Airlines, NCAA bicker over N15b debt

Ghana removes value added tax
Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and its operating airlines are currently bickering over debts owe by the operators. While the apex regulatory body estimates the debt in excess of N15 billion, the airlines are insisting that they owed only N2 billion.

Flying doctors seek investment in air ambulance services

Dr. Ola Brown

Flying Doctors Nigeria has advocated for improved investment and development in air ambulance infrastructure to ensure patients got prompt healthcare.

So doing, the government will save billions of dollars just by concentrating expert resources and reducing healthcare spending.

Arik, MedView, Aero Top Airlines Owes NCAA N15bn In Unremitted Passengers Service Charge To

As the controversies concerning the remittance of 5 per cent Ticket and Cargo Sales Charge (TSC) to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and indigenous airlines continue, Sahara Reporters has uncovered the breakdown of the debts owe the regulatory agency by the airlines. A document made available to our correspondent indicated that 13 airlines are indebted to NCAA on the 5 per cent PSC alone. However, some of the debtors have closed shop while many of them are still in operations. 

As the controversies concerning the remittance of 5 per cent Ticket and Cargo Sales Charge (TSC) to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and indigenous airlines continue, Sahara Reporters has uncovered the breakdown of the debts owe the regulatory agency by the airlines.

A document made available to our correspondent indicated that 13 airlines are indebted to NCAA on the 5 per cent PSC alone.

However, some of the debtors have closed shop while many of them are still in operations.  The document indicated that the troubled Arik Air, which is under the receivership of Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) is the highest debtor with N9,460,745,429.96 accumulated as debt. The debt was as at December 2016 while the airline was yet to pay any amount of money to the agency in 2017.

Air Peace plane

The document revealed that Arik Air was supposed to remit N61.4vmillion to NCAA monthly, but has failed in this regularly and only pays stipends to the coffers of the agency monthly.

The debt of Arik Air alone is about 70 percent of defaults by local airlines. Following in the footstep of Arik Air is Dana Air with a monthly remittance of N57. 5 million, but was indebted to NCAA to the tune of N1.2billion as at December 2016. Besides, Med-View Airlines has a total debt of N1.03billion debt to NCAA.

Aviation union urges airlines to comply with NCAA’s directive

The Air Transport Senior Staff Services Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) has urged domestic airlines to comply with the directive  to automate their remittance of the five per cent Ticket and Cargo Sales Charges (TSC/CSC).

The President of  ATSSSAN, Ahmadu Illitrus, made the call while speaking with newsmen on Sunday in Lagos.

Nigeria to Lose $68m to Saudi Arabian Airlines for 2017 Hajj Exercise

 

Nigeria risks loosing $68million to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia during the forthcoming 2017 hajj, following the allocation of 45 per cent of the total pilgrims to a Saudi Arabia-based airline, FlyNas, by National Hajj Commission (NAHCON).

Already, local stakeholders in the sector have raised eyebrow as they described the move as a  “rip off that has the capacity to stunt growth in Nigeria airline industry.”

Reps implore aviation ministry to reopen Abuja airport as scheduled

 Mrs Onyejeocha Nkeiruka, Chairman House Committee on Aviation, on Wednesday implored the Ministry of Aviation to ensure that Nmandi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja, was reopened within the stipulated six weeks.

Nkeiruka, made the call while speaking to newsmen in Abuja during her oversight visit to the Abuja and Kaduna airports.

Aviation sector suffered 13.3% decline in Q4 2016 – NBS

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has said that measured output from the nation’s aviation industry showed that the sector suffered the largest year on year fall in the final quarter of 2016, declining by 13.3 per cent.

According to the Q4 Full Year 2016 Air Transportation Data made available yesterday by the bureau, output of the aviation transport sector in real terms declined by 4.9 per cent between 2015 and 2016.

Amadeus, Dana Air partner on content

Minister of Defence, Mansur Mohammed Dan Ali (left) and Communications, Media Manager of Dana Air, Kingsley Ezenwa, during the presentation of Leadership Brand of the Year Award 2016 to Dana Air

Amadeus, a leading provider of advanced technology solutions for the global travel industry has announced full content agreement with Nigeria’s Dana Air.Under the agreement all Amadeus subscribers in Nigeria and worldwide can now access Dana Air’s full product range, schedules and availability under the same terms and conditions as Dana Air’s website, call centres or ticket offices.

