Category: Aviation

Passengers’ inability to retrieve luggage on arrival at destinations is becoming a nightmare for operators, players and regulators in the global travel space. Aside from mitigation efforts by concerned bodies, the ugly trend is not abating. A dramatic twist is emerging at the nation’s airports where airlines are becoming circumspect over passengers’ complaints pointing to a false alarm, writes KELVIN OSA OKUNBOR

THE push to attain memorable travel experience is engaging the attention of aeronautical authorities and players in the global air transport space.

Besides, efforts by the International Civil Aviation ( ICAO), International Air Transport Association (IATA), Airports Council International (ACI), Flight Safety Foundation(FSF), and other bodies to scale up the processes, procedures and protocols of air travel, local bodies, including the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), and consumer protection agencies, are not relenting in their desire in ensuring passengers have smooth facilitation using the airports.

At various times, these organisations continue to invest in training, equipment and technology to make air travel safer, comfortable, convenient and stress free.

IATA, on its part, has developed a protocol to reduce the menace of missing luggage.

IATA’s Resolution 753, designed to address the issue, aims to reduce global baggage mishandling, increase efficiency in baggage operations and improve passenger experience. Resolution 753 require that airlines track a baggage at four key points in the baggage journey, including passenger handing over luggage to personnel, who are expected to load it into the aircraft.

But, their efforts appear to be thwarted by the preponderance of either missing or delayed luggage, which is creating fresh headaches for airlines, airport authorities, ground handling companies and other players in the passenger facilitation value chain.

IATA data reveals that 480 baggage are either lost, delayed or damaged for every 100,000 bags checked. Experts said it may not seem like a lot, but, in 2021 alone, more than 1.9 million bags were mishandled by US-based airlines.

Nearly 220,000 bags were “mishandled” by U.S. airlines in April 2022. Such luggage were either lost, damaged, delayed or stolen, according to data by the U.S. Department of Transportation.

The number of mishandled bags in April last year was more than double the 94,000 cases of mishandled luggage in April of the previous year, though slightly less than the tally in March 2022 and the level in April 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic set in.

Besides the efforts of the trade association for global airlines, other groups continue to canvas initiatives that  will improve the travel experience in minimising the numbers of missing luggage.

According to the Director-General, NCAA, Captain Musa Nuhu, all hands are on deck to reduce the menace of missing luggage.

Nuhu said last year  over 48,683 luggage belonging to passengers were either missing or delayed on arrival across the country’s airports.

Citing statistics from the authority, Nuhu said passengers experienced more missing or delayed luggage on board international airlines than domestic carriers.

According to him, international airlines recorded 48,234 missing or delayed luggage, while domestic airlines recorded 449 missing or delayed luggage in 2022.

However, 41,435 of the missing or delayed luggage were later found, while the remaining 7,248 luggage were unaccounted for in the year.

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NCAA data  revealed that at least 24  airlines that operate in Nigeria in 2022  were involved in the missing luggage.

KLM recorded the highest number of missing luggage with 5,622 followed by Air France with 5,480; Delta Airline with 4,342; Egypt Air with 4,247; Qatar Air with 4,221; Royal Air Maroc with 3,766; Lufthansa 3,633; RwandAir 2,827; British Airways 2,814; and Virgin Atlantic 2,812.

Other airlines include Turkish Airlines 1,657; Ethiopian Air 1,380; Africa World 1,300; United Airlines 841; Air Cote d’Ivoire 671; Asky Airline 879; South African Airways 622; Emirates 174; Kenyan Air 754; and Middle East Airline 69.

But, local carriers are getting circumspect over complaints lodged by passengers on missing luggage.

The carriers say some passengers are feeding the public with inaccurate information on the status of their luggage from the point of embarkation on the aircraft and arrival at destination.

Only last week, drama played out at the Lagos Airport when a passenger engaged a local carrier on the status of his luggage, claiming that it could not be  retrieved on arrival.

Worried over the trend, aviation authorities caused an investigation into the matter to unravel the reason for the alleged infraction.

