Passengers seek technology-driven travel experience, control in new survey

IATA

Air passengers globally are clamoring for more technology to be deployed for better comfort, ease of access, and personal control over their travel experience.

The passenger, in the 2017 Global Passenger Survey (GPS) released Wednesday, craved for automation of more airport processes, a single identity token for all travel processes using biometric identification and real-time information sent directly to personal devices.

NAMA tasks air traffic controllers on airspace safety

Capt. Fola Akinkuotu

The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has charged Air Traffic Controllers in the country to come up with practical and achievable solutions to problems encountered in air traffic control services in their respective airports across the nation.

Emirates opens China routes for business travellers, tourists

Emirates Airlines

Emirates airline has open flight operations to China, with multiple destinations beyond Beijing and Guangzhou.

The airline, at a media parley in Lagos, said the route and Asia as a whole has become very strategic for African travellers and global aviation for Emirates to ignore.

Med-view set for Dubai operations, decorates pilots

Captain Jika Keghtor (left); Captain Olatunbosun Buraimoh; Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer of Med-View Airline Plc, Muneer Bankola; First Officer, Oguare Eziegbe and Captain Ayub Kambinda, during the decoration ceremony recently in Lagos

Med-view airlines Plc is set to commence flight operations between Lagos and Dubai by the end of the year following a recent approval by the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) authorities.

Experts hinge aviation growth on zero per cent interest loans

Aviation sector

Logistics industry needs N41.3 trillion to achieve vision 2050 

Stakeholders in the aviation sector have called for special interventions, especially a zero per cent interest loan facility, to drive Nigerian aviation industry in the next 33 years.

Dana partners project pink blue initiative

PHOTO: Nigerian Flight Deck

In commemoration of the International Breast Cancer Awareness month, Dana Air and Project Pink Blue, a ‘cancer –fighting’ organisation have hosted the Pink October Walk, Race and Cycle against cancer at LTV/Radio Lagos Arena, Ikeja, Lagos.

Air France-KLM, Jumia partner for new customer-experience

Airfrance

Determined to give customers additional value for their money, Air France KLM and Jumia Nigeria have announce a unique partnership to reward Nigerian-based flyers registered with the airline’s Flying Blue loyalty programme.  

The Flying Blue initiative which is tailored to give additional benefits to customers will also expose them to over 1,000,000 product assortment on Africa’s largest online store, Jumia.

Med-View opens Abidjan, Conakry, Dakar routes

Med-View

Poised to have a strong presence on the West Coast, Med-View Airline will on Friday, October 27 spread its wings to Abidjan, Conakry and Dakar with an inaugural flight.

Why government should not bail out airlines, by Akpareva

Notwithstanding the norm in government cycles to bailout distress companies, extending such gesture to local airlines may be more of sentiment than strategic economic sense, an expert has said.

Airlines transported 3.8 billion passengers globally in 2016

Nigeria, S’Africa, Ethiopia others record 84 million traffic

International Air Transport Association (IATA) has announced industry performance statistics for 2016 showing that system-wide, airlines carried 3.8 billion passengers on scheduled services last year.

Etihad appoints new Group CEO

PHOTO:WIKIPEDIA

Chairman of Etihad Aviation Group, Mohamed Mubarak Fadhel Al Mazrouei, has confirmed the appointment of Tony Douglas as Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Douglas, who will resume in January 2018, joins Etihad from the United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defence, where he has served as CEO of the Defence Equipment and Support department, responsible for procuring and supporting all the equipment and services for the British Armed Forces. 

Lagos airport restricts parking as 1,300-lot facility opens

Murtala Muhammed International Airport

•New car park to run on 30-year concession plan

Management of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, has restricted parking of cars at and around the airport as a designated car park officially opened for that purpose.

By the new arrangement, land-side vicinity of the international aerodrome will only accommodate drop-off, while the new ultramodern car park will be for parking and picking of passengers and other airport users.

NAMA reviews automated accounting procedure

Capt. Fola Akinkuotu

Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has taken steps towards entrenching a more effective digital accounting system that would meet the growing demands of the agency. 

Emirates, flydubai launch codeshare routes

Emirates Airlines

Emirates and flydubai have entered into a partnership, expanding Emirates’ network to 29 flydubai destinations across three continents.The new partner network, through its codeshare, will offer greater frequency and easier access to more global destinations with the advantage of connecting baggage to the final destination.  

Air Peace deploys police, DSS, others to foil picketing

Air Peace yesterday commended the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Federal Airports Authority (FAAN) for preventing the disruption of its flight operations by aviation unions.

