Airport Reporters

 FAAN to develop,  implement Cargo Bill of Rights ......To foster guarantee for improved exports. The lingering problem of Delays and multiple Charges for Cargo at the Airport will soon be a thing of the past. This is according to the MD CEO of FAAN , Mr  Kabir Yusuf Mohammed. The MD of Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria FAAN assured the Aviacargo Roadmap committee that its Observation and recommendations will be implemented.  This was at the Monthly briefing to the MD by the Coordinator of the Committee Ambassador Ikechi Uko.  In his presentation Ambassador Uko told the MD that they could not make presentations in the last months because of the field trip embarked upon by the Committee.   He said that the five  stage project plan has only two legs left to complete the job and seeks the support of the MD to proceed with the remaining parts of the job.  This will include collation and report writing of the findings by Subject Matter experts...

 Saudi Arabia visa cancellation : Air Peace absolves self  ......Cooperates with authorities on probe  Air Peace has  absolved itself of any blame in the cancellation of visa by Saudi Arabian authorities to 264 Nigerians that flew on the carrier to Jeddah on November 12, 2023. The clarification is coming on the heels of disclosure by the airline of its cooperation with relevant authorities to unravel the cause of the infraction. The airlines  said it is constrained to make its position clear on the infraction because of conflicting reports and commentaries in the public domain. In a statement signed by the airline's Chief Operating Officer (COO), Mrs Oluwatoyin Olajide, Air Peace  said   as a scheduled flight operator with vast international operations experience,  it understands and complies with established protocols governing international flight operations and is not culpable of any infraction in this respect. She said : " For the avoidan...

  Saudi Arabian  authorities cancel visa of  264 Nigerians  passengers  Saudi Arabian authorities  have  cancelled the visa of  264 passengers airlifted by Nigeria’s Air Peace on arrival in Jeddah from Kano  insisting that the airline should return  to Nigeria. Out of the 264 passengers, only 87 were cleared by Saudi Arabian authorities after intense intervention by Nigerian embassy officials.  The flight took off from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos via the Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano on Sunday night and arrived in Saudi Arabia’s major city on Monday  without issues but on landing,  Saudi Arabian  authorities announced that all  passengers' visas were cancelled. A  source said  all  passengers and the airline personnel were shocked at the cancellation of the visas because during check-  in of the passengers they went through Advanced Passengers Pre - screening Sys...

  SAHCO offers clarification on Lagos Airport drug operations  The Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCO), Plc   (SAHCO) has offered clarifications on alleged multi - billion naira drug operations linking its staff at the cargo warehouse of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos. According to the cargo, passenger and ramp handling company, none of its staff was involved in such operations, describing reports making the rounds as grossly misleading , malicious and a figment of imagination. In a statement signed by its spokesperson, Vanessa Unansohia, the company found it compelling to offer the clarification to dispel viral information on the development. SAHCO further explained that all Government agencies, including National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the Department of State Services, (DSS), Quarantine, Airforce etc, have unfettered access to its warehouse where they carry out their duties without any interference. “It is...

  Keyamo rallies African leaders for Single Africa Air Transport Market  Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo , has appealed to African leaders and aviation stakeholders to rally support for the idea of Single Africa Air Transport Market (SAATM) for more receptive diplomatic relations and ease of doing business within the continent. The  Minister made this known at the 24th edition of the Yamoussoukro Decision (YD) Week and the Single African Air Transport Market-SAATM event  in  Abuja. "It is hoped that the YD Anniversary Week celebration would inspire countries signatory to SAATM to further remove restrictions on air services while those who have not signed the commitment to SAATM be encouraged to voluntarily join and commit to the principles of the open skies policy. The need to speed up full implementation of the Yamoussoukro Decision with regard to the Liberalization of Access to Air Transport Markets in Africa, cannot be over empha...

 Lagos Airport Customs Command  nets  N74.28b  revenue  in 10 months  The Murtala Muhammed Airport Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), said  it  generated  N74.28billion as revenue  from import between January to October, 2023. The Command also intercepted Tramadol worth N3.55 billion imported into Nigeria from Pakistan and India. Disclosing this at briefing, last week,  Customs Area Comptroller, Muhammed Yusuf said the command has recorded strides in the last ten months as a trade facilitation agency at one of the country's air borders. According to Yusuf, what was collected in 2023 was higher than 2022 collection by 23 percent. "During the period under review January — October 2023, the Command collected revenue to the tune of N74.28billon from Customs duty and other charges. In comparison to the revenue collected same period in 2022 which stood at N60.05billion.  "This clearly shows a progressive difference of N14....

  Decrepit airport Infrastructure spikes  airlines' operating costs Inadequate and decrepit airport and air navigation infrastructure is pushing indigenous carriers on the brink as they continue to  incur prohibitive operating costs propelled by uncalibrated and decommissioned facilities and limited hours of commercial activities at   some aerodromes across the country. Uncalibrated and decommissioned air navigation facilities include equipment , which are yet to be flight checked for their reliability, integrity and effectiveness by the global civil aviation regulator : International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Investigations by The Nation reveal that limited screening points , scanning machines, small space for airport aprons, single runways , decrepit baggage handling facilities, is forcing airlines to spend more time processing passengers. The inadequate state of some of the screening / processing facilities is forcing airlines to keep  the...