First Nation suspends operations over low patronage on Kaduna route

FirstNation Airways

• Abuja Airport to get second runway in 24 months

Low passenger turnout on the Lagos-Kaduna-Lagos route has forced First Nation Airways to suspend operations.The airline that has lately been frequent on Lagos-Abuja-Lagos route, flying two Airbuses, said the market has not been the same since traffic was diverted to Kaduna International Airport, following the closure of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.

FAAN, Cross River government declare Calabar airport unsafe for planes

 

Following alleged illegal activities around the Margaret Ekpo International Airport, the Federal Airport Authourity of Nigeria (FAAN) and Cross River State government have declared that the airport is no longer safe for planes to land.

FAAN officials, state government representatives and community leaders in the state disclosed this in a communiqué after a stakeholders meeting last Friday.The Special Adviser to Governor Ben Ayade on Aviation, Mr. Amos Kajang, facilitated the meeting.

Being seen above the clouds – Perception of Business Aviation in West Africa and how to affect it

Atedo N. A. Peterside

Business Aviation has a terrible reputation in West Africa. Unfortunately, private jets are still seen in the region as expensive toys for playboy millionaires, insensitive and wasteful Heads of States/Senior Government Officials or politicians and others who acquired their wealth through questionable means. And yet it need not be so.

Arik resumes operations as dialogue continues with unions

 

After 24 hours shutdown, Arik Air yesterday resumed scheduled flight services on several routes across the country.The development was on the heels of a late Thursday’s meeting and resolutions between the airlines’ management and aggrieved workers unions that had forced a shutdown two days ago.

The Guardian learnt the meeting, brokered by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), was able to get a consensus that all parties concerned should return to dialogue as the best means of resolving the differences.

Arik Air Asks Court to Disqualify AMCON’s Receiver Manager

Arik Air last Friday told the Federal High Court in Lagos that the process leading to the take over of the airline by the Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) was improper.

AMCON had on February 8, 2017 announced the take over of Arik Air.The corporation said it took over the airline to save it from collapse and in the best interest of the general public, workers, creditors and other interest groups in the aviation sector.

NCAA Sanctions Airline for Violation of Airspace

 

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has announced that it has sanctioned an airline, Lyxor International, a non-schedule, general aviation operator for violating the terms of an approved flight clearance for its type of operation.

The regulatory authority grounded the airline’s aircraft at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on February 16, for the violation of airspace regulation.

NCAA DG seeks regular interaction with airline operators

The Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Muhtar Usman, has called for regular interactions between the regulatory authority and airline operators in the country.

A statement issued on Sunday by the NCAA General Manager, Public Relations, Mr Sam Adurogboye, said Usman made the call at a meeting with the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) in Lagos.

Ethiopian Airlines to Add Two New Destinations in Africa

Mr Tewolde GebreMariam, Group CEO Ethiopian Airlines

Starting 28 March 2017, Ethiopian Airlines will add two more destinations on the continent, to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe and Antananarivo, Madagascar strengthening the airline’s network to 400 weekly flights to 53 cities across Africa.

Unions kick as Aero Contractors sacks 60% workforce

Aero Contractors yesterday said it has sacked 60 per cent of its total workforce due to poor financial state of the airline.

However, the effected workers will be paid their pension and gratuity. The management of the airline was taken over last year by Asset Management Company of Nigeria, AMCON, as a result of the heavy indebtedness of the airline to the company.

Aero Contractors sacks 900 workers

Aero Contractors Airline, which is under the management of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), has sacked about 900 workers representing 60 per cent.

Letters of redundancy were issued to the affected employees during the week. Media Consultant to the 58 year-old airline, Mr Simon Tumba, who confirmed the development in a statement issued on Thursday in Lagos, said the workers would be paid their pension and gratuity.

Passengers Stop Arik Plane From Taken Off

 

An Arik Airline reportedly sent a 70-passenger plane to convey over 140 passengers who had earlier booked tickets for Lagos which left others stranded and resulted in chaos. 

