Our Reporter

Turkish Airlines has launched a new commercial, which explores humanity’s spirit of exploration by the world – changing Moon Landing in 1969.

“Titled: “Step on earth”, the commercial brings back the sense of wonder and adventure.

The 30-second commercial was viewed in the third quarter of the Super Bowl LIV held this year in Miami, and resulted in the victory of Kansas City Chiefs by the score of 31-20, defeating San Francisco.

With the commercial, Turkish Airlines challenged the statistic that over a billion people globally have never travelled outside of their country.

The Star Alliance member airline gave the opportunity to three people, who had never travelled abroad, to discover the world beyond the borders of their home country for the first time.

The new commercial featured Russ, Mariha and Karlos exploring countries they had never visited and discovering for themselves the adventure of stepping foot in a new country.

Read Also: Turkish Airlines launches flight to Rovaniemi

The commercial captured  the power and emotion of the journeys to novel landscapes and horizons around the globe and encourages us to explore our own planet. The adventure starts with one small step on Earth.

In the commercial itself, the viewer is shown archive footage from a 1969 newspaper heading and preparations leading up to the Apollo 11 countdown and take off.

Meanwhile,  in 2019, Russ, Mariha and Karlos prepared  for the flight, approaching a Turkish Airlines plane waiting for them on the apron.

Each first time traveller is destined for a different landscape for an unforgettable experience: exploring deep caves and waterfalls amongst lush tropical forest, trekking through deep snow and riding a group of wild horses in the desert.

Turkish Airlines Chairman of the Board and the Executive Committee, M. Ilker Ayci, said: “This film celebrates the spirit of discovery and adventure that permeates all of us, from first time travelers to lifelong adventurers.

We look up at the sky for every new adventure as our planet has countless wonders and moments waiting to be discovered.

As Turkish Airlines, the airline that flies to more countries than any other, we are delighted to keep you encouraged to ‘Widen Your World’ to discover the rich variety of cultures and landscapes here on Earth.”

An estimated $1.2 billion is incurred as operational cost on global civial aircraft fleet, due mainly to the effect of wildlife hazards. This makes it a global headache for aviation. The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) estimates that 80 percent of birdstrike incidents along the runway of aerodromes have had devastating effects on aircraft operations. To mitigate this, the Federal Government recently acquired new anti-bird equipment for flight safety, KELVIN OSA-OKUNBOR, reports.

Collisions between aircraft and wildlife have been acknowledged as a hazard to aviation since the first aircraft flew over 100 years ago.

But despite many years of research into the problem, wildlife strikes continue to pose a serious safety concern for regulators, airlines and airports.

Occasional high-profile incidents, such as the crash of Flight 1549 into the Hudson River in 2009, bring the issues to the attention of passengers and the public, but for the most part this is a risk that is not fully appreciated, even within the industry.

Minor incidents, most causing no damage to aircraft, result in precautionary turn backs, engine checks, delays, cancellations and minor repairs that add up to at least $1.2 billion yearly in costs to the world civil aircraft fleet.

With aviation predicted to grow   in the future and efforts being put into wildlife conservation, it is likely that the risk posed to aircraft by wildlife will also increase, unless more effective measures are put in place to manage the problem.

Data supports this view, with reported wildlife strikes increasing in frequency yearly. There is a need to do more to prevent wildlife strikes, but opinion is divided about whether new technology is the answer, or just proper application of long established bird management methods.

The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) has set Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPS) for the management of wildlife hazards around aerodromes. States then enact the SARPS via their own rules and regulations.

Some states have detailed require- ments and supporting advice as to how wildlife hazards must be controlled, but others have little or nothing in terms of wildlife management requirements.

Towards this end, the Federal Government has acquired new anti- birds equipment for airports to ensure flight safety.

Statistics from ICAO show that globally, over 3.6 per cent of flight incidences are traced to bird strike and other wildlife hazards.

