The Nation Newspaper

Category: Aviation

  • National carrier, infrastucture top agenda for 2020

    As the new year begins, experts and stakeholders in the industry are optimistic that the year will offer a vista of  opportunities for great improvement targeted at positoning the sector for greater heights. Government’s initiative to  deliver a new national carrier and  complete some international airport terminals in Lagos and Enugu , among others, are expected to drive the vision this year, KELVIN OSA – OKUNBOR reports.

     

    Activities in the aviation sector in 2020 will take a new shape for the better as government  consolidates on unmet targets of 2019.

    Experts say government has been reworking its strategies to focus on the blueprint it sets out to achieve for the industry as the year begins.

    In particular, infrastructure upgrade in the area of completion of  terminals will top agenda for government. This is evidenced in the quick pace of work  on  ongoing construction of a new international terminal at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos .

    The new Lagos International Airport Terminal , scheduled for inauguration by the end of the first quarter of the year, will come under focus following  complaints  by passengers , airlines and others who travel through the existing over  40-year-old MMIA facility.

    The old facility, long overdue for rebuilding, has characterised the odd face of  air travel in Nigeria with its many headaches not limited to inadequate cooling system;  obsolete  elevators; epileptic conveyor belts ; poor electrical cabling systems, resulting in frequent power outages and other operational  challenges.

    Experts say a major overhaul of the Lagos International Airport will top the agenda of government in 2020 as the increasing number of foreign carriers utilising the facility is exposing lapses in the terminal,  long overdue for expansion.

    Besides, the construction of a new international terminal for the Lagos Airport, integrating support air side infrastructure including expanded taxi ways, aprons, avio bridges, transit lounge and other facilities will also occupy the attention of government this year as the ambition to upgrade the Lagos Airport into a regional hub is on the burner.

    Experts say 2020 will be a defining year for the aviation sector as government looks forward to tapping into the potential of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) by delivering a new national carrier already christened Nigeria Air.

    The year 2020 holds a promise for the sector as government seeks to resolve the lingering imbalance in its bilateral air services agreement (BASA) it signed with over 80 countries through floating a national carrier that will deepen the market in the international scene.

    Industry watchers say the proposed carrier will not only position Nigeria in the international aviation arena, but fill the gap struggling indigenous carriers designated on international routes have failed to utilise.

    The year 2020 will offer surprises in the airline sub sector as new carriers pursuing their Air Operators Certificate with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) will appear in  the already challenged operational scene.

    Among such new entrants will include : Green African Airways; United Nigeria Airways ; Jet Aviation and others which will take the sector by storm in their quest to change the face of air travel through use of brand new airplanes  and mixed fleet.

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    Experts say some existing operators may fall by the wayside, due to overwhelming operational challenges not limited to reducing fleet size, new regulatory pronouncements; failure to embrace consolidation /merger options and other factors.

    A few carriers from the Northern parts of the country : Max Air and AZMAN will spring surprises as they are increasingly chalking into routes in the South with corresponding flight frequencies from Abuja Airport into Benin, Asaba and other routes.

    The year 2020 holds some promise for carriers such as Arik Air and Aero Contractors, which though under receivership by the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), are rebounding to enhanced operations with more of their aircraft pulling out of offshore maintenance facilities to regain their market share.

    Aero Contractors, for instance, is already positioning its Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility as a reference centre in West and Central Africa.

    Largest indigenous carrier by fleet size, Air Peace, will be in the spotlight in 2020 as its managers promised to consolidate its route expansion on domestic, regional and inter continental routes.

    The carrier is expected to expand flight operations into South Africa, United Kingdom, United States, India, China and other destinations.

    2020 will provide a test case for the carrier as it deploys its mixed fleet of aircraft to service Nigeria’s under served and un- served routes in the national air link.

    Besides Air Peace, state owned carrier, Ibom Air, will be among the carriers to watch, as its meteoric rise as a three aircraft operator is already changing the travel narrative on the Lagos – Uyo – Abuja routes.

