Tag: airlines

Weather: NCAA Warns Airlines To Be Cautious

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has warned pilots and airline operators to exercise caution over a three-day dust haze lasting from Monday to Wednesday across the country.

Acting Director General, NCAA, Captain Chris Najomo, gave the warning in a statement made available to journalists in Lagos, on Monday.

The aviation chief said that the warning was imperative in view of the weather report of the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET) released on Sunday.

The weather report alerted the public on the possibility of deterioration in visibility as a result of observed dust haze propagated into the country.

NiMet’s weather outlook predicted moderate dust haze with horizontal visibility range from 2km to 5km over the North.

It envisaged moderate dust haze with a horizontal visibility range of 2km to 5km, and localized horizontal visibility of less than or equal to 1000m over the North central.

The agency forecast dust haze over the inland of the South and the coastal region throughout the forecast period.

For Tuesday, moderate dust haze with horizontal visibility range of 2km to 5km is anticipated over the northern region.

The statement also reads: “Moderate dust haze with a horizontal visibility range of 2kn to 5km, and localized horizontal visibility of less than or equal to 1000m is anticipated over the North central.

The inland of the South and the coastal region of the country throughout the forecast period.

According to NiMet, thick dust haze is expected over the northern region throughout the forecast period.

The agency anticipated moderate dust haze with horizontal visibility range of 2km to 5km.

It further anticipated localized horizontal visibility of less than or equal to 1,000m over the North Central, the Inland of the South and the Coastal belt of the country.

“Airline operators are advised to get updated weather reports and forecasts from NiMet for effective planning in their operations,” it said.

The NCAA urged passengers to exercise patience and understanding during the period, as their safety was of utmost importance.

The regulatory body’s warning to airlines on safety comes days after it suspended the permit of Mattini Airline Services Ltd pending completion of investigations into a runway excursion involving a Challenger CL 601 aircraft, operated by the firm.

The private jet operated by the airline which had departed Abuja with 15 persons on board, overshot the runway while landing at Ibadan Airport on Friday.

There was no fatality in the incident.

NCAA, following the incident, said it had also initiated a safety and economic audit of all private jet operations in Nigeria.

It assured the travelling public of its utmost commitment to safety and the entrenchment of global best practices. (NAN)

January 29, 2024
United Nigeria Airlines Boss Tasks FG On Special Funding For Local Operators

Chairman United Nigeria Airlines (UNA), Prof. Obiora Okonkwo has urged the federal government to leave a legacy by providing a window of “Special Funding” for the aviation sector operators.

Okonkwo made the call in Abuja on Thursday while speaking at a retreat organised by the management of United Nigeria Airlines to mark its two- year operation in the aviation industry.

The retreat, which has “Positioning United Nigeria for Value Creation and Retention,” was organised for management staff of the company.

Okonkwo said the call for provision of a window of special funding for operators in aviation became necessary given its essential duty nature and its growing contribution to the Nigerian Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

“We are just asking for a special funding window that should be of a single digit and that is easily accessible , not necessarily on paper,but it is not accessible.

“We still believe that this government has done a lot for the aviation industry, though, more needs to be done and we think that the bigger legacy that this government will leave for the aviation industry is to ensure that the operators survive.

“No operator should go under, rather let there be new operators in the business of aviation.”

He said the indigenous airline operators have been very patriotic and have contributed immensely to the growth of the nation’s GDP.

“We are very patriotic Nigerians, who have contributed so much to the GDP of the nation, giving employment ,it is a sector that I advise this government and in coming government to take very seriously.

“Because, if properly harnexed , it will be a great source of foreign exchange for the country, expecialy , if the local operators should be empowered ,this industry, we believe remains a critical and essential industry , that should be treated are such.

“This industry can not survive further at the regular commercial rates. We know that there are previlages given to sectors like agriculture and others. Aviation should be considered also.”

READ ALSO: CBN Denies Scarcity Of New Naira Notes

According to Okonkwo, airline transportation required special attention.

“If this is done, I have no doubt that the operators will be stronger and further render better services to the people.”

He emphasized further, that there was need for government to consider a special funding for the sector operators, saying that it was a win-win situation for both government and the operators and ultimately for the good of Nigerians.