  Keyamo, others  to examine ATSEPS role in aviation system All is now set for the Annual General Meeting of the National Association of Air Traffic Engineers (NAAE) at Monty Suites in Calabar with the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo, leading aviation industry heads and stakeholders to examine the role of Air Traffic Safety Electronics Personnel (ATSEPS) in embracing disruptive technologies for the development of a sustainable and viable aviation system.  According to the President of NAAE, Engr Selzing Miri in a statement, said the the above theme of the conference was apt as result of the current development in the aviation industry globally . Engr Miri said the conference which will be held between 22 and 23 of November will have the managing director of the Nigeria Airspace Management Agency Tayib Odunowo, as the chief host while other parastatal heads will grace the occasion.

  Foreign carriers trapped funds  in Africa hits $1.68b Trapped funds by foreign carriers operating in Africa have hit over $1.68 billion , the trade body of global carriers : International Air Transport Association (IATA),  has disclosed. IATA's Regional Vice - President Africa and Middle East, Kamil Alawadhi , who disclosed this at the opening of the African Airlines Association annual general assembly taking place in Kampala, Uganda, said since 2018, a significant amount of blocked funds have been repatriated from Angola, Ethiopia, Ghana, Nigeria, and Zimbabwe through working with the respective governments. He said liberating airline funds blocked by governments from repatriation, has been a herculean task for IATA as it continous to advise  governments in African countries  on best practices to clear  the backlog of trapped funds. He said : " Currently $1.68 billion in airline funds remain blocked across the continent. The second major issue plaguing A...

  Ibom Air welcomes first Airbus A220-300 to expand fleet     Ibom Airlines Limited, the flagship carrier  of Akwa Ibom State, has  announced the successful receipt of its first Airbus A220-300 aircraft, marking a significant milestone in the carrier's strategic expansion plan.  This state-of-the-art aircraft is the initial delivery of a total order for 10 Airbus A220-300 units, secured during the 2021 Dubai Airshow. The formal handover ceremony, which held , November 24th, 2023, at Airbus' facility in Mirabel, Canada, saw the presence of notable dignitaries, including former Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, Ibom Air's Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr. Mfon Udom, and the Executive Director/Chief Operating Officer, Mr. George Uriesi. Representatives from Airbus, who graced the occasion, included Benoît Schultz, President and CEO of Airbus Canada, Daniel Wenninger, Head of the A220 Programme Office, and Marc Arpin, Head of A220 Customer Line, Air...

  Dana Air offers apology for  flight  cancellations ......Urges customers to encourage best practices  Dana Air has apologised  to its passengers for flight cancellations experienced recently due to operational challenges . The airline's Head of Corporate Communications, Kingsley Ezenwa in  an interview said, the patronage and support from our customers has been huge. He said :" We  are deeply sorry for the cancellations that our passengers  experienced recently due to operational challenges. "While we regret the disruption to their travel and understand the frustration and inconveniences this has caused, It's important to emphasize that safety remains our utmost priority in every consideration.'' On the disembarkation of its Abuja bound passengers, the Dana Air spokesman said, ''the Pilot in Command noticed an indication in the cockpit and the parameters were not right for him to take off, so had to taxi back to base in line with our strict safe...

  Dana Air introduces Flash Sales for 15th anniversary  Ahead of its 15th anniversary in the coming week, Dana Air has introduced a flash sale promo to reward its customers The flash sale, which is available everyday from 15.00 to 15.15 hours from today 3rd November 2023 on the airline's website  www.flydanaair.com , is a window for its customers to reserve and book hugely discounted fares for their travel as part of its 15th anniversary reward for loyal customers. Speaking on the initiative, the airline's Head of Corporate Communications Kingsley Ezenwa said, ''Dana Air will be 15 years in the coming week and as part of efforts to reward our teeming passengers for their loyalty, we thought to introduce special discounted fares which will be available 15 minutes everyday from today 3rd November 2023 on our website  www.flydanaair.com  from 15:00 to 15:15 hours daily.'' ''Achieving 15 years in Nigeria's aviation industry is no mean feat and with all t...

  Aviation unions condemn attack on Ajaero   Aviation unions  on Thurdsay  rose in unison to condemn the attack and brutalization  of the President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) ,Comrade Joe Ajaero. The described as  barbaric the treatment meted out on Comrade Ajaero fingering the involvement of persons acting the script of the Imo State Government naming   the Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command as an accomplice. In an statement issued in Lagos by the General Secretaries of the National Union of Air Transport Employees, (NUATE), Comrade Ocheme ABA;  Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP) ,Comrade Abdulrazak Saidu;  Association of Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) , Comrade Frances Akinjole;  National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) , Comrade Umoh Ofomine they said  all aviation workers have been placed on red alert and be mobilised  for action ...

