The Nation Newspaper

Category: Aviation

  • DANA Air connects Accra

    DANA Air connects Accra

    As part of its ongoing route network expansion plans, Dana Air has begun daily flights from Lagos to Accra.

    The addition of Accra brings the current route network of the airline to five destinations  including  Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Uyo and Accra.

    According to the Accountable Manager of Dana Air, Mr. Obi Mbanuzuo, the new service will assist passengers to integrate into other route network with fares that are affordable and competitive .

    He said: ‘’ Business and leisure travellers to the beautiful city of Accra in Ghana, will experience the Dana Air -hospitality as we extend our operations to the cosmopolitan city of Accra.

    “We are working with the objective of integrating other cities from Accra into our  route network and making air transport accessible by developing new routes and linking same to our  existing routes’’

    He stressed that, with  Dana Air’s far-reaching domestic route network in Nigeria, guests arriving Lagos from Accra will also benefit from a choice of onward connections from Lagos to Abuja, Port Harcourt, and Uyo.’’

    Speaking further Obi said: “Accra is a preferred destination for Nigerian businessmen and women and Dana Air’s foray into the city will further boost investments in the city and deepen the bilateral relationship between the two countries.’’

    He noted that Dana Air’s daily flights to Accra will bring options, comfort and relief to its teeming guests who have been longing for an airline with superior on-time performance and world-class in-flight service.

    The airline has also set an introductory online fare of 22,000 to boost leisure and business trips from Lagos to Accra.

    Meanwhile, Dana Air has bagged the domestic airline carrier of the year award, organised by AES Excellence Club at the City Mall, Lagos.

    The AES award is an initiative designed by the AES Excellence Club to reward, celebrate, encourage and project to the world individuals and organisations which made eminent contributions towards the development of our country in their various fields of endeavour.

    According to the AES Excellence Club :  ‘’Dana Air emerged after a thorough and rigorous screening exercise by our team of assessors which was later subjected to verification through a public survey.”

    Omene while presenting the award to Dana Air said: “ This award is presented to you as a result of your outstanding customer service and efficiency. You came back with impressive innovations and we want you to keep it up’’

    According to Dana Air’s Accountable Manager, the airline is honoured to be named domestic airline carrier of the year by AES Excellence Club.

    ‘’We are honoured to have been named domestic airline carrier of the year by a credible organisation.  The award is a vote of confidence in our service delivery and customer experience and our goal is not only to improve on our quality in-flight service and customer service, but to continue to create innovations that will set us apart’’

    Meanwhile, the airline in its determination to make the Christmas and New Year holidays a special one for kids and guests, has said it is  offering kids travelling on its flights a special in-flight package.

  • AIB seeks operational equipment , tools

    AIB seeks operational equipment , tools

    The Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) said  that the agency requires hi-tech equipment and other sophisticated  operational tools to  enable it carry out its duties .

    The Chief Executive Officer of the agency, Dr Felix Abali, said this while receiving the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi and the Aviation Minister (State), Alhaji Hadi Sirika, during a visit to the agency at the international wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA), Lagos.

    He said: “We also need to have hi-tech equipment and other sophisticated tools. These two resources will help us to deliver on our mandate and fulfill our vision of being among the leading accident investigation bodies in the world.”

    Abali stated that though the agency has some well trained professionals and good facilities, the accident investigation body needed more in this direction.

    He explained that AIB is funded through the  three per cent the Ticket Sales Charge (TSC) collected by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and Federal Government allocations through the Federal Budget, adding that the agency can do with more funding.

    The agency, the AIB boss said, has challenges just as it has great potentials.

    He said their visit would help overcome some of these challenges and reposition AIB among the leading accident investigation bodies in the world.

    He said the AIB is  silently but diligently working behind the public glare to prevent accidents from reoccurring, adding that the purpose of accident investigation is not to apportion blame or liability but to prevent future re occurrence.

    The AIB boss posited that when the agency determines the cause of an accident, the agency would issue safety recommendations, adding that AIB use the instrument of safety recommendations to effect changes in aviation safety.

    Abali added that with the recommendations made in the past, AIB has made local and international impacts that has affected aviation safety positively, adding that in doing this, however AIB require well trained, well motivated and diligent professional investigators.

