Airport Reporters

 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...

  SAHCO partners UAE, seeks trade facilitation  Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCO) Plc  has opened talks with the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Lagos with a view to encourage trade facilitation between the two entities. According to a statement by the cargo firm, the  conversation centred around trade facilitation between SAHCO and the UAE with Embassy as a bridge focused basically on e-commerce, airlines, passenger and cargo handling, trade facilitation, e-commerce partnerships and other collaborations. The Managing Director/CEO of SAHCO, Mrs Adenike Aboderin speaking on behalf of the Chairman, Dr Taiwo Afolabi  also spoke on SAHCO's operational capabilities and the potential collaborations with UAE various airlines. The UAE team had earlier requested for insights into trade facilitation between Nigeria and UAE especially with regards to aviation business.  SAHCO, the statement added  is positioned as a premium ground handler and ...

  Emirates recycles and reuses 88,000 kilograms of plastic from inflight dining In celebration of World Environment Day on 5 June, Emirates is highlighting the significant impact of its closed-loop recycling programme,  first launched in June 2023 . Over the past year, the airline has repurposed more than 88,000 kilograms of plastic from Economy Class inflight meal service items, transforming them into new products for use onboard.   As part of its commitment to environmental stewardship, Emirates has invested more than AED 50 million in transitioning to a closed-loop manufacturing model for inflight dining serviceware. Damaged and unserviceable Economy Class trays, casseroles, snack dishes and bowls are collected after flights, cleaned, inspected and processed at a specialist facility in Dubai, where they are transformed into new meal service items containing up to 25% recycled material. These products are then returned to Emirates Flight Catering and reintroduced into s...

PORT HARCOURT AIRPORT HOSTS SPRINGFIELD STUDENTS As part of efforts to adhere to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria’s (FAAN) commitment to aviation awareness, youth development, and stakeholders engagement, students of Springfield Schools Port Harcourt visited the International Terminal of Obafemi Jeremiah Awolowo International Airport (PHIA) for an educational guided tour. The students who were taken through critical operational areas of the airport for practical insights into airport procedures, passenger facilitation processes were exposed to the complexities of airport and aviation operations.  The students were conducted round facilities at the airport by Aviation Security (AVSEC) personnel, alongside representatives of relevant airport agencies The personnel enlightened the students on their respective roles in safeguarding airport infrastructure, ensuring passenger safety, and maintaining seamless operational efficiency. The tour also exposed the students to domestic ...

 United Nigeria Airlines surprises passengers with latest Samsung phones One of Nigeria's leading carriers, United Nigeria Airlines, on Monday, June 1, rewarded its passengers with the recently released Samsung Galaxy phones in the "Awesome Row" partnership it has with the phone company.  The winners, Hamid Ibrahim, Chidi Chinedu, and Gbenga Bello, were among passengers selected through an onboard lucky dip on the Lagos–Abuja and Abuja–Lagos flights on the day. Passengers also got exclusive in-flight access to the new Samsung Galaxy A57 and A37 and winners emerged from the live experience.  Speaking on the outcome of the initiative, UNA's Chief Commercial Officer, Dayo Olawuyi, expressed delight at the success of the promotion, saying that it reflects the airline's deepest commitment to its passengers and the values that drive the brand. "At United Nigeria Airlines, we fly to unite. Every route we operate, every flight we run, is about bringing Nigerians tog...

 EDO NDLEA ARRESTS 47 SUSPECTS WITH OVER 541KG OF DRUGS  The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Edo State Command, has recorded the arrest of forty-seven suspected drug traffickers with a seizure of 541.47 kilograms of narcotic drugs in its ongoing war against drug trafficking and abuse. Commander of Narcotics Mitchell Ofoyeju, PhD, who is the Edo State Commander, made the disclosure while presenting the May 2026 monthly progress score sheet for the command. The commander revealed that the arrests comprised 25 males and 22 females nabbed during intelligence-led operations at various drug flashpoints across the state. A breakdown of the seizures showed that Cannabis sativa dominated the haul, with 540.6253 kg. Other substances seized included 0.2701 kg of psychotropic substances, including tramadol, Swinol, diazepam, and Rohypnol; 0.1415 kg of methamphetamine; and 1.4 litres of codeine syrup. The Command’s legal unit recorded three convictions in court as five new ca...