Airport Reporters

 16 United Nigeria Airlines, ValueJet engineers to commence Boeing 737NG training June 16 Boeing has commenced its first tranche of advanced technical training program in Lagos for Nigerian airline engineers as part of its continued commitment to strengthen aviation safety, operational readiness and workforce development across Africa.  The training, taking place from June 16 to July 29, will instruct 16 engineers from Nigerian carriers, United Nigeria Airlines and ValueJet. Upon completion, the trainees will receive EASA (European Union Aviation Safety Agency) theoretical training certificates.  A second tranche of training will take place later this year.   The program stems from a 2024 memorandum of understanding between Boeing and Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development to advance the country’s aviation sector through technical collaboration and capacity building.  The curriculum provides participants with a detailed understandi...

 EDO NDLEA DESTROYS 73.4 TONNES OF DRUGS WORTH 2.8 BILLION NAIRA ......WARNS CARTELS TO LEAVE EDO STATE The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Thursday in Benin City executed a Federal High Court order by publicly destroying 73,463.21 kilogrammes of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances in a historic ceremony that brought together top government officials, security agencies, and community leaders. A breakdown of the destroyed exhibits with an estimated street value of 2.8 billion naira showed that Cannabis sativa dominated the haul with 73,210.23 kilogrammes, followed by Psychotropic Substances 246.36 kilogrammes, which included Tramadol (141.81kg), Diazepam (8.4258kg), and Codeine cough syrup (61.7652kg). Also destroyed were 2.662 kilogrammes of Methamphetamine, 3.7441 kilogrammes of Cocaine, and 0.2168 kilogrammes of Heroin. The Edo State Governor Senator Monday Okpebholo who was the special guest of honour described the war against drugs as a battle against cri...

 June 12: Why United Nigeria Airlines is celebrating Democracy Day with Kalakiri film -Olawuyi, CCO …As moviegoers set to win free flight tickets, discounts One of Nigeria's leading airlines, United Nigeria Airlines, has joined the nation in commemorating June 12, Nigeria's official Democracy Day by supporting Kalakiri, the latest Nigerian movie whose central theme is the celebration of democracy and national unity. The airline, known for connecting Nigerians across the country's diverse communities, said its partnership with the film is a deliberate and values-driven decision, citing the movie's powerful theme of unity as a natural fit for the brand. Viewers who watch Kalakiri in Nigerian cinemas on Friday, June 12 will have the chance to enter a special prize draw with a grand prize of one round-trip premium (business class) ticket on United Nigeria Airlines to any destination served by the airline within Nigeria. The second prize winner will receive a round-trip econ...

 NDLEA Edo Command Pledges Raids on Drug Flashpoints Ahead of Elections ..... Receives INEC REC, and Peace NGO. The Edo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has pledged to intensify raid operations on drug flashpoints across the state to ensure a peaceful and violence-free election season. Commander of Narcotics Mitchell Ofoyeju, PhD, the NDLEA Edo State Commander, made the commitment on Thursday when he received the Edo State Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, Barr. Obo Effanga, and later the President of Faculty of Peace Organization, Comrade Osunbor Kelly Omokaro, and other members of their entourage at the Command Headquarters in Benin City. During the visit, Barr. Obo Effanga thanked the Command for its support and professionalism during previous election monitoring assignments in Edo State. He said INEC’s success in past elections was partly due to NDLEA’s role in curbing drug-induced violence capable of undermining peaceful elections. The REC ...

 United Nigeria Airlines salutes Ibom Air on 7th anniversary … Says its resilience in ‘tough market’ is commendable One of Nigeria’s leading carriers, United Nigeria Airlines, has congratulated Ibom Air on its seventh anniversary with the airline's executive chairman, Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, describing the milestone as a testament to strong leadership and team dedication. In a goodwill message addressed to Ibom Air's Managing Director, Mr. George Uriesi, Okonkwo praised the airline for navigating what he described as "a challenging operating environment" with resilience. Okonkwo said the success Ibom Air has achieved is a ttestament of Uriesi’s visionary leadership, and the dedication of his team. Ibom Air, the Akwa Ibom State-owned carrier, has grown steadily since its inaugural flight in 2019 to become a leading name in Nigerian domestic aviation and Okonkwo used the occasion to urge the Ibom Air team to maintain its standard. He said: “On behalf of all of us at Unite...

 Nigeria Among World’s Most Expensive Countries for Airline Operations, Says IATA The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has identified Nigeria as one of the most expensive countries in the world in which to operate an airline, citing high operational costs that continue to challenge the viability and growth of local carriers. Speaking at the IATA Annual General Meeting held in Brazil, IATA’s Regional Vice President for Africa and the Middle East, Kamil Al-Awadhi, said that despite ongoing efforts by Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, to reform and improve the aviation sector, airlines in the country still face significant cost pressures. According to Al-Awadhi, the high cost environment has made it difficult for Nigerian airlines to remain competitive and profitable, limiting the sector’s ability to reach its full potential. He noted that excessive taxes, charges, and other operational expenses continue to burden airlines across th...