World’s most expensive commercial jet opens, costs N15.3m per hour

Passengers on Crystal Skye can eat, drink, socialise and relax, enjoy VIP service for the duration of their flight

The world’s most luxurious commercial jet ever has taken to the skies with a ticket rate that cost at least N15.3 million per hour.

The Crystal Skye – a privately-owned converted Boeing 777-200LR that accommodates just 88 passengers – boasts a spacious dining area, a mixologist and seats that convert into spacious beds for the super-rich.

Ethiopian, Azul Brazilian airlines enter codeshare agreement

Ethiopian Airlines

Africa’s largest airline group, Ethiopian Airlines and Azul Brazilian Airlines have entered a codeshare agreement effective Oct 01, 2017.

Hepstar integrates Cornerstone Insurance into Amadeus booking channels

To protect passengers from attendant risks of travel experience, Hepstar, a leading insurance company based in Cape Town, South Africa, has integrated Cornerstone Travel Insurance into Amadeus booking channels.

The incorporation is aimed at offering adequate travel insurance coverage, with a variety of products for travellers that booked on the Amadeus channels or affiliated travel agents nationwide.

Delta’s hits one-million passenger-mark on Lagos-Atlanta route

Delta Airlines

Delta Air Lines has hit an important milestone as it carried the one-millionth customer to fly on its nonstop service between Nigeria and the United States.

African airlines gain global confidence, patronage

South African Airways

60% of UK, U.S. travellers prefer local airlines for African trip

A new survey has revealed growing global confidence in African aviation, with increasing patronage and opportunity for African airlines to compete internationally.

Boeing deploys technology to end bumpy flights in 2018

The lidar research will be conducted in 2018 as part of the collaboration with FedEx Express. Over a six-week period more than 30 technologies, including lidar, will be tested on board a new FedEx-owned 777 freighter.   PHOTO: cargofacts.com

Call it a new era in flying and you will not be wrong. Boeing aircraft manufacturer will be deploying remote-sensing technology that can detect clear-air turbulence early next year

NAMA sectionalises Lagos area control centre

Murtala Muhammed International Airport

The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has begun the process of sectorising the Lagos Sub-Flight Information Region (Sub-FIR) airspace into Lagos West and Lagos East Area Control Centres (ACCs).

Emirates welcomes 100th A380 plane with special offers

Emirates Airlines

Emirates will celebrate a milestone in aviation history when it welcomes the delivery of its 100th A380 aircraft later this year.

To celebrate the occasion, the Dubai-based airline is offering Nigerian travellers special fares on return Economy Class and Business Class tickets to select destinations across its network, including Bangkok, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing and Guangzhou.

Delta’s hits one-million passenger-mark on Lagos-Atlanta route

Delta Airlines

Delta Air Lines has hit an important milestone as it carried the one-millionth customer to fly on its nonstop service between Nigeria and the United States.

African airlines gain global confidence, patronage

South African Airways

60% of UK, U.S. travellers prefer local airlines for African trip

A new survey has revealed growing global confidence in African aviation, with increasing patronage and opportunity for African airlines to compete internationally.

Boeing deploys technology to end bumpy flights in 2018

The lidar research will be conducted in 2018 as part of collaboration with FedEx Express. Over a six-week period more than 30 technologies, including lidar, will be tested on board a new FedEx-owned 777 freighter.   PHOTO: cargofacts.com

Call it a new era in flying and you will not be wrong. Boeing aircraft manufacturer will be deploying remote-sensing technology that can detect clear-air turbulence early next year

Aviation unions shun ULC (United Labour Congress) strike, as airlines operate normal flight schedules

Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos

Aviation unions affiliated to United Labour Congress (ULC), on Monday, shunned directives to shut down the Nigerian airspace as the ULC begin a nationwide strike.

Seme Customs command nets N701m in August

The Nigeria Custom Service, Seme Command, said it collected N701million as revenue for the month of August.

A statement released in Badagry on Monday by the command’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mr Selchang Taupyen, said that the command succeeded in collecting so much by blocking all revenue leakages at the border.

NAMA conducts competency test for AIS officers

Capt. Fola Akinkuotu

The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has commenced a comprehensive competency appraisal of all Aeronautical Information Services (AIS) Officers in all airports across the country. 

Dana Air gets IATA membership

PHOTO: Nigerian Flight Deck

Nigerian carrier, Dana Air, has formally joined the International Air Transport Association (IATA) after rigorous prequalification exercise. The IATA membership is coming just two years after the airline passed its International Operations Safety Audit (IOSA) and was admitted into the association’s global safety registry.