Director of Operations, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Captain Muktar Muye, who made this known at a symposium on Reduction of wildlife strike hazard at the airports said, the equipment called Phonix bird wailers would be brought in in a few weeks and deployed to the four major airports.

According to him, the equipment deters birds from airport runways and helipads, using high-fidelity natural alarm and distress calls together with local raptor calls.

He emphasised that increased traffic and growing bird population near airports raises the risk of bird-aircraft collision.

Read Also: Enhancing airports emergency procedures

According to him, data from ICAO showed that 89 per cent  of bird strike occurs near or on the aerodrome.

Captain Muye stated that the  elimination of collision hazard fell on the airport operators, adding that FAAN was working with the regulatory agency to develop and implement a wildlife management plan for each airport which includes training of personnel to manage the programme.

He, however, noted that the onus was on the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to put in place appropriate legislation to address the safety concerns, including those related to land use around the aerodrome.

“Airline operations are complex and operating cost is high. Time is one of the most valuable commodities and schedules are finely turned to ensure on Tim performance. Striving to achieve this, flight crew are constantly weighing safety and economics,” he said.

The Managing Director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Captain Hamisu Yadudu, said all hands must be on deck to reducing the incidences of bird strikes and wildlife hazards in the industry.

In his address at a symposium on reduction on wildlife strike hazards at the airports emphasised that ICAO reports indicated that wildlife occurances were responsible for 3.6 per cent  incidence globally.

He however noted that this is way higher because many of these incidences were either unnoticed or unreported.

Director-General, Airport Council International (ACI), Captain Yadudu said: “Wildlife strike affect airports small and large, in all regions of the world. It is  both a risk to aviation safety and a financial burden.’’

He observed that reduction in wildlife incidence would help to enhance flight safety, if stakeholders, including airlines, airport operators, ground handling firms, regulatory agency, and work in mitigating these menace.

In recognition of the threats to safety due to the wildlife hazards and the roles stakeholders play, Yadudu explained that the ACI convened a symposium at the ICAO headquarters in Montreal, Canada in 2017.

He stressed that the event had assisted to foster an awareness of the wildlife threat to aircraft’s operational safety and an international exchange of experiences, best practices, cooperation efforts.

“Technology and ideas to better mitigate wildlife strike hazard on and in the  vicinity of airports,’’ he said.

The FAAN boss urged stakeholders to contribute their quota to managing the risks with wildlife strike.

”It is our fervent hope that here at the end of today, everyone that has a role to play, the regulator, airport operators, air traffic service providers, airline operators, pilots, wildlife managers and airport neighbours would have gained valuable information on how our actions, practices and procedures can contribute to managing the risks associated with wildlife strikes,” he said.

KELVIN OSA-OKUNBOR reports

Dana Air said it is working hard to hit a 7.2 million passenger mark by the first quarter of this year and hopes to grow its fleet size to nine aircraft.

Spokesman of the airline, Kingsley Ezenwa,  disclosed this in an interview in Lagos.

He said the carrier was consolidating on its business plan to deliver on the promise.

Ezenwa said: “ We have been here for the past 11 years doing what we know how to do best passionately and persistently. With a fleet size which we hope to grow to nine aircraft, our target is to hit about 7.2m flown passengers by the first quarter of 2020.  We are orderly and we like to take one step at a time. We are consolidating while sticking to our strategic fleet and route expansion plan.’’

Dana Air last year won the Most Stable Airline in Nigeria award organised by  Air Transport Quarterly  Magazine.

The Editor-in-Chief, Air Transport Quarterly Magazine, Supo Atobatele, said the award was in honour of some of the industry’s finest individuals and corporate bodies whose penchant for hard work, innovation and capacity building  has not only greatly improved the business of air transport but enhanced safety of the air space.

According to him, Dana Air bagged the award as a result of her consistency and stable operations offering safe and reliable air transport in the past few years.

Ezenwa said: “ The reward for hard work is more work. There is no better way to end the year 2019 than a recognition like this.’’

