The Nation Newspaper

Category: Aviation

  • NCAA warns airlines over delayed flights

    The  Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority ( NCAA)  has read the riot act to domestic airline operators, urging them to avoid delays and cancellation of flights.

    It said it would not grant any approval for deferred  maintenance of aircraft and other infractions, which constitute threats to air safety, adding that it would not hesitate to clamp down on such airlines.

    The Acting Director-General of NCAA, Mr Benedict Adeyileka, said the era in which domestic airlines violated passenger rights through delayed flights and unnecessary cancellation, were over.

    He said airlines must ensure safety, warning that any airline with a poor safety record would be grounded.

    “Any airline that NCAA and its officials cannot fly will not be allowed to operate. Such airlines will be banned.

    “This is the reason all domestic airlines must ensure they have adequate spares for aircraft maintenance, avoid flight delays and unnecessary flight cancellations. The NCAA will not grant any extension for crew licence approvals and aircraft maintenance,” he added.

    He warned against the non-remittance of the five per cent ticket sales charge by domestic carriers to the authority, saying that prompt compliance with such payment would, henceforth, be tied to renewal of crew licences and certificates.

    “Bad planning by any airline does not constitute an emergency for the NCAA. It is for this reason that NCAA has opened lines of communication to resolve all issues that would arise, including safety and consumer protection.

    “What is important is how this process is managed. To keep safer skies operators must continue to pursue safety as a collective responsibility,” said Adeyileka.

  • NCAA, operators disagree over cost of aircraft check

    Who should foot the bill for inspection of aircraft brought into the country – operators or the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA)?

    The operators, who currently bear the cost, are pushing that the expenses be shared with them by NCAA.

    But, quoting the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations, NCAA is arguing that the law mandates the operators to pay its officials’ way abroad to inspect the aircraft.

    The operators are calling on the Federal Government to review the  practice under which airlines, underwrite the travel expenses of NCAA    officials designated to inspect aircraft abroad.

    They argued that since it is the duty of the regulator to ensure safety within the country’s airspace, it is incumbent on it to undertake the responsibility.

    An operator,  who asked not to be named said allowing the airlines to bear such costs alone, could eat deep ino their pockets, adding that “the people who are pushing for the sharing of the costs have a point.”

    But NCAA’s Deputy General Manager, Public Affairs, Mr Sam Adurogboye described the proposal as an attempt by some operators to disband the authority.

    He said: ” It is spelt out in the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations. It  is a product of the industry;  it is not imposed. So, which operator is now asking for cancellation through the back door?

    “Anything to the contrary is a violation or non compliance to safety regulations.

    “I hope those canvassing for this mean  well for the industry and safe operations.

    “One,there is the danger of turning our airports to dumping grounds if the aircraft  that have been brought in eventually do not meet safety requirements.

    “We hope this is not just an attempt to take advantage of NCAA, the same way some of these operators have held on to the authority’s statutory income which accrued to it from five per cent Ticket Sales Charge  and Cargo Sales  Charge.

    “Whoever is behind the campaign is simply rooting for the disbandment of NCAA. They want to operate without oversight. This is dangerous.

    “Aviation is the most regulated business all over the world. If a man does not want heat, he should not go near the kitchen.

    “Aircraft inspection  is a universal practice and not peculiar to Nigeria.”

    “Apart from the airworthiness of the aircraft, NCAA inspectors also carried out  other necessary documentations including the age of the aircraft.

    “It is when the aircraft meets all the requirements before the NCAA can grant approval for it to be flown into Nigeria in readiness for commercial operations.

    “Under the guidelines, it is the operator that is expected to pay for the air fares and other allowances of the inspectors whilst the inspection lasts.”

    Meanwhile, a suggestion that NCAA should undertake the inspection of aircraft locally has been opposed by the Managing Director, Capital Airlines, Mr. Amos Akpan. He said such approval would not be in the interest of safety standards.

    Akpan argued that if such request is granted by the government, it would create room for operators to bring in  planes that may not meet the standards  provided for in the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations of 2006 and 2009.

    Also faulting the suggestion that NCAA should inspect aircraft in the country, the Executive Chairman of the Airline  Operators of Nigeria (AON), Captain Nogie Meggison, said the move may affect the development of the aviation industry as aircraft that do not fit Nigerian specifications on airworthiness could be brought in.

    He said the practice where NCAA inspectors carry out checks on  aircraft in their country of origin is better, adding that any rectification on the aircraft could be done before such planes are flown into the country.