But, fresh facts at the disposal of aviation authorities reveal that the false alarm by the passenger  turned  out to be a ruse.

Last week, a passenger, name and details withheld, travelling through the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal 2(MMA2) on Ibom Air flight QI0319 from Abuja to Lagos had been charged to court, convicted and fined for declaring a false baggage claim against the airline.

According to the airline, on February 20, 2023, the passenger boarded the Ibom Air flight QI0319 from Abuja to Lagos on arrival, raising a concern, claiming that  his checked-in luggage was missing.

The airline swung into action for proper tracking and it was confirmed that all bags were loaded onto the aircraft from Abuja.

In a statement, the carrier said: “Due to the passenger’s complaint, constant calls, disturbance, verbal abuse and threat to the company about his alleged missing bag and valuables items , including designer brand shoes, clothes,  contained therein, we requested a replay of the CCTV footage of that day from Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited, Managers of the Murtala Mohammed Airport Terminal 2 (MMA2) to ascertain what became of the bag.

“From the CCTV footage, it was discovered that the bag the passenger claimed to be missing was his checked-in bag.

“The CCTV footage showed when the passenger picked up the bag from the conveyor belt, with a bag tag on it, he proceeded to the restroom where he removed the tag to escape the waiting Ibom Air Security Baggage Reconciliation Team, who would have retrieved our baggage claim tag from him, and went straight to the Ibom Air counter, where he raised a false alarm about his alleged missing checked baggage.”

The airline stated that when it was established that there was no missing bag and that the passenger was dubious in his claim, the case was reported to the terminal’s aviation security and police.

The statement reads: “The passenger was, thereafter, invited to the office for further investigation and resolution of the issue. Upon his arrival, he stood his ground, and was handed over to the security agencies where he made his statement. When confronted with the CCTV footage, he broke down and confessed to the crime.”

“He was charged to court for the offence punishable under section 168(d) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.

“He pleaded guilty to the charge and showed remorse for his actions and promised not to repeat them again. He was convicted with an option of fine.

“This  development is becoming a dangerous trend, hence the reason we are going public about this to  deter unscrupulous elements who are hell-bent on tarnishing the image of Airline Operators while seeking illegitimate gain. We would further like to assure our highly valued passengers of our continuous strive for excellence and the safety and security of our passengers and their checked baggage in our care.”

Experts and stakeholders in the sector have condemned the trend, saying it is eroding confidence in air travel.

An analyst and Chief Executive Officer, Centurion Securities Limited, Group Captain John Ojikutu, said one of the ways to checkmate missing luggage is for airlines to carry out a pre-passenger profiling system to assess the intended traveller before selling tickets to them.

He said: “What Ibom Air has witnessed of the passenger is surely not the first time of such behaviour. Airlines must have computer assessment pre-passenger screening like most foreign carriers do.”

Global outrage is on the rise over the failure of some countries, including Nigeria, to release funds accruing from ticket sales by foreign carriers operating into their domains. The trend is creating unease with disruptions in air connectivity and other dire consequences in the travel space, writes KELVIN OSA OKUNBOR

Discontentment is on the rise in the global air travel sector as more countries violate international protocols with their continued withholding of funds belonging to airlines for ticket sales in their domains.

Many foreign carriers are unable to repatriate their revenue from ticket sales in Nigeria, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Lebanon, and Algeria, among others.

The development has been described as unhealthy for business by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

Experts have raised concern over foreign airlines’ inability to repatriate trapped  funds in Nigeria,  describing it as an infraction against international agreements and treaty obligations.

They said Nigeria becoming a destination for countries with the highest amount of foreign airlines’ trapped funds has dire  implications.

The implications, according to them, include  the designation of Nigeria as a high-risk country in doing businesses-related to aviation; the increase in insurance premium due to country risk and also the reluctance of lessors to lease aircraft to carriers or to do so at very high cost.

Experts believe Nigeria having the highest amount of the trapped airlines’ funds is not good for the country because of the perception of Nigeria in global aviation industry.

Last week, IATA said the trapped funds had reached $734,721,097 from $662 million in January, this year.