He dedicated the award to the airline’s customers for their loyalty and support for the last 11 years and reassured them of the airline’s commitment to continue providing safe, comfortable, on time and reliable air transport.

Meanwhile, Middle East Carrier Emirates Airlines said it will focus on  strengthening its business across operational, commercial and customer experience lines in 2020.

Its President, Tim Clark, who disclosed this, said the airline has put  measures in place to open doors to global visitors as the United Arab Emirates (UAE) hosts Expo 2020.

On Emirates’ outlook for the year ahead, Clark  said: “In 2020, we’ll continue to leverage our partnerships to provide even more connectivity and value for our customers. And we look forward to welcoming the world to Dubai for Expo 2020, where we will showcase the future of aviation at the Emirates Pavilion.”

He said the airline flew close to 58 million passengers in 2019  in over  186,000 flights  traveling  to more than 885 million kilometers around the globe.

He said : “Emirates also expanded customer choice, connectivity and convenience by growing its partnerships. The airline ended 2019 with 26 code hare partners and 156 interline partners in 200 countries, extending its network by over 1,800 unique destinations. New partnerships forged in 2019 include with China Southern Airlines, Africa World Airlines, LATAM Airlines, SpiceJet and Interjet.

Read Also: Airlines seek ownership of airports

“Emirates and flydubai marked two years of successful partnership, carrying more than 6 million passengers on their jointnetworks to and through Dubai since 2017,’’he added.

Emirates’ passengers benefit from seamless connectivity, accessing 94 destinations on the flydubai network, while flydubai passengers can also access 143 Emirates destinations.

“Emirates expanded its A380 network with the introduction of scheduled services to Riyadh, Cairo and Muscat. The Emirates A380 also operated seasonal services during the summer to Boston and Amman, offering more customers the opportunity to

experience its flagship aircraft.” Clark said  Emirates elevated its  inflight entertainment experience by introducing playlist synching.

He said : “  Customers can now browse the extensive content on offer, create personalized playlists ahead of their flight,

and sync it to their seats once on board their flight, using the Emirates App. Since its launch, more than 180,000 unique playlists have been created, and the airline is expanding this function progressively across its entire fleet.

“Emirates continues to invest over US$ 27 million annually to operate inflight connectivity systems, serving the

expectations of modern travellers. More than 13 million Wi-Fi connections were made on-board Emirates flights in 2019, as

customers increasingly expect the ability to stay connected to family and friends when they fly.

“Providing a stress-free, end-to-end customer experience, Emirates launched its first remote check-in terminal outside of the airport, to provide smooth connections for cruise passengers in Dubai. These Emirates check-in counters, located at

Port Rashid, allow passengers who are disembarking from their cruise ships to check in for their onward Emirates flight and enjoy a hassle-free stopover visit in the city.

“Emirates launched bio metric boarding and facial recognition technology at its departure gates for customers flying from Dubai to any of its 12 destinations in the U.S., reducing the time taken for identity checks to two seconds or less. More

bio metric technology will be rolled out in the coming year, in coordination with partners at Dubai International airport.

“The Emirates App has become one of the top airline apps with nearly 2 million active users, and is available in 19

languages including Arabic, allowing users to search, book and manage their flights. The airline has also recently

launched a new feature on its app called Airport Maps, allowing customers to navigate seamlessly through Dubai

International Airport including check-in desks, Emirates lounges, shops, restaurants or ATMs in the airport.”

Global trends in airport management are establishing relationships between ownership models and terminal efficiency. In Nigeria, the debate is on what model can bring about efficient, safe and secured airport terminals, KELVIN OSA-OKUNBOR reports.

How to make airports effective and safe in Africa has become a talking point  among experts, professionals and other stakeholders in the sector.

International aviation bodies, including International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), Airports Council International (ACI) and International Air Transport Organisation (IATA), say global attention is being beamed on Africa and Nigeria in particular, because of its position as the next investments’frontier.

With airports playing critical role in air transport infrastructure, especially by attracting economic prosperity to their domains, a global campaign is ongoing by African governments to invest more in their airports.

