Aviation Archives — Business Bells

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Category: Aviation

  • FG Restores Emirates 21 Weekly Flights To Nigeria

    FG Restores Emirates 21 Weekly Flights To Nigeria

     

    The Federal Government has reinstated Emirates’ winter flight schedule to Nigeria.

     

    The schedule consisted of 21 weekly passenger flights to Nigeria, comprising two daily flights to Lagos airport and one daily flight to Abuja airport.

     

    This was contained in a letter dated December 21 and signed by Musa Nuhu, director-general of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

     

    The letter was addressed to the country manager, Emirates Airlines, Nigeria.

     

    Emirates is the largest airline and one of two flag carriers of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) – – the other is Etihad Airways.

     

    “Following further consultations with various stakeholders and the letter from Dubai CAA with reference number DCAA/JASA/N-3/016 dated 17″ December 2021 offering Air Peace Airlines daily slots at Dubai Airports (DXB), I wish to inform you the reinstatement of the Ministerial approval of Emirates Airlines Winter Schedule,” the statement read.

     

    “This approval is predicated on compliance with the Dubai Travel Protocol as released by Dubai Auports on Friday 26th November 2021 as it affects passengers traveling from Nigeria to UAE.”

     

    Air Peace had requested a slot of three weekly flights from Nigeria to Sharjah Airport in UAE, but only one was granted.

     

    The UAE’s GCAA blamed the airline for pulling out of Sharjah Airport and “so should not expect to retain its flight frequency there” — a claim Air Peace has denied.

     

    In retaliation to the UAE’s treatment of Air Peace, the Federal Government cut Emirate’s slots from 21 to just one, causing Emirates to pull out of the Nigerian route indefinitely.

     

    Last week, the UAE conceded six slots to Air Peace, both at the Dubai and Sharjah airports.

     

  • Dana Air Committed to Nigeria’s Economic Growth, Says Jacky  Hathiramani

    Dana Air Committed to Nigeria’s Economic Growth, Says Jacky  Hathiramani

     

    • Supports 14th Annual Banking and Finance conference in Abuja

     

     

    The Chief Executive Officer of Dana Air, Jacky Hathiramani has reiterated Dana Air’s commitment to Nigeria’s economic growth.

     

    The Dana Air boss made this known at the 14th Annual Banking and Finance Conference with the theme “Economic Recovery, Inclusion and Transformation : The Role of Banking and Finance’’ held recently at Transcorp Hilton Hotel Abuja

     

    Jacky Hathiramani, who was represented by the airline’s Head of Corporate Communications, Kingsley Ezenwa said, Dana Air is proud to have supported the 14th Annual Banking and Finance Conference towards finding solutions to contemporary issues for rapid economic recovery, and sustainability.’’

     

    He said, ‘’Aviation is a key driver of any economy and we understand the role that the banks and financial institutions play not only in our own industry, the aviation industry; In terms of accessibility and financial inclusion, but towards achieving a faster economic recovery and transformation, which is the aim of this present administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.”

    Dana Air
    Vice President Professor Yemi Osinbajo, flanked by the Central Bank Governor Godwin Emefiele, and Dana Air’s Head Corporate Communications during the VP’s visit to Dana Air stand at the 14th Annual Banking and Finance Conference by the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) recently in Abuja

    ‘’We thank the Vice President Professor Yemi Osinbajo for his presence and support, the Central Bank Governor Mr Godwin Emefiele, the CIBN President Dr Bayo Olugbemi and the Chairman, Body of Banks’ CEOs Dr Herbet Wigwe for putting up a strong commitment towards Nigeria’s economic recovery and growth.’’He added.

     

    The Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo also during his visit to the Dana Air exhibition stand at the conference, appreciated the airline for supporting while urging the Institute to promote sustainable growth.

     

    Dana Air is one of Nigeria’s leading airlines with over 27 daily flights from Lagos to Abuja, Port Harcourt, Owerri and Enugu. The airline is reputed for its innovative online products and services, quality onboard service and on-time departures.

     

  • After Failing To Fly Nigeria Air, Sirika Promises Nigeria To Manufacture Airplanes Before Buhari Leaves Office

    After Failing To Fly Nigeria Air, Sirika Promises Nigeria To Manufacture Airplanes Before Buhari Leaves Office

    Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika has stated that under the President Muhammadu Buhari‘s administration, Nigeria would start manufacturing airplanes.

     

    The minister made this fresh promise two years after failing to get Nigeria Air, the country’s highly-publicised national carrier, to fly.