There was chaos at the Yakubu Gowon Airport, Heaping in Plateau State yesterday when Arik Air sent a 70-passenger plane to convey over 140 passengers who had earlier booked tickets for Lagos.

Genesis Aviation gets NCAA’s nod to commence helicopter operations

 By Louis Ibah

Indigenous carrier, Genesis Global Aviation, has been issued an Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to commence charter helicopter operations in the country.

Genesis Aviation Chairman, Capt. Emmanuel Iheanacho, who spoke after receiving the AOC expressed confidence in the Nigerian aviation sector, noting that although several operators that had high prospects at the beginning had later crashed out, their exit did not mean there was no market for new players in the helicopter operation industry.

U.S. to ban some airline passengers from carrying larger electronics

Passengers on some U.S.-bound foreign airline flights will have to check electronic devices larger than a cell phone once authorities formalise a new ban in response to an unspecified terrorism threat, U.S. officials told Reuters.

The new rule is expected to be announced on Tuesday by the Department of Homeland Security, the officials said, adding that it had been under consideration since the U.S. government learned of a threat several weeks ago.

Operator okays Kaduna Airport logistics

Dana Air

Managing Director (MD) of Dana Air, Jacky Hathiramani, yesterday commended the Federal Government over upgrade of Kaduna Airport, to serve as alternative for the temporarily closed Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

‘Harsh operating environment behind airlines’ distress’

Mr Gbenga Olowo

Experts in the aviation sector have blamed the challenges facing domestic airlines in the country on harsh operating environment.

New landing systems approved for 11 airports

NAMA set to scale harmattan haze, weather hurdles nationwide
 
Smarting from nationwide flight disruptions last December and early January, the Federal Government has concluded plans to deploy new Instrument Landing Systems (ILS) in at least 11 airports nationwide.

The equipment, valued at several millions of dollars, will put an end to flight disruptions during harmattan season and other inclement weather conditions.

Union threatens to disrupt Aero Contractors’ operations

Aero

The National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) has threatened to disrupt Aero Contractors’ operations by Monday, if the airline refuses to recall over 700 workers sacked recently.

 Mr Olayinka Abioye, General Secretary, NUATE, issued the warning in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Friday.

‘Why Abuja-bound foreign airlines will divert to Kaduna Airport’

Government officals at the reception of Ethiopain airline dreamliner at the Kaduna International Airport

 Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika, on Wednesday received Ethiopian Airlines at the new refurbished Kaduna International Airport, with optimism that more legacy carriers are on the way. He spoke with WOLE OYEBADE. Excerpts:

There is a fresh optimism that the foreign airlines will eventually fly to Kaduna. Tells us the situation of things.
What happened was that I told Lufthansa in Frankfurt and British Airways that first and foremost, we are in the time of need but not stupid, to have closed down Abuja and open Kaduna. The decision bothers on safety. 

Calabar Airport wins award

 

Margaret Ekpo International Airport (MEIA), Calabar, has clinched the “Best Airport Cleanliness award” for the year 2016.At the award ceremony recently held, organisers of the event, Nigeria Aviation Awards (NIGAV), acknowledged the vital role played by MEIA leadership in turning the terminal around among its contemporaries nationwide. 

Travel agencies brainstorm on tourism potential at March 21 Lagos AGM

President of NANTA, Bernard Bankole. PHOTO: nanta.org.ng

Travel agencies in the country are set to brainstorm and map out potential in the tourism sector that can help the economy especially at a time of recession.

The agencies, under the aegis of National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies (NANTA), re-emphasised that local tourism is a low handing fruit for economic prosperity, if given the collective support and patronage it requires.

Africa’s freight demand up by 24.3%

IATA

International Air Transport Association (IATA) has released data for global air freight markets showing that demand, measured in freight tonne kilometers (FTKs), rose by 6.9 per cent in January 2017 compared to the year-earlier period.

While this was down from the 10 per cent annual growth recorded in December 2016, it still was well above the average annual growth rate of three per cent over the past five years.

