Airport Reporters

Cruising into  aviation outlook  for 2018 Will 2018 be different  from last year in the aviation landscape?   Amid high expectations , industry players and watchers  say government must navigate around its promise to facilitate the establishment of a national carrier ;  an aircraft leasing company;  a local aircraft maintenance centre as well as accelerate local  refining of aviation fuel  , KELVIN OSA OKUNBOR, reports Despite failings  in many fronts, 2017 bore a mixed narrative for the aviation industry. From the closure of Abuja Airport for six weeks to the certification of Lagos Airport by the industry regulator ; the industry navigated around a labyrinth. Besides all odd, stakeholders are asking : what lies ahead in the aviation sector in 2018 ? National carrier question This question is predicated on a litany of promises made by government in 2017 that it would deliver a national carrier to demonstrate ...

Air Peace pledges massive expansion in 2018, thanks customers, staff   By Kelvin Osa Okunbor   Air Peace has pledged to end the air travel woes of most underserved destinations in Nigeria and the West Coast of Africa and offer the flying public a preferred alternative on some key international routes in 2018. Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace, Mr. Allen Onyema gave the assurance at the airline’s end-of-year management session held on December 27 in Lagos to review its flight operations in 2017. Commenting on the carrier’s operations in 2017, Onyema insisted that the airline deserved commendations for rescuing the Nigerian aviation industry and giving air travellers hope in the period under review. He said he was quite satisfied that Air Peace was able to expand its fleet to 24 aircraft despite the economic downturn the country and its aviation sector experienced in 2017. He attributed the airline’s success in the three years of its exis...

Airlines cancel more flights over bad weather By Kelvin Osa Okunbor Domestic airlines on Thursday canceled more flights over poor visibility on major routes from Lagos  and Abuja into Enugu, Calabar and  Benin. Arising from the bad weather airplanes scheduled to fly from Abuja and Lagos into airports in South Eastern and South South routes could not leave their aerodromes on account of en route weather indicating less than 800 meters, the minimum prescribed by regulatory authorities. Investigations by The Nation revealed that many passengers remained stranded at airports nationwide as airlines oscillated from delayed , rescheduled to cancelled flights . At the Lagos Airport general aviation terminal one, hundreds of passengers remained stranded for hours awaiting when airlines will announce their scheduled flights. Same sour experience prevailed at the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two , Lagos where airlines continue to either cancel or reschedule fli...

157 Nigerians return from Libya By Kelvin Osa Okunbor N National Emergency Management Agency ,NEMA has received a new set of 157 Nigerian Returnees . They comprise  54 adult females, 90 adult males, three  children and 10 infants. Amongst the Returnees are eight  pregnant women and one with a  medical condition. The Director General of NEMA who received the Returnees admonished them to turn a new leaf as they have seen that there's no greener pastures anywhere outside Nigeria for Nigerians than the greens available for its citizens in the country. The Director General who was represented by the Southwest Zonal Coordinator of NEMA, Alhaji Suleiman Yakubu also assured the Returnees that the Federal Government is doing everything possible to bring back all Nigerians that are willing to return and special incentives are being put in place for all to restart their lives. But he enjoined them to see their sojourn as a way of challenge to make Nigeria greater b...

FAAN dispels poaching allegations on aircraft at Lagos Airport  Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) on Wednesday described as baseless and practically impossible allegations bordering on poaching of aircraft and stealing of baggage on a private plane taxing at the Lagos Airport. Apart from the incident involving  an aircraft operated by Vista Jet which was taxing to the Evergreen Apple Nigeria hangar at the lagos Airport, where the baggage of the cabin attendant was alleged stolen, FAAN said the reported incident of a chartered flight from Uyo into Lagos could not be verified. In statement by its spokesman, Mrs Henrietta Yakubu, FAAN said in both instances preliminary findings from investigations conducted by an inter agency committee set up to probe the allegations could not substantiate the claims. Although investigations are still on going, FAAN  said it would like to reassure travellers and the general public that with the...

Dana Air Launches Smart Sale, Appreciates Travel Agents with Christmas Gifts By Kelvin Osa Okunbor  As part of efforts to ensure that its guests continue to enjoy best fares on its flights,  Dana Air, has launched the Dana Air Smart Sale to encourage its guests to book early, plan their trips and get smart fares on their roundtrip booking on all its existing routes from December 26, 2017 to February 28, 2018. The airline also celebrated and appreciated the efforts of travel agents in 2017 with Christmas gifts to encourage them to maintain the momentum and thank them for their support. Speaking on the Dana Air Smart Sale, the Communications Manager of Dana Air, Kingsley EZENWA  said : " We want  our guests to get booking in 2018. It’s never too early to start planning your business and leisure trips for 2018, as this flash sale offers our guests an opportunity to plan ahead and get fares as low as 15,300 on roundt...