     

    During an inspection visit to the Magnus Aircraft Industry in Pogany, Hungary, Sirika expressed confidence that the production of airplanes would commence in Nigeria before Buhari’s tenure elapsed.

     

    “If we venture with them, we may start with assembling plant and later manufacturing”, James Odaudu, the ministry’s spokesman quoted Sirika as saying in a statement.

     

     Recall that in 2018, Sirika disclosed the suspension of Nigeria Air after making known that the project was expected to gulp $8.8 million preliminary costs and $300 million as take-off costs.

     

    “I regret to announce that the Federal Executive Council has taken the tough decision to suspend the National Carrier Project in the interim. All commitments due will be honoured. We thank the public for the support as always,” he announced.

     

    Sirika had made members of the public believe that the Buhari-led government would float Nigeria Air to succeed Nigeria Airways.

     

    Nigeria Airways became moribund due to corruption and poor management.

     

    More than a decade after the national career stopped operations, however, the numerous controversies surrounding its winding up are yet to be resolved.

     

  • International Travel Tickets To Rise As Travel Agencies Devalue Exchange Rate

    International Travel Tickets To Rise As Travel Agencies Devalue Exchange Rate

    International travel tickets in Nigeria are on track to rise following a directive to travel agencies to adjust exchange rates from N420.86 to N460, effectively an 8.5% devaluation.

    Nigeria’s official exchange rate at the Investors and Exporters window is currently N410.11/$1.

     

    In an email communication sent to travel agencies, they were advised that exchange rates will be “going from N420.86 to N460 per dollar on GDS” starting today, Tuesday, July 13th 2021. They were also advised to “issue all pending tickets” using the new rates.

     

    The GDS is an acronym for Global Distribution System and is the platform used by the travel industry for issuing tickets. Booking platforms such as Amadeus, Sabre, Galileo, etc, all running on GDS already have their exchange rate adjusted to N460/$1.

     

    The adjustment in the exchange rate is a reflection of the market value of the naira in the exchange rate market. Unlike other industries, the travel industry has a history of relying on the official exchange rate (not IFEX) as a basis for issuing tickets after converting from dollars to naira.

     

    International airlines who are the original issuers of the tickets repatriate their funds by converting their naira proceeds into dollars based on the exchange rate.

     

    They also hedge against current risks by purchasing hedging instruments sold by the central bank.

     

    This adjustment reflects the market dynamics of Nigeria’s exchange rate quagmire, as supply of dollars continues to struggle to meet demand.

     

    The latest move by the airlines to adjust the official exchange rate for selling tickets could be a precursor to a wider adjustment at the I&E window which is what the central bank currently cites as Nigeria’s exchange rate.

     

    What this means

    Nigerians looking to travel internationally but yet to purchase tickets will pay higher due to the adjustment.

     

    This means a $1,000 ticket that previously cost N420k will now cost N460k, a 9.3% rise.

     

    It is also likely that other ancillary charges outside of ticket cost may also increase in tandem. For example, travel agency fees, commissions, applicable taxes might all increase.

     

    While travel is a small subset of the consumer price index, this price increase is likely to impact the inflation rate.

     

  • FG Halts N22bn Aviation Palliative To Stakeholders

    FG Halts N22bn Aviation Palliative To Stakeholders

     

    The Federal Government has put on hold its promise to the aviation sector as N22bn palliative meant to sustain the sector remains unpaid.

     

    The government had last year pledged its support to the sector by announcing a sum of N27bn to help sustain the sector amid the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

     

    It was gathered that only N5bn had been disbursed to some stakeholders while others were yet to receive any funds.

     

    The Assistant Secretary for Aviation Safety Round Table, Olumide Ohunayo, in his recent presentation at the Airport Business Summit, had called for transparency in the sector.

     

    In an interview with our correspondent, the aviation analyst said the total amount of money allocated to the aviation sector was N27bn but only N5bn had been disbursed.

     

    He said “We have an outstanding payment of N22bn. The minister said the N22bn is still with the government agency. There is a problem with keeping the sum of N22bn for a national carrier when the objective of that money is to help these organisations.

     

    “The idea of the fund is to save existing jobs and organisations. There are many organisations that need these funds due to the fallout of COVID. The US had their own and ensured that there was fairness in the distribution of their funds to all organisations.”

     

    According to him, there were steps put in place in the US to monitor the disbursement to ensure that no company pay excess money to their executives, declare insolvency or sack workers.

