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Tuesday, September 5, 2017

After American agency’s audit, NCAA optimistic about category-one status

The Director-General of the NCAA, Muktar Usman, told reporters that the audit exercise went as planned and final results are due in 60 days.Reacting to claims in some quarters that Nigeria risks losing the current status…

• FAAN prepares airports for sallah traffic

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has expressed optimism that the country will retain its category-one safety status after the United States’ Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) concluded audit last week.

Murtala Muhammed International Airport

FAAN denies owing contractor

Flights at the international wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos were for several hours disrupted yesterday following a strike action by operators of the belt conveyor to protest against alleged unpaid salaries.

Nigeria will not be a weak link in global aviation security Sirika

The Minister of State for Aviation, Mr. Hadi Sirika

The Minister of State Aviation Hadi Sirika has assured the international community that Nigeria would not be a weak link in global aviation security.

Delta Airlines

• Revenue dips by 50 per cent

• Delta Airline takes over U.S. route from Arik

• FirstNation scales down operations

The current low pricing strategy and the attendant low cost of local air travel in the country may be attracting new passengers to airlines, but fast lowering the chances of struggling aircraft in the face of dire financial straits.

The Federal Government has approved the appointment of Mrs. Victoria Shin-Aba as the new Airport Manager of Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos.

Shin-Aba is to replace Nehemiah Auta who had been redeployed to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) Headquarters as Deputy General Manager (Operations).

Capt. Roy Ilegbodu

Chief Executive Officer of Air Air, Capt. Roy Ilegbodu, speaks on revival operations and survival prospects of the airline six months after its takeover by Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON). WOLE OYEBADE was there.

Delta Airlines

• Revenue dips by 50 per cent

• Delta Airline takes over U.S. route from Arik

• FirstNation scales down operations

Ethiopian retrofits B767-300 fleet with flat bed, Wi-Fi features

Ethiopian Airlines. PHOTO: TWITTER/FAAN

Ethiopian Airlines Group, the largest airline in Africa, has fully refurbished its Boeing 767-300 ER fleet and now availed for service on its India, Middle East and Africa destinations.

Capt. Fola Akinkuotu

Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has advocated an enhanced synergy among Flight Information Regions (FIRs) within the African and Indian Ocean Region (AFI Region) as this would further improve the safety profile of the region.

Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu (right); Air Peace Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Allen Onyema and Ondo State First Lady, Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu during the Air Peace’s inaugural flight into Akure Airport recently

Charges N10,000 ticket fares
Air Peace airlines has opened the Lagos-Akure-Lagos route to further enhance economic integration of the south west states and Nigeria through air transport.

Arik Air

Arik Air has completed the migration of its passenger service arm to Hitit Crane Solution Suite, becoming the eighth African airline to partner with the service management company.

PHOTO: Arik Air

The Managing Director of Arik Air, Capt. Roy Ilegbodu, on Friday said the operations of the airline had been stabilised following the intervention of the Asset Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON).

Delta Airlines

• Revenue dips by 50 per cent
• Delta Airline takes over U.S. route from Arik
• FirstNation scales down operations

The current low pricing strategy and the attendant low cost of local air travel in the country may be attracting new passengers to airlines, but fast lowering the chances of struggling aircraft in the face of dire financial straits.

Air traffic improves amid zero profit margin for operators

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Event Investigations Manager, Leonard Li Carter (left); Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation’s (CANSO) Safety Programme Manager, Kimberly Pyle; Director of Air Traffic Services, Nigeria Air Force, Bello Garba; Nigerian Airspace Management Agency’s (NAMA)Managing Director, Capt. Fola Akinkuotu; Air Traffic Organisation’s Forensics Manager, Roger Motzko; Military Commandant, Airport Command, MMIA, Lagos, Oluwasegun Okeniyi and FAA Senior Representative in Africa, Grady Stone at the opening of a one-week Air Traffic System Investigator Workshop in Lagos recently

• IATA harps on infrastructure, air connectivity Local airlines in Nigeria and others on the African continent have consistently recorded steady rise in passenger traffic, with the latest surge put at 9.9 per cent for June 2017.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA), in its monthly global passenger traffic data attributed the traffic peak to sharp rise in business confidence in Nigeria as South Africa’s economy fell into recession in the first quarter.

Improvement in traffic notwithstanding, the airlines have continued to run on zero profit margin for at least seven years on the bounce. Hence, IATA’s delegation during a recent visit to Lagos, has canvassed for improved investment in infrastructure and air connectivity to help the airlines make the most of their potential to maximal benefit.

Also in June, capacity of the airlines rose by 7.1 per cent, and load factor jumped 1.7 percentage points to 64.3 per cent, although this still was the lowest among regions.

