Airport Reporters

Najomo endorses NIGAV Awards as industry performance watch dog   The DG of NCAA Capt Chris Najomo has commended the NIGAV award as an industry performance watchdog and praised the creativity of the organizer for designing such a programme that promotes healthy competition among the airlines at the level of the cabin crew.  The DG, who indicated that he was at some time of his carrier as a pilot awarded best pilot of the year by a cabin crew association in USA and also recall leading the Arik Team to clinch the as the ‘Best Cabin Crew Of The Year 2019’ at the 10th Nigeria Aviation (NIGAV) Award, and such gesture and acknowledgement of effort we made for industry progress is a motivation to continue striving for the best.  He advised the current King and Queen of the air to remain steadfast even after their reign to continue to act as Nigeria aviation ambassador of best practices and promised that the agency will continue to support NIGAV award and NQKA as agent of ind...

  Expectations From New Enugu Air, By Airport Manager The Regional Manager, South East Airports and Manager of Akanu Ibiam International Airport (AIIA), Mr. Hilary Umunna says the new airline, Enugu Air, which was received at the airport yesterday, March 28, 2025 “is expected to significantly boost passengers traffic, increase revenue generation for both the Federal and State, which will also create job opportunities within the aviation ecosystem. We anticipate positive economic ripple effects for Enugu State and the Southeast region, fostering trade, tourism, and business growth. One of FAAN's goals is to sustain and expand partnerships that will make Enugu a strategic aviation hub.” Umunna who had worked with Cross River State Government towards emergence of Cally Air when he was Calabar Airport Manager, said in an interview that “AIIA Enugu has taken several steps to ensure that most of the ICAO operational and regulatory requirements are met. This includes infrastructure enhanc...

 TRIBUTE TO MY PRESIDENT AT 73 BY FESTUS KEYAMO I have decided to do something a bit unusual in wishing ‘happy birthday’ to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, as he clocks 73 this Saturday, March 29, 2025. For the incurable cynics and skeptics who are likely to be dismissive, it bears restating ab initio that this short tribute is not written only for consumption today, but also serves as a testament for generations unborn, especially after the mob mentality that some display today would have given way to some sober reflection.  From an insider perspective, I dare say it will take decades before Nigerians truly and fully understand and appreciate the value President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has brought into our democratic space in all ramifications and the audacity with which he has taken on some of our key systemic challenges as a nation, root and branch. Doubtless, in post-colonial Nigeria, he has been a master at fostering progressive coalitions for the ultimate advancement...

 International Aviation College graduates 10 Officers from Nigerian Army Aviation ....Nine  Civilians as Kwara gov pledges  support  In a grand style on Friday, 28th March, 2025, International Aviation College (IAC), Ilorin graduated 10 Officers from the Nigerian Army Aviation and  nine Civilians who have successfully completed their Private Pilot License (PPL) Training.  Speaking on behalf of the State Governor, the Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Hajia Sa'adatu Modibo Kawu congratulated the Graduands and urged them to uphold the virtue of aviation industry.  Hajia Kawu commended the Management and the entire Staff of the College for the collaborative efforts geared towards the success story.  The Commissioner pledged the State Government continued support for the College with a view to sustaining the tempo.  She wished the Graduands good luck in their future endeavours. Speaking earlier, the Rector of the College, Captain Yakubu O. Oka...

  Overland Airways Reconnects Abuja-Jalingo ...... Introduces Lagos-Jalingo Flights Overland Airways, Nigeria’s longest serving private domestic airline  has  announced  the resumption of flight services from Abuja to Jalingo and return. Overland Airways has also introduced Lagos to Jalingo flights through Abuja. Overland Airways has been the pioneer airline on the route for years but flight services were temporarily suspended in November 2024 due to expansion work at the airport.  The airline is now set to reconnect the two cities providing passengers with convenient and reliable travel options. Effective April 3, 2025, Overland Airways will resume three  weekly flights on the Abuja-Jalingo-Abuja route. The flights will operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays using Overland Airways’ brand-new Embraer 175 aircraft.  Flights will depart Abuja to Jalingo at 10:00am and Jalingo to Abuja at 11:30am. Passengers across Overland Airways network including...

  Airbus showcases hydrogen aircraft technologies during its 2025 Airbus Summit     During the 2025 Airbus Summit, Airbus provided an update on its roadmap to pioneer the future of commercial aviation in the decades to come, outlining plans to prepare a next-generation single-aisle aircraft that could enter service in the second half of the 2030s, as well as its revised ZEROe project roadmap to mature the technologies associated with hydrogen-powered flight. At the Summit, Airbus reconfirmed its commitment to bring to market a commercially viable hydrogen aircraft and presented some of the key technology building blocks that will enable the advent of a fully electric, fuel-cell powered commercial aircraft – a pathway which stands out as the most promising, following years of research into hydrogen aviation. Airbus Head of Future Programmes Bruno Fichefeux says, “Hydrogen is at the heart of our commitment to decarbonise aviation. While we've adjusted our roadmap, our dedic...