IATA said this in a letter addressed to the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, and signed by the Area Manager West and Central Africa, Dr Samson Fatokun.

Nigeria has remained the country with the highest amount of trapped airlines’ funds.

 By last December, IATA published the list of countries with the highest trapped funds  putting the figures for the countries as: Nigeria $551 million, Pakistan $225 million, Bangladesh: $208 million, Lebanon $144 million and Algeria $140 million.

IATA had warned that the amount of airline funds for repatriation being blocked by the governments had risen by more than 25 per cent  to $394 million in the last six months, adding that total funds blocked then tallied at close to $2 billion.

But, Sirika said the government was making efforts to resolve the matter.

According to Sirika, the issue of the foreign carriers’ blocked funds resides with the Central Bank of Nigeria and not what the Ministry of Aviation could handle alone.

Worried over the development, one of the affected carriers, Emirates Airlines, cried out.

In a statement at the weekend, the carrier said despite its efforts to get the money repatriated to its home country, Nigeria continues to renege.

The statement said: “It has been five months since Emirates suspended operations to and from Nigeria, and during this time we have seen little progress in the clearing of our backlog of funds.

“As of today, Emirates still has a substantial balance of blocked funds that have yet to be repatriated, and the progressive clearing our backlog remains beset with constant delays. “Today, around 50 per cent  of the amount approved for clearing within our backlog is still overdue for repatriation.

“We have made concerted efforts to enable a swift return to Nigeria. We had proposed a number of solutions and measures to recover our funds, and engaged in dialogue with government stakeholders and industry bodies. Regretfully and despite many media reports of public assurances made at the highest levels, solutions continue to be stalled.

“We acknowledge that the wider aviation industry and the local value chain it supports in Nigeria face a similar market reality. However, unless there is a committed strategy by the local authorities to deliver concrete action, air services for travellers, for businesses seeking global market opportunities and for investments – all supported through air transport and critical to Nigeria’s economic recovery will continue to dwindle.’’

It added: “We remain committed to finding a mutual resolution with the Nigerian government and Central Bank to repatriate the rest of our blocked funds in a swift manner, and provide a roadmap that includes firm measures to prevent future repatriation accumulation challenges and delays. We call on them to work with us, hand in hand, to ensure Nigerian travellers and businesses have unfettered connectivity and access to our global network.”

Emirates has continued to expand its global network and to deploy its capacity to meet travel demand across the world. 

In a statement, Emirates’ Chief Commercial Officer, Adnan Kazim, remarked that the airline’s financial year started relatively quietly as its ramp up was held back until the planned northern runway rehabilitation  at Dubai International airport was completed in June.

He said: “From July 2022, it’s been non-stop expansion.” Emirates has boosted operations by 31 per cent  total ASKMs  since the start of its financial year and has further plans to ramp up seat capacity in its latest published northern summer schedule starting March 26,  2023.

 In the past months, the airline has planned and executed the rapid growth of its network operations – reintroducing services to  five  cities; launching flights to one new destination – Tel Aviv – adding 251 weekly flights onto routes and continuing the roll-out of service enhancements in the air and on the ground.

 Kazim added that customer demand has been very strong, and the airline’s forward bookings have also remained robust. “Emirates is working hard on several fronts – to bring back operating capacity as quickly as the ecosystem can manage, while also upgrading our fleet and product to ensure our customers always enjoy the best possible Emirates experience. So far, four of our Airbus 380 aircraft have been completely refurbished with our new cabin interiors and Premium Economy seats, and more will enter service as our $2 billion cabin and service enhancement program picks up pace.”

In the coming months, established routes to Europe, Australia and Africa will be served with more Emirates flights, while in East Asia, more cities are seeing route restarts.

 Emirates has continued to scale up its Airbus 380 operations with the reintroduction of the iconic double-decker across its network: Glasgow ,from  March 26 , Casablanca from  April 15 , Beijing from May 1,  Shanghai from  June 4, Nice from June 1,  Birmingham from  July 1,  Kuala Lumpur from  August 1, , and Taipei from  August 1.