For the first six months of 2017, the industry experienced a 12-year high in traffic growth (7.9 per cent) and a record first half load factor of 80.7 per cent.IATA’s Director General and Chief Executive Officer, Alexandre de Juniac, noted that a brighter economic picture and lower airfares are keeping demand for travel strong, adding that as costs rise, “this stimulus of lower fares is likely to fade.” de Junaic said: “This is all good news. The demand for travel is strong and that, in turn, will make a positive contribution to the global economy. This growth will also further expose infrastructure deficiencies.

“In every part of the world, airport and air navigation infrastructure are struggling to cope with demand. There are plenty of examples linking connectivity and economic prosperity. But few governments have been able to deliver on the imperatives of sufficient capacity, quality aligned with user needs and affordability. This year’s strong growth is a reminder that there is no time to lose.”

IATA’s Regional Vice President for the Middle East and Africa, and leader of the delegation to Nigeria, Muhammad Ali Albakri, reiterated the benefit of job creation and additional economic growth in Nigeria, if the West African nation used the transformative power of aviation as a strategic pillar to further strengthen and enhance its economic recovery and national development.

Ali Albakri, in a series of high-level meetings in Lagos with stakeholders across the Nigerian aviation value chain, said: “Air transport in Nigeria supports more than 650,800 jobs including tourism-related employment, while contributing $8.2 billion (N2.5 trillion) to the country‘s GDP.

“Over the next 10 years, passenger volumes are forecast to grow more than seven per cent annually, exceeding the global average by a healthy margin. For Nigeria this means an additional 7.9 million passengers will take to the sky every year, creating significant opportunity to accelerate economic growth, boost prosperity and support development,” said Albakri.

He said further that despite significant investment in Nigeria’s aviation sector, the country’s air transport infrastructure still ranks low among African states. “IATA recognizes and supports the positive developments by the government on infrastructure and aviation processes, urging continued adherence to international best practices and an optimal regulatory environment.

Now that the country is emerging from recession, aviation can unlock the enormous economic potential that exists within Nigeria. “We encourage the government to continue to promote aviation for its role as a catalyst and socioeconomic enabler for the country, and to promote stronger connectivity within Nigeria and its neighbouring African countries. In addition, now is the time to continue to invest in modern and efficient infrastructure to accommodate the future traffic growth
that will occur,” he said.

Regional Head, Member and External Relations, Africa and Middle East, Adefunke Adeyemi, hinted that the last time an African airline made profit was in 2010.Adeyemi said despite the asphyxiating environment, the airlines have remained resilient and improving on safety to the point of recording zero incidence in 2016.

Going forward, she harped on the need for more hard work with focus on the imperatives of international best practices especially in the areas partnership and interlining arrangements among the airlines.

Imo Air partners foundation on CSR

Imo Air, operated by Dana Air, has announced a partnership with the House of FREEDA on the unveiling of ELFREEDA Foundation, scheduled to hold on August 11, at the Imo Trade and Investment Centre, Owerri Imo state.

South Africa’s national airline needs 13 billion rand to avert crisis

PHOTO: SA Airlines

South Africa’s state-owned airliner says it will face a liquidity crisis if it does not receive a 13 billion rand (976 million dollars) cash injection from the Treasury to meet its debt obligations and cover operating costs, it said on Friday.

South African Airways (SAA) said in a financial plan presented to parliament that its modelling showed it was not generating enough cash.

However, it said that it would turn a profit by 2019 on an EBITDA basis.

The airline also said debt maturities had been negotiated and extended to the end of September this year.

Source:-

Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State has described the Ethiopian Airlines’ international flights, which started yesterday in the state as significant to boosting the economy.

He said regular international flights and the planned inland container terminal in the state would overcome its disadvantage of not being close to a seaport.

The governor of Kaduna State Nasir El-Rufai joins other passengers on the Ethiopian Airline inaugural flight from the Kaduna International Airport to Addis Ababa. PHOTO: TWITER/GOVERNOR KADUNA

Ethiopian Airlines on Tuesday commenced flight operations to Kaduna with Boeing 737-800 aircraft, which landed at the Kaduna International Airport from Addis Ababa at noon carrying 17 passengers on board.

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

Leisure travellers and tourists in the country may be in for special packages in a strategic partnership currently being worked out between airlines and the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC).

The package, which includes a destination of choice, tour, two nights hotel stay and return ticket, will cost about N50, 000 per person.

Aero Contractors, currently under Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), in March sacked about 600 out of its 1,030 workers as part of its ongoing restructuring exercise to keep the airline afloat.

• Bird strike stalls Med-View’s Hajj operations in Ilorin

Pilots and engineers have threatened an imminent shutdown of local flight operations in protest of alleged anti-labour issues at Aero Contractors of Nigeria Limited.

A Nigerian carrier, Air Peace will on Aug. 11 begin scheduled commercial flight operations to the Akure Airport in Ondo.