    Meggison said the cost of aircraft inspection by NCAA could be reduced by buying economy instead of business class tickets for officials. Such significant reduction in travel costs, he said, will reduce the financial burden on airlines, who operate in a high cost environment.

  • ‘Why airlines cancel flights’

    The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority ( NCAA) has explained why airlines  cancel or adjust their flights during the rainy season.

    According to the NCAA, adverse weather conditions which have the tendency to threaten the safety of any aircraft in flight is sufficient reason , for airlines to either cancel or adjust flights for which it would not be sanctions .

    Speaking in an interview, the general manager public affairs, NCAA, Mr Fan Ndubuoke, said the authority had made it mandatory for all pilots to obtain en route / destination weather information, before embarking on any flight.

    Such weather information, he said would assist the pilot to plan his flight to a sod flying into turbulent weather that could threaten the safety of the aircraft and the passengers on board.

    He said :” Airline’s pilots are mandatorily required to obtain en route/destination weather information before the operation of a flight. They are also required to abort a flight if the weather condition is unsafe for operation.

    “An operating airline shall not be obliged to pay compensation for cancellation if it can prove that the cancellation is caused by extraordinary circumstances which could not have been avoided even if all reasonable measures have been taken.”

    The NCAA  spokesman  explained that any air operator who delays or cancels flight due to adverse weather conditions is  merely upholding the Standard and Recommended Practices in the industry.

    “When wind shear occurs along the flight path, it causes abrupt and substantial displacement of the aircraft from its intended path which becomes extremely hazardous for aircraft taking off and landing.

    “In other words, the rains being experienced now may result in occasional flight cancellations/delays.”

    He however  advised  passengers at airports to demonstrate exceptional calm and understanding when flights are cancelled on account of adverse weather .

    In addition, he urged them to remain calm, avoid violence and confrontation with the airline officials as this measure is  to ensure their safety.

    He said : “We will therefore enjoin intending passengers to exercise restraint/understanding in the event of any weather related cancellations/delays”.

    “It is pertinent to draw the attention of both the operators and passengers to the rights, responsibilities and limitations of all the parties as spelt out in the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations 2012.”

    He said  the Directorate of Consumer Protection (DCP) of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) expects the airline officials to ensure sustained communication to the affected passengers if and when flight cancellation/delays is anticipated or occurs.

  • Conference panel condemns delay of cargo terminals

    Conference panel condemns delay of cargo terminals

    The National Conference Committee on Transport has condemned the slow pace of work at airport terminals for the export of agro-allied products.

    After a meeting with the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Aviation, Dr. Jamila Shu’ara and other top officials, the committee said the projects lacked coordination.

    Its Chairman, Senator Musa Adede, said after listening to the presentation by Shu’ara, the committee noted there was a tendency to abandon the projects because “it looks as if there is no synergy between the parastatals”.

    Senator Adede said for the Aviation Master Plan to be implemented, there must be coordination from the ministry, which is under the management of Permanent Secretary as the Chief Financial Officer.

    The  committee also observed that while work had slowed down in some airports, construction had stopped in others, except at the five international terminals being built by Chinese Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC) in Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Port Harcourt and Enugu, which are on concessions.

    Though sources alleged that senior officials in the Ministry of Aviation were stalling the construction of the terminal projects,  the Ministry has denied the allegation.

    The Assistant Director, Press/Public Relations Unit, Oleme Hastings, said any accusations directed at Dr. Shua’ara were false.

    “These allegations are untrue, baseless and a reckless product of the evil machinations of those who hate the ideals of the Ministry which the Permanent Secretary, Dr Shu’ara is championing.

    “The Permanent Secretary has not sat on any payment to contractors, nor questioned approved projects in any airport, or transferred directors who are on supervision as alleged by detractors,” he said.

    Also, the Coordinating Spokesman of aviation agencies, Yakubu Dati, said the seeming lull in the execution of the projects was caused by the late passage of the 2014 budget, which led to the delay in the release of funds.

    Dati also said the Supervising Minister of Aviation, Dr Samuel Ortom, had assured that work on the remodelling of airports would be completed on schedule.

    Last week, the Committee invited officials of the Ministry of Aviation, agencies and Aerotropolis Nigeria to appear before it.

    The Nation learnt that the Chief Executive Officer of Aerotropolis Nigeria, Dr Daniel Tarka, made  a presentation which impressed the committee.

    A source said it was obvious from the comments of Senator Adede that there seemed to be lack of cohesion in the operations of the Ministry and its agencies.