“I also thought that the government should consider a window of “Special Funds ” at a single unit loan for the operators because it is a win -win situation for the companies and the government.

“Because this is one sector that pays the government as they receive their own ,because every ticket that is issued ,all agencies of government have their own.

“It creates high level, high powered employment, high skilled workers that pay good income tax to the government, and so this is one of the sectors that should be taken seriously and the operators are happy to work out all the new arrangement with the government.

If this capital are made “available,the individual airlines will access it as par their needs and then capitalise individually, because there is a capital you should have as a domestic operator and the required capital if you are going international or regional routes.

“So you can imagine, a situation where you go to the bank today and access naira loan at the rate of 25 to 30 per cent and then you go back to the foreign exchange window and buy it at the rate of N750 ,you just basically operate for notting.”he said.

Okonkwo said that the United Airlines management was committed to further improving on its performance going further,despite the challenges experienced in the past year.

The Chief Operating Officer and Executive Director of the airline, Mr Osita Okonkwo, said the company’s strategy, going forward, was to continue on its growth part.

He said that despite challenges, the company survived, saying that it was grateful to God, the travelling public, and the regulators that have kept fate with the company.

He said the company in 2023 and beyond would continue to excel and improve its service to the travelling public and customers, focused on its equipment to ensure its fleet was up to date.

According to him, the company has a massive expansion programme in the fleet area in numbers and aircraft.

“We have started with already with A 320, which is already flying. More will join the fleet,
“We are expanding our destinations, we have the objective of having a fulprint in every airport in Nigeria, we are about to start Jos and Benin and other towns in the North- East and North-West will follow.

“We are going outside Nigeria. We are moving regionally, we are going through the regulatory process now, and we have gotten our airline carriers permit.

“We have gotten designations to a number of countries, which will be announced soon,”he said.

January 27, 2023
Jet-A1, Forex Scarcity: Airline Operators Raise Alarm Over Shutdown

The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), has raised the alarm over new developments that are threatening smooth operation of air transport in the country.

AON said the new challenges have the capacity to cause a shutdown of the aviation sector.

According to a statement made available to journalists by the group, the recent suspension of scheduled flight operations by Nigeria’s foremost carrier, Aero Contractors, is a signal that the federal government need not take lightly.

In the state signed by AON’s spokesman, Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, the group listed scarcity and high cost of aviation fuel and also, the high rate of foreign exchange as major challenges that could force major shutdowns as operational costs have gone beyond the roofs.

The AON also listed the immediate shutdown of Runway 18L at the domestic airport in Lagos as contributing to clogs in operational efficiency of airlines even as it had forced about 15 percent increase in fuel consumption with attendant delays.

The group thus called on the Federal government to intervene to save a major crumbling of the sector which it said renders essential services for the growth of the economy.

While lauding government for previous interventions which created a three-month fuel supply window through the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), AON said further such intervention will save the sector from total collapse as airlines are beginning to restrict scheduled flight operations to only major airports.

The AON statement titled “Airlines Continue to Struggle as Aviation Fuel, Foreign Exchange Crisis Worsen” reads in part: “The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) would like to notify the general public that the JetA1 crisis which began in late February and deteriorated further through the months of March to May, has further worsen and currently threatening the ability of airlines to continue operations. The price of JetA1 rose suddenly from N200 in December 2021 to over N400 per litre in February. Today the price has skyrocketed to over N800 per litre.

“On top of the continuous rise in the price of Aviation fuel, supply is at best epileptic and unpredictable at several airports across the country there by causing flight delays, and even cancellations, as airlines queue for fuel at airports across the country.

“Added to the already difficult situation, is the high cost and scarcity of foreign exchange. It is pertinent to note that airlines carry out most of their activities in US dollars which today sells for N630 to $1; and is sadly also, in short supply. To say the least, airlines are in a ‘life and death’ struggle to secure the foreign exchange that they urgently need to acquire spare parts to ensure the regular routine and scheduled maintenance of aircraft. This is a major influence on how quickly a grounded aircraft can be fixed and restored for flight operations, which impacts greatly on the reliability of schedules, growth of the industry and economic growth and sustainability.

READ ALSO: JUST IN: Dana Air Makes Emergency Landing, Aircraft Grounded

“The reality of the situation in the industry is exacerbated by the action of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), which in a NOTAM of July 5, 2022 announced the closure of the domestic runway (18L) of Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA), Ikeja, beginning July 8, 2022. The closure is for a period of 90 days.

