creating a stir on social media.

The pair announced the tie-up on Thursday, which sees BA joining the no-frills airline model of charging passengers for food and drink.

RwandAir finds biggest market in Nigeria

Head of corporate clients, Ronke Ogunbufunmi (left); Robinson Chachana; Station Manager, RwandAir, Jimmy Mitali; Country Manager, Rwand Air, Ibiyemi Odusi; Tayo Babalakin; Partner, Consultants Collaborative Partnership, Prince Dapo Adelagan; President and Chairman, Nigerian Chamber of Commerce, Enyi Omeruah, recently in Lagos

To deploy new Airbus 330 on Lagos-Dubai, Mumbai routes

Rwandan flag carrier, RwandAir, has attested to the strength of the Nigerian air travel market, declaring it as a major traffic zone for airlines in the African region.The airline said economic challenges notwithstanding, the market remains committed to the air travel sector.

Over 50 airlines grounded since independence

At least 50 airlines which operated in Nigeria from independence day on October 1, 1960 have gone into extinction, checks by the Daily Trust have shown.

 While most of the airlines were owned by Nigerians, others were jointly owned with partners from countries in Africa and Europe. Few of the airlines lasted for more than one year in operation. 

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.