Accountable Manager of Dana Air, Obi Mbanuzuo, said the membership was the airline’s latest achievement, describing it as a significant milestone for Dana Air.

Stakeholders demand 100 per cent private sector-driven national carrier

Mr Gbenga Olowo

Stakeholders in the aviation industry have urged the Federal Government to initiate a new national carrier plan that is 100 per cent private sector-driven and funded.

The stakeholders, under the aegis of the Aviation Safety Round Table Initiative (ASRTI) said having such project premised on government’s funding, like the Nigerian Airways of old, is a recipe for another failure.

Emirates opens special fares on U.S. route

Emirates Airlines

Emirates airline has opened a special fare package on Economy Class and Business Class tickets for Nigerians to explore all its 11 destinations in the United States.

Med-View boosts operation with Boeing 777 aircraft

Med-View

Med-View airline recently took delivery of Boeing 777-200ER aircraft to boost its international routes network.

The aircraft, with registration number CS-TFM, arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport on Monday night and received by jubilant airline and airport staffers.

African airlines record 6.5% passenger traffic growth

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has announced global passenger traffic results for July showing strong but moderating demand growth.

Estimates by IATA, the global clearing house for over 275 major airlines in the world, indicated a total revenue passenger kilometers (RPKs) rise by 6.8 per cent, compared to the same month last year, down from 7.7 per cent year-over-year growth recorded in June.

Takeover negotiations : Arik Air files N20bn suit against FG, Ethiopian Airlines

PHOTO: Arik Air

Arik Air Limited has filled a N20 billion suit against the Federal Government and Ethiopian Airlines over recent claims in the media that they were negotiating the takeover of the airline.

The suit was instituted by the airline at the Federal High Court, Lagos against Ethiopian Airlines, the Federal Ministry of Transportation and the Attorney General of the Federation.

FG concessions Lagos, Abuja airports

Murtala Muhammed International Airport

Safety regulations earn local airlines zero-crash in 2016, say experts

The Federal Government has approved the concession of two of its national airports, the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos and Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo stated this in Abuja at the fifth edition of the presidential quarterly business forum organized by the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Committee (PEBEC) in the old Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa.

13th Akwaaba African travel market, fair opens in Lagos

Akwaaba African Travel Market November 2015, Eko Hotel, Lagos Nigeria

Akwaaba Travel Market, the biggest travel and tourism fair in West Africa, is set to open in Lagos, on Sunday, September 10, 2017. The fair, being the 13th edition, is a three-day event holding at the Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Dana Air recruits, trains 45 local pilots for operations

PHOTO: Nigerian Flight Deck

No fewer than 45 local pilots have been recruited and trained by Dana Air, as part of the airline’s contribution to the aviation industry.

The exercise that began in 2015, had the pilots trained in Johannesburg, South Africa, and Madrid, Spain, to boost capacity and reduce the burden of unemployed pilots in Nigeria.

Air fares rise amid ‘cheery news’

IATA

Air travelers yesterday had nothing to show for the new economic status, as international air fares went up by some percentages.A check on portals of some foreign airlines and travel agencies revealed an upward review of ticket prices by about 10 per cent. For instance, some United States destinations, it was gathered, went up by about N100, 000 per return ticket.

The Guardian learned that the review was due to a new exchange rate for the sale of air tickets in the country announced by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

Lagos flags off reconstruction of Oshodi-Airport Road

A section of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport road

The Lagos State Government on Monday flagged off the reconstruction of a 10-lane Oshodi-International Airport Road, with a pledge to complete the project within the next 15 months.

Ethiopian Airlines upgrades Sao Paulo services to direct flights

Ethiopian airlines

Ethiopian Airlines Group, the largest airline in Africa, has finalised preparations to start non-stop direct services to Sao Paulo, Brazil, currently operated via Lome, Togo, effective September 16, 2017. 

Air Peace rewards loyal customers with free tickets

Air Peace has issued hundreds of free economy and business class tickets to its customers under its Frequent Flyer Programme (FFP) tagged “Peace Advantage.”

In August 2016, the carrier rewarded its customers who had earned enough points under its loyalty scheme. About two months after in October, Air Peace also compensated all passenge

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.

Conveyor belt operators’ strike grounds flights at Lagos airport

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.

Local airlines groan under low pricing regime

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.

Government okays new boss for Murtala Muhammed Airport

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).

‘Arik regains customers’ confidence with 4,000 passenger traffic daily’

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.

Local airlines groan under low pricing regime

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.

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.