Airport Reporters

  IATA  mulls digital currencies for financial systems settlement   The International Air Transport Association (IATA) , said it has concluded plans to offer digital currencies in the financial settlement systems it operates for the aviation industry. IATA, is the trade association of     330 airlines  in over 120 countries.  Disclosing this, IATA's Senior Vice President for Financial Settlement and Distribution Services,   Muhammad Albakri said the new measure has become imperative because digitization impacts many aspects of lives , warranting many sectors, such as aviation to adopt it in supporting its services. According to Albakri the  first digital currency to be offered is the digital Renminbi, which will be available in the China Billing and Settlement Plan (BSP) by the end of 2024.   He said  IATA is also examining the potential to offer other digital currencies in its settlement syst...

 NCAA offers clarifications on airworthiness status of crashed helicopter  The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), has offered clarifications on  the registration and airworthiness status of the crashed Sirkosky helicopter belonging to Eastwind Aviation. In a statement by the Acting Director General of the NCAA, Capt. Chris Najomo, the Authority said it is compelled to provide regulatory information on the matter because of reports distorting the the ownership and operational of the equipment. The Authority, noted that aircraft can be tracked not only by their registration marks but also by their Manufacturer Serial Number (MSN). It stated further that the S76C+ Helicopter with registration marks 5N-BGN and MSN:760468 was initially registered at the age of seven  Years on the 15th July, 2004 with Aero Contractors as the operator and Capital Aviation Services B.V. as the registered owner.  The registration, the NCAA said  was re-issued on the 13th Decem...

 Extortion: NCAA most incorruptible agency, says  Achimugu  The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has reaffirmed the integrity and capabilities of its consumer protection directorate staff to promptly and adequately address passengers complaints at the airports across the country and urged passengers to approach them whenever the need arises.  The Director,  Public Affairs and Consumer Protection Directorate,  Mr. Michael Achimugu explained that following the launch of the consumer protection portal on September 19th 2024, passengers experience, service delivery and responses from airlines had significantly improved.  He affirmed that no single report of misconduct has been made against any staff of the agency and especially the Consumer Protection staff who have direct contacts with passengers in the course of their flight. Speaking on a monitored television programme, Mr. Achimugu said, "Thanks to the efforts of our consumer protection officer...

  We are working on coordinated response on helicopter crash, says Keyamo     Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo, has declared that the relevant authorities are working on a coordinated response to minimize the casualties from the unfortunate helicopter crash along the waterways in Port Harcourt. Head, Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development,  Odutayo Oluseyi in a statement said  the authorities  received the distressing report of a helicopter accident that occurred  October  24, 2024, about 11:22 am along the waterways in Port Harcourt.  The helicopter, a Sikorsky SK76 with registration 5NBQG and operated by East Wind Aviation, was en-route from Port Harcourt Military Base (DNPM) to the NUIMANTAN oil rig. The aircraft, with eight persons on board, ditched into the waters near Bonny Finima in the Atlantic Ocean. He said :" The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau has been n...

  How helicopter ditched into Atlantic Ocean , by NAMA  The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), has offered clarifications on how a Sirkorsky 76c  operated by Eastwind Aviation  ditched into  the Atlantic Ocean near Bonny Finima , in Rivers State. In a statement, NAMA's Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection,  Abdullahi Musa, said the  accident occurred about 11:22 am on October 24, 2024. He said : "  The aircraft which departed Port Harcourt Airport Base to an oil rig had  eight  persons on board with fuel endurance of 0215. Rescue operations so far have recovered  three  bodies.   "Search and Rescue coordination activities were activated in NAMA while details of the incident were escalated to the Minister of Aviation, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Bonny tower, Osubi tower and Escravos tower for further actions. "In the sam...

 NSIB begins investigation into Sikorsky S76c helicopter crash  …..Three bodies recovered  ….Chopper did not transmit an Emergency Locator Transmitter …Authorities manually plot  location to expedite search  The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has commenced an investigation into the accident involving a Sikorsky SK76c helicopter with registration 5N-BQG, operated by Eastwind Aviation.  The helicopter, carrying eight individuals - six passengers and two crew members, according to NSIB's spokesperson, Mrs Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji,  went down into the Atlantic Ocean near Bonny Finima, off the coast of Calabar, during a routine flight on Thursday, October 24, 2024, at approximately 11:22 AM local time. The aircraft, the NSIB 's Director, Public Affairs and Family Assistance, said   was en route from the Port Harcourt Military Base (DNPM) to the Anton Offshore Facility when it lost contact with air traffic controllers around 10:52 AM....