 Air Peace Celebrates One Year of Lagos-London Operations with Milestone Achievements Air Peace has continued to set the pace and revolutionize aviation business in Africa. The airline, which is arguably Nigeria’s leading airline, and West and Central African’s largest carrier proudly marks the first anniversary of its Lagos-London route, reflecting on a year of exceptional service, strategic partnerships, and significant contributions to the Nigerian aviation industry.  According to a statement by the airline's Head, Corporate Communications, Dr. Ejike Ndiulo, the milestone not only marked the airline's expansion into the European market but also signified a monumental achievement for Nigerian aviation.  One year later, Air Peace's London service, Ndiulo said  has become a symbol of excellence, offering competitive fares, top-tier service, and a bespoke travel experience aboard its luxurious Boeing 777 aircraft. Since its inaugural flight on March 30, 2024, the airl...

                             U.S. Showcases California Wines, Expands Trade Opportunities in Nigeria  The Foreign Agricultural Service of the U.S.  Mission in collaboration with the California Wine Institute has  organized a trade promotion event in Lagos that connected 18 California wineries with the Nigerian business community and strengthened agricultural trade ties between the two countries.   More than 160 award-winning California wines, from crisp whites to bold reds, were showcased during a wine tasting event attended by over 120 Nigerian wine importers, distributors, retailers, hospitality industry stakeholders, and wine lovers who discussed the growing market potential for U.S. wines in Nigeria.  In addition to the wine tasting experience, the California Wine Institute organized a specialized seminar for local wine importers and leading Nigeria restaurateurs,highlighting opportunities for mutually beneficial trade.   A...

  Enugu Air Set to Elevate Nigeria's Aviation Landscape in 2025 With the imminent arrival of two repainted Embraer E170 aircraft at  Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu Air  is gearing up for a grand launch in the second quarter of 2025. This new airline, backed by the state of Enugu, aims to connect this southeastern Nigerian hub with major cities across the country and eventually extend its reach to Europe. In a domestic market brimming with competition, Enugu Air's entry is not just another addition but a strategic move to boost tourism and commerce in a region that has often been overlooked. The introduction of Enugu Air is part of a broader wave of regional airline initiatives sweeping across Nigeria, reminiscent of the success stories like Ibom Air and nascent projects in Bayelsa, Ebonyi, and Lagos. These initiatives reflect a growing trend where regional governments are stepping into the aviation sector to enhance connectivity and spur economic development wit...

 Nyesom Wike, Tinubu’s Man-Friday, is on the march again. By Yakubu Dati A few weeks ago, a group of people who thought they could pull a fast one on Nigerians by painting what is white to black started a feeble campaign with the slogan ‘Wike must go!' But like every other ridiculous adventure without a destination, they have, within the few days it lasted, failed in their politically motivated campaigns. All of a sudden, political jobbers using President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's intervention in the Rivers State crisis took on the garb of activists to demand the sack of the FCT minister Nyesom Wike. Their bid to confuse the narratives by latching onto falsehood to demand the FCT minister's removal hit a brick wall as more people became aware that the call was only a ploy to shoot at the Tinubu presidency. Sim Fubara, the suspended governor, had demolished the House of Assembly and used three of the thirty-three members to pass a budget, approve commissioner nominees and illegall...

  REFLECTIONS ON IATA’S CALL FOR THE RAPID ADOPTION OF DIGITAL IDENTITY TECHNOLOGY By Jeremy Springall, Snr Vice President SITA As I reflect on the past week, I couldn’t help but think about how much travel has changed – and how much better it’s becoming. From digital pre-clearance to biometric verification, digital identity is transforming the travel journey for everyone—making it faster, more secure, and more efficient. But for the industry to fully unlock its potential, we need to move beyond pilots and fragmented deployments. At the Sydney Leaders Week Conference, IATA’s call for action reinforces what we’ve long known: the time to scale digital identity is now. Here’s why: 1. Security and efficiency don’t have to be trade-offs For years, airports, airlines and governments have struggled to balance security with a frictionless travel experience. Too often, one has come at the expense of the other. Digital identity changes that. By verifying travellers instantly, it strengthens ...

  Overland Airways commenced flights into Minna Airport  To offer three weekly frequencies from Lagos, Abuja   Overland Airways, Nigeria’s longest serving private domestic airline, in partnership with Niger State Government, has announced the commencement of flight services to Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport Minna, the capital city of Niger State from Lagos and Abuja, effective April 23, 2025. Overland Airways will operate three  weekly flights on the Minna-Lagos-Minna route and three weekly flights on the Minna-Abuja-Minna route.  These flights will be operated on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays using Overland Airways’ brand-new Embraer 175 aircraft. Flights will depart Lagos to Minna at 8am and Minna to Lagos at 3pm. Flights from Minna to Abuja will depart at 9:30am while Abuja to Minna will depart at 2pm. Capt. Edward Boyo, Chief Executive Officer and Accountable Executive of Overland Airways said : "We are excited to commence flight services to ...