Inclement weather force airlines to  cancel flights into Enugu, PH,Calabar, Uyo,Benin,Warri, Ibadan,Asaba,Ilorin Air Peace, Arik count losses  By Kelvin Osa Okunbor  Inclement weather occasioned by harmattan haze has forced many domestic carriers to cancel flights from Lagos Airport into Port Harcourt, Enugu, Calabar, Uyo, Benin, Warri, Asaba , Ibadan and Ilorin, the Nation has learnt. The harmattan haze resulting in poor visibility is preventing airlines from operating flights into airports less than 800 meters approved weather minima by aviation regulatory agencies. Investigations reveal that airports in South South and South East are worst hit by the inclement weather forcing airlines to lose significant revenue that would accrued if weather permitted them to operate flights. Air Peace and Arik Air biggest operators by volume of flights are hugely affected by the poor visibility which have either forced them to delay some flights awaiting impro...

MedView Airlines begins direct flight to Jeddah  By Kelvin Osa Okunbor  MedView Airlines  has commenced direct flight to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia for Muslims performing lesser Hajj in the holy land. The flight took off from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), the operational hub of the airline in Lagos  is routed via Kaduna and Kano in the North West. The Boeing 737-800 aircraft conveying the passengers had a full load mostly Muslim Ummah traveling to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for lesser Hajj. The flight which took off from Lagos was welcomed with a ceremonial water shower at Kaduna International Airport by the officials of the Airport Fire Service in commemoration of the inaugural flight to Kaduna.  Before now, the airline has been operating scheduled flights from Lagos - Kano to Jeddah but has now added Kaduna state to the Jeddah network amidst excitement from tour operators in the region. The Chief...

Air Peace  grows fleet to 24 aircraft to drive regional ,international operations  By Kelvin Osa Okunbor  The operations of  Air Peace has received a boost with the delivery of one of its newly acquired aircraft. The airliner, a Boeing 737-300, touched down at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos. The aircraft which was flown in by Capt. Ikechukwu Paul Ugochukwu and his team is the third Boeing 737  - 300 Air Peace has received this year. The carrier took delivery of two of its new Boeing 737 aircraft on February 21 , 2017 and June 16  , 2017 respectively. Air Peace recently acquired six Embraer 145, a couple of Boeing 737 and two Boeing 777 to bring its fleet size to 24 aircraft to drive its massive domestic, regional and international expansion project.  Speaking on the delivery of the new aircraft marked 5N-BUK and named Mathias Eburuo Onyema, Air Peace Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Mr...

Under-utilized  airports do not need second runway, say experts  By Kelvin Osa Okunbor  Experts in the aviation have said that none of the country’s airports is qualified for a second runway as majority  of the airports are currently underutilised. They advise that monies be channelled into  some airport infrastructure including constructing  of runways  are not needed, especially at a time when the country’s debt profile is rising. The experts :  former Chairman, Governing Board, Nigerian Aviation Safety Initiative (NASI), Captain Dung Pam ; Chief Executive Office, Centurion Securities, Group Captain John Ojikutu (rtd) and Chief Executive Officer, Meavis Nigeria Limited spoke in separate interviews. The position of the experts  comes  at a time  the joint committee of the National Assembly on Aviation and Enugu State  government  are canvassing the construction of the second runway for Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, A...

Medview Airlines apologises to passengers on flight delays  By Kelvin Osa Okunbor  Medview Airline yesterday offered apology to passengers following flights delays  and rescheduling experienced in the week. In a statement by its spokesman, Obuke Oyibotha, the airline said it regretted the inconveniences caused passengers as result of such delays and rescheduling. “We share your pains for our inability at the material time to fly you to your destinations at the appointed time” The airline however attributed the delays to adverse weather conditions and unscheduled aircraft maintenance, which are critical to flight operations. The airline said the safety of passengers and crew come first before any other considerations, and in such situations, delays  and rescheduling become inevitable.  “We have put the necessary logistics in place to meet our obligations to our esteemed passengers who have over the years kept faith with us

MEDVIEW CEO MAKES FOR CASE NIGERIAN CARRIERS IN AIRLIFT OF PILGRIMS By Kelvin Osa Okunbor Medview Airline Chief Executive Officer, Muneer Bankole yesterday picked up the gauntlet in the allocation of pilgrims to foreign carriers, saying that the National  Hajj  Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) should give priority to indigenous airlines over their foreign counterparts to create employment opportunities for Nigerians. Bankole's call is coming on heels of NAHCON awarding the lion share of the pilgrims to be airlifted to foreign operators over the years. The CEO made the call in Abuja during the inauguration of the a 28-member Air Carriers  Screening Committee for the 2018 Hajj operations. He commended the commission for the transparency and accountability it has displayed in the handling, screening and selection of air carriers since its inception in 2006. The screening committee, which is headed by NAHCON Commissioner of Operations, Alhaji Abdullahi Modd...