    But from the observation of the committee, the work on the projects may not be completed as funds were not being released promptly  for the projects.

    Since 2011, the Federal Government embarked on the building and rehabilitation of over 22 airport terminals, fresh cargo terminals, and other projects across the 22 airports in the country.

    Over 14 of these terminals have been completed while work is on going on the others. They are part of the Aviation Master Plan introduced by the former Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah, to revamp the industry and make it contribute significantly to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as it is in other countries.

  • ‘Why Bi-Courtney prefers foreign firms’

    INDIGENOUS contractors and suppliers of some equipment at the Domestic Terminal of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, Lagos lack the expertise to offer world-class services, the Chief Executive Officer, Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited, Mr Christophe Pennick, has said.

    He said some equipment, including escalators and elevators, installed by some indigenous firms had broken down due to poor installation.

    Pennick said such shoddy service accounts for why the firm is utilising  foreign manufacturers and suppliers.

    The firm, he said, spent over N500 million on the upgrade of  equipment at the Domestic Terminal to enable it attain world-class standard.

    Pennick said the investment covered the replacement of escalators, elevators, cooling system and other  facilities that would change the travel experience.

    Pennick said the Bi-Courtney engaged a foreign firm to intall the new escalators and elevators.

    The firm has concluded plans to replace the check-in counters and increase those at Departure Hall.

    Pennick said: ”We have embarked on serious upgrade of our operational equipment to improve the culture of maintenance. We do not have to wait for the regulatory agency to clamp down on us. But, we have had a bad experience with Nigerian contractors,  either vendors or suppliers of airport equipment.

    “Their technical maintenance and supervision for such airport facilities is below the bar. Less than nine years that this terminal was built, some of the equipment they installed are already below the standard, perhaps due to issues arising during the construction.

    “That is why we are using foreign companies. We went through a rigorous process of tendering before we concluded on the suppliers to fix project at this terminal.

    “The firms have handled related projects with technical expertise in other countries and even Nigeria. Besides, there would be after SA les maintenance of the equipment.”

    Pennick spoke of plans by the firm to expand facilities at the terminal to enable it become one of the best airport terminals in West Africa.

    He said an aggressive expansion plan was ongoing to attract many finiancial institutions into the terminal.

    Beside former EcoBank, Access Bank and SkyeBank that left the terminal, Union Bank and UBA Bank have their expressed readiness to open outlets at the terminal.

    The firm’s Chief Operating Officer, Adebisi Awoniyi, said the upgrade of facilities was caused by the need to uphold a maintenance culture.

  • Security reports fault merger of NCAA, NAMA, NIMET

    SECURITY reports have faulted the planned merger of three aviation agencies by the Federal Government, The Nation has gathered.

    The reports, sources said, warned that the planned merger of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA),  Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) and Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) to become the Federal Civil Aviation Authority (FCAA) could have adverse effect in the industry.

    The observation, it was learnt, could force the government to jettison the planned merger.

    A source hinted that reports from security agencies in Lagos and Abuja, indicated that the planned merger, no matter how well intentioned, may not augur well for the   sector because it would breach standards of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

    In view of this, the government may have opened communications with aviation unions, opposed to the merger.

    The unions said the merger would amount to taking the  sector back. They argued that ICAO regulations prescribe that civil aviation regulations should be separated from air navigation.

    Last month,  the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers  (NAAPE), and Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria ( ATSSSAN),  warned that the government might be sanctioned by ICAO if it merges  the three outfits.

    A spokesman of the unions, Comrade Benjamin Okewu, who is the president of Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), said the planned merger violates ICAO rules.

    “We strongly support the model that makes for the autonomy and independence of the NCAA and feels it should not in any way be diluted, as doing so would attract dire consequences from ICAO and the FAA.’’

    Last month, Supervising Minister of Aviation, Dr Samuel Ortom, told reporters in Lagos that the government has considered all options to implement the planned merger.

    Ortom said: “The Steve Oronsaye Committee, I believe considered all options and consulted widely with the relevant stakeholders in the aviation sector  before making the recommendations.

    “Government has also looked critically at the proposal and considered it in the interest  of the sector to approve the proposal.

    “The merger I believe will improve efficiency  and reduce waste and overhead cost in the aviation sector.”

    He continued: However, the president has set up an  implementation committee to see to the merger  process. I do not believe the government would go all out to implement policies that would hurt the aviation industry.

    “The government considers the aviation industry very critical  to transforming the economy, thus it would not jeopardise that with hurting policies.

