The Nation Newspaper

Category: Aviation

  • Firm introduces H175 search and rescue chooper to Nigeria

    Firm introduces H175 search and rescue chooper to Nigeria

    As part of its expansion into frontier markets, Airbus Helicopters has introduced its H175 chopper to operators in the oil and gas and aviation support services sectors.

    The firm unveiled the chopper’s unique features as the best equipment for search and rescue operations.

    The marketing team of the aircraft manufacturer carried out a demonstration flight at the Evergreen Aviation Nigeria (EAN) hangar as part of plans to promote the fuel efficient aircraft in Nigeria and West Africa.

    The Vice President and Head of Operational Marketing, Airbus helicopters, Regis Magnac, at a briefing in Lagos, said the H175 can to perform optimally above other helicopter types  because of the size of its fuel tank.

    Besides, its inroad into Nigeria,  the $10 million helicopter is consolidating its market share of rotary wing aircraft in neighbouring West African countries including, Ghana, Ivory Coast  and other countries in the Gulf of Guinea.

    Magnac said : “’ We brought this helicopter into Nigeria to unveil its unique qualities for players in the aviation support sewrvices industry, oil and gas and allied sector to see.

    “’ This is because of the volume of such activities taking place in this country.

    “’We are convinced that given the features of this aircraft type it will have industry acceptance . This is not because another aircraft type by another manufacturer is having issues . Far, from that, this is purely reaching out to potentials clients because this helicopter is best suited for search and rescue operations for Nigerian aviation and emergency rescue agencies .

    He went on :” This helicopter is designed with the support of oil companies and helicopter operators, the H175 offers cost competitiveness, performance and new standards of safety and comfort. This aircraft is perfectly suited for oil and gas operators in Nigeria.

    “’The  H175 was developed by Airbus Helicopters as its new-generation medium-sized rotorcraft, certified in accordance with the latest and most demanding regulatory requirements.

    “’Its benefits  include enhanced flight safety, more volume per seat for passenger comfort, mission versatility, simplified maintenance, and cost effectiveness to match customer expectations.

    “’Within its class, the H175 offers the best operating range in relation to the number of passengers.

    “’With 16 passengers aboard in an oil and gas configuration, it can fly to distances of 140 nautical miles (332KM), increasing to nearly 200 nautical miles (435 KM) when 12 passengers are carried in a long range configuration, with no auxiliary fuel tank required. In a higher density configuration, it can carry as many as 18 passengers up to 105 nautical miles (269 KM).

    “’In terms of comfort, the helicopter’s fast cruise speed, large windows, and low sound and vibration levels create a comfortable passenger journey offshore’’.

     

  • Despatchers crucial to flights, says instructor

    A Licensed aircraft despatcher and ground instructor with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the U.S Federal Aviation Administration  (FAA), Mrs Victoria Adegbe, has said security despatchers and other professionals   are crucial to  flight safety and efficiency.

    Speaking at the official launch of a book titled: “Despatch made easy: An aircraft despatch handbook,” last week in Abuja, she said  a  despatcher plans and ensures the smooth operation of any  flight by checking coordinates related to the  weather.

    Adegbe said such professionals  are responsible for ensuring that there is adequate fuel and giving the wind direction to get the aircraft to its destination, or alternate airport .

    Flight despatchers, she said, also ensure that the maximum baggage taken on board any aircraft is not detrimental to safety .

    Adegbe said the motivation to write a book on her profession was came because of the dearth of reference materials at the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT).

    Speaking at the public presentation of the book , Capt. Data Tarfa who is the head,   Presidential Fleet , said the job of the despatcher revolves around  the safety of flight.

    He said the despatcher is the one who determines if an aircraft will be released for flight or not based on his assessment of all the necessary parameters required for safe operations.

    “This book is not only timely and useful for future generations, but comes as a challenge for many of us who were unable to put down our experience in a book like Victoria has done today,” he stressed.