  Graceful Basil Aroma Restaurant Brings Healthy, Home-Style Dining to Lagos In a world where fast food often sacrifices nutrition for convenience, Graceful Basil Aroma (GBA) is stepping in to redefine the dining experience by offering healthy, home-style meals without compromising on taste.  Set to launch on Tuesday, 1st April 2025, GBA is more than just a restaurant—it is a culinary experience crafted to bring the warmth of home cooking to individuals and families seeking wholesome, satisfying, and nutritious meals. Founded on the belief that healthy food should be delicious and comforting, GBA is dedicated to using high-quality, carefully sourced ingredients to create dishes that not only nourish the body but also evoke the joy of home-cooked meals.  With an emphasis on fresh produce, balanced recipes, and expert preparation, the restaurant located at the Total Grace Oil and Gas Complex, opposite the Lagos Business School (LBS), along the Lekki – Epe Expressway aims to...

New Communication, Media Strategy outfit ; Onward Public Relations debuts  ....Set to change PR landscape for brands, businesses , public figures  In today’s fast-moving digital and media landscape, a strong public image is no longer optional - it’s essential.  The Onward Public Relations (TOPR)b is launching with a mission to help brands, businesses, and public figures take control of their narratives, strengthen their reputations, and maximize their influence. As a full-service Public Relations agency, TOPR offers expertise in media relations, strategic brand positioning, crisis communication, reputation management, and corporate communications.  With a deep understanding of how the media operates and how audiences engage with brands, the agency is set to provide tailored Public Relations solutions that drive visibility, credibility, and impact. According to Basil Agboarumi, a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (FNIPR), Founder of TOPR, “Public re...

  Airbus Foundation partners  Solar Impulse Foundation to  boost climate action The Airbus Foundation and Solar Impulse Foundation have launched a three-year partnership aimed at driving global progress on sustainability through fostering innovation and collaboration. The partnership is dedicated to identifying and accelerating the adoption of scalable nature-based* projects that address pressing global challenges.  Through the partnership, successful applicants will have access to a wealth of resources including Airbus’ aerospace capabilities, like satellite data for earth observation and helicopters for efficient aerial assessment and verification. These capabilities will enable the selected projects to address critical societal issues, from ecosystem degradation to water security and natural disaster risk to solutions like satellite environmental monitoring systems. Bertrand Piccard, Initiator and Chairman of the Solar Impulse Foundation says, “By combining  ...

  Airbus accelerates Sustainable Aviation Fuel adoption with book , claim   Airbus is taking a significant step toward scaling the adoption of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) by testing a new “Book and Claim” approach. This initiative aims to boost both supply and demand for SAF worldwide, providing a flexible and scalable solution to accelerate SAF adoption. The first MoU was signed by SMBC Aviation Capital, followed by AerCap, Comlux, Luxaviation, Novespace, Rive Private Investment and SAF Aerogroup, who confirmed their interest in joining this collaborative initiative, reinforcing the industry-wide intention to increase SAF adoption. In simple terms, the book and claim approach allows a buyer to "book" a certain amount of SAF and "claim" the corresponding emission reduction, even if the fuel is used elsewhere. Through a pilot programme running throughout 2025, Airbus will leverage this system to improve SAF accessibility for potential customers, particularly thos...

'Pacific will advance research on non- CO2 impact '   Airbus, within a consortium of 10 partners from four European countries, has launched PACIFIC, a project to study the impact of aviation's non-CO2 emissions on Local Air Quality and Climate with a focus on contrails.   Recent studies suggest that the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) could reduce both soot particles and contrail ice crystals. However, additional information on fuel composition and its processing in the engine is necessary to better understand the effects and benefits of SAF. PACIFIC (Particle emissions, Air Quality and Climate Impact related to Fuel Composition and Engine Cycle) seeks to bridge the gap in understanding aviation's non-CO2 emissions   by testing an unprecedented range of fuels under controlled conditions. The project will ensure consistency in combustion parameters and hardware similarity from lab-scale experiments at the German Aerospace Center (DLR) to full aircraft engine ...

  Airbus showcases hydrogen aircraft technologies   During the 2025 Airbus Summit, Airbus has provided an update on its roadmap to pioneer the future of commercial aviation in the decades to come, outlining plans to prepare a next-generation single-aisle aircraft that could enter service in the second half of the 2030s, as well as its revised ZEROe project roadmap to mature the technologies associated with hydrogen-powered flight. At the Summit, Airbus reconfirmed its commitment to bring to market a commercially viable hydrogen aircraft and presented some of the key technology building blocks that will enable the advent of a fully electric, fuel-cell powered commercial aircraft – a pathway which stands out as the most promising, following years of research into hydrogen aviation. Airbus Head of Future Programmes Bruno Fichefeux says, “Hydrogen is at the heart of our commitment to decarbonise aviation. While we've adjusted our roadmap, our dedication to hydrogen-powered flig...