     

    “In Nigeria, nobody monitored if the money was properly disbursed. It was some airlines who came out to say that they did not get part of the money disbursed,” he added.

     

    When contacted, the Director, Public Affairs, Federal Ministry of Aviation, James Oduadu, told our correspondent that the N22bn had not been released by the Federal Government to the ministry.

     

    He said the N22bn was not meant for the national carrier alone but also to help other agencies under the ministry.

     

    He said, “The N22bn has not been released at all to the ministry. It is not just for the national carrier; it is also meant as palliative to the agencies under the ministry. Other agencies are meant to get from the balance of the money from the Federal Government which has not been released.”

     

    He noted that some of the agencies had yet to recover fully from the impact of the pandemic.

     

    “The agencies are still struggling to meet up their obligation, especially in terms of payment of salary, allowances and others. Their revenue generation had not stabilised; so when they get the palliative, it would help to stabilise them,” he added.

     

  • Aviation Workers Set To Shutdown Kaduna Airport From Sunday

    Aviation Workers Set To Shutdown Kaduna Airport From Sunday

     

    Aviation workers are poised to withdraw their services at the Kaduna airport from Sunday, May 16 to Friday, May 21.

     

    The workers in a statement on Saturday said their action was in support of the Kaduna State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) over “anti-labour practices perpetrated against public servants in Kaduna State”

     

    The statement was jointly signed by Ocheme Aba, general secretary of the National Union Of Air Transport Employees (NUATE); Rasaq Saidu, general secretary of the Association Of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANANP); and Umoh Ofonime, deputy general secretary of the National Association Of Aircraft Pilots And Engineers (NAAPE).

     

    NLC had said that over 20,000 state workers had not received their April salaries, adding that due process was not followed in the recent disengagement of over 4,000 workers from the local government service, state universal basic education board and primary healthcare agency.

     

    The statement read in part, “As you are all aware, the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has declared strike action against the Kaduna State Government over numerous anti-labour practices perpetrated against the public servants of Kaduna state.

     

    “Our unions, being affiliates of the NLC, are part of the decision and are in support of the action against the Kaduna State Government In this regard, our participation on the planned shutdown of Kaduna State is hereby affirmed.

     

    “Accordingly, all aviation workers at the Kaduna Airport are hereby directed to withdraw all services at the airport with effect from midnight of Sunday the 16th of May 2021 to midnight of Friday the 21st of May 2021.

     

    “The effect shall be the total grounding of operations of the Airport within the stipulated period. By this notice, members of the public are advised to make alternative travel plans within the period.”

  • FG Orders Immediate Resumption of Domestic Flights Catering Services

    FG Orders Immediate Resumption of Domestic Flights Catering Services

     

    Catering services, hitherto suspended at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic are to resume on domestic flights immediately, the Federal Government declared on Monday.

     

    Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, disclosed this at the briefing of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 in Abuja.

     

    He said the decision was taken in consideration of the businesses involved in the provision of in-flight refreshments who had been adversely affected by the suspension.

     

    A statement issued in Abuja by the aviation ministry’s Director, Public Affairs, James Odaudu, stated that the minister, however, noted that modalities and protocols for the resumption of the services would be worked.

     

    Sirika said the modalities would be rolled out by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority and would be in line with international practices.

     

    He also reiterated the plan to resume international flight operations at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, the Akanu Ibiam International Airport Enugu and the Port Harcourt International Airport.

     

    According to him, members of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 would be visiting the airports for simulation exercises to ascertain their readiness for international operations.

     

    Sirika also stated that a technical working group comprising of agencies involved in the facilitation of passengers had been set up ahead of the planned resumption of international operations at the facilities.

     

    He said the working group would ensure that all standards required for seamless operations at the airports were put in place for the resumption of international flights.

     

    On the suspension of Emirates Airlines operations in Nigeria, Sirika said discussions were on to resolve the issues involved.

     

    He, however, restated the country’s position on the impropriety of the extra COVID-19 tests the airline was demanding of Nigerian travellers.

  • NCAA Suspends Azman Air Operations

    NCAA Suspends Azman Air Operations

     

    The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, has suspended Azman Air flight operations.

     

    In a statement on Tuesday, NCAA Director-General, Capt. Musa S. Nuhu, said the suspension was with immediate effect.

     

    The regulatory authority said that following series of incidents involving the airline’s Boeing 737 aircraft, it has to shut down the operations of the local carrier.