    The Managing Director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Saleh Dunoma, who was represented  by the Director of Administration, Mr. Ikechi Uko, praised Mrs. Adegbe for the brilliant work in putting together the book.

    Also speaking,  Operations Control Manager, DANA Air, Mr. Sam Onwutuebe said the book will contribute to the development of flight despatch profession.

    He said :”This is a welcome contribution to our profession .

    ‘’Being  a despatcher myself,  I am  proud of this attempt because it will contribute in no small way in transforming the profession from one confined to a room in an airline office to receiving the recognition it duly deserves.”

    While reviewing the book,  Mr. Joseph Olotu, Base Operations Manager, Presidential Air Fleet (PAF) said: “Having spent six years within the halls and offices working shifts and odd hours, Victoria has gleaned sifted knowledge and garnered experience. Together with her passion for the profession, she has put together a good book with which to explain and broach the subject to amateur, professional and enthusiasts.

    “This book will go a long way in helping the public understand what processes are involved for any aircraft to take off and land successfully; for a despatcher’s duty is only completed when all his planes are safely back on the ground.”

    Corroborating the book reviewer, Mr Gbenga Olowo, President, Aviation Safety Round Table and Sabre Travel Network, said: “There is no safe flying without a dispatcher.”

    Commenting on the job of the despatcher, the senior vice president – operations/deputy managing director, Arik Air, Capt. Ado Sanusi, said the despatcher “is the captain on ground as he makes all the decisions and then gives the captain the brief.

    “He decides the route that the airplane will follow, he decides the flight level, he decides the fuel that he will take, he decides the speed that he will fly, he decides a lot for the captain and he briefs the captain. So he works very closely with the flight crew and he is an integral part of the flight crew actually.

    ‘’So, the despatcher is a very essential aspect of conducting a safe flight from point A to B.”

    Other industry players that attended  the forum include President, Aeronautical Information Services Association of Nigeria (AISAN) Mr. Babatunde Shittu who highlighted some important tools used by despatchers in a paper entitled “The Role of NOTAM To Any Flight Operation;”

  • AON pledges to pay NCAA all unremitted funds in full

    The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has pledged to ensure that all outstanding debts are paid to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) as agreed.
    This assurance was given during a meeting between the management of the regulatory authority led by the director general, Capt. Muhtar Usman and the Airline Operators at the NCAA Conference Room yesterday .
    Speaking on behalf of the operators, the AON Chairman, Capt. Noggie Meggison remarked that it is incontrovertible that operators are heavily indebted but promised that all unremitted funds will be fully paid.
    He thanked the  director general for holding a series of meetings with all operators, a move he said was long expected. Meggison therefore requested for similar fora¨ where the Authority’s vision will be properly articulated from time to time to enable us key into it.’’
    He, however, called for a retreat where stakeholders will meet to brainstorm on some knotty challenges which operators and the entire industry is confronted with.
    In his response, Capt.Usman enjoined the airlines to comply as agreed because the issue of Ticket and Cargo Sales Charges is sacrosanct. According to him, this is to enable the Authority and other benefiting Agencies effectively carry out its regulatory and Statutory responsibilities.
    The Director General and the NCAA management emphasized the need for automation by operators which will offer real-time and transparent transaction. He directed that all reconciliations must be done within the 60 days window provided.
    He advised the operators to forward all required documentations to verify conflicting claims.
    Capt. Usman admonished the operators to be alive to their responsibilities and challenges.
    He urged operators to take advantage of various Bilateral Air Services Agreements (BASA) entered into by the federal government to compete with their foreign counterparts thereby generating the much needed foreign exchange.
    Usman assured the operators that there will be a broader stakeholders’ forum very soon where various grievances could be looked into and addressed and charge the operators to fully embrace the automation  for the sake of transparency and an end to discrepancy over figures forthwith.
    Over 20 airlines chief executives and their representatives attended the meeting. These include Arik Air, Medview, FirstNation, Chanchangi, Kings Airlines, Overland among others some of who also contributed richly to the issue of the day while the meeting lasted.

