Airport Reporters

  Bankit MFB unveils web banking platform ......To bridge  convenience , security Bankit MFB, an emerging  institution in the Nigerian financial sector, has unveiled its innovative web banking platform to provide customers with an additional digital channel to manage and carry out uninterrupted daily transactions on their phones, laptops and other devices.  With this innovative solution, Bankit MFB is redefining convenience and security in banking, ensuring uninterrupted access to financial services, time saving functionalities, efficiency, real-time account updates, 24/7 availability, and faster transactions.  According to Yen Choi, Chief Executive Officer, Bankit Africa, "In today's fast-paced digital age, connectivity is everything in banking, and for us, it's all about improving customer experience with simple banking options and empowering our teeming customers to live their best lives." "We are revolutionizing the Fintech landscape in Nigeria , and we have...

  NAHCO targets N300b revenue generation by 2029  The Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc  has expressed its ambitious drive toward bolstering its revenue generation to N300 billion by 2029. The company announced at its recent Facts Behind the Figures presentation at the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) that in order to meet this revenue projection, it has extended its contracts with three global aviation giants – Emirates, Virgin Atlantic, and Turkish Airlines. Following the resumption of scheduled flights to Nigeria in October, Emirates had entrusted NAHCO with comprehensive ground handling services for an additional five years. This partnership underscores Emirates’ confidence in NAHCO’s ability to deliver top-tier services consistently. NAHCO’s longstanding relationship with British carrier Virgin Atlantic and Turkish Airlines continues to thrive. Virgin Atlantic, renowned for its dedication to premium service, has consistently partnered with NAHCO to uphold its hig...

 Our reasons for sanctioning five airlines, by NCAA  The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), at the weekend, said the sanctions initiated against five airlines recently were for consumer protection-related infractions and not for safety concerns. Recall that  two weeks ago, the Authority’s Director of Consumer Protection and Public Affairs, Michael Achimugu, issued a warning that any airline that delays the payment of refunds to passengers within the stipulated time frame in Part 19 of the NCAA Regulations 2023, will be sanctioned. A week later, the Regulatory agency announced that it had initiated enforcement action against Royal Air Maroc, Ethiopian Airways, Air Peace, Arik Air, and Aero Contractors. Reacting to the announcement, Allen Onyema, Chairman of Air Peace said that he had noticed that some of his finance staff actually delayed some of those payments and he was not happy about it as his vision does not align with any practice that inconveniences his passen...

  NCAA, FAAN,  to blacklist unruly passengers   .....As airlines get  48 hours ultimatum to migrate to complaints portal  Aviation authorities - Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) , have concluded plans to impose a " No Fly List ", on unruly passengers who destroy operational facilities and attack airline personnel at airports across the country on account of delayed or canceled flights. The authorities said as much they are not in support of airlines violating the rights of passengers, experiencing either delay or cancellation of their flights should be used as a license to carry out wanton destruction of airport facilities or invasion of the airside to disrupt aircraft movement. Speaking at a stakeholders forum yesterday in Lagos, the Acting Director General of NCAA, Captain Chris Najomo and the Managing Director of FAAN, Mrs Olubunmi Kuku frowned at unruly conduct irate passengers describing their beha...

  NCAA's Director assuages passengers rage over flight cancellation  ......Acting DG to meet airlines on mitigation efforts  The Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Mr Michael Achimugu has intervened to avoid a bedlam at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on Thursday evening as passengers affected by cancelled flights expressed their disenchantment threatening to go violent. The passengers had spent hours on end at the departure awaiting announcements for departure that never came. Achimugu who walked into the charged scene , inadvertently , while trying to catch a flight out of the terminal said , he had to engage the enraged passengers for about 20 minutes educating them on the probable cause of the delay, which he emphasized could be weather related. According to information gleaned from his social media handle - X- , Achimugu promised to reach out to the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET), ...