  Royal Academy honours Dr Agubata as Engineering Icon in the United Kingdom A Deputy General Manager attached to the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Dr Felicia Agubata has been honoured by the Royal Engineering Academy as an Engineering Icon in the United Kingdom. According to the organisers of the event, Agubata's honour was part of the activities to mark the National Engineering day celebrated on  November 1, every year. According to them , it is the day dedicated to recognising the achievements and contributions of engineers.  Speaking on the honour , Dr Agubata said :" I am excited to share in the celebrations. Happy National Engineering Day, 2023. It’s a day to celebrate the brilliant minds and innovative spirits that power progress and shape the future of our society. From towering bridges to life-changing medical devices, engineers are the unsung heroes who turn dreams into reality. "Today, the Engineering Icons Tube Map in collaboration with the Royal...

  WIEN requests Tinubu to embrace gender diversity, inclusion  Foremost gender advocacy group in the energy industry, Women in Energy Network (WIEN), has requested President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to embrace gender equity and inclusion in meeting the 35 percent inclusion policy on key government appointments. The group which promotes affirmative action and gender equity for female professional and workers in male dominated corporate and government positions appealed to the new government not to leave out its members in the appointment of board members and heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs). The group which champions career advancement for qualified female professionals in male dominated petroleum and electric power sectors of the economy wants the new president to add fillip to the prevailing global affirmative action on gender inclusivity in government.In a congratulatory letter to the new president, WIEN reminded him that a diverse team would foster innovation, ...

  NCAA cautions airlines, pilots over hazardous weather The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has advised pilots and airline operators to exercise caution over hazardous weather in dry season. This warning was contained in a release by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET) on weather alerting the public on the possibility of deterioration in visibility as a result of observed dust haze. The climatic condition, the NCAA said is  propagated into the country from the Northern parts, which it described as the - Source Region. According to the release, “Winds over 10m and 925hPha are favorable for Dust-Haze propagations into the Northern parts of the country. Stations in the source region, Niger (Goure, Zinder, Maine-Soroa, Diffa, N-Guigmi and 61091 and horizontal visibility between 800m and 6000m."  These sources from Chad, the NCAA  said   are expected to report poor horizontal visibility in the next 24hrs, based on available models. Due to strong w...

 Air Peace secures permit to operate flights into the United Kingdom Air Peace on  has  secured the  Foreign Carrier Operator Permit (FCOP), which allows airlines from other regions to fly to Europe and Third Country Operator Permit (TCO-UK) paving the way for its proposed operations into the United Kingdom. Its Chairman / Chief Executive Officer ,;Allen Onyema who disclosed this  said to obtain these permits,  the airline went through stringent audits to ensure that it met the high safety status, capacity , standards and  conditions to  now qualified it to fly into  the United Kingdom. “We obtained these permits that qualify us to fly to UK. Before you obtain these approvals, they will audit you very well. You have to go through stringent audit, which we passed. We obtained the permit last week,” he stated. Onyema, while speaking, identified the challenges that beset domestic airline operation in Nigeria, saying the major challenge is the la...

  Air Peace connects Jeddah in  Saudi Arabia Air Peace yesterday  expanded its Asian footprints with the commencement of direct scheduled commercial flights into Jeddah,  in Saudi Arabia. This is as the Emir of Kano, HRH Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, has lauded the airline's giant strides. The flighr operations is part of the carrier's continous footprints into the Asian and Middle East continents. The inaugural flight, operated with one of the airline's B777s, was airborne from Kano at 23:22hrs with 231 passengers. Air Peace. Before now ,Air Peace  has been operating charter flights to Saudi Arabia, airlifting Muslim pilgrims. But the  inaugural flight officially kicked off its scheduled operations into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The Chairman of Air Peace, Dr Allen Onyema, described the entry into Jeddah as 'another milestone recorded in the history  of Nigeria’s aviation stating that Jeddah is the airline's sixth international destination in just nine y...

  BASL canvasses  infrastructure upgrade at  airports The Acting Chief Operating Officer (Ag. COO) of Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited, operators of MMA2 Ikeja, Tosan Duncan Odukoya, has emphasized the importance of recognizing and enhancing the forces that drive tourism in today's world of travel and adventure.  She underscored that infrastructure and process flow are foundational for building a vibrant tourism sector. Duncan Odukoya, the Ag. COO of Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited, made these remarks during a Breakfast Forum hosted by Philips Consulting Limited and the Nigeria-South Africa Chamber of Commerce (NSACC) held at Eko Hotel Orchid Room on October 31, 2023.  The event's theme was 'Rethinking Tourism in Nigeria’. As a panellist at the event, Duncan emphasized that the success of tourism depends on well-structured and efficient infrastructure, which plays a pivotal role in mapping out the traveller’s journey. Using MMA2 as an example, she hig...