  • Overland Airways gets city ticketing office in Jalingo

    Overland Airways gets city ticketing office in Jalingo

    Overland Airways has launched its City Ticketing Office in Jalingo, Taraba State.

    The office which is located at SBG House, along Barde Way, was inaugurated by the Chief of Staff, Government House, Hon. Rebo Usman. The Commissioner of Works, Dr. Tafarki Eneme Agbadu and Galadima of Muri, District Head of Jalingo, Alhaji Lamido Abba Tukur presented goodwill messages on behalf of stakeholders and the community.

    The Executive Director, Overland Airways, Mrs. Aduke Atiba, said the new office is part of efforts to reach out to all parts of the country .

    The City Ticketing Office,  she said,  will provide easy access for the purchase of Overland Airways tickets and for other enquiries.

    The airline operates thrice-weekly flights between Abuja and Jalingo. With the launch of this City Ticketing Office, the people of Zing, Jalingo can easily avail themselves of Overland Airways’ services without necessarily travelling to the airport.

    According to Capt. Edward Boyo, the Managing Director of Overland Airways: “We commend the government and people of Taraba State for embracing air transport as a key driver of Taraba State’s economic development. This service is for Taraba people. And the present government of Darius Ishaku will be remembered today and by posterity because Overland Airways is here to stay.

    “Development takes such deliberate plans and efforts to be achieved. At a time Nigeria’s economy needs pragmatic diversification from over-dependence on crude oil, states are now required to look inwards to transform their numerous resources. Taraba State is in the frontline of regions to change the trend in Nigeria.

    “ Overland Airways is committed to partner in the realisation of the economic, social, cultural and other potentials of Taraba State, even in harsh economic conditions as we have seen in the past weeks and months.”

    Overland Airways launched the first-ever scheduled commercial airline flights to Jalingo airport last December, thus opening the state to unprecedented economic development in tourism, agribusiness, small- and medium-scale industries.

    According to Mrs. Aanu Benson, Chief Operating Officer of Overland Airways: “We want to get closer to the people and identify with their needs. We want to let them see how air transport can improve their business and economic lives as Overland Airways provides them with safe, comfortable, consistent, reliable and unique air services. The launch of this City Ticketing Office in Jalingo today adds a huge value to Jalingo and Taraba State.

    “As a partner in economic development, Overland Airways is committed to opening up Nigeria’s hinterland economies because we have the best aircraft – the turboprops – for the short flights into Nigeria’s hinterland economies which many Nigerian flyers are excited about.”

  • Passenger traffic ‘rises by 23% in 12 years‘

    Passenger traffic ‘rises by 23% in 12 years‘

    Passenger traffic at Nigerian airports in the last 12 years increased by 23 per cent, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) Managing Director Saleh Dunoma has said.

    According to him, it rose from 4.4million to 12 million passengers in the review period.

    The traffic grew between 2004 and 2016 because of the remodelling of terminal facilities and the growth of airlines.

    He said between 2004 and 2010, the growth rate increased marginally on a yearly  average of two per cent.

    But from 2010 to 2016,it increased at three per cent .

    Dunoma said the FAAN is striving to expand airport facilities to accommodate the envisaged growth. The growth, he said, would be achieved when the proposed international airport terminals under construction in Lagos, Abuja, Enugu, Kano and Port Harcourt are completed.

    He said the terminals on completion would increase capacity and improve passenger facilitation.

    In an interview week in Lagos,  Dunoma said the new facilities being constructed at the airports would attract global attention, because of Nigeria’s aviation portion.

    Dunoma said the FAAN, would continue to sustain the standards achieved during the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO’s) safety and technical audit.

    He said Nigeria would continue to learn from globally accepted safety and operational policies.

    Nigeria, he said,would join other countries in the global efforts at addressing industry challenges .

    Dunoma said:”The Federal Government  as the primary investor in Nigeria’s 23 airports is gradually opening doors for genuine private investors to partner and work with the government to explore the various opportunities in the sector”.