Arik Air says flights return to normalcy after cabin crew work-to-rule action ends   By Kelvin  Osa Okunbor Arik Air on Friday, said its flights have returned to normalcy after a work-to-rule action embarked upon by members of its cabin crew ended. The airline disclosed this in a statament signed by its spokesman, Ola Adebanji. Arik, however, apologized to travelers over the disruptions, saying the issues has been resolved amicably. “The cabin crew members of our flight operations team earlier this morning embarked on a work-to-rule action which led to the disruption of some of our flights out of Lagos. The dispute has been resolved amicably and our operations are now back to normal with flights leaving for their destinations with minimum delays. “We assure our customers, especially those traveling during this festive season that we will do our best to ensure they get to their destinations safely. “We sincerely apologise for the disruption in ou...

NAHCO truck hits, damages Air Peace aircraft in Lagos     A truck operated by the  Nigerian Aviation Handling Company ( NAHCO) on Thursday rammed into and damaged an aircraft belonging to Air Peace at the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos, disrupting some of its flights.   The incident occurred in the morning during the loading of passengers’ luggage into the cargo hold of the aircraft scheduled to service the carrier’s Lagos-Uyo route.    A statement issued by the Corporate Communications Manager of Air Peace, Mr. Chris Iwarah said the door of the rear cargo hold of the aircraft was impacted and damaged in the incident.    The aircraft, it added, had been declared unserviceable. The airline’s Uyo-bound passengers, the statement said, were rescheduled to fly later in the day.   The airline said it deeply regretted the disruption of its Lagos-Uyo service and the delay the incident caused its passengers. It assured tha...

Firihewot Mekonnen is the first General Manager, Ethiopian Airlines (Nigeria).  In this interview, she speaks on the epoch-making all female flight by the airline captained by Amsale Gualu to Lagos last week Saturday and the stride the carrier has made in aviation sector.  Your impression about the historic all women flight I am most honoured to welcome you all to the epoch-making event happening for the first time in Africa. I am most privileged to be a woman, the first Female General Manager of Ethiopian Airlines in Nigeria and also to be the one receiving this very important flight to Lagos. Ethiopian Airlines has decided to always reward the Nigerian travellers for the loyalty they have shown to the Airline. This is the reason that we are bringing the first all women operated flight in Africa to Lagos Nigeria. The flight today ( Saturday ) by Capt Amsale Gualu had 391 passengers; 363 in economy and 28 in Business Class on a B777- 300. Every aspect of th...

Air Peace blames power failure for flight delays, appeals to passengers   Air Peace has attributed the delay and cancellation of some its flights on Monday and Tuesday to a power surge at the General Aviation Terminal of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, which cut electricity supply to its offices at the facility. A statement issued by the Corporate Communications  Manager of Air Peace, Mr. Chris Iwarah said the surge cut power supply to the airline’s server room and other facilities critical to its flight operations. The airline, the statement added, had to resort to alternative arrangements to save its operations from entirely grinding to a halt pending the intervention of the managers of the facility, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN). The statement explained that despite the measures taken by the airline to salvage the situation, the incident occasioned a lot of delays and outright cancellation of some of its flights. Air Peace appealed fo...

Air Peace blames power failure for flight delays, appeals to passengers   Air Peace has attributed the delay and cancellation of some its flights on Monday and Tuesday to a power surge at the General Aviation Terminal of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, which cut electricity supply to its offices at the facility. A statement issued by the Corporate Communications  Manager of Air Peace, Mr. Chris Iwarah said the surge cut power supply to the airline’s server room and other facilities critical to its flight operations. The airline, the statement added, had to resort to alternative arrangements to save its operations from entirely grinding to a halt pending the intervention of the managers of the facility, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN). The statement explained that despite the measures taken by the airline to salvage the situation, the incident occasioned a lot of delays and outright cancellation of some of its flights. Air Peace appealed fo...

Air Peace blames power failure for flight delays, appeals to passengers   Air Peace has attributed the delay and cancellation of some its flights on Monday and Tuesday to a power surge at the General Aviation Terminal of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, which cut electricity supply to its offices at the facility. A statement issued by the Corporate Communications  Manager of Air Peace, Mr. Chris Iwarah said the surge cut power supply to the airline’s server room and other facilities critical to its flight operations. The airline, the statement added, had to resort to alternative arrangements to save its operations from entirely grinding to a halt pending the intervention of the managers of the facility, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN). The statement explained that despite the measures taken by the airline to salvage the situation, the incident occasioned a lot of delays and outright cancellation of some of its flights. Air Peace appealed fo...