To attract carriers, airports must be run effectively. They should charge minimum aeronautical fees in line with the global template.

Africa has 731 airports and 419 airlines in a global industry where aviation supports about seven million jobs, generating over $80 billion economic activities.

It is for these reasons that experts continue to canvass models of running airport economies in Africa, insisting that players think out of the box to consider ways and means of steering the industry onto the path of growth.

To them, air transport services consolidation must be built on a strong base, utilising the best options to optimise both aeronautical and non-aeronautical revenue sources to propel growth.

Though consensus is building on the desirability of airports in every corner across Africa as economic enablers, the model to be adopted to run such social infrastructure has pitched experts against one another.

Are airports built for profits or mere catalysts to drive socio-economic activities? Are they stand-alone social infrastructure or projects meant to grow the gross domestic product of the economies in their domain? Are airports run as private or public investments?

These were some of the issues on the table last week, when experts met at the Airport Business Summit and Expo Africa (ABSE) in Lagos to examine models for airports in the continent.

To them, the increase in Africa air traffic has been consistent with increase of passenger traffic growth rates of 6. 3 per cent between 2016 and 2017 and 9. 9 per cent between 2017 and 2018. According to Summit statistics, projected growth for passenger traffic in Africa is expected to continue through 2035 on the average of 4.3 per cent yearly. The statistics said more people will travel in and out of Africa with inter-regional traffic expected to improve significantly.

Setting the tone for discussions, the organiser of the summit, Mr Fortune Idu, said ABSE as a multi-sector event drew participants from industries with direct and indirect dealings with airports in the value chain, not limited to airlines, retail, security, safety, technology, hotels and others.

He said the summit was critical as an important connector that will help airports’ operators make their cities and terminals attractive for airlines and investors by showcasing a one-stop information portal for passenger projections and facilities.

Idu said the summit created a platform to assist operators, investors and the airport business community to find a common ground for prosperity.

He said: “ The gap between operational cost of most regional airports and the revenue is very small, making the burden of concession and incentives huge. However, all other sub sectors within this chain look up to the airport to be the driving force for cost reduction, which will translate to a more affordable fare and increase in patronage. This expectation is real and the airport must address it by increasing its capacity to earn more and save more by providing efficient services management and operations.”

According to Idu, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) structure is too large to achieve efficient running of airports.

With over 26 airports under its management, FAAN, he said, cannot deliver because it was handling more than what it has the capacity to undertake.

He canvassed FAAN’s unbundling into three entities, which he listed to include: Airport Development Authority; Airport Management Company and Federal Airports Property Company Limited.

Idu said such model was already in place in other countries, including South Africa, Ghana, Egypt and others in Africa.

The Airport Development Authority, Idu said, should have jurisdiction over security and airports’ regulation whereas the Airport Management Company should be strictly involved in the business of managing airports.

Such entity, which should strictly busy itself with management of airport terminals, could be ambitious enough to consider managing airports in other African countries.

The Federal Airports Property Company Limited, Idu said, should be saddled with managing  FAAN property.

Such body, he said, will have business with management all airport land and the criteria for lease by concessionaires and other investors around the airport. If achieved, this model he said, will bring about right-sizing of existing personnel for capacity.

In an interview, aviation consultant , Mr Chris Aligbe, said the way forward to effective management of airports remains their concession.

Read Also: Why Nigerian airports are under-utilised, by Rep

Aligbe said: ”Government should consider airports concession option. Without exploring the option of concession, it could be difficult to expand the airports because of issues of resistance to change by aviation workers. In doing this, the government must consider how to address issues of labour .’’

Minister of Aviation Mr. Hadi Sirika had reminded stakeholders that there was no going back on  the government‘s plan to concession major international airports in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and  Kano.

He said the process for their concession had been concluded, but he failed to mention the international firms that won the bid to concession the terminals.

This development has continued to raise doubts among industry players and watchers.