    He said the  International Air Transport Association (IATA) 20-year passenger growth forecast projected that passenger numbers were expected to reach 7.3 billion by 2034, which represents a 4.1 per cent average annual growth in demand for air connectivity.

    African airports, which are rated among the fastest-growing markets he said, would benefit from this growth with  Nigerian airports  expanding their user handling capacity both in aeronautics and non-aeronautics services.

    Meanwhile, Airport Fire  and Safety Cooperatives Multipurpose Credit Society President Mr Richard Tella said  the cooperative is embarking on the training of its members to enable them settle after retirement.

    Speaking in his office at the Muritala Mohammed Airport in Ikeja, on their activities, Mr. Tella explained that the training would ensure that retirees were comfortable and live a good life after serving that country.

    Tella explained that they will be trained in fisheries production, poultry and other agro-allied productions as a means of sustaining themselves while playing advisory roles as senior citizens.

     

  • Emirates increases free baggage allowance on African routes

    Emirates increases free baggage allowance on African routes

    Emirates  is set to increase its free baggage allowance for customers travelling on all its flights originating from destinations across Africa.

    Emirates’ customers travelling in any of the airline’s three cabin classes on outbound African flights will benefit from the increase in free baggage allowance based on the piece concept .

    Economy Class customers will get a new baggage allowance of two bags weighing up to 23kg each, taking the current weight allowance from 30kg to 46kg, while Business Class increases to two bags of 32kg each, taking the current 40kg to 64kg. First Class customers will get a baggage allowance of two bags weighing up to 32 kg each, up from the current 50 kg to 64kg. In addition, infants will be entitled one piece of luggage up to 23kg.

    The baggage allowance will be applicable for all return Emirates’ flights beginning from Algeria, Angola, Ivory Coast, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, Mauritius, Nigeria, Senegal, Seychelles, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe to Emirates network. Irrespective of the point of sale, the piece concept will apply for the entire journey.

    “At Emirates, we always focus on how we can give our customers the best value for money through award winning products and services, both in the air and on the ground. The increased free baggage allowance is another compelling reason for travellers to fly with Emirates. It will enable them to carry even more goods, whether for personal or business reasons, on their journeys from Africa to points across our global network and back,” said Orhan Abbas, Emirates Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations, Africa.

    “With more than 370 flights a week between Dubai and the 22 passenger destinations we serve in Africa, the continent is a very important region for Emirates, and we believe the new allowance will further strengthen trade and tourism connectivity between Africa and our worldwide network, particularly the US, Europe, the Middle East and Asia Pacific,” he added.

    Customers on all Emirates flights between its hub Dubai and the 22 destinations in Africa, also enjoy Emirates’ award winning ice entertainment system, which offers hundreds of channels of audio and visual entertainment, while enjoying gourmet cuisine, and the service and hospitality from Emirates’ multi-national cabin crew, including from many countries in Africa.

    In addition to opening new routes, Emirates continues to enhance its presence in Africa by increasing flight frequencies to existing points, and deploying larger aircraft to cater for the increasing passenger and cargo demand. Emirates also serve five cargo only destinations in Africa.

  • NAHCO wins award 

    NAHCO wins award 

    Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc, (Nahco Aviance) has emerged overall winner in the Transportation & Aviation Industry category of the 2015/2016 edition of the Nigerian Risk Awards.

    The award according to its spokesman, Tayo Ajakaye, is testimony to the company’s spirit of resilience and hard work.

    He said the firm having emerged the runner-up in the last edition, took creative steps to clinch the award the next year.

    NAHCO, he said, was  scored by the judges as the winner in a field that parades top brands.

    In the words of Adewale Akinwale, Head, Enterprise Risk Management of the Company:”  NAHCO  earned this through our hard work and commitment to safety, efficiency and dedication towards improving our bottom-line revenue in the interest of our shareholders.”

