Airport Reporters

  Why Air Peace could not secure slot to operate into Heathrow Airport  The United Kingdom has given reasons why Nigerian carrier Air Peace could not secure a slot to operate into London Heathrow through the window of the slot allocation system. Investigations revealed that Air Peace sent late requests for slots for the Summer 2024 season and the Winter 2024/2025 season. Besides, the airline's requests were  received after the slot coordination process had concluded for each season. The UK authorities said carriers can ensure they are in the best position to receive any available slots by following the correct processes. But, the UK authorities said it could interface with Nigerian authorities for further discussions  at the upcoming International Civil Aviation Negotiations event in October 2024. According to the United Kingdom Government, all foreign and domestic airlines seeking slots at coordinated airports in the UK are required to apply to the independent ...

 NCAA urges Lagos Government to submit document for Lekki Airport  The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has called on  the Lagos State Government to submit an official declaration of intent before it embarks on the  construction of the proposed Ibeju-Lekki Airport.  Such a document, the regulatory body insists must be submitted 180 before any entity begins the construction of any air transport infrastructure such airports, aerodromes and other facilities. Acting Director General Captain Chris Najomo disclosed this at the weekend  during a meeting with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.  The Governor emphasized that the meeting was called to seek regulatory guidance for the project, highlighting the need for strict compliance. Governor Sanwo-Olu highlighted the importance of the proposed Ibeju-Lekki Airport within the State’s larger transportation strategy.  He pointed out that the plan for the Ibeju-Lekki Airport has generated significant interes...

 NSIB deploys team to  Jigawa for  tanker explosion accident   The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau, NSIB has deployed a go team to the site of the petrol tanker explosion accident in Majia  town, in Taura Local Government Area of Jigawa State which claimed over 15o lives leaving several severely injured. According to a statement signed by the Bureau's Director of Public Affairs and Family Affairs, Mrs Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji , the go team is expected to assess the circumstances surrounding the explosion to identify causal factors and provide safety recommendations aimed at preventing future occurrence. The NSIB, as the sole agency saddled with the task of investigating accidents and incidents involving all  modes of transportation , its personnel, she said   will provide updates on the investigation as the team gathers evidence from the scene . She urged citizens to restrain from scooping fuel from tanker accidents , saying indulging in su...

  Keyamo directs foreign carriers to patronise indigenous caterers The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo has directed foreign airlines operating in Nigeria  to patronise indigenous caterers for  their on-board meals. Keyamo gave the directive in a letter — signed by H.T. Ejibunu, director overseeing the office of the Permanent Secretary  — to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). In the  memo  dated October 15, 2024, the ministry said the directive from Keyamo takes effect from January 1, 2025. “I am directed by the Minister of Aviation to convey to you his decision to mandate all out-bound flights from Nigeria, especially foreign airlines to patronize local caterers for on-board meals. “Consequently, you are hereby directed to convey the decision to all foreign airlines for strict compliance beginning from 1st of January, 2025.”

  NAMA closes personnel gap ahead of ICAO audit The  Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) is scaling up efforts to close proficiency gaps among its technical personnel in readiness for the forthcoming  International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP). To drive this, the airspace agency has conducted an  Annual Proficiency Check for 339 air traffic controllers in conjunction with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority requirements. Besides, the agency also conducted a  Promotion Proficiency Check for another set of 69 air traffic controllers.  In the same vein, the agency has  also conducted the English Language Proficiency Check for 243 controllers in accordance with Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulation (NCAR) Part II. The Managing Director of NAMA, Engr Farouk Ahmed Umar disclosed this  during the annual air traffic management workshop of the agency which  held at...

  FAAN , IATA collaborate for improved aviation passenger experience  The Managing Director/Chief Executive of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs Olubunmi Kuku, has called on enhanced collaboration between the Authority and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to strengthen and promote the sustainable growth of Nigeria’s aviation industry.  Mrs Kuku said this when the Vice-President for Africa and the Middle East of IATA, Mr Kamil Alawadhi, paid a courtesy visit to the FAAN MD/CE on October 15th 2024 at the FAAN Headquarters in Lagos.  Mr Alawadhi led a five-man delegation of senior IATA officers, which included the Area Manager for West & Central Africa, Dr Samson Fatokun; Director of Operations, Safety and Security for Africa and the Middle East, Mr Kashif Khan;  the Regional Manager, Customer Experience & Passenger Facilitation, Mr Mamadou Guebre and Jennifer (Aisha) Yeates , Assistant Director Operational Safety at IA...

 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 Unialg. Due to some logistics, the equipment had not been moved since the MoU was signed prompting the new leadership of ...