     

    “NCAA has pursuant to Section 35 (2) of the Civil Aviation Act, 2006 and Part 1.3.3.3 (A) of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig.CARs) 2015, suspended the operations of all the Boeing 737 aircraft in the fleet of Azman Air Services Limited, with effect from March 15, 2021,” the statement said.

     

    The authority also explained that the suspension was to enable it conduct an audit of the airline to determine the root cause(s) of the incidents, and recommend corrective actions to forestall re-occurrence.

     

    “The NCAA regrets the inconvenience this action may cause to the public, particularly to Azman Air passengers but the need to ensure the safety of air transport and protect the public interest cannot be compromised.

     

    “The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority will continue to ensure compliance to its regulations in the interest of safety and will viewed any violation(s) seriously,” the statement added.

     

    Earlier yesterday, Azman Air had sent a message through its twitter account, @AzmanAir that it would suspend its operations in order to carry out an audit of its safety processes.

     

    The airline did not say that it was directed by NCAA to do so.

     

    “Due to strong stance on safety, @AzmanAir will be undergoing an audit of its safety processes as supervised by the regulators. In this regard, all our operations are hereby suspended. We are on our toes to restore operations within a short period. Kindly accept our apologies,” the airline stated.

     

  • Emirates Airlines suspends flights from Nigeria

    Emirates Airlines suspends flights from Nigeria

    Emirates Airlines has suspended flights from Nigeria to Dubai for two weeks, until February 28 2021.

     

    It said travellers from both Abuja and Lagos would not be accepted for travel prior to the date, according to a statement issued by the airline on Wednesday.

     

    Also, the carrier warned that passengers who have been to or connected through Nigeria in the last 14 days would not be allowed entry into the United Arab Emirates (whether terminating in or connecting through Dubai).

     

    The statement read, “In line with government directives, passenger services from Nigeria (Lagos and Abuja) to Dubai are temporarily suspended until February 28 2021. Customers from both Abuja and Lagos will not be accepted for travel prior to or including this date.

     

    “Passengers who have been to or connected through Nigeria in the last 14 days are not allowed entry into the UAE (whether terminating in or connecting through Dubai).”

     

    Emirates noted that flights from Dubai to Lagos and Abuja would continue at the normal schedule as it urged travellers to contact the airline’s customer centre or their booking agent in terms of rescheduling.

  • FG Approves N1.3bn Surveillance Equipment For Lagos, Abuja Airports

    FG Approves N1.3bn Surveillance Equipment For Lagos, Abuja Airports

    The Federal Executive Council on Wednesday approved a contract worth about N1.3bn for the design, supply, and installation of PTZ long-range tarmac camera surveillance system at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

     

    The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, disclosed this to State House correspondents at the Presidential Villa, Abuja after a meeting of the council presided over by the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.).

     

    Mohammed briefed the journalists on behalf of the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika.

     

    “The total sum of the contract is N1,278,594,250. This is in order to upgrade and provide security and safety for the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, especially to avoid incidence on the air site and runway,” he said.

     

    Mohammed added that the council approved a contract worth N783,521,275 inclusive of 7.5 percent VAT for the procurement of two hydrographic survey boats for the National Inland Waterways Authority.

     

    The minister who briefed journalists on behalf of the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, said the contract was awarded in favour of Messrs First Index Project and Services Limited with a completion period of six months.

     

    Minister of Industry Trade and Investment, Niyi Adebayo, on his part, said the council approved N35bn for the building of a power station by the Nigerian Export Processing Zone Authority in Akamkpa, Cross River State.

     

    Adebayo said the contract for the power station, which to power the Calabar Export Processing Zone, was awarded to Messrs Mutual Commitment Nigeria Limited.

     

    According to him, the exact contract sum is N35,411,119,159.47 and the contractor will finance 75 percent of the project, which is in the sum of N26,558,339,337.10 while the NEPZA would finance 25 percent which translate to N8,852,779,792.37.

     

    He said the council approved a payback period of 10 years of the contractor’s portion.

     

    Adebayo said on completion after 11 months, the plant will be operated by the contractor for five years during which it will build local capacity that will take over the running of the plant.

     

    He said, “The whole intention of the upgrade of the two zones is to create zones with world-class standards. The Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment is desirous of making Nigeria a manufacturing hub, especially now that we have signed on to the Africa Continental Free Trade Area Agreement.

     

    “So, by putting 24-hour power in the two processing zones, it will make it more attractive to foreign investors to come and set up manufacturing concerns here in Nigeria.”