    According to him, the company recorded a 99.6 percent reduction in cargo claims in the year under review, from N53 million in 2014 to less than N200, 000 in 2015.

    “We had zero aircraft damages. We cut our cargo claims payment down from N53, 434,096.03 in 2014 to just N177, 356.78 in 2015. We achieved all these despite the threat of economic collapse due to 2015 general election fears, highly volatile foreign exchange rates which led to reductions in cargo volumes and passenger numbers, crippling fuel scarcity situations which grounded many organisations to a halt and in the face of an unethical industry competition”.

    Meanwhile, NAHCO Free Trade Zone (NFZ), a subsidiary of the firm has announced the appointment of Arc Usman Arabi Bello as Chairman.

    Bello, who was before now the Vice Chairman of the company, took over from Mr. Bolaji Balogun who retired in March.

    A widely-travelled properly expert, Bello is also an administrator of repute.  His directional managerial responsibilities cover the consultancy consortium Ericon Bello & Associates and its subsidiary, Arabi Bello & Associates, where he is principal partner.

    He sits on the boards of quite a number of companies including  HNB Security and  Protection Company Limited as Chairman;  Bello Group of Companies and ZycomSurveillance Inc.

    Architect  Bello’s professional career in Architecture and other related fields has beenpurposeful and productive. A long standing member of the Nigeria Institute of Architects and Architects Registration Council of Nigeria, Bello has brought his own signature approach to the design and execution of buildings to enrich the built environment. His works are legion in parts of Nigeria notably Kaduna, Yola, Lagos and Abuja.

    Bello had been with the NAHCO  Free Trade Zone since its establishment and has significantly contributed to its growth. His new assignment would enable him give focused guidance to the executive management of the company.

    NFZ is a product of Nahco Aviance diversification strategy  which went full flare a few  years back.

     

  • Aviation Security: Expert calls for coordinated intelligence gathering

    Aviation Security: Expert calls for coordinated intelligence gathering

    Member of aviation industry think tank group, Aviation Round Table (ART) and Chief Executive of Centurion Securities, Group Captain John Ojikutu (RTD) has said that to evade what transpired at Brussels Airport where terrorists detonated explosives at the airport, there is a need to coordinate intelligence and security efforts by gathering and adequately sharing information across board.
    In an interview  former airport commandant emphasized that the lessons from Brussels Airport goes beyond airport security calling for a national aviation security policy which emphasizes the role of intelligence in the gamut.
    Ojikutu said  ”The lessons from the Brussels terrorist attack is beyond airport security alone. It is more about national aviation security and the role of intelligence in the aviation security defence layers.”
    “It is about having names of valuable targets among the homegrown terrorists Boko Haram  listed on watch list or no fly list. Remember, it took us about  eight  years before we could start putting faces on those within the domestic terrorist cell before the military started putting those faces and names on the watch list.”
    “The question we must be asking the responsible authorities is; are those on the military watch list on the watch list for aviation security or have the list shared with responsible authorities at d airports on need to know?”
    “It is about intelligence or security agencies sharing names on d watch list with airlines and airport operators; it is about the immigration services sharing passengers names records with other countries on the principle of reciprocity as it is between done between US and European countries; it is about airlines having a system for advance passenger information services at the departure airport and sharing the information with destination airport. These are intelligence networks.”
    He went on,” Secondly, because the airport passenger terminal hall is a public area and therefore a soft target, we now need screening machines at all access gates into d terminal halls with capability for detecting improvised explosive vapour.”
    “We must be very concerned now about insider’s threats and must regularly conduct background checks on all staff working in d airport security controlled areas. These intelligence work are not necessarily the job for sniffer dogs’.
    “The Close Circuit Television (CCTV) is a good complement to airport security only if it can pre-empt the act of terror attack and not after the attack as it is now playing out in Brussels and had played out in other terror attacks before it in the 9/11, London, Milan and Paris attacks.”
    On the recent figures estimated by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) stating that Federal Government would need to invest at least N25 billion to construct perimeter and operational fences across all the 22 government operated airports, he said it may be reasonable if it is spent where applicable and not a means of siphoning funds elsewhere.
    The security expert said,”N25billion may just be reasonable for providing perimeter and security fences for the nation’s 22 airports if and only if we seriously identify the difference between the two: ICAO, TSA & IATA lay emphasis on security fence (Annex 17) than perimeter fence (Annex 14).”

