The Nation Newspaper

Category: Aviation

  • Firm partners foreign carriers on cruise

    Travel management firm, Tour Brokers International (TBI) is partnering three foreign carriers to facilitate a one stop shop for cruise on many destinations across the globe. The airlines include Emirates, KLM and Delta Airlines. The partnership, according to the Managing Director, Mrs Uloma Egbuna, is an initiative  brokered to make air travel seamless for Nigerians and corporate organisations during their holidays on cruise. To achieve this, the firm, she said, has consolidated ts relationship with Royal Carribean Cruises to offer a one stop shop in Lagos.

    It is to facilitate affordable fares for Nigerians interested in embarking on both leisure and official travels on destinations flown by the airlines. Egbuna said: “’The  partnership is the testimony of our excellent relationship with the support from Cruises International and Royal Caribbean’s faith in our company,” adding that TBI is blessed with a robust pedigree in customer management and satisfaction.

    The implication of this pact with the South African based cruise firm is that it would provide a one-stop cruise shop in Lagos where guests are assured of services at the most competitive prices.

    George Argyropoulos Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Cruises International, South Africa and representative of Royal Caribbean in Africa,  said TBI has been in the forefront of championing cruises as holiday destination in Nigeria.

    He said: “This is a positive culmination of our almost 10 years working relationship with Cruises International South Africa. It is a reflection of TBI’s skilful management of the cruising option. Our company is the largest marketing and sales representatives of nine luxury brands in Southern Africa.”

  •  Travel agencies fault excessive tax on tickets

    Stakeholders  under the aegis of the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA) have faulted the  cumulative effect of taxes and surcharges imposed by  foreign airlines  on tickets sold  by travel agencies.

    Such excessive taxes, they claimed,   reflect on the price  paid by passengers.

    They said the additional charges  could double the advertised airfare for a short-haul flight.

    This, they said, has led to the high cost of  foreign airlines tickers in Nigeria.

    The group at its 40th Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital last weekend, decried a situation where  airlines taxes are higher than the base fares.

    They  urged the Federal Government through the Ministry of Aviation to call foreign airlines to order over what they termed sharp practices.

    According to them, passengers  are  shocked by the difference in advertised airfare and the price they ultimately pay for ticket.

    The reason for the discrepancy is that the amount advertised is usually the airline’s “base”fare on which many surcharges and taxes are levied at the time of purchase.

    NANTA’s Financial Secretary  Mrs. Ngozi Ngoka said foreign airlines make available on their website fares, which are much cheaper than those available on the agency booking platforms. She described it as unfair competition, adding that the practice is running a lot of agencies out of business.

    “We have documented evidence about this practice from Emirates airlines and KLM,” she said.

    She said the group had made its position known to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), stressing that regulation on it has not been helpful.

    “Our position is that we want a unit to be set up to look into fare structure of airlines. Fares are padded. A former Director-General of NCAA, Dr. Harold Demuren, was very helpful and seriously fought to stop the fleecing of Nigerians. In other climes, aviation regulators look at fare structures. Taxes are higher than base fares.”

    Mrs Ngoka decried the high cost of air ticket for example to London from Lagos or Abuja, hinting that a situation where air fares to London costs between N400, 000 and N450, 000 for economy class from between N150, 000 and N200, 000  cannot be justified, notwithstanding the falling naira against the dollar.

    She noted that first class ticket on British carriers and other European airlines has gone up between N1million and N1.5 million to N3 million, describing it as “ludicrous.”

    The NANTA Chief deplored the sale of airline tickets by  banks, adding that banks have become “jack of all trade” and are gradually and consistently encroaching on all businesses, including specialised areas such as NANTA’s.

    Mrs Ngoka said the banks were not licensed to act as airline agents, noting that travel agents undergo rigorous accreditation  before they are allowed to sell airline tickets.

    “Why are airlines colluding with banks to sell tickets by offering banks commission and offering agents none?, she asked.

    The public, she said, had been inundated with adverts by banks  making “ridiculous offers on  the purchase of air tickets from such banks. This growing trend portrays a dangerous situation whereby the banks have abandoned their core business of providing financial services to the public and delving into a business venture that they are not legally licensed to perform.”

  • Dana Air announces Easter promo

    Dana Air announces Easter promo

    Dana Air has unveiled special fares ahead of Easter celebrations.