  RwandAir Commits to Sustained Cargo Operations .....Assures Agents of Competitive Services. RwandAir, one of Africa’s fastest growing airlines, has made a commitment to Cargo Agents in Nigeria to sustain its Cargo operations out of the country in an effort to build its market share in that space.  The commitment was made during a recent Cargo Agents Workshop held at Presken Hotel, Airport Road, Ikeja, Lagos on October 17, 2024 with the aim of getting their feedback relating to the airline's service delivery, address pressing concerns, and to outline its future plans to enhance cargo operations. The Airline’s Regional Manager, Mr.  Dennis Rwiliriza disclosed that the carrier is at the verge of re-launching a dedicated freighter service on ad hoc basis, for the market in an effort to address current capacity constraints in meeting the market’s cargo demand. “Though limited aircraft space and cargo protocols such as those for dangerous goods require a little more time for ...

 AON Commends President Tinubu on Reappointment of Keyamo  The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) would like to extend our heartfelt congratulations and deep appreciation to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for the reappointment of Honorable Festus Keyamo (SAN) as the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development. This decision reflects the president’s keen judgment and steadfast commitment to the growth and advancement of the aviation industry in Nigeria. Since his initial appointment, Honorable Keyamo has demonstrated exceptional leadership, setting a new standard for the aviation sector. His relentless efforts and advocacy for policies that ensure the ease of doing business have brought about significant positive changes.  AON members are proud to affirm that, under his stewardship, we have never had it this good. His proactive engagement with the industry, his focus on safety, and his commitment to the success of both local and international airlines have...

  Aviation’s substantial contribution to Dubai’s economy revealed in latest report The aviation sector supported 27 percent  of Dubai’s GDP in 2023, with an economic contribution of AED 137 billion (USD 37.3 billion) – which is set to rise to almost a third of Dubai’s GDP by 2030. The total aviation sector impact includes the sector’s core impact as well as the catalytic impact of aviation-facilitated tourism The aviation sector supported over 630,000 jobs in 2023 and is forecasted to add another 185,000 jobs by 2030. The catalytic impact of tourism facilitated by aviation contributed AED 43 billion (USD 11.8 billion) to the local economy in 2023, with its GDP contributions expected to grow by more than 40 percent  by 2030. Emirates Group and Dubai Airports have today released an economic impact study that reaffirms the central role aviation plays in Dubai’s economy, by quantifying its contributions and forecasting the sector’s upwards trajectory, based on financial and p...

  Keyamo , NiMet boss , others participate in WMO conference  The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyano and the Director General, Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), and the Permanent Representative of Nigeria with the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), Professor Charles Anosike were among Nigerian delegation participating in the ongoing Aeronautical Meteorology Scientific Conference (AeroMetSci-2024) organized by the Commission for Weather, Climate, Hydrological, Marine and Related Environmental Services and Applications (SERCOM).  The conference which gathered professionals and industry players within the WMO, International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), Academics, Research, and Aviation Communities is holding at WMO Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, and lasts from 21 to 25 October 2024. The theme of the conference is: “Aviation, weather and climate: scientific research and development for enhanced...

    SITA , IDEMIA  join forces to create digital travel ecosystem The Digital Travel Ecosystem is designed to accelerate the interoperability of digital identity and biometric technology to streamline the travel experience.  SITA, the global leader in air transport technology, and IDEMIA Public Security, a world leader in digital technologies, biometrics, and security have announced a collaboration to advance interoperability, trust, and data security through a globally recognized Digital Travel Ecosystem. This collaboration is focused on driving interoperability across the travel industry, ensuring that travelers’ digital identities are seamlessly recognized and trusted worldwide. As the travel industry evolves, stakeholders across various sectors - including governments, airports, and airlines - are rapidly adopting digital identities and biometric solutions, creating challenges in maintaining consistency, trust, and security across the travel journey. SITA’s Digit...