  • NCAA, Police to prosecute unruly passenger

    An unruly passenger who resorted to smoking on board an aircraft in abeyance to civil aviation regulations has been handed over to the police for prosecution.
    The spokesman of Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) Sam Adurogboye disclosed this on Sunday.
    According to him, the passenger (name withheld), who was on board a South African Airways 060 from Johannesburg to Lagos was alleged to be smoking on board the aircraft in contravention of Section 58 of the Civil Aviation Act 2006, Part.17.97.2 (a) and (c) of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulation 2012 (Nig.CARs).
    Information on the incident, Adurogboye said  was contained in correspondences between the Authority and the Nigeria Police Force pledging to collaborate to ensure adequate investigation preceding the prosecution.
    He said: “In line with Part 20.2.3.42 of the Nig.CARs, the stipulated penalty for smoking on board an aircraft is imprisonment of not less than two months.
    It is important to note that according to the Regulations, all airlines should and must as part of pre-flight formalities announce that smoking is prohibited anywhere in the cabin including the toilet.
    ”This culprit however, failed to adhere to this warning.Therefore; the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) will collaborate with the Police to ensure prosecution.
    ”The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) is committed to follow this case to its logical conclusion to serve as a deterrence to others who possess the penchant to flout the Authority’s regulations.
    ”In addition, our Directorate of Consumer Protection (DCP) has been strengthened to ensure passengers get full value for their money and comfort,” he said.
  • Debt: Arik Air resumes claims payment of N18.9bn to FAAN

    Debt: Arik Air resumes claims payment of N18.9bn to FAAN

    Arik Air on Thursday claimed that it had paid a total sum of N18.9 billion to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) from January 2007 till date.

     

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Managing Director of Arik Air, Mr Chris Ndulue, made the claim while briefing aviation correspondents in Lagos.

     

    NAN reports that the airline’s operations at the Murtala Muhammed Airport were disrupted on Wednesday by aviation unions and some FAAN workers, over its alleged N12.5 billion indebtedness to the agency.

     

    However, Ndulue, while apologising to the airline’s passengers for the inconveniences caused by the development, confirmed that Arik Air had resumed both domestic and international operations.

     

    He noted that it was very strange that while the airline’s records showed the payment of N18.9 billion, FAAN claimed that it received only N11.4 billion.

     

    According to him, every efforts have been made over the years to reconcile the disputed figures, including the setting up of a ministerial committee by the former Permanent Secretary of the aviation ministry, Mrs Binta Bello.

     

    Ndulue said while the committee was still trying to resolve the issue, FAAN instituted a suit against the airline in October 2015 at the Federal High Court, Lagos.

     

    He said FAAN again informed the court on Feb.3, 2016 that parties should be allowed to explore an amicable resolution to the dispute by appointing an independent auditor, to reconcile the figures.

     

    “So the issue of whether Arik Air is indebted or not to FAAN has been put before a competent court in a suit initiated by the agency.

     

    “For FAAN to resort to self-help or by its staff is an affront on the Federal High Court and the Nigerian State.

     

    “A situation whereby staff of FAAN and union members turn themselves into debt collection agents, on behalf of the Federal Government is absurd,” Ndulue said.

     

    Also speaking, the Chairman of Arik Air, Mr Arumemi Ikhide, confirmed that the airline’s management had met with the Minister of State for Aviation, Capt. Hadi Sirika, over the unions’ action.

     

    “We are prepared and want to pay for services rendered, but we will not be bullied. What happened yesterday (Wednesday) is not good for the image of the country,’’ he added.