“In the face of the heavy burden already inflicted on airlines by the worsening Jet A1 crisis, it is most unfortunate that the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) chose this period to close the runway. The ill-timed and unfortunate decision taken at very short notice to airlines has further crippled air transport operations by causing unsustainable additional operating costs and severely inconveniencing the airlines and passengers.

“The closure of the main domestic runway of MMA automatically adds an additional 10-15% more fuel costs per sector into and out of the domestic airport in Lagos, based on the additional flight and taxi time incurred as a result. The airlines have already felt these additional costs within the first week of the closure of the runway. This unnecessary burden is unsustainable for a 3-month period on the airlines; especially for the fact that the JetA1 crisis has worsened significantly and the situation remains unpredictable.

“Moreover, the additional 30 minutes taxi time to the apron forced on the airlines by the closure of runway 18L impacts negatively on schedule reliability to sunset airports around the country leading to delays and cancellation of late flights to such airports.

“While we welcome the effort by FAAN to install runway lighting on Runway 18L after being delayed for so long, it is pertinent to state that international best practice for such critical airfield infrastructure projects is for the airport operator to enter into discussions with all affected parties, to arrive at an optimal arrangement that allows the work to be done, while limiting the inconvenience, economic impact and safety implications on all concerned.

“Going forward, the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) wish to use the medium to graciously show appreciation to the Federal Government of Nigeria for its concern, and previous actions, which led to a mutually beneficial and cost-effective three-month aviation fuel supply window through the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). That intervention greatly impacted on the aviation sector and solved what would have been a major national embarrassment.

“However, the issue is yet to be fully and generously resolved. We, therefore, call on the Federal Government to, once again, look critically at the issues raised in the statement as they affect scarcity and cost of aviation fuel and foreign exchange so as to find ways of ameliorating the problems that are likely to cause a shutdown of this very nationally essential service sector, which had contributed, and continues to contribute, to national economic development through jobs creation, taxes and increased commercial activities.

“AON also thank the travelling public for empathizing with us in this critical time. Ours is an essential service that is patriotically, and selflessly, driven to serve Nigerians with our best and ensure that they continually, and safely, engage in business and leisure travels that help them achieve their objectives and also contribute positively to national economic development.”

July 20, 2022
Omicron: UK Bans Flights From Nigeria

The United Kingdom has banned flights from Nigeria with effect from Monday.

Nigeria was added to the red list of countries from where people arriving must quarantine in a hotel for 10 days.

This comes after Canada applied the same measure against Nigeria after detecting the variant from travellers who landed the country from Nigeria.

The Federal Government had, on Wednesday, confirmed three cases of the Omicron variant from travellers from South Africa.

In a statement, the UK Mission in Nigeria said: “From 4am on 6 December, Nigeria will be added to the red list for international travel to England.

“This follows 21 recent cases of COVID-19 variant B.1.1.529 (Omicron) linked to travels from Nigeria.

“From 4am on 6 December, UK and Irish citizens and residents arriving from Nigeria must isolate in a government approved managed quarantine facility for 10 days, and receive two PCR tests, as the UK government takes further precautionary action against the Omicron variant.

“From 4am on 6 Dec a temporary travel ban will be introduced for non-UK and non-Irish citizens and residents who’ve been in Nigeria in the previous 10 days, meaning they will be refused entry into the UK.

“This doesn’t apply to those staying airside and only transiting through…”

Reports quoted the UK Health Secretary Sajid Javid as saying that Nigeria is second only to South Africa in terms of linked cases to Omicron.

READ ALSO: Prepare For Likely Spread Of Omicron, WHO Urges Countries

He said: “Over the recent days we have learnt of a significant number of growing cases linked to travel with Nigeria.

“There are 27 cases already in England and that’s growing and Nigeria now is second only to South Africa in terms of linked cases to Omicron.”

Javid said only residents and citizens of the UK and Ireland travelling from Nigeria would be allowed entry into the region.

“In light of the most recent data, we are taking further action to slow the incursion of the Omicron variant.

“From 4 a.m. Monday, only UK/Irish citizens and residents travelling from Nigeria will be allowed entry and must isolate in a managed quarantine facility.”