 Emirates had upcoming route enhancements by regions, including in Europe,  Australia and New Zealand, East Asia, as well as in Africa which  covers Cairo: from 25 to 28 weekly flights by October 29 ; Dar es Salaam: from  five  flights a week to daily flights starting May  1, and Entebbe: from  six  flights a week to daily flights starting July 1.

Dana Air has taken delivery of some of its aircraft which underwent   major  maintenance checks at an offshore facility.

The airline said is it complying with safety standards and  regulatory requirements by subjecting the aircraft  to post maintenance documentation and certification before it is released into scheduled flights.

At the weekend, its Corporate Communication Manager, Mr Kingsley Ezenwa, said the carrier will also be unveiling a flash sale package for passengers who plan their trips by booking ahead.

Ezenwa said :”  We would introduce additional flights as soon as we receive more of our aircraft from maintenance.”

He said the carrier is working hard to activate its fleet modernisation and expansion programme as it looks forward to acquiring more airplanes to boost its operations on its daily rotations into and out of  Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Owerri and Enugu.

Ezenwa said the airline will continue to deepen its safety management procedures by deepening its internal airworthiness efforts as well as complying with the requisite standards prescribed by international and local regulatory authorities, including the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

The reduction in the number of air accidents and fatality risks in the last five years is pointing to many directions, one of which is stricter enforcement of airworthiness rules by Nigerian and other players in the global travel space. Avoiding air crashes requires that airlines deepen their safety management systems, step up oversight duties, push for crew training in the rapidly emerging avionic technology space amid other interventions, writes KELVIN OSA- OKUNBOR.

The push by global players to step up safety measures for airlines, regulators, air navigation service providers, ground handling, aviation fuel supply firms and others i is beginning to yield results.

Air crashes are fast becoming a rarity in the global travel space. Across the spectrum, airlines and regulatory bodies as well as air accident investigative agencies are collaborating to  ramp up safety measures.

A safety report released by the global airlines’  trade association – the International Air Transport Association (IATA) showed a reduction in the number of fatal  air accidents.

According to IATA, in the last five years, the number of fatalities has dropped drastically.

The worldwide commercial jet fleet experienced 23 accidents in 2021, including one fatal crash that killed its 62 passengers and crew, according to new Boeing data.

In comparison, 17 accidents, including three fatal accidents with 122 fatalities, were recorded in 2020, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Experts say interventions by the global airlines’ trade association has assisted to drive safety and enhance efficiency for carriers.

One of the avenues IATA has  put in place to make member airlines achieve this, is through its Operational Safety Audit (IOSA), which its members particularly, those operating international routes must adhere to.

The IATA, which represents some 300 airlines comprising 83 per cent of global air traffic.

In the IATA  2022 Safety Report,  there were five fatal accidents involving loss of lives.

This came down from seven in 2021 and an improvement on the five-year average -2018-2022 –  which was also seven.

The fatal accident rate improved to 0.16 per million sectors for last year, from 0.27 per million sectors in 2021, and also was ahead of the five-year fatal accident rate of 0.20, the global body said.

The accident rate was 1.21 per million sectors, a reduction compared to the rate of 1.26 accidents for 2018-2022, but an increase compared to 1.13 accidents per million sectors in 2021. The fatality risk declined to 0.11 from 0.23 in 2021 and 0.13 for 2018-2022.

Last yera, the IATA member airlines experienced one fatal accident , with 19 fatalities.

“Accidents are rare in aviation. There were five fatal accidents on 32.2 million flights in 2022. That tells us that flying is among the safest activities in which a person can engage. But even though the risk of flying is exceptionally low, it is not risk-free.

“An analysis of the trends that are emerging even at these very high levels of safety is what will make flying even safer.

“This year’s report, for example, tells us that we need to make some special efforts on turboprop operations in Africa and Latin America. Safety is aviation’s highest priority, and our goal is to have every flight take off and land safely regardless of region or aircraft type,” IATA Director-General Willie Walsh said.

The industry’s 2022 fatality risk of 0.11 means that on average, a person would need to take a flight daily for 25,214 years to experience a 100 per cent fatal accident. This is an improvement over the five-year fatality rate, an average of 22,116 years.