    The Accountable Manager of the airline, Mr. Obi Mbanuzuo, said  the aim of the promo is to reward its loyal passengers.

    He said: ”Our aim is to reward our loyal guests and for the most frequent flyers, to show their loyalty by keeping their boarding passes, showing  it and winning free tickets to keep flying. The more you fly, the more you win.”

    Mbanuzuo said the promo would last till May, this year, adding that Dana Air is committed to enhancing the flying experience of its passengers by providing a consistent, satisfactory, intentional and proactive experience.

    He said: ‘’The introduction of the Show Your Loyalty promo is further proof of our commitment. Our valued guests can take advantage of our special fares, which will be both online and across our counters at the airport.

    ‘’Guests can also take advantage of our reduced fares across our domestic route network by booking and paying online to experience the Dana Air hospitality.”

    Mbanuzuo said the airline’s vision and mission were to be recognised and respected as Nigeria’s most reliable and customer-friendly airline and earn the loyalty and respect of passengers by consistently demonstrating its commitment to service, and providing affordable regional air transport services that focus on innovation, quality and service excellence.

  • Medview, firm partner on UAE route

    Medview, firm partner on UAE route

    MedView Airline has entered into partnership with Anta Travel, a United Arab Emirate (UAE)-based  travel management firm to ensure that Nigerians travelling to Dubai on the airline  get the best experience.

    The deal is expected to open  various vistas fr passengers.

    As part of plans to begin flight operations into the UAE, Medview Airline hosted its sales agents and clients to a trade partner forum in  Lagos.

    Medview Airline Managing Director, Alhaji Muneer Bankole, restated his airline’s commitment to meet the yearnings of Nigerians by providing affordable flights with plenty of luggage space to boot.

    He said the airline has come of age in delivering on its promises since the commencement of all operations, making it not just a reliable airline but a consistent one. Although he said Medview was not ready to release its entire package for the UAE operations slated for the summer.

    Bankole noted that at Medview, they were well aware that Nigerians are prone to carrying a lot of luggage and as a response to that, they would be giving a three-piece luggage room for the Business Class at 75 kilogrammes, and that is just for starters.

    “Med-View Airline will always do what is right and ensure that safety remains its priority. As you know, Medview started from a humble beginning as a travel agency before taking the initiative and venturing into hajj operations. And now, it is scheduled for domestic and international operations, always excelling in what it does.

    “The airline only got to where it is because it listened to constructive criticism and took the advice of all its partners.”

    Medview as an airline will look into their suggestions and come out stronger for it,” the Medview boss said.

    On competition on the Dubai route, one that has seen off two major Nigerian players over the years, Bankole expressed optimism that competition is to help them  get better. According to him, the airline was not worried and other carriers on the route will keep them on their toes and drive them to success.

    He called on partners, travel agents to be part of the success story and aiding them to grow as an airline stating that Medview got to its heights with the support they brought to the table further urging them not to stop supporting the airline.

    On the partnership, Anta Group, UAE and Oman General Manager,, Mr Kumar Jagadeensan, expressed the delight to partner with the airline, praising its chief executive for his proactiveness.

    He said the airline’s commitment was unrivalled and that this partnership forged would bring more value to Medview.

     

  • Emirates unveils new business class seat

    Emirates unveils new business class seat

    Emirates has unveiled its new business class seat for its Boeing 777 aircraft.

    The new product is part of efforts to enhance passenger comfort.

    According to a statement, the new business class seat was unveiled at an international travel trade show that held last week in Berlin.

    The seat is set to make its commercial debut on Emirates’170th Boeing 777 aircraft, a -300ER version, which the airline expects to receive in November, this year.

    Emirates President, Sir Ted Clark, said: ”OurBoeing 777 Business Class seats are already an industry-leading premium product, and what this new seat does is to take that design and comfort to the next level. We gave the seat a fresh and modern look, retained all the existing features that our customers love and added a few more, while improving the seating and sleeping comfort.

    “Providing our customers with the best possible experience has always been at the heart of any new product development at Emirates. It’s evolution as well as revolution. We are always working towards the next big leap, but at the same time, we continually look at the little ways we can enhance what we already offer.’’