Daily Trust

December 5, 2021
Bird Strike On Lagos-Bound Flight From Owerri – Air Peace

The managment of Air Peace says its flight P47159 Owerri to Lagos on Nov. 22, had a bird strike, few minutes after take-off.

The spokesperson, Mr. Stanley Olisa, said this in a statement in Lagos on Monday.

“This seriously affected the parameters of one of the engines and the Pilot-in-Command had to divert to Port-Harcourt and safely landed the aircraft while the passengers disembarked normally.

READ ALSO: PDP will takeover Kaduna State in 2023- Chieftain

“We have dispatched a rescue team and aircraft to airlift the passengers of the affected flight.

“Air Peace is committed to the highest standards of safety and will never compromise on this,” the statement said. (NAN)

November 23, 2021
Why Airlines Fail In Nigeria — Experts

An aviation expert, Mr. Richard Aisebiogun, has identified factors responsible for failure of airlines in Nigeria.

Aisebiogun, a former Managing Director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), said this during the Aviation and Cargo Conference organised by Mr. Ikechi Uko in Lagos on Wednesday.

According to him, the unviable airports are those which consistently record low passenger flights.

Aisebiogun said that for an airport to be viable and self-sustaining, it must have at least five million passengers a year, adding that the viability of an airport to survive is a function of its success.

“The success of airlines depend on the viability of the airports, so I will say the role of airports have contributed to the failure of airlines in Nigeria.

“Airports should care about airline survivals because without traffic, airlines will not survive. From 1988 to 2012, 24 airlines failed and this has continued to occur,” he said.

He listed Lagos, Port Harcourt, Kano airports and some others as among highly viable airports in the country

Aisebiogun called for improved service delivery and infrastructural development to trigger multiple operations within the nation’s airports.

He, however, advised the unviable airports to look at measures that could engender traffic to those areas like boosting local tourism.

READ ALSO: Taliban Wants UN Workers To Remain In Afghanistan – WHO

“The way forward for the Nigerian aviation industry generally is to set up aviation development fund to close all viability gaps.

“Upgrade of airport infrastructure is really needed and there should be a hybrid public-private-partnership within the sector.

“We must lobby the multi-lateral institutions like the Africa Development Bank to prioritise and fund aviation sector initiatives in Nigeria,” the said.

Dr. Daniel Young, Managing Director, Daniel Young Global Investment Limited, advised local airlines to re-strategise as they had been operating on wrong business model which was the reason they were not making enough profit.

Young said that FAAN should also look inwards on ways to generate revenue as it was observed that it had been operating below resource capacity.

Group Capt. John Ojikutu, an Aviation Security Consultant, also urged airlines to review their business plans to remain in business.

Ojikutu also advised on airport classification which would put the unviable airports on their toes to upgrade their facilities.

For Chris Aligbe, he expressed his supports for the Federal Government’s move to concession Nigerian airports which would help in properly positioning them. (NAN)

August 25, 2021
COVID-19: Aviation Industry Still Needs Financial Intervention To Recover- FAAN

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) says the Aviation industry will need relief and financial intervention from the Federal Government to recover from the COVID-19 effect.

The Managing Director, FAAN, Capt. Rabiu Yadudu, made the disclosure at the 25th Annual Conference and Awards Ceremony organised by the League of Aviation and Airports Correspondents (LAAC) in Lagos on Thursday.

The theme of the conference is Nigeria Aviation Industry: Management, Policy and Regulations.

The MD said the devastating effects of COVID-19 would take the authority another 24 months or more for the industry to recover fully.

Yadudu said all the aviation agencies and other support services in the industry needed urgent assistance to improve their operations.

He said: “Without financial relief, I do not see a quick recovery. We need aggressive policy and we need to do much more on implementation that is very aggressive.

“As you are aware, the pandemic has put the global economy to the test, with air transport being undoubtedly the hardest hit by the pandemic.

“This is coming as statistics from the International Airline Transport Association (IATA) on COVID-19’s economic impact on Nigeria has revealed a revenue loss of 994 million dollars in 2020.

“In terms of employment at risk in Nigeria, it is 125,370 and loss of contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is 885 million dollars.”