 Air Peace Concludes Thrilling October Fest Finals to Celebrate 10th Anniversary In celebration of its 10th anniversary, West Africa’s largest carrier, Air Peace Limited, hosted the much-anticipated October Sport Festival, tagged "October Fest," which concluded in spectacular fashion on October 20, 2024. The sports festival, designed to foster unity, camaraderie, and team spirit among staff, was a key highlight of Air Peace's decade-long journey of excellence. The October Fest, a football tournament featuring 8 male teams and a novelty match for 2 female teams, kicked off on August 31, 2024. The month-long tournament brought together Air Peace staff from various stations across the sub-Saharan region to compete for glory while deepening bonds within the airline family. The Teams Male Teams: BUU Shooters BVE Rangers BQQ Warriors BUO Army BWI Wanderers BYJ Rovers BXG Gunners BQV Invaders Female Teams: BUJ Amazons BYF Angels The tournament was a thrilling spectacle of skill,...

  NSIB renews MOU with UNILAG on deployment of Metallurgical Science Laboratory     The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has renewed its Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the University of Lagos on the deployment of its metallurgical science laboratory at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja. The MoU initially signed in July 2018 by the then leadership of the bureau when it was still Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) was renewed by the Director-General, Capt. Alex Badeh Jr, and the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola.  The MoU signed with the University of Lagos at that time entailed relocation of some of the equipment in the laboratory to Unilag. Due to some logistics, the equipment had not been moved since the MoU was signed prompting the new leadership of NSIB to renew the pact. During the MoU signing ceremony at the Unilag Senate Building, the NSIB DG stated that the bureau would fast-track ...

  Experts caution Federal Government on plans to float MRO facility  Players in the air travel space have called on the Federal Government to exercise caution before it ventures into setting up an Aircraft Maintenance Repair and Overhaul  (MRO), facility in the country. They reasoned that such business venture is better handled by private entrepreneurs in other parts of the world. The players including : President ,  Aircraft Owners and Pilot Association of Nigeria, Dr. Alex Nwuba , Managing Partner , Avearo Capital Partners, Sindy Foster ,  Head, Aero contractors Aircraft Maintenance Organization, Engr. James Ominyi and Managing Director, Aviation Africa Plate- Force  Engr. Ifeanyi Ogochukw. Speaking at a webinar on with the theme : “Challenges of Aircraft Maintenance, Profit and Sustainability in Nigeria ",  they remarked that government and policy formulators should rather create an enabling environment for MROs to thrive in Nigeria. They stressed t...

  10 months as NCAA Helmsman: Captain Najomo’s Transformative Leadership In a move to elevate the standards of Nigeria’s aviation sector, President Bola Tinubu in December 2023, approved the appointment of Captain Chris Najomo as the Acting Director General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). The change in leadership, according to the Federal Government, was to enhance regulatory oversight, the well-being of passengers and stakeholders in the Nigeria aviation industry.  In January, 2024, at the induction of the newly appointed Chief Executive Officers and directors of the six parastatals under the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, the Minister, Festus Keyamo, made the various CEOs under the supervision of the ministry sign a performance bond.  After the CEOs signed the bond, the minister charged them to conduct themselves properly.  His words to them were: “This is a call to service and a call to service goes more than pecuniary gains. It is...

 Lagos State Government, FAAN collaborate to fix dilapidated Airport Road   The Managing Director/Chief Executive of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs Olubunmi Kuku, has urged members of the public, especially road users around the Murtala Muhammed International Airport to demonstrate patience with the authority as it collaborates with the Lagos State Government to fix some  operational roads within the airport area. The project  includes:  the complete road reconstruction, drainages on both sides, sidewalks, and streetlights.  The entire project is expected to be delivered in nine months Mrs Kuku disclosed while inspecting the road construction ongoing between the Toll Gate Plaza and Gate 13, commonly called 'Legend Road.' While expressing satisfaction with the quality and pace of the work, she asked that road users give the required cooperation for the proper and timely construction of  the 2.4-kilometre road.  She also thank...