    He added: ‘’We believe this new Business Class seat further strengthens the experience and value proposition for our premium customers. We are very excited about the arrival of our first Boeing 777 later this year with the new seats, and to see how our customers will respond to it, which I’m optimistic will be positive.”

     

  • Revealed: Why Bristow hired third party firm for audit

    Revealed: Why Bristow hired third party firm for audit

    Facts have emerged on why rotary wing operator  Bristow Helicopters Nigeria Limited engaged a United Kingdom (UK) firm, Aviateq International Limited, to carry out third party audit of its operations.

    Investigations by The Nation revealed that Bristow gave the job to the firm because of its competence in handling safety management systems.

    Bristow’s decision may have raised concerns in the industry over the quality of audits by Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) which investigation of the airline’s Sirkorsky C76 chopper type revealed nothing significant.

    The audit followed “the landing on water” of the airline’s chopper on February 3.

    At a forum a few weeks ago, the Commissioner of Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB), Dr Felix Abali, insisted that the bureau’s duty is to investigate accidents and make safety recommendations to aircraft operators, the regulator and manufacturers.

    According to him, it is NCAA’s duty to ensure such safety recommendations arising from accident reports are implemented.

    A source close to the authority hinted that it had focused more on fixed wing (aircraft) operators rather than on rotary wing  (helicopter) operators which operations and equipment type are  different.

    A player, who pleaded not to named, urged  AIB and  NCAA to collaborate in the implementation of safety recommendations from accident reports. The expert said if the NCAA had implemented previous safety recommendations on operators, the spate of air crashes or serious incidents could have been  reduced.

    He said: “How many safety recommendations identified by AIB on operators have been enforced by the NCAA. This is enough reason for airlines to start thinking of engaging independent safety auditors.”

    The source hinted that the determination of Bristow to engage an international safety audit firm might have raised concerns over the quality of inspectors in charge of helicopters at the regulatory body, which recently got a directorate of general aviation.

    Sources hinted that slow enforcement of safety recommendations by the regulator may have triggered fresh posers among operators .

    But the Senior Legal Director of Bristow, Olu Olubanjo, said the decision to invite the foreign  safety auditors is not an indictment of the oversight duties of the NCAA.

    He said though the NCAA has completed its comprehensive audit, the airline will be comfortable with another third party audit to enhance its operations.

    The one week audit by the foreign firm will end this week.

    He said Bristow is favourably disposed to this arrangement because Aviateq International Limited provides specialist services to the aviation industry, especially in  auditing of aviation organisations and facilities, development and implementation of Safety Management Systems (SMS) for Airports and Aircraft Operations

    He said the audit by the foreign firm will enable Bristow share with other operators possible findings of safety concern.

    According to him, “We feel that it is necessary to invite an independent auditor to look at our operations and we are ready to learn from their findings.

    “This is the reason we canvassed that any comprehensive review of operations should be extended to other helicopter operators in Nigeria so that best practices can be shared to enhance safety across the industry.”

    He said the airline is set to look inward at its operations to learn possible lessons from its last serious incidents and accidents.

    Bristow Helicopters, he said, is   committed to safety having operated for 50 years in Nigeria.

    He said its fleet of Sikosky aircraft are well-maintained in Nigeria by local engineers and the airline’s technical partners.

    Global Operations’Bristow Group, Vice President, Mike Imlach, said maintenance of the airline’s fleet was carried out thoroughly and that the airline is one of the few that carries out its maintenance checks totally by itself.

    Imlach said: “We have resumed flying and have started flying our clients to Port Harcourt and Abuja on the Sirkorsky S-76 aircraft that has complied with the NCAA’s comprehensive audit.

    “I want to say that we are a safe airline and follow all our safety procedures. We do all our maintenance in the country and we are one of the few airlines that do not take our aircraft out of the country for checks.”

    He said all maintenance was done in compliance with the manufacturer’s directive.

    The airline’s Vice President/Chief Technical Officer, John Cloggie, said his organisation over the years has embarked on training Nigerian pilots and engineers.

    On the maintenance of the aircraft, Vice President/Chief Safety Officer, Environment, Health and Safety Sikosky, George Klug, said the aircraft type is well-maintained and that he could fly the aircraft to anywhere at any time to show how the confidence he has on the Sikorsky fleet.