Yadudu noted that the Federal Government was able to cushion the effect of COVID-19 by providing intervention funds of N5 billion to domestic airlines; funds considered paltry to save airlines from their precarious situation.

READ ALSO: Actress Georgina Onuoha Slams Women Living Off Men And Calling It Hardwork

Speaking, the Chairman of Air Peace, Mr Allen Onyema lamented the devastating effects of COVID-19 on airlines and the aviation industry at large, stating that Nigeria was not excluded from the pandemic.

Onyema said a lot had been said about airlines in the country as lack of good regulations and policies had been blamed for the myriad of problems confronting the sector.

According to him, things are developing and we hope it will be better but why are airlines failing? Can it be from the airlines themselves and other factors?

“Government policies in the recent past had been better compared to what we had in the past.

“The present government has done well in the area of policy such as customs duty waiver on aircraft spare parts and VAT and others that are favourable to the airlines,” he said. (NAN)

July 30, 2021
Rainfall: NiMet Cautions Aviation Stakeholders On Precautionary Measures

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has advised aviation stakeholders to take precautionary measures during onset of rainfall for smooth and safe operations, particularly in the North.

The NiMet Director-General, Prof. Mansur Matazu, gave the advice on Friday in Abuja while briefing journalists.

According to him, activities accompanied with onset of the rainy season like thunderstorms, wind shear, squall lines, microburst and flash floods can flood runways, disrupt landing and take-off.

Matazu further said that such activities could cause delays in flights and affect the sensors along the runways.

“We want the pilots especially to be very cautious and adhere to our precautionary measures. They are there as standard of operations and precautions. You know aviation is all about safety.

READ ALSO: Law To Give 40% Of N/Assembly Seats To Youths Underway, Says Omo-Agege

“We use the pilot platform to get feedback and get to know what they experienced at certain levels of atmosphere. Airline operators should take this precaution very serious as well.

“Last but not the least, the passengers should please be patient with airline operators especially when there are flights delays, diversions or cancellations,” he said.

Matazu said the Northern zone was expected to experience onset between May and June, with the Northern fringes around Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Katsina, Jigawa, Yobe and Borno likely to have onset between June 14 and June 29.

According to him, NiMet will monitor the changes in climate and provide the update for weather forecast alert and advance information for plant purposes.

“In extreme weather events, we provide early warning for damages, loss of lives and damage to property.

“So, North central are approaching their onset period and some states in the North will soon start witnessing the onset which is occasionally showers associated with thunderstorms and high intensity wind,” he said. (NAN)

June 19, 2021
Bayelsa Airport Ready For Commercial Flight, Says Gov. Diri

Gov. Douye Diri of Bayelsa has said that the state-owned airport is ready for commercial flight operations.

Diri stated this on Wednesday when he made an unscheduled visit to the facility ahead of a final certification visitation by the country’s aviation regulatory authorities on March 30, 2021.

The governor said that the state government had provided the required facilities for the smooth take-off of operations at the airport.

His words: “I have spent over one year on this project after taking over from my predecessor in office, Sen. Seriake Dickson, who initiated it.

“What we are doing now is dotting the I’s and crossing the T’s. So far, I think every requirement is on ground.

“I believe when the inspection teams from the aviation authorities come, they would be satisfied with what we have done and grant us the licence for commercial use of the airport,” he explained.

The governor expressed the hope that after the inspection and final submission of the reports, commercial activities would commence at the airport.

He was accompanied on the visit by the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Mr. Moses Teibowei, his Information, Orientation and Strategy counterpart, Ayibaina Duba, Managing Director of the Bayelsa Airport, Capt. Bunmi Williams and other top government functionaries.

READ ALSO: Strange Illness: FG Sends Rapid Response Team To Kano

NAN gathered that last week in Uyo, Diri disclosed that Bayelsa and Akwa Ibom had reached a tentative agreement for Ibom Air owned by the Akwa Ibom Government to ply the Bayelsa airport route when it commences commercial operations.

Earlier, Diri also inspected the ongoing construction of the 4.5km Igbedi-Opokuma road project, where he expressed satisfaction with the work of the contractors, Paache Construction Limited.