Airlines at Kaduna airport insist on cash payment

The new look of Kaduna International Airport on Tuesday (7/2/17) in preparation for smooth take-off of flight operations as Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja closes temporary for repairs.

Passengers stranded, lack access to ATM, PoS, BDC

Air passengers plying the Kaduna International Airport (KIA) are facing fresh hurdles as airlines operating at the aerodrome are insisting on only cash transactions.

The newly refurbished airport, which also serves as an alternative to the closed Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja, is currentlyoperat without Automated Teller Machines (ATM), Point of Sale (PoS) and Bureau de Change (BDC) outlets to serve international passengers especially.

Why aviation sector remains at infancy 91 years on

As the air travel sector closes in on its centenary, WOLE OYEBADE, in this report, examines its growth rate and why it is sleepwalking.

Bimpe Adesanya has lived in England all her life. A nurse by profession, but her over three decades in the UK has not offered much in terms of satisfaction. Her family, had, half of the period, contemplated a return home to contribute their quota to nation building.

Turkish Airline airlifts 266 passengers after passengers’ face-off

Turkish Airlines on Tuesday night airlifted 266 Lagos passengers who had their flight cancelled on Monday after faulty onboard cooling system and attendant face-off between travellers and crew.

The development forced the flight to be cancelled, with subsequent claims that some passengers fainted onboard. The airline, however, confirmed on Wednesday that the passengers had landed safely in Turkey.

Kaduna airport ready as Abuja runway shuts down next Wednesday

NAMA installs navigational aids

After much hues and cries, all appears set for traffic diversion to Kaduna airport beginning from Wednesday, when the runway at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja, closes for the much-awaited reconstruction.

FAAN inaugurates Anti-Corruption, Transparency Unit

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), says it has inaugurated its Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU) to ensure transparency, accountability and good ethical practices.

Mrs Henrietta Yakubu, FAAN’s Acting General Manager, Corporate Affairs said this in a statement in Abuja on Sunday.

Ethiopian Airlines graduates 184 aviation professionals

PHOTO: Aiga Forum

Ethiopian Airlines Aviation Academy (EAA) has graduated 184 aviation professionals to raise capacity and improve services of African airlines.

In this round, 90 graduates are from Cabin Crew and Catering, 84 from Commercial and Ground Operations Training School and the rest are trained on Equipment and Facility Maintenance.

Emirates gets new regional manager for West Africa

Emirates Airlines

Emirates Airlines has appointed Afzal Parambil, as its new Regional Manager for West Africa.
Prior to taking up his new appointment, Parambil served in a number of commercial roles within Emirates, the most recent being the Country Manager for Ethiopia.

Congratulating Parambil on his new position, Emirates Senior Vice President Commercial Operations for Africa, Orhan Abbas, said Nigeria is a very important market for Emirates and delighted that Parambil will serve as the new Regional Manager for West Africa.

Abbas said: “It is part of our human resources strategy to continuously develop and enhance our employees’ capabilities across the Group through providing them with new challenges and opportunities.” 

 

Parambil will be responsible for the overall Emirates’ operation in Nigeria and West Africa as a whole, and will oversee sales and customer service, cargo and airport operations.

Accepting the appointment, he said: “I’m excited to have been given the opportunity to lead the Emirates team in Nigeria. This is a great honour and I look forward to taking the business forward with my team. My focus in the market will be to continue providing our customers with the best possible service and value for money, as we connect them to more than 150 destinations across the world,” Parambil said.

NAMA reviews aeronautical information procedure

Capt. Fola Akinkuotu

Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has set up a committee to commence the immediate review of the nation’s Aeronautical Information Procedure (AIP).

The Nigerian AIP is a state document that contains all aeronautical information that relates to the services, procedures, facilities and personnel at all Nigerian airports or within the Nigerian airspace.

Air Peace operations deepen Nigeria, Ghana economic ties

Bilateral economic relations between Nigeria and Ghana recently received a boost with the launch of Lagos-Accra flight operations by Air Peace Airlines.

The operations aim to fast-track the movement of passengers and cargo across the neighbouring West African countries, promoting trade relations.