    AIB, he said became an autonomous agency and effectively started operation in 2007 with the appointment of a Commissioner as a result of the passing into law of the Civil Aviation Act of 2006, adding that prior to this time, the Bureau was a department in the Federal Ministry of Aviation as Accident Investigation and Prevention Bureau (AIPB) and was headed by a director.

    Accident investigation is one of the two important critical legs of ensuring aviation safety, the other being regulation.

    The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) defines accident investigation as ‘a process conducted for the purpose of accident prevention, which includes the gathering and analysis of information, the drawing of conclusions, including the determination of causes and, when appropriate, the making of safety recommendations.

     

     

  • Expert criticises proposed Nasarawa cargo airport

    AN aviation expert has written off the N17.5 billion proposed Nasarawa cargo airport, saying it cannot stimulate the growth of air cargo.

    According to  Captain John Okakpu, Governor, Umaru Al-Makura, may not have been properly guided before deciding to build such an ambitious infrastructure. Statistics, he said, showed that the airport may witness  low patronage.

    Quoting statistics from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), and market analysis released for 2015, Okakpu said nothing suggests that the cargo airport  would be sustainable.

    He said: ”If you consider the statistics on Nigerian market destination by Kilogram to markets like the United Kingdom, you will understand that Lagos accounts for 71 per cent  of the total cargo import and export in Nigeria.

    “This is followed by Port Harcourt accounting for 26 per cent and Abuja with a mere three per cent, while Kano State  accounts for  zero per cent, wondering how Nasarawa State intends to sustain the cargo airport.

    “So, from where do they want to generate the cargo for export? What incentives do you have to attract cargo  airlines away from Lagos, Port Harcourt, or Abuja? Kano State, as shown in the analysis don’t even have a percentage in cargo operations, he stated.

    “To me, the government of Nasarawa ought to have devoted its strength on empowering farmers for agro-allied produce rather building a cargo airport . The state could have gone steps further by ensuring it organises programmers for its farmers and get the appropriate certification to make the farm produce meet international standards.”

    Okakpu, ABX World Nigeria Limited Managing Director said funds for the project could have been directed to assisting farmers  for enhanced agro-allied produce and payment of workers salaries.

    At the inauguration of the airport a fortnight ago, Al- Makura said it was informed by his administration’s desire  to create a formidable platform for transportation of both domestic and international passengers.

    Okakpu also predicted that the fallingYoil prices would lead to a return to agriculture.

    He  counselled airlines to stick to the rules of the game by airlifting only agro-allied produce that meet international certification.

    Okakpu said:” This has become important to avoid embarrassing the country in the commity of agricultural produce nations.

    “We have seen situations where overzealous individuals tend to by-pass established authorities, exporting products that fail to meet international specifications.

    ‘’This must stop if we want to leverage agro-allied export and agriculture in a whole, to overcome the shock that will be associated with dwindling oil revenue.

    The Federal Government must not allow itself to be cajoled to creating room for all comers affairs, because agriculture is the new phase for us owing to predictions that oil will sell for $20 by next year, he said.

  • Minister orders probe into use of ladder at Bauchi Airport

    Minister orders probe into use of ladder at Bauchi Airport

    …NAHCO denies involvement in incident 

    The  Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika has directed an immediate investigation into the use of an unauthorized equipment by Aero Contractors Airlines at the conclusion of a charter flight to Bauchi over the weekend.

     

    This is just as one of the ground handling companies, Nigerian Aviation Handling Company ( NAHCO) Plc said it is was not involved in the incident because it does not operate at Bauchi Airport .
    The minister spoke through the deputy director in charge of press and public affairs in the ministry, Mr James Odaudu.

     

    Several reports received by the Minister have indicated that the airline used a ladder to disembark passengers from a Boeing 737 aircraft at the  Bauchi airport on Saturday December 19th 2015.
    According to the Minister, the act is inconsistent with Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (NCARs) and International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPS).
    The investigation will determine the immediate and remote causes of the incident with a view to developing and implementing measures that will prevent a reoccurrence of the unsafe and unacceptable procedure that exposed passengers to high risk of serious injury.

     

    He reiterated that if the airline is found culpable, the full weight of sanctions within extant laws and regulations would be applied on it.