The airline made the announcement in a statement issued by its Corporate Communications Manager, Mr Chris Iwarah in Lagos on Monday.

Etihad deploys Boeing 787 Dreamliner into operations

Etihad

Etihad Airways has introduced the Boeing 787-9 on its scheduled daily service from Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), to Beirut, Lebanon.

The new 787 Dreamliner service replaces the Airbus A321 aircraft previously operating the airline’s EY535/EY538 flights to and from the Lebanese capital.

Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja

• Blames pending accident reports on paucity of fund
Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) has revived the N2.09 billion ($5.8 million) worth of Flight Safety Laboratory equipment erstwhile abandoned at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja.

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

Communications Manager of Dana Air, Kingsley Ezenwa

Dana Air has introduced a ‘buy two, get one free’ promo for passengers on its Lagos–Owerri- Lagos route.

The promo is part of the benefits availed by the Imo Air initiative to drive traffic on the route.

Launched in January this year, Imo Air is a 10-year operations partnership between Dana Air and the Imo State government, as part of efforts to diversify the economy, increase commercial activities, create employment and boost tourism in the state.

Ethiopian Airlines

Africa’s largest airline group, Ethiopian Airlines, is set to start services to Bahrain effective August 17, 2017 with the latest B737-800 New Generation with Sky Interior.

Bahrain, a nation comprising more than 30 islands in the Persian Gulf has been at the center of major trade routes since olden days with growing economy over the past decade.

As part of its routes expansion programme, East African carrier, RwandAir has commenced flights between Kigali, the airline’s hub and London Gatwick, in the United Kingdom.

Besides London, the airline has also commenced flights between Brussels, the Belgian capital and Kigali.

Lufthansa airlifts 60 million passengers in six months

Lufthansa

Airlines of the Lufthansa Group has welcomed onboard around 60 million passengers in the first half of 2017, being 17.2 per cent more than the first half of previous year.

Overall, the German largest airlines carried more passengers than ever before in the first half of 2017. The seat load factor has reached a historical peak of 79 per cent. The figure was 2.7 percentage points higher than the previous year.

Delta Air Lines has reported financial results for the June quarter 2017, pooling N666 billion ($1.85 billion) in adjusted pre-tax income for the period.The profit, according to the American airlines was a N61.9 billion ($172 million) increase from the June 2016 quarter, primarily driven by higher revenue.

Delta recorded a June quarter 2017 adjusted operating margin of 18.4 per cent. Delta delivered these results despite a N45 billion ($125 million) negative impact from the operational disruption following severe storms in Atlanta in early April.

Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority

• Over 120 registered in Europe, others

• Experts warn of security risks

A plan by the Federal Government to go after wealthy tax defaulters is faced with some hurdles in the aviation sector as most private jets in the country could hardly be traced to individuals using them.

Managing Director of Air Peace airlines, Allen Onyema, gave the verdict yesterday, saying the current “harsh environment” fueled by bad policies, bureaucracy and multiple taxation have put the airlines more at dire straits with six unable to meet obligation.

Aero Contractors signs revival pact

Barring a quick intervention by the Federal Government and other authorities concerned, at least six out of the eight operating airlines may cease to exist in the next 12 months.

IATA has announced global passenger traffic results for May showing that demand rose by 7.7 per cent compared to the same month in 2016.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has announced global passenger traffic results for May showing that demand rose by 7.7 per cent compared to the same month in 2016.

PHOTO:WIKIPEDIA

The United States has lifted a ban on passengers taking laptops and tablet computers on Etihad Airways flights from its base in the Emirate capital Abu Dhabi, authorities said Sunday.

PHOTO:WIKIPEDIA

Etihad Airways is adding year-round flights between its Abu Dhabi hub and both Cairo and Lagos later this year to cater to growing demand to and from the United Arab Emirates.

A new Saturday flight to Nigeria’s commercial capital of Lagos, beginning December 2, 2017, adds to the weekend travel option, increasing frequency from four to five services each week, and offering greater flexibility and convenience to local travellers.

The stakeholders, under the aegis of Nigerian Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA), said regular remittance and revenue are crucial to effective maintenance of airport facilities and survival of the industry.

•NAMA trains AIS cadets in Lagos, Kano

Air traffic controllers have urged the Federal Government to mandate the prompt payment of dues and levies from operators in the aviation sector.

Prof Sani Abubakar Mashi

The Director General of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), Prof. Sani Abubakar Mashi, has faulted calls for the creation of a separate and parallel Climate Change Agency (CCA), saying the establishment of such body would amount to a duplication of functions already being carried out by NIMET.

Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja

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• Reopens Abuja-Accra route
Recovery efforts in operations and efficient services at Arik Air received a boost recently with the launch of a new unit to cater for customers and ensure satisfaction nationwide.