    “Let us trust the government to do what is right. This government is a listening one, if at any point the government considers the merger detrimental, it would not hesitate to rescind its decision.”

  • Bristow Helicopters invests $6m in Port Harcourt hangar

    Bristow Helicopter has invested over $6 million in the construction of a hangar in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, the Managing Director, Captain Akin Oni, has said.

    He also said the helicopter firm invests over $5million yearly in the training of helicopter  pilots and engineers at the Bristow Academy in the United States.

    Oni, who spoke at a briefing on the activities of the airline in Lagos, said Bristow  has over 35 per cent of the market share in the logistical rotary wings sector  in the country, adding that the firm will  invest  in domestic capacity in the  sector by supporting the training of helicopter pilots and engineers at the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria.

    He said the airline has the capacity to carry out major maintenance on its 31 aircraft at its hangar in Lagos with indigenous engineers.

    He said five years ago Bristow commenced the repairs of its helicopter  fleet in Nigeria using its indigenous engineers, adding that it has saved over $1.5 million on freight of the helicopter spares, taxes and duties and other associated costs.

    He spoke of plans by the airline to acquire a micro gas turbine to provide power for its operations  to reduce costs of diesel.

    He said the micro turbine, which cost the firm about $1.5 million would arrive Nigeria soon.

    He listed challenges in the helicopter business to include inadequate infrastructure, epileptic power supply, which he said, constitutes a major barrier to its operations.

    He said: “Infrastructure at the airports, especially power supply, is a major headache, forcing most companies to run on generators. This has huge impact in our operations. Another major challenge is the huge cost of training our pilots and engineers outside the country.

    “We need to develop local capacity in the training of such key personnel. If we train such personnel in Nigeria, we would save a lot of money,” he added.

    He denied insinuations that Bristow was dominated by expatriate pilots and engineers.

  • Air charter under threat, say operators

    Air charter under threat, say operators

    Aviation is fast becoming good business in Nigeria, with private /chartered jets outnumbering the planes in commercial airlines’ fleet. However, operators fear that the attention on the business from the larger society, government patronage and its attendant criticisms may spell doom for its growth, reports KELVIN OSA OKUNBOR

    There is growing discontent among a section of the citizenry over the use of chartered/private jets. The development is a fallout of accusations against some senior government officials, not the least the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, who allegedly spent N10billion for over three years, on charter services offered by some private airline operators.

    The share size of the bill, in a sense, is an indication that  business aviation is indeed,  worthy of venturing into in the aviation sector. The challenge, according to operators, is not  about the business survivability,  but the negative image its  detractors are associating it with; a trend they say, might sound the death knell to an otherwise lucrative and desirable enterprise.

    Despite the probe by the lawmakers, business aviation in Nigeria is fast gaining ground, as operators of business / private  jets continue to experience increasing patronage from both domestic and international shuttles. According to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority ( NCAA) statistics, the number of private / chartered jets in Nigeria stands at over 150.

    Besides, the NCAA, according to its Acting Director-General, Benedict Adeyileka, continues to receive requests for permits and licenses by more operators, who are poised at bringing jets into the country.

    The aviation sector regulator, he said, has set up the Directorate of General Aviation to tend to issues affecting business aviation given its expansion in the country.

    He explained that the  Directorate would oversee safety issues, operations and personnel that will be involved in business aviation in Nigeria.

    As the number of private jets are  increasing in Nigeria, more aircraft manufacturers are establishing their presence in the   with the setting  up of maintenance and repair centres in Lagos, Kaduna, Abuja and Port Harcourt.

    Not long ago, a private Hangar and terminal operator, Evergreen Apple Nigeria (EAN), organised the second Nigerian Business Aviation Conference (NBAC) in Lagos. It was attended by over 160 delegates including industry experts to discuss the nation’s aviation business.

    The forum examined the development, growth, challenges, government support and other issues affecting business aviation .

    According to EAN Managing Director  and NBAC convener, Segun Demuren, the forum  was designed to provide a platform for analysing and reviewing Nigerian Business Aviation and stimulating discussion on what is needed to support  business aviation  in Nigeria.

    Stating some facts about the aviation industry, Demuren said: “Nigeria is now Africa’s fastest growing Business Aviation economy with more new and pre-owned aircraft delivered to the country, than South Africa last year. The country’s private jet fleet is larger than the commercial fleet.  Growth has been driven predominantly by the oil and gas industry. However, other sectors including finance, manufactu-ring, telecommunication and agriculture are all contributing to a market which is set to grow by 20 per cent this year”.