  • IATA, Nigeria partner on air safety in Africa

    IATA, Nigeria partner on air safety in Africa

    The International Air Transport Association (IATA) and Nigeria plan new measures to enhance air safety in Africa.

    This is in line with decisions reached by African transport ministers in 2012 to improve safety in the continent’s skies.

    Nigeria’s Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) Director-General Captain Muhtar Usman and IATA’s Regional Director, Safety and Flight Operations, Africa and Middle East, Tanja Grobotek, made the promise after a meeting in Abuja last weekend.

    Usman described the endorsement of the African Union’s Abuja Declaration as one of the most significant steps taken to boost safety and development of avaiation on the  continent.

    He said the industry would achieve much if all players contributed to sustain initiatives geared towards improving air safety.

    “Nigeria is committed to supporting its implementation across the sub-Saharan Africa through developing new strategies that will see the recent gains on Africa’s safety record sustained and even improved,” he added.

    Since the Abuja Declaration’s adoption in 2012, Africa’s safety performance, he said, had improved significantly.

    Besides these important and valuable gains, Africa still accounts for the highest accident rate.

    “African safety is moving in the right direction, thanks to the work done by a number of African nations, including Nigeria, who have worked hard to raise awareness of the importance of implementing the Abuja Declaration,” Grobotek said.

    “In 2015, we saw safety on the continent improve compared to the five-year accident rate for both jet and turboprop hull losses. Nevertheless, the challenges of bringing Africa in line with global performance remain,” she explained.

    He continued: ” IATA remains focused on its commitment to actively contribute its expertise and resources to help African nations implement the standards outlined in the Abuja Declaration.

    ‘’One such area is the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA), a proven tool for raising safety. IATA has worked with a number of airlines in Africa to bring them onto the IOSA registry. Eleven have joined since the Abuja Declaration was signed, which means 31 airlines from sub-Saharan Africa now benefit from this rigorous safety audit.”

    Another issue that was discussed at the meeting was the need for African Governments to accelerate the implementation of ICAO’s safety-related standards and recommended practices (SARPS), according to the Universal Safety Oversight Audit Program (USOAP).

    The NCAA reaffirmed its commitment to improve on the effective implementation of the SARPS by the end of the year. As at the end of January, only 21 African states had accomplished at least 60 per cent  of implementation of the SARPS.

  • Air Cote D‘Ivoire fetes agents on launch of Abuja route 

    Air Cote D‘Ivoire has celebrated the launch of its direct flights into Abuja, the 12th destination to be opened in its network across the West and Central African subregion.

    The airline deployed a new Bombardier Dash 8- Q 400 aircraft on the route.

    At the event in Abuja, Cote d’Ivoire’s Ambassador to Nigeria         Kone Maman expressed delight on the achievement and thanked the government and people of Nigeria for allowing Air Cote d’Ivoire to begin direct flights into Abuja.

    She said: “Nigeria is a big nation and the expectations are high. We thank everyone for supporting Air Cote d’ivoire and we will work hard to meet their expectations.” Also identifying with the remarkable feat, the Charge D’Affaires of Rwanda, Mr. Nsengiyaremye, congratulated Air Cote d’Ivoire and urged the airline to invest in capacity development to ensure the airline has competent personnel to operate and maintain its aircraft fleet.

    “We are excited by this new service into Abuja, the Federal Capital of Nigeria.The flight arrived on time and departed on schedule. And in spite of little or no adverts, we had five passengers in Business Class and the flight was half full,” said Mr. Fofana.

    He continued: “Abuja is an important market for Air Cote d’Ivoire because of the diplomatic community and ECOWAS.”

    The service is operated three times weekly out of Abidjan into Abuja on classes.

    Addressing Travel Agents during a partner’s reception to celebrate the flight, Mr. Fofana promised to operate an open door relationship with them and pledged to offer all the support they might require to help grow the market.

    “We have started Abuja with three weekly flights one year after commencing flights into Lagos five times a week. With your support we can grow the number of flights in Abuja to five weekly flights or even seven,” he noted.

    As part of plans to encourage its partners, Fofana said aside a six per cent commission  on tickets sold, the airline also plans to reward its customers by adoting strategies ranging from free Business and Economy Class tickets for a volume of business as well as accruable benefits through its Frequent Flyer Programme tagged SMILE.