    The Minister assures the traveling public that the Ministry of Transportation in collaboration with Nigerian Civil Aviation  Authority (NCAA) will ensure strict adherence to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations as well as ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices by all operators.

    Sirika further states that the ministry will not fail  in its responsibility to ensure a safe and secure air transport services which he views as sacrosanct.
    Meanwhile, Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc (NAHCO aviance) on Sunday said it was not responsible for the ordeals of Aero contractors at Bauchi airport where its passengers had to disembark from an aircraft with a ladder on Saturday.

     

    In a statement signed by its spokesman, Mr Tayo Ajakaye ,  NAHCO  said,  “The attention of the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc (NAHCO aviance) has been drawn to reports making rounds on the social media to the effect that it was its failure to provide handling service to one of its esteemed clients, Aero Contractors, that caused passengers of the airline to disembark with ladder at the Bauchi Airport.

     

    “Nothing can be further from the truth. NAHCO does not have operations in Bauchi. This fact is well known to Aero and all our client airlines. So, for Aero to embark on that chartered flight to Bauchi, it definitely would have made its own private arrangements.

     

    “Aero’s statement in this regard is particularly clear. It never mentioned NAHCO, nor for that matter, any ground handler as the reason it had to innovate.”

  • Expert lists obstacles to aviation growth

    …Canvass intervention guarantee funds , infrastructure tax 

    An aviation finance expert and managing director of Katari Systems Limited , Ali Mohammed Katari on Tuesday identified high interest rates charged by commercial banks as part of the funding challenges militating against the growth of the sector .

    The expert said until issues affecting access to funds and poor credit rating of Nigeria is addressed it will be difficult to attract capital to the sector .

    He spoke while delivering a paper entitled :” Financing Nigerian Aviation : The Options for growth “, at the Nigerian Travel Mart first anniversary colloquium in Lagos .

    The expert said the theme of colloquium :”Leapfrogging Nigerian Aviation to Match Her Growth” is very relevant given developments in the sector , where the expected potentials have not been adequately harnessed .

    Katari listed other funding obstacles to the growth of Nigerian aviation to include over regulated financial system, which according to him impedes on simple and genuine foreign currency transaction.

    He also listed  over regulation and expensive procedures by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA),a development  he said impedes on start-up airlines.

    He lamented that poor hostile business environment is not helping matters to bring about conducive climate for investors .

    He alleged that the exploitation by NCAA using multiple inspections of aircraft, training facilities and maintenance facilities have combined to  impede  the growth of aviation .

    On financing model for Nigerian aviation, he canvassed targeted and effective subsidy from the Federal Government  through intervention guarantee funds with very low interest rate with longer tenure  for repayment .

    He said there should be reduction of multiple taxation that impedes airlines revenue and creation of easier access to foreign exchange from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

  • Etihad named best carrier in luxury travel

    Etihad Airways  has been named  the best carrier on first class and long haul services on the Middle East and African routes .

    The rating was awarded at the  2016 Airline Excellence Awards organized by AirlineRatings.com

    AirlineRatings.com which is the world’s only comprehensive safety and product rating portal, celebrates and promotes excellence in the airline industry.

    The pinnacle of these efforts is its annual Airline Excellence Awards, which are decided by AirlineRatings.com’s editorial team.

    AirlineRatings.com Editor-in-Chief and Publisher, Geoffrey Thomas, said the judging panel  has been  impressed by Etihad Airways’ industry-leading innovation.

    He said, “Etihad’s commitment to excellence appears to know no bounds. The airline’s new First class and Business class offerings are breathtaking and have set a new benchmark in luxury travel.

    “In its first 12 years, Etihad Airways has stamped itself not only as a major force in the airline industry but a trendsetter – an incredible achievement.

    “Etihad Airways has an uncompromising attitude to excellence. For the airline, only the best will do.”

    Etihad Airways’ Chief Commercial Officer, Peter Baumgartner, said the prestigious awards were a vote of confidence in the UAE flag carrier’s innovation strategy and guest experience design and delivery.

    “To be named Best First Class and Best Long Haul Airline Middle-East and Africa – two very competitive categories – is an honour.

    “Over the past 12 months, Etihad Airways has completely reimagined the flying experience with the launch of our next-generation cabins on board the Airbus A380 and Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.