Second in Command, Special Investigation Bureau, Airport Police Command, Olatunji Olayinka (left); Director of Engineering, Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB), Hashim Wali; Director/CEO Aeroavsec, Capt. Bello Ocheja; Commissioner/CEO AIB, Akin Olateru; Head Aviation Security, AIB, Olumide Osineye, during the Aviation Security Training for Airport Command Policemen at AIB Safety House, Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos

Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) has trained men of the Nigerian police to effectively secure aircraft accident sites and ensure that evidence are not tampered with.The police officers, 20 in number, constitute the first batch of the training programme. They were drawn from the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA) and Special Protection Unit, Lagos commands. Second batch of the training is scheduled for Abuja next week.

Medview Airline

Medview Airline will on July 10, 2017 commence flight operations to Ilorin, the Kwara capital.The airline said it will operate three flights a week, which are scheduled to link Ilorin with Abuja and Lagos.

The future of travel? Industry insiders test the idea of standing seats at the Aircraft Interiors Expo in Long Beach, California

As one of the world’s most competitive industries, airlines are constantly looking for ways to maximise revenue. But, while most carriers charge for extra leg room or entice people with a premium upgrade, one has devised a rather unconventional approach to boosting sales.

South American carrier, VivaColombia has mooted the suggestion of standing-only flights, this week – in favour of so-called vertical seating.Although, it may not sound the most comfortable experience, it could be an ideal solution for those looking to travel short-haul on a budget. Not least because increased passenger numbers would push down ticket fares.

Not that the cabin wouldn’t be structured into aisles, of course. Traditional rows would merely be replaced by ‘saddle’ seats, which offer a bar stool-inspired perch and a back rest.

Also, passengers would also still wear a seat belt which would go over their shoulder in a similar style to the jump seats used by cabin crew during take-off and landing.The quirky idea was first mooted by Airbus in 2003, while Ireland’s low-cost carrier, Ryanair, tried to implement the idea in 2010.

They conducted a poll of 120,000 people, which found that 80,000 of them would consider the seats if they were free, while 42 per cent said they would use them if the fare was half that of a traditional ticket.

However, the plans drew criticism from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), who raised doubts over whether they would pass safety tests. To this day they’ve never been approved by any aviation authority in the world.But, undeterred and keen to push the envelope, the leftfield idea is now being pushed by VivaColombia’s founder and CEO, William Shaw.

Regulators probe stowaway on Med-View Lagos-London flight

Regulatory authorities in the aviation sector have commenced investigation of another stowaway on Med-View Airlines’ Lagos-London flight.The stowaway, Emmanuel Ugochukwu, hid in the front wheel of the commercial flight, travelling unnoticed from Lagos to London and back to Lagos last weekend. It was, however, a mystery that Ugochukwu was recovered alive and well too, after over 12 hours in the air.

Speaking at the ceremony, Capt. Murat Ozcan, Vice President, Ground Operations, Arik Air, said the idea originated from the airline’s commitment to continually improve on its customer services.

Arik Air on Monday brightened the relationship between it, its customers and other airport users with the inauguration of an Ambassadors’ Unit.The News Agency of Nigeria, (NAN) reports that the inauguration took place at Arik Air’s counter at the General Aviation Terminal of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos.

Aero Contractors plane ‘develops fault’ at takeoff

Tens of passengers were temporarily stranded at the Murtala Muhammad International Airport Terminal 2 in Lagos Friday morning after the Aero Contractor aircraft in which they were to fly to Abuja ‘developed faults’.

Lufthansa CEO, Carsten Spohr, receiving Skytrax award at the Paris Air Show recently held at Le Bourget, Paris, France.

Lufthansa has been voted the best airline in Europe at the Paris Air Show recently held at Le Bourget, Paris, France. The market research institute, Skytrax, which specialises in aviation, surveyed around 18 million passengers from over 160 countries worldwide.

Murtala Muhammed International Airport

The fly and win promo introduced as part of activities to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two (MMA2) has been extended and will now close on Thursday, July 20, 2017.

The organisers confirmed that the final draw date is now Friday, July 21 when the star prize, a Kia Rio saloon car and other consolation prizes will be won.

NCAA, Sam Adurogboye

Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has warned all operators of telecoms operators, owners of landing facilities and general public over mounting of high structures without the right approval.

The apex regulatory body of air travel in the country said all stakeholders must obtain Aviation Height Clearance (AHC), Permits and Licences before erecting high rise structures.

Albakri

Industry supports 490,000 jobs, contributes $12b to GDP in S’Africa
International Air Transport Association (IATA) has reiterated that air travel sectors in Africa, Nigeria and South Africa especially, are capable of transforming local economy.

IATA, the clearing house for over 260 airlines around the world, said besides massive job creation, the industry is capable of contributing significantly to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), where its potentials are maximised.

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