  Air Peace debunks report on plane  crash  ....." It is false , malicious " Nigerian carrier - Air Peace has refuted viral report suggesting that an aircraft in its fleet was involved in an air crash in the Western Sahara region , resulting in fatalities , including the purported death of a prominent individual is not only false but also malicious. In a statement signed by its Head , Corporate Communications, Dr. Ejike Ajiulo , the airline described the false report as a deliberate attempt to spread misinformation and tarnish its impeccable safety record. The statement reads :" It is important to note that the author of this post has a history of disseminating false and alarming information about non-existent tragic incidents. "The circulating images accompanying these false reports are clearly AI-generated and do not reflect any real incident. "We urge the public to disregard this malicious disinformation and rely on official channels for accurate information...

 NCAA INITIATES SANCTIONS AGAINST FIVE AIRLINES   The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has initiated enforcement action against five airlines  (two international and three domestic operators) for various violations of Part 19 of the NCAA regulations including nonpayment of refunds within the stipulated time frame, non-responsiveness to the NCAA's directives, missing luggage, manhandled luggage, short-landed baggage, delayed and canceled flights, amongst others.  The Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection (NCAA), Mr. Michael Achimugu disclosed the development took place today, Tuesday. He said that although airlines are not always responsible for flight disruptions, NCAA regulations stipulate actions that airlines must take during disruptions. Failure to comply attracts various levels of sanctions. Recall that the Authority recently warned that it will initiate sanctions if airlines fail to pay refunds within the stipulated time frame of forteen day...

 ZERO TOLERANCE FOR PASSENGER UNRULINESS AND VIOLENCE AT MMA2 Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), operators of the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal 2 (MMA2), wishes to remind the public of the importance of maintaining decorum and respect while at the airport. Recent incidents of unruly and violent behaviour by passengers are unacceptable and go against the standards of conduct expected within our facility. While we understand the frustration that can arise from flight cancellations and delays, we urge passengers to address their concerns through appropriate channels, as outlined in Part 19 of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig.CARs). These regulations clearly define the rights and responsibilities of passengers as well as the obligations of airlines, travel agents, and tour operators. BASL has a zero-tolerance policy toward any form of unruly or violent behaviour. Such actions will result in immediate legal action, prosecution to the fullest extent of the law, ...

 Assessing Engr Farouk's Impactful Leadership In NAMA, One Year After  The Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Engr Umar Farouk has shown examplary leadership in just 12 months in office.  It was due to the positive changes that the NAMA MD has brought to the agency that made the management organise a get-together at the Obudu Gardens of the Abuja Continental Hotel with the theme “Staff Recognition Dinner for Impactful Leadership and Team Excellence”. Looking at NAMA’s achievements over the past year, it is self evident that the agency has excelled in the following areas under the leadership of Farouk.  First is that, there is more confidence in the industry now, as safety has been improved. With Farouk at the helms, there has been a  remarkable reduction in Air Safety Reports, achieved through strict adherence to ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices, showcasing enhanced operational safety and efficiency. The MD has also been...

  Airlines grapple with flight disruptions over unpredictable weather patterns  The global air transport industry is increasingly coming under intense strain as the  concomitant effects of adverse weather and other climatic conditions exert debilitating impact on the operations of Nigerian airlines occasioning severe disruptions. Experts , have. however, attributed the increasing trend of flight disruptions affecting airlines globally, including operators in Nigeria to unpredictable weather patterns and environmental changes. As operators in Nigeria anticipate improvement in the horizon to bolster their flight operations, they remain clobbered by the sunset conditions at specific Nigerian, limits their operations from 7.00 am to 6.00 pm. Experts say the inability of aviation authorities to provide air field lighting and instrument landing system and critical air navigation  facilities to guide aircraft movement into such airports during low visibility constitute huge...

  Air Peace offers clarifications on Abuja to Lagos December 20, 2024 flight ..Says viral video suggesting passengers' rush into aircraft is false Nigeria's largest carrier by fleet size , Air Peace on Saturday offered clarifications on the status of its flight on December 20, 2024 affirming that at no time did passengers rushed to board its aircraft without complying with the operational procedures spelt out by aviation authorities. The airline said videos circulating online was designed by some faceless individuals to create confusion and distract the management and regulators , including stakeholders. The carrier , according to a statement signed by its Head, Corporate Communications , Dr. Ejike Ndiulo clarified that videos circulating amounts to a false claim , which is not only mischievous , but misleading. The statement reads :" Our attention has been drawn to a video circulating online and on social media on the boarding of Air Peace passengers on flight P47123 from...