    “These awards are further proof that the experience we offer in First Class, as well as in Business and Economy, has set a new global benchmark for air travel and that Etihad Airways is continuing to exceed travelers’ expectations.”

  • Senate seeks urgent infrastructure for airports

    The Senate Ad-hoc Committee on Aviation on Monday called on the Federal Government to urgently improve infrastructure at the nation’s airports especially the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA), Lagos and the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport (NAA), Abuja.

    The committee while on tour of the two airports said that a lot still needed to be done to put the nation’s airports at par with its contemporaries around the world.

    The Chairman of the Committee, Senator Rabiu Kwankwanso frowned at the state of infrastructure at the airports and decried that in order to prevent it from total collapse, the government should take the infrastructure as priority.

    He said, “I can say we are happy on one hand, but on the other hand, we are not happy because a lot still needed to be done in the aviation sector in this country.

    “We have seen the decaying facilities at the two major airports and those needed to be replaced. We have seen ongoing projects. We will go back and make recommendations to the Senate so that we can move forward from where we are. We started from Abuja Airport where we saw the facilities and at the Lagos Airport too, we have seen several equipment.”

    Also commenting, Senator Stella Oduah said that the committee would recommend the best way to improve on the revenue drive within the industry to the government through the Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika.

    “Ours is to make our reports and make recommendations to the government and find out the lapses and gaps in the system,” she said.

    The committee commenced its tour of airport facilities from Abuja Airport, continued at the Lagos Airport where it visited the ongoing terminal construction, and the Total Radar Coverage of Nigeria (TRACON) site of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA).

  • Overland Airways commences flight operations to Jalingo

    …To Boost Economic Activities In Taraba
    Overland Airways has commenced flight services to Jalingo, the Taraba state capital, from the airline’s hub in Abuja.

    The expansion of flights to Jalingo according to the airline is part of efforts to provide uninterrupted flights in opening up smaller airports and the local economy.

    Speaking on the development, Chief Operating Officer of Overland Airways, Mrs. Aanu Benson disclosed that the airline operates a current fleet of nine modern turboprop aircrafts adapted to its short-distance operations.

    According to her, “Overland Airways is an outstanding economic development partner and catalyst in Nigeria, creating value for remote cities and communities. Our cardinal objective is to fast-track national development especially at the hinterland level, and we have a deep sense of fulfillment each time we connect another potential economic powerhouse like Jalingo to the main economic hubs.”

    “Today marks the beginning of a new economic frontier for Taraba State. Overland Airways is pleased to bring air connectivity to bear on the efforts to accelerate economic development in Jalingo and Taraba State.” she added.

    She said that Overland Airways was the first-ever airline to launch flights to Jalingo airport, thus opening the state to unprecedented economic development in tourism, agribusiness, small and medium scale industries among others.

    This notable feat, she stated, was one of several characteristics that single out Overland Airways as an unmatched partner in economic empowerment and development especially in hinterland regions in Nigeria.

    Overland Airways is renowned for launching first-ever flights to several Nigerian secondary airports such as Asaba, Dutse, Katsina and Minna, which has effectively created an extensive web of economic development in these regions and their environs.

    Speaking further, Benson said, “Overland Airways has the zeal to provide avenue for wealth creation especially in Jalingo and other remote cities in Nigeria. We are passionate about alleviating the challenges facing road commuters, and we are pleased to enhance the movement of economic developers, new investors, tourists, to and from Jalingo. Residents and visitors of Jalingo and its environs will no longer have to travel to other states to catch a flight to Abuja.

    She stated that in the difficult operating environment in Nigeria, it takes great courage and professionalism to venture into remote routes with low yield.

    Overland Airways, she explained relies on its excellent fleet choice, professionalism and outstanding management and discipline to sustain its vigorous spread in Nigeria’s hinterland destinations.

    Chief Operating Officer stated that the airline would operate thrice-weekly flights; Monday, Wednesday and Friday between Abuja and Jalingo, adding that Overland Airways provides scheduled domestic passenger services in Nigeria and is a leading charter services operator in West and Central Africa.

    Governor Darius Ishaku of Taraba State expressed delight at the launch of flights to Jalingo which provides a strong boost to economic development efforts in Taraba State.