The government, however, seemed to have contradicted itself when in one breath it said some airports have been concessioned, and it is still investing in their upgrade and expansion.

El-Mansur Atelier Group Chief Executive Officer, Tunde Oyekola, said despite the misgivings on how airports are managed, some state governments are not looking back in their bid to have airports in their domain as economic enablers.

He said increasing investments in airport terminals have made it difficult for the government to hand them over to private investors.

A representative of Intels Group, Nuhu Adams, canvassed the setting up of route development department in FAAN.

According to him, there was need for airlines, banks and government agencies to collaborate to deepen air transportation.

He examined the role FAAN could play in deepening the process of  route development, adding that financial institutions could assist by developing funding models for airport infrastructure and other projects critical to aviation development.

He queried banks’ lack of interest in pushing for aviation project financing, observing that banks are running away from financing airlines because of low returns , poor corporate governance ethics and other infractions by owners and investors in that sub sector.

Idu said airports’ concession is the way to go if aviation workers could trust that it would not lead to job losses, adding that if the process was transparently carried out, it could lead to a win win situation for all players.

Besides unbundling the current airport authority, Idu said the way the government was investing more funds in aviation infrastructure, could be difficult, if the same government could give up the airports for concession.

Some experts argued that if airports are built as economic enablers, the whole idea of trying to make money out of them sounds may not be counter productive.

They cited how the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport has helped to open up the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja.

They made the case for states governments investment in airports to open their corridors to economic activity.

An aviation consultant, Mr. Tayo Ojuri advocated the development of a comprehensive agro-air logistics policy to encourage investors in the air logistics business.

He said the opportunities that abounded in agro air logistics were not harnessed by stakeholders.

He observed that cargo airports must be properly developed with the requisite infrastructure to attract investors and most especially, the farmers in the agro commodities to grow the industry.

Are navigational facilities at the Lagos Airport degraded? Yes, says National Association of Air Traffic Controllers (NATCA). But, industry regulators hold contrary views. However, the recent diversion of some foreign airline’s flight billed for Lagos to Accra has pit air traffic controllers against the airspace agency, calling to question claims of facilities’ un-serviceability, writes KELVIN OSA OKUNBOR.

Navigation in the nation’s airspace is becoming a huge challenge. This development has led to some foreign carriers finding it difficult to land their aircraft at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.

Their decision is hinged on claims that air navigation and landing facilities described as ‘degrading’ by the indigenous body of air traffic controllers, are of safety concerns.

Recently, the National Association of Air Traffic Controllers (NATCA) said some foreign carriers were engaging in flight diversion to neighbouring countries, including Ghana and Benin Republic, because of the poor state of navigational aids installed at the Lagos Airport.

Its National President, Abayomi Agoro, said the degraded state of navigation and landing facilities needed to be calibrated. Calibration connotes flight checking of facilities to ascertain their  efficiency and accuracy.

Agoro said the unpleasant development where some foreign carriers were diverting their aircraft to neighbouring countries is tantamount    to passing a vote of  no confidence on the existing facilities that adorn the nation’s aviation sector, especially as  related to flight safety.

In an interview at the weekend in Lagos, Agoro urged the government and its relevant agencies to immediately take steps to restore the serviceability of navigation and landing aids.

Fixing such facilities, according to him, would end the recent hitches with landing facilities at the Lagos Airport.

Agoro urged the government to stop shifting blames for the lingering challenges.

He said: “We note with displeasure the unwholesome event unfolding at the Lagos Airport among which was the diversion of British Airways and Air France flights to Accra and Cotonou.

“The sad event was occasioned by poor visibility and haze, but more worryingly accentuated by the degraded state of navigation and landing facilities due to lack of calibration.  NATCA

“We are equally concerned with the untold hardship the situation has visited on our members working in Lagos Terminal Approach position whose statutory responsibility is to ensure a round the clock safety in taking off and landing.”

The NATCA boss observed that though the government could have made huge investment in the upgrade of aviation infrastructure, there was need to address perennial degradation of essential facilities and work tools.