Despite the reduction in the number of fatal accidents, the number of fatalities rose from 121 in 2021 to 158 last year.  Last year, the majority of fatalities occurred in a single aircraft accident in China that claimed 132 lives.

The airline involved was not an IATA member, but is on the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) registry.

The next largest loss of life occurred in an accident to an IATA member in Tanzania that resulted in 19 fatalities.

Nigeria in the last few years, has not experienced any air disaster.

Director-General, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Captain Musa Nuhu said the authority has stepped up its duties.

Besides, he said the regime regime has been tightened as NCAA  airworthiness inspectors are close-marking airlines to ensure they comply with safety standards and procedures.

The NCAA, he said has also recruited experienced airworthiness personnel, who are sent to the best offshore locations to  leverage their oversight on airlines.

Meanwhile, the NCAA ,  has called for stakeholders’ reviews, contributions and comments on the new Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (NCARs) before its implementation.

A circular sent to stakeholders with the reference number: NCAA/RC/005/2023, dated February 12, 2023, signed by Capt. Nuhu  indicated that the regulator gave the stakeholders till March 21, this year for their contributions and reviews, which are to be sent to a committee.

Nuhu in the circular said the regulator set up a committee to attend to the recommendations and contributions of stakeholders in the industry.

According to him, the committee was set up in accordance with Part 1.7 of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations 2015.

He said the review and eventual implementation would bring the regulations in compliance with Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) as contained in the latest amendment of the Annexes to the convention on the International Civil Aviation signed in Chicago in 1944 and include some pertinent national issues.

The circular read in part: “All comments and responses received by the Regulations Committee Rule making Working Group 2022 in accordance with Section 3.7 of the NCAA Approved Rule making Process Policy and Procedures Manual (RPPPM).

“Kindly note that proposals shall be submitted not later than March 21, 2023.”

The circular stated that the proposals could be submitted through emails, hand delivery or courier to the DGCA through the chairman of the regulation committee.

Airlines operating cargo flights between Nigeria and European Union countries have been mandated to provide a complete set of Entry Summary Declaration Data on air shipments prior to their arrival at the regional bloc’s external borders.

Nigeria’s Allied Air, CargoLux Airlines and other carriers operate cargo flights into European Union countries.

The regulation is the second phase of EU’s Import Control System 2 (ICS2), the new advanced cargo information and risk management platform intended to protect against security and safety threats from goods entering the regional economic bloc.

The regulation, according to experts familiar with the development, requires air carriers, freight forwarders, express couriers and postal operators involved in the transportation of goods by air to or through the EU to ensure compliance.

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The regulation experts say require airlines and other operators to implement the directive.

The EU said air carriers filing advance cargo information into the Import Control System (ICS) will be fully phased out from that system as soon as they start filing this data into ICS2.

The second phase of ICS2 introduces new data requirements and processes to be complied with, prior to transporting the goods from a third country and before their arrival at the European Union’s external border.

Failure by affected economic operators to obtain the necessary data from their clients and to provide it to ICS2, the EU said will lead to actions by customs authorities to enforce compliance prior to and on arrival at the external border.

Travel and destination management firm Wakanow Group has named Mr. Adebayo Adedeji as its Group Chief Executive Officer, Mrs. Adenike Macaulay, the Chief Executive Officer, Wakanow Nigeria and Mr. Bayode Olubayode the Group Chief Financial Officer (GCFO).

According to a statement by the Group,  Macaulay will lead the firm in the country.

Adedeji said: “We are expanding into new verticals and countries in Africa and beyond to take advantage of new business opportunities in the emerging competitive landscape leveraging our deep understanding of the African customer and expertise in the travel tech industry, and I will be leading this venture as Group CEO.

“The synergy I have built with Adenike over the last 18 months makes me super confident to take on this new challenge knowing that our core business will continually grow geometrically in her hands.”

Mrs Macaulay stated: “I am delighted to receive the leadership torch of Wakanow Nigeria from Bayo and also excited to take on the new responsibility saddled upon me by the board and management of Wakanow and look forward to leading and building with an immensely talented team.”