  • NAHCO Aviance donates to charity

    The Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc has extended its philanthropic gesture to the inmates of Home for the Elderly as well as the Compassion Centre for the Physically Challenged, both in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

    It donated food items, medical equipment and cash. The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Norbert Bielderman, who led the firm’s team,comprising the Manager, Corporate Governance and Stakeholder Relations, Uche Maduemesi and Manager, Port Harcourt Station, Stanley Okiti, expressed nahco aviance’resolve to  identify with organisations that engage in services to humanity.

    Bielderman told officials and inmates of the home: “We are glad to make these donations to you as part of our giving back to the society. NAHCO Aviance is a socially responsible company that cares for the welfare of the less privileged. We will continue to offer our support.’’

    He added: “I want to encourage you, caregivers for the wonderful work you are doing because it is not easy to care for the sick and the elderly in the society. We will visit again when time permits. Please continue your good work.”

  • AIB boss urges restraint in accident investigation

    The Commissioner of Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB), Dr. Felix Abali, has called for restraint on the issue of aircraft mishap.

    He said AIB would continue to discharge its functions in line with internationally standards.

    At the stakeholders’ forum in Lagos, Abali said the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Annex 13, prescribed the sole objective of the investigation of an accident or incident.

    Such role, he said, is to prevent recurrent accidents and incidents.

    He explained that the purpose of this activity is not to apportion blame or liability, adding that this might run against the expectation of  the public.

    He, however, said this is understandable due to the emotion- laden atmosphere that usually accompanies air mishaps, and that AIB would not carry out its investigation without emotions.

    He added: “It is also not unusual to find many people eager to know the cause of aircraft accidents, even in a matter of days. So, accident investigation process is more complex than many often imagine.We must be painstaking and thorough so as to arrive at a conclusion that is not only fair and transparent but can also be scientifically proven.

    “Besides the accident site investigation that is usually open to the public, accident investigation entails gathering information from diverse sources including documentations, such as maintenance and personnel records, regulatory authority records, flight planning documents and operators manuals.

    “Other sources are recordings such as flight recorders, interviews, direct observations of actions performed by operating or maintenance personnel in their work environment, simulations, specialist advice, safety databases and so on.

    “There are also statutory processes to be engaged before reports are released to the public. All these take time. It is, therefore, important to appeal to the public and concerned citizens to please show some understanding and patience during air mishaps.

    “It may also be apt to enjoin some people who always try to preempt accident investigations to apply the brake and allow AIB to do its job.”

    Abali said the ongoing amendment of the regulations would make the document more robust, transparent and all-inclusive.

    He insisted that review is the livewire of any organisation that is serious about growth and progress, stressing that the agency’s experience in Nigeria and all over globe had made it imperative for the regulations, which took effect on November 11, 2006 to be reviewed.

    He explained that Nigeria cannot operate in isolation of others, stressing that it was necessary for it to align itself with happenings in the global aviation industry.

    Abali maintained that the regulation is an important tool for carrying out the functions of accident investigation  according to the framework for the operations of the bureau, adding that the bureau’s enabling law, which also domesticated the ICAO, Annex 13, formed the bedrock of the regulations.

    He said one of the major  responsibilities of AIB is to make safety recommendations in an incident or accident, adding that it is not in the Bureau’s purview to enforce compliance; rather, the responsibility is that of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

    He added: “We only monitor implementations of our recommendations. Accident investigation process is more complex than many people imagine. So, we must be thorough in our findings and recommendations. There are statutory processes to be engaged before the recommendations are released to the public.”

    Also, the Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika reiterated that the Federal Government would continue to take the issues of safety and security of all airport users critical.

    He said the amendment process had been duly followed as stipulated in the  Regulation 2006 with the participation of the observer to the bureau’s regulation committee reporting to the Federal Ministry of Aviation on the matter.

    Sirika, who was represented by the Special Adviser, Technical, Capt. Nuhu Musa, said amendments by the agency were in tandem with the ICAO Annex 13 on Accident Investigation, and that they had been included in the first regulations.

    In her presentation, Mrs. Maureen Tsenongo of AIB, said the essence of the amendment was for the industry to move forward and improve incident or accident investigation.

    She noted that before the review, technical personnel in AIB took a careful look at the regulation.