    He said  150 private jets are operating in the country with an anticipated increase of 350 by 2016.

    According to Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) Chairman, Capt. Nogie Meggison, the poor transport logistics within the country is the reason why people charter private jets. This, he said, has continued to stimulate  the growth of business aviation .

    Poor road network,  limited domestic airline fleet and train network, he said, meant that executive jets have provided the solution to logistics challenges in the country.

    According to him, “the time saving, the convenience and the increased productivity that follows, means that business aviation is not a luxury, but an essential tool for growth in Nigeria.”

    He argued that the Federal Government, while supporting expansion,  has removed import duties on new jets by signing the Cape Town convention. The convention reassures lessors about asset security. There are other issues such as investments  in new infrastructure, which  include private jet terminal, which does not impose time restriction on  foreign registered private jets stay on Nigerian soil.

    Meggison said while these are stimulating growth, improved regulations, comprehensive Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) offerings, the implementation of structured Safety Management Systems (SMS) and local participation are necessary for success to be achieved in the sector.

    But, some Nigerians feel chartering of private jet by public officials is immoral, considering the high level of poverty in the country .

    The amount expended on the use and maintenance of such jets, they argued, could tend to some needs of the masses.

    According to  Adeniyi Kolawole, Secretary, Concerned Citizens of Nigeria  “Some of the most modern jets are owned by either serving or retired public officials.

    “Something is wrong with our value system. It is sad that this is happening in a country where more than 70 per cent of the people live below poverty line.”

    He added: “But that is not all, several Nigerians, especially those in public offices, have equally resorted to hiring of private jets for regular trips within Nigeria and around the world, often at astounding costs to the country. According to findings by Transparency Action Group, those who regularly hire private jets include the private sector and government officials.

    According to observers if the House must probe the oil minister, the probe must be extended to all government officials, who are using public money to take chartered flights instead of going on scheduled commercial flights.

  • New security measures at airports

    The Federal Government has begun the implementation of new security measures at five international airports.

    The airports  are the Murtala Muhammed International  Airport, Lagos; Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja; Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano; Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu and the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, Port Harcourt .

    The exercise, which began last weekend, would require  visitors to Nigeria, including foreign dignitaries and officials  of multi lateral institutions, to submit  themselves to immigration officers for requisite scrutiny and clearance.

    The measures are part of the recommendations of  the Presidential Committee on Review of Security and Screening Architecture set up by the government in 2013.

    The Special Adviser to the President on Performance  Monitoring and Evaluation, Professor Sylvester Monye,  said the new security arrangement  has become imperative because of the prevailing security situation  in the country.

    Monye  said  since  May 1, 2014, no protocol officer/aide,  is  allowed into the arrival/baggage halls of the five international airports in Nigeria.

    He said the old practice where protocol officials, aides of dignitaries, protocol officers of private firms, unauthorised uniformed and non-uniformed military and security officials move about unhindered in restricted areas around the airport terminals, will no longer be tolerated .

    He said the unwholesome milling around of such personnel in the Immigration and Customs areas is now frowned at and seen as a threat to national security.

    According to Monye, who spoke at the Presidential Committee on Airport Security tour of facilities in Lagos  last week, the new directive was issued in view of recent threat to national security. He frowned at attempts by some government and military officials who abuse facilities at the airports.

    He said government will implement the new security measures,  as  the directive will not respect anybody who goes against its implementation.

  • Airlines sign MoU

    Etihad Airways and Philippine Airlines (PAL) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) marking a new era of cooperation between the two flag carriers.

    The MoU lays the foundation for a renewed partnership agreement that will deliver a comprehensive range of commercial benefits to the airlines and their customers.

    Included in its scope are codesharing, frequent flyer reciprocity, airport lounge access, air pass agreements and cargo cooperation.

    Etihad Airways President and Chief Executive Officer, James Hogan, said the MoU with Philippine Airlines was an important milestone in the long-standing relationship between the two flag carriers as well as the ties between Abu Dhabi and the Philippines.

    “Etihad Airways and Philippine Airlines have a history of successful cooperation on the Abu Dhabi-Manila route,” he said.

    PAL President and Chief Operating Officer (COO), Ramon S Ang, said: “We are very happy to seal this partnership with Etihad, a respected global carrier. This relationship will go a long way in providing our combined customer base a much more enhanced set of travel options. This also comes at an opportune time for PAL, which is in the thick of a fleet modernisation and expansion programme, that will see the flag carrier pushing further not only into the Middle East, but also on other parts of the globe using a modern fleet of aircraft.”