Also, the company has positioned its subsidiaries to open new frontiers, innovating for a more satisfactory customer travel experience, delivering technologically powered solutions for things as basic as buying flight tickets to booking hotels and rides.

The statement added: “Another precursor to the structural changes is the commencement of operations in UAE, US, Sierra Leone and Gambia, which kickstarts Wakanow’s drive to connect all of Africa and Africans beginning in West Africa.

“Plans are already in place to launch in the UK, Senegal and Cote D’Ivoire.’’

Olubayode transitions into the new role with over a decade’s experience in finance. He gained much of his experience in the commercial banking sector, where he supervised various control functions in the fields of financial control, treasury and international operations.  He brings a wealth of financial and management expertise to his role as Group CFO.

Adedeji said: “Bayode assumes this new role with a track record of stellar performances at the helm of the finance function at Wakanow. We are confident that his knowledge, experience and expertise will be vital in Wakanow’s tilt towards global dominance in the travel industry. As Group CFO, Bayode will further consolidate on the successes achieved while charting new milestones for Wakanow and its subsidiaries as he oversees our financial operations at the group level.”

Bayode replied: “I appreciate the Board and Management of Wakanow for the continued trust and confidence reposed in me and would like to seize this opportunity to restate my commitment to the Wakanow vision and drive for global excellence in the travel industry.

“Wakanow has been powered by a dedication to global best practice in its financial operations and this is a culture we would continue to uphold with a world-class team, which remains focused on excellence in line with our global ambitions.”

Global efforts at taming insecurity are forcing countries and their airport authorities to step up training, technology and exchange of intelligence information. Many authorities, including the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), are taking steps to handle such threats. KELVIN OSA-OKUNBOR reports

AIRPORT authorities are driving safety in and around aerodromes. Reason: They believe safety is the greatest asset in the industry.

To drive this agenda, countries are investing in human capacity development.

In the last few years, experts are harping on the need for the government to block the gaps in manpower requirements in the safety space.

Recent developments in the industry appear to be yielding the expected outcomes.

To improve security, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) at the weekend graduated 381 cadets and instructors at Digital Bridge Institute, Kano.

The security cadets completed the 13 weeks of training on the STP 123 Basic course in line with ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) and National Civil Aviation Security Training Programme (NCASTP).

Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika said the cadets are a pride to the nation, reassuring that the Federal Government has taken the right step.

Sirika, who was represented by the Director of Safety and Technical Policy, Captain Talba Alkali, said: “This level of commitment is evident before us in the successful completion of this training.. My profound gratitude goes also to the Management and staff of the Digital Bridge Institute, Kano for providing an enabling environment with state-of-the-art training facility which has accommodated the 381 cadets and instructors  in the last three months.”

The Minister advised the graduands: “This should come to you as a clarion call to work within the precepts of the training. This training that you have received is expected to commit you to the level of dedication that is expected in ensuring that the nation of Nigeria will not only be proud but also reap the benefits of this well-organised training.

“In acceptance to be trained as an aviation security cadet, you must realise that it is a privilege to serve your country at this level as the Aviation industry is one place where adherence and commitment to rules and standards are applied strictly to the letter.”

Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, FAAN, Capt Rabiu Hamisu Yadudu said: “At a time of national security challenges, finding expression in myriad problems and threats such as terrorism, banditry, insurgency, kidnapping etc, the Aviation security STP 123 Training programme could not have come at a better time.”

Capt Yadudu insisted that the programme would expose the graduates to modern ways of managing and reducing threats.

Advising the new cadets, he said: “I also implore you not to rest on your oars. Rather you should begin to apply all that you have learnt during this training in the course of your duties at your stations. With commitment, focus and patriotic zeal, we will definitely reshape the course of aviation security and safety at our respective airports hence, taking it to greater heights.”

The AVSEC Commander, Mallam Aminu International Airport, Kano, Mr Tanimu Danjuma Obashe, said they were trained by the institute, the Nigerian Immigration Training School, Kano and instructors from FAAN AVSEC.

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