‘Kaduna Airport 92 per cent ready for traffic’

Kaduna Airport

Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has affirmed the readiness of the Kaduna Airport to receive Abuja-bound flights when the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA) is closed in March.

FAAN said this to allay fears of air travellers that are worried about the level of infrastructure upgrade and facilities required for smooth diversion during the six-week repair work of the NAIA runway.

AMCON takes over OAS Helicopters

OAS Helicopters

The Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) has taken over Odengene Air-Shuttle Services, known more as OAS Helicopters in Lagos following a court order. It was the third aviation firm to be taken over by the bad bank in four months.

NIMET boss pledges commitment to staff welfare, facility upgrade

Incoming Director General (DG) of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), Prof Sani Abubakar Mashi

• Partners BATNF on weather information
Incoming Director General (DG) of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), Prof Sani Abubakar Mashi, has pledge to turn the agency around through focus on workers’ welfare and facility upgrade.
Mashi, during the tour of NIMET facility at the Lagos airport, said the agency would work better with motivated staff and better equipment at their disposal.

AMCON denies plan to nationalise Arik Air

PHOTO: Arik Air

Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) has denied plans to nationalise Arik Air after its takeover by the Federal Government.

The denial is contrary to claims making the rounds that the distressed airline and Aero Contractors are set to be merged, to become Nigeria’s new national carrier after the defunct Nigeria Airways.

Domestic airlines woo passengers to salvage operations

Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos

• Arik launches buy one, get one free ticket, Air Peace slashes fares at Valentine
If domestic airlines keep their words, then air travellers in the country are in for special offers ahead of February 14 Valentine’s Day.

Flight diversion, medical emergency cost Emirates up to N300m

Emirates

• Sets new standards for on-board healthcare
A single flight diversion, often due to inflight medical emergencies, costs Emirates Airline an excess of N2.5 to N300 million ($50,000 – $600,000), airline source has said.

The heavy cost depends on the nature of the diversion, which includes fuel, flight catering, landing and ground handling fees, air navigation cost, passenger rebooking costs and onward connection, as well as other associated costs to care for crew and passengers.

AMCON takes over Arik Air

Arik, which was set up in 2006, has a 60 percent share of domestic flights in Nigeria.

The Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria on Thursday said it had taken over Arik Air to prevent it from going bust.

“AMCON has taken over the management of Arik because the whole place is in a mess,” said AMCON spokesman Jude Nwauzor.

Major airlines reject re-routes during Abuja airport closure

Nigeria’s aviation ministry has said the planned six weeks of resurfacing work were needed because the runway.

International airlines are refusing to fly to an alternative hub when the only airport serving Nigeria’s capital shuts down, forcing travellers to make lengthy detours at extra cost.

Made-in-China large passenger plane targets 2017 debut

People wave Chinese flags as an ARJ21-700, China’s first domestically produced regional jet, arrives at Shanghai Hongqiao Airport after making its first flight from Chengdu to Shanghai on June 28, 2016. PHOTO: AFP

China’s first homegrown big passenger plane will make its maiden voyage in the first half of this year, state media said Monday, as the country seeks to challenge foreign giants Airbus and Boeing.

Air Peace launches daily flight to Accra February 16

The maiden flight into Kotoka International Airport (KIA), Accra, Ghana takes off from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos at 7 a.m. local time and makes a return to Lagos at 8 a.m. (GMT). Subsequently, the Abuja-Accra-Abuja sector will come on stream.

Delta Airlines, MMA2, SAHCOL win awards

Delta Airlines

Delta Airlines has been named Business Airline of the Year 2017 at the United Kingdom’s Business Travel Awards, beating the likes of EasyJet, Etihad Airways, Norwegian and Qatar Airways. 

Local content gains as Omni Helicopters Nigeria debuts

Omni Helicopters Nigeria

The plight of unemployed pilots in the country is set for an upswing as Omni Helicopters Nigeria launches into the offshore market with local content development plan.

 

Omni Helicopters Nigeria, which emerged from a strategic joint venture between Omni Helicopters International (OHI) and Omni Blu Aviation Limited, brings to the aviation sector technical expertise, access to aircraft and improved safety, leveraging on the available manpower.