  Aero Contractors Celebrates Long-Serving Employees at Award Ceremony — Retirees Honoured for Decades of Dedication and Exceptional Service Aero Contractors recently hosted its Long Service Award Ceremony, a momentous event dedicated to honoring distinguished retirees for their exceptional service and unwavering commitment to the organization.   The ceremony, which celebrated loyalty and excellence, featured the presentation of recognition plaques and the disbursement of retirement benefits to the honorees. Among those celebrated were: • Capt. Gerald Nmoka • Stephen Kukoyi • Promise Amadi • Victor Aitanun • Nwankwo Stephen N.   The management of Aero Contractors expressed profound gratitude to these outstanding individuals, whose dedication and expertise have significantly contributed to the airline’s growth and success over the years.   Speaking at the event, Aero Contractors’ Managing Director, Capt. Ado Sanusi, underscored the importance of celebrating excellence...

  FAAN targets investments in facilities improvement by 2025  The Managing Director / Chief Executive , Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs  Olubunmi Kuku has  assured aviation stakeholders of the organisation’s continued focus on improving facilities and services at airports.  She announced plans for additional investments in cooling systems, equipment upgrades, and modernising infrastructure by 2025, underscoring FAAN’s dedication to ensuring that Nigerians take pride in their airport facilities.  Through these ongoing efforts,  she said FAAN aims to create a positive and enjoyable airport experience for all passengers and stakeholders. Speaking in an interview during the commissioning of the refurbished E- Wing  Departure Section of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA). Keyamo commended FAAN for its unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional service to Nigerian travellers. The Minister praised the collaborative e...

  Passengers' travel experience at airports improving says Keyamo  . Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo said on Friday that the experience of passengers travelling through Nigerian international gateways to destinations abroad has experienced  a dramatic shift from the hitherto harassment and extortion they undergo in the hands of officials processing their trips. Keyamo said the new experience, which many Nigerians have curated in diverse social media platforms stems from the measures being put in place by the Ministry of Aviation, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), and the Office Of The National Security Adviser (ONSA). Keyamo said the Ministry through FAAN has done a written communication to ONSA on the steps it has worked out to put an end to the hitherto constant harassment of passengers / extortion at the airport by personnel attached, which ...

  FAAN Excites Passengers with Refurbish Terminal, CNG Buses The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) is dedicated to enhancing the overall passenger experience at airports, as demonstrated by recent developments at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.  Today, 20th December 2024, FAAN unveiled the newly refurbished E Wing Departure terminal alongside the introduction of four environmentally friendly CNG-powered air-conditioned buses to improve passenger mobility within the airport premises. During the official commissioning ceremony held at the terminal, the  Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo, SAN, commended FAAN for its unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional service to Nigerian travellers. The Minister praised the collaborative effort between FAAN and the United Bank for Africa, highlighting this project as part of a series of initiatives aimed at enhancing passenger comfort and entertainment within airport ...

 Mrs. Kuku’s one year as MD FAAN:  The man for the job By Yakubu Dati Within the 12 months that the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) experienced a change in leadership, the initial anxiety that usually comes with the  appointment of new CEOs has given way to assurances that the agency is headed in the right direction. This is because the new pilot has been found to possess the skill and knowledge not only in flying the plane to its desired destination but to land it safely. Welcome Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, who  assumed office as the managing director of FAAN in December last year who has left no one in doubt that she has the capacity to deliver on the mandate given to her. As people observed to see how the first female Managing Director of FAAN would fit into the shoes of her predecessors like George Ureise, Sale Dunoma, Rabiu Yadudu,  Kabir Yusuf and others, Mrs Kuku has proven that the shoes fit her perfectly. In 12 months, the amiable and hard workin...