He said: “The government  needs to address the attendant increased stress and work load, which in practical terms translate to serious safety implications for the flying public.

“This is not the time to apportion blames but it must be emphasised that the time has come for all hands to be on deck to ensure seamless safety regime and prompt navigation services.’’

But, the Managing Director of NAMA, Captain Fola Akinkuotu in a telephone interview, faulted the position of air traffic controllers.

Akinkuotu said the scenario painted by air traffic controllers does not aptly reflect the state of air navigation facilities at the Lagos Airport. Lending support to Akinkuotu’s submissions, NAMA’s General Manager, Public Affairs, Khalid Emele, accused NATCA of misleading the public on the state of navigation facilities.

Emele said navigation and landing facilities are serviceable and operating optimally as the airspace agency was awaiting flight calibration in line with the standards prescribed by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and global best practices required by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

He revealed that the agency recently installed Category Three instrument landing systems at the Lagos Airport to forestall adverse weather conditions.

Read Also: Why Nigerian airports are under-utilised, by Rep

Emele said the agency has concluded arrangements to begin flight calibration of navigational facilities at airports nationwide effective January 16, 2020.

The NAMA spokesman said: ”While we recognise and appreciate the right of workers to clamour for better work tools and operational environment, the reality is that our navigational infrastructure nationwide is not in any state of degradation.

“ The idea behind the installation of category three instrument landing system in strategic airports in the country was borne out of the need to enhance safety, efficiency, access and seamless flight operations in our airspace, especially during harmattan season.

“The prevailing weather condition in Lagos of 1,500 metres is within the approved minimum state weather conditions for performance based navigation approach and landing on Runway 18 Right as well as instrument landing system approach and landing on Runway 18 Left which is 400 meters.’’

Emele explained that British Airways flight diversion to Accra thus: “British Airways requirement for approach and landing on runway 18 Right using performance based navigation is 1800 metres as against the prevailing visibility of 1500 metres.

According to him, despite the airline’s flight diversion, British Airways has continued to operate into Lagos Airport daily using the instrument landing system category three Runway 18 Left with same prevailing weather conditions.

“This  diversions was  avoidable based on existing facilities.The newly installed category three instrument landing system was implemented to forestall situations like this.

“The airspace remains safe as the agency is working assiduously towards continuously upgrading its navigational infrastructure in line with the standards and recommended practices of International Civil Aviation Organisation.’’

He contended that other foreign operators, including Emirates, Delta Airlines, KLM and Lufthansa, landed on the same runway in similar weather condition.

Managing Director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Captain Rabiu Yadudu,  said Lagos Airport has requisite landing facilities, wondering why British Airways diverted their aircraft to Accra.

He faulted claims making the round that the Lagos Airport  does not have a functional ILS.

Yadudu said the impression created by British Airways as if something was wrong with the Lagos Airport was erroneous.

He said: ”British Airways diverted on its own accord, not because they could not land but because they felt their own standard operating procedure demanded that they divert the aircraft

“But the conditions were right for the aircraft to land. It was about 5.30 pm, it was not sunset  and the runway visual range was about 1800 metres but their company’s runway visual range was a bit higher and nothing says they cannot have a higher one.

“But the runway visual range in Lagos Airport at that time met that condition. All over the world different airlines have a standard that is higher than the threshold but nothing says you are not allowed to go below.

“So, British Airways decided to divert its aircraft to Accra because it considered it the nearest suitable airport . If Abuja Airport was closer British Airways would have diverted its aircraft there. If Ibadan Airport was well equipped, British Airways would have diverted suitably there because of handling facilities, accommodation and other considerations.

“But, the next day British Airways came back to land at Lagos Airport under same conditions. Aviation authorities asked British Airways why its aircraft was diverted to Accra on January 6, 2020 and the rationale for subjecting passengers to discomfort by flying them overnight to other stations .

“It is not as if everything is perfect, but at times there is no need to declare war when there is no war.”