  • Medview to begin flight services to Jeddah

    Medview Airlines has concluded plans to commence flight operations into Jeddah, in Saudi Arabia.

    The new service is part of efforts by the airline to consolidate operations on the international routes it was designated by the Federal Government.  This is coming barely 17 days after it commenced direct flight operations from Lagos to London.

    This exists as the airline on Monday unveiled its latest aircraft, Boeing 737-800 from Slovakia to the media.

    The Managing Director, Med-View, Alhaji Muneer Bankole while unveiling the new aircraft said that the airline would commence two weekly flights from Lagos to Kano to Jeddah with plans to increase the frequencies to four in the coming months.

    He declared that the aircraft, which landed at the international wing of the airport on Sunday evening was leased from Air Explore in Slovakia and would be used for the Jeddah route from December 31, 2015.

    The aircraft with the registration number OM-GEX is configured for 176 passengers; eight business class seats and 176 economy seats.

    Apart from the Jeddah route, which the aircraft would be deployed, he said the aircraft would immediately commence flight operations on its Yola route, which has since been increased from once daily to twice daily.
    Besides, he further disclosed that the airline had been designated to 17 international and regional routes, including seven in Africa, which it would continue to explore and operate into.

    He added that in the couple of weeks, it would expand its Port Harcourt operations to two from the existing one daily.

    Commenting on its Lagos-London flights, Bankole hinted that the flights had been increasing on a daily basis and expressed confidence that it would continue to grow.
    He said, “We chose Gatwick instead of Heathrow airport because the airport has a limited challenge. From Heathrow alone, we have three airlines that are operating direct daily flights; British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and Arik Air, but we are the only one operating from Gatwick.

    “As it is today, all our flights out of Lagos to London are fully booked till the end of January. I don’t know whether to call it acceptance or something else, but one thing I know is that our flights have been increasing daily and I want to thank Nigerians for this.

    “Also, our flights to and from Accra route, which we started about 14 months ago have been increasing and regularly full. We are also planning Dubai operations in the first quarter of 2016 and that is how we hope to grow and consolidate on our operations.”

    Also speaking at the event, the Chief Executive Officer, CEO, Air Explore, Slovakia, Mr. Martin Stulajter, commended management of Med-View for the existing relationship between the two organisations.

    Stulajter assured that the existing relationship would continue as the airline had proved to be reliable and consistent in its business development plans.

  • Firm launches travel portal

    Firm launches travel portal

    …Targets 10 million users
    Victory Travels and Tours has launched a travel portal christened 9aijatravel.com.

    The travel portal was designed for the travel and tours company by global information travel solution provider- Sabre Travel Network West Africa.

    At the unveiling in Lagos, the chief executive officer of the firm, Mrs Tolu Abiola – Lawal said the portal was designed to make travel planning seamless for teeming members of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).

    Mrs Lawal said with the application of technology  in travel management and planning, the portal will address challenges faced by many travelers .

    She said the portal was borne out of the need to comply changing technology in travel from paper based operations to electronic and booking engines, which is now in vogue.
    She said the firm has a dedicated section of the portal for meet the travel needs of over 10 million Nigerians who members of the church for evangelical, leisure, business and other reasons.
    She said the travel firm has concertized partnership with many foreign airlines to offer discounted fares for corporate clients and others who will benefit using the portal.
    She said partnership has been struck with many financial institutions to facilitate easy payment window for clients that will be networked through the portal.

    The travel management  expert said use of the portal will reduce cost of travel for users as there are multiple options in terms of currency, search options and other attractive packages.

    “The travel industry has undergone change over the years. This revolution is what has given birth to the design of a booking engine. As the official travel agency for the Redeemed Christian Church of God, we have unveiled this travel portal to cater to the needs of our over 10 million members. This is because we need a platform to assist in saving money for the church on travels. This has also become important because we do a lot of travels that border on education, missionary work, medical needs , sports and other issues”, she said.

    “We are calling on airlines to support us to make the system work . The unique selling point is that this travel portal will offer the least fares options . There is an immediate target market  and other features that other portals do not have.

    “We intend to harness discount on fares available to make the portal as user friend as possible.”

    She said with over 117 locations of the church worldwide, there is need to consolidate all travels to reduce expenditure through a booking engine that will offer attractive options.