“The contractors are doing their best. I expect that they would keep to the completion timeline. I urge them to sustain the momentum that we have seen. (NAN)

March 25, 2021
NDLEA Nabs Drug Trafficker, Recovers Three Cocaine Parcels

NDLEA operatives have arrested a drug trafficker at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, with three parcels of cocaine concealed in a false bottom in his suitcase.

Mr. Femi Babafemi, NDLEA Director, Media and Advocacy said this in a statement he issued on Monday in Abuja,

Babafemi said the suspect, Hassan Taiwo, was intercepted at the E-Arrival hall of the airport upon arrival on board an Ethiopian Airlines flight last Friday.

He said preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect had been plying the illicit trade through the Middle East routes for some time.

He said Taiwo was on a return trip to Abuja from Addis-Ababa when he was nabbed.

READ ALSO: IWD: UNESCO Calls For United Action On Gender Equality

“Upon a thorough search, we discovered another ticket on him while our findings also showed that he had been plying his criminal trade through some Middle East countries,’’ he stated.

Babafemi said that in a related development, NDLEA operatives at the Anambra Command have recovered 58.5 grammes of cocaine and 13.9 grammes of heroine concealed in the palace of a prominent traditional ruler in the state.

He said that investigations were on-going to unravel how the illicit drugs were hidden in the palace.

He added that the palace security guards were helping in tracing the dealer behind the consignment.

“Also, narcotics officers attached to a courier company in Lagos have intercepted 500 grammes of unaccompanied cocaine going to the United Arab Emirates concealed inside the walls of cartons containing clothes.

“At another courier firm in Lagos, one kilogramme of cannabis was concealed in cream bottles going to UAE, while 500 grammes of ketamine hidden in artefacts and going to the U.S., was also recovered.

“Another 480 grammes of unaccompanied methamphetamine going to China was recovered from the same courier company, ‘’ he stated.

He added that the NDLEA Chairman, Retired Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa, commended the commanders, men and officers involved in the operations for their vigilance.

Marwa charged them to continue with the vigour of the offensive action maxim of the new leadership of the lead anti-drug agency, Babafemi stated. (NAN)

March 8, 2021
Planned Strike: FAAN, Aviation Unions Reach Truce, Action Suspended

The plan to ground activities at the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) on Monday may have been suspended, following a truce reached by the management of FAAN and the unions.

A source close to the unions told our correspondent that the FAAN management had called the leading union leaders; National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP) and the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) to a peace meeting on Saturday.

At the meeting, which was held at the FAAN’s Lagos office at the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA), Lagos at 11a.m, the unions vehemently kicked against the alleged non-remittance of staff’s dues to their various cooperative societies, going to about eight months.

The unions further claimed that the management was yet to remit to them the unions’ dues deducted from the staff in the last two months, while also kicking against the plan of the management not to pay the staff 13th month salary.

It was gathered that the FAAN’s management was able to convince the unions and the workers about its plan to continue to discharge its responsibilities to its staff and promised to improve on their welfare in the next coming months.

After the meeting, the unions agreed to shelve Monday’s protest.

The union source said: “The impending rally against some policies of the government and FAAN’s management will not hold again on Monday. FAAN management met with us today (Saturday) to discuss the issues raised. So, we are giving them the benefit of the doubt.

“Some of our agitations include the 13th month salary, which we learnt may not be paid by the management, cooperative society money, which is consistently deducted by the management, but not remitted to the appropriate quarters.

“Also, unions’ dues are not remitted to the appropriate quarters by the agency’s management. But, we were able to reach an accord on some of these issues.”

READ ALSO: How we rescued Kankara school boys – Military

The unions had threatened on Thursday to protest against the management of FAAN over the alleged non-remittance of cooperative funds of the staff to their different cooperative societies, going to about six months.

Besides, the unions had planned to protest against the insistence of the Federal Government to go ahead with the concession of four airports in the first phase of the exercise, despite the voices against the plan by various bodies in the sector.

The unions had also insisted on the payment of palliative to staff who worked during the Covid-19 lockdown, payment of leave grant, stoppage of all forms of employment into the organisation until concession issues are resolved and immediate remodeling of the Murtala Mohammed Airport Access gate facilities to improve and maximise revenue collection.

December 20, 2020
Alleged indebtedness: FAAN withdraws services from Warri, Gombe, MMA2, Arik suspends flights

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, has said it is withdrawing its services to Osubi Airport, Warri, Gombe Airport and Murtala Muhammed Airport 2, MMA2, over alleged indebtedness.

It has also notified airlines of the decision.

This was confirmed by Arik Air’s Communications Manager, Adebanji Ola, in a statement issued in Lagos on Saturday.

He said: “In a Notice To Airmen, NOTAM, issued on Dec. 8, FAAN stated that it will be withdrawing Aviation Security, fire fighting and rescue operations from Osubi, Gombe and MMA2 from midnight of Dec. 9.

“Consequently, Arik Air will be suspending its flights to Osubi Airport, Gombe Airport and move Port Harcourt flights out of MMA2 from Dec. 10, until further notice.”

Ola advised Warri passengers to use Benin Airport as alternate while Gombe passengers should use Bauchi Airport inthe alternative.

“All Arik Air flights to Port Harcourt Airport, Omagwa, will as from the same date operate from Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal One otherwise known as General Aviation Terminal (GAT). Arik Air regrets any inconvenience the closure of the three airports may cause its esteemed customers.

READ ALSO: Breaking: Fire Outbreak at Murtala Mohammed airport, MM 1, Lagos

“The airline hopes the issue between FAAN and the airport authorities will be resolved soonest,” Ola further said.

FAAN claims that MM2, owned by Dr. Wale Babalakin and operated by BiCourtney Aviation Services Limited, is owing it N3.9 billion since it commenced operations on September 8, 2007.

The money according to it was for the provision of electricity, rent and conference and hotel and the five per cent remittance as agreed in the contract.

In a letter addressed to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of BASL, in November, FAAN had given the breakdown of the indebtedness as at July 31, 2018 as N1.4 billion for provision of Aviation Security (AVSEC), another N143 million for Fire/Safety Cost, N2.1million for marshalling and N1.9billion for management cost.

December 9, 2018
Dana Air Concludes NCAA Re-certification, Plans To Acquire More Aircraft In 2019

Dana Air at the weekend concluded re-certification by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), days after the commencement of the exercise.

The airline has also promised to acquire more aircrafts to beef up its present fleet by 2019, saying this would also enable it increase its flights and cities covered within the country.

The airline had suspended flight operations for a few days following the re-certification exercise.

The airline, in a statement by Mr. Kingsley Ezenwa, its spokesman, said the conclusion of the exercise would enable it to ease the pain of travellers who had had to bear the high cost of tickets as a result of flight shortage across the country.

Ezenwa said that re-certification in Nigeria’s aviation industry was a standard practice conducted every two years by the NCAA and during the period, an airline’s operation was totally reviewed from ground handling to quality assurance and particularly safety standards.

He expressed happiness that the airline was able to scale the rigorous process.

He also lauded NCAA for carrying out a thorough check on its operations before re-certifying the airline, but decried negative reports in the media within the period, saying that they were unnecessary.

He said: “We wish to commend the NCAA for doing a thorough job and for giving us a clean bill of health which on its own reassures our guests that our 10 years experience in Nigeria’s airspace is no fluke.

“We are, however, worried about some orchestrated and baseless stories that were circulated while the exercise lasted. Unfortunately, the sponsors of the story displayed crass ignorance of simple regulatory exercise as a result of their mischievous intentions.

“For the records, Dana Air presently has five aircrafts out of which two are undergoing mandatory maintenance, which in aviation is called C-checks. The safety and comfort of our guests comes first before any other consideration and we find such report really unnecessary.

“We advise the purveyors of such report to rather commend us, having served Nigeria for over 10 years and counting and showing massive commitment to changing the narrative about domestic airlines and Nigeria’s aviation industry as viable.”

READ ALSO: Domestic Flights: Travellers decry high price of air tickets, flight shortage

He regretted the pains experienced by air travellers within the period of the re-certification exercise, saying that some of them had to travel by road to their destinations as a result of the shortage of aircraft across the country and hike in fares.

Ezenwa, however, said that discussions were on-going with its financial partners on the acquisition of more airplanes to beef up its operations.

“Our position having gone through the review is to continue to maintain our operational efficiency, which we have come to be known for, and we wish to sincerely apologise to our guests for the slight disruption in flights during the course of our re-certification,” he added.

December 2, 2018