    The carrier is projected to develop a three hub structure as it provides connections for passengers on its operational corridors.

     

    Outlook

    Investigations by The Nation also reveal that the year 2020 will trigger a plethora of litigation as some private jet/business jet operators at the international wing of the Lagos Airport Airport will be going to court to challenge government on the relocation of their hangar to pave the way for expansion of the new terminal facility.

    Part of those to be affected by this development, an expert familiar with the matter confided in The Nation will include some helicopter operators, which may be forced to relocate near the Quints Aviation Centre .

    Such relocation, the expert said, may push the operator out of business, as the space hitherto allocated will be converted to expand the apron of the new terminal.

    Ongoing construction at the international wing of the Lagos Airport will eat into space already allocated to some concessionaires, who are in  court with the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).

    Still on infrastructure, the year  will trigger more partnerships between state; as FAAN and Lagos State government are working on modalities to extend rail services from Ikeja into the local wing of the airport.

    A source familiar with the plan said the year 2020 looks good for the aviation sector as government has opened discussions with some firms to achieve a light rail facility to connect the local and international wings of the Lagos Airport.

    The year 2020 will signal major strides for the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), in Zaria, Kaduna State as the college looks to acquiring more trainer aircraft, flight and fire simulator and other equipment that will reinforce its role as an International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Regional Centre of Excellence.

    But, it is not certain if Minister of Aviation, Captain Hadi Sirika will deliver his much awaited Aircraft Leasing Company for indigenous carriers; the much talked about Aircraft Maintenance and Repair Centre as well as the Aviation University.

  • Tackling indigenous pilots unemployment

    Many young pilots who graduated from the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria, Kaduna State and other flying schools are roaming the streets in search of a place in the cockpit. They are unable to get jobs because of insufficient flying hours and rating on various aircraft types. To reverse the trend, the college has introduced a programme to bridge the gap amid other interventions, writes KELVIN OSA OKUNBOR

     

    Securing a job as a young pilot in Nigeria is becoming  difficult. Reason: Scheduled carriers need pilots with hundreds of flying hours, before they could be employed.

    Besides, the prescribed flying hours, which differ from airline to airline, such young pilots need to be type-rated in flying various aircraft.

    Type rating is training that confers proficiency on the pilot in flying categories of aircraft, according to the number of engines and series.

    Global regulatory requirements prescribe that a pilot be rated to fly either a Boeing, an Airbus, a Bombardier, and an Embraer aircraft.

    While young pilot graduates in Nigeria are struggling to meet the stiff conditions set by indigenous carriers to secure a place in the cockpit, global demand for pilots is becoming unprecedented.

    According to United States (US) aircraft manufacturer, Boeing, the global aviation industry will require about 804,000 new civil aviation pilots. The company said this figure is based on the growing aircraft fleet needed to service commercial, business and other aspects of aviation.

    The  demand, Boeing Chief Executive Officer, Dennis Muilenburg,  said would stem from a mix of fleet growth. Meeting this strong demand, experts said, would require a collective effort from across the global aviation industry.

    To achieve the demand for global pilots, experts said there is the need to adopt innovative training to enable optimum learning and knowledge retention.

    But the rising  unemployment rate among indigenous pilots has not deterred more people from pursuing a career in flying at either the Nigerian College of Technology (NCAT), International Aviation College (IAC), Ilorin, Kwara State and other flying schools across South Africa, US and Europe.

    Upon  graduation, reality often hit  young pilots as airlines in Nigeria are reluctant to create opportunities for them to practise because studies at the training colleges do not confer on them sufficient flying hours to take command of flights in the cockpit.

    In Nigeria, the 18-month course at either NCAT or the IAC only allows the student pilot accumulate a paltry 250 flying hours, far below the 1,500 hours many scheduled carriers need as minimum requirement for the engagement of young pilots.

    But globally, this is different. Statistics from global bodies indicate that Asia carriers alone forecast to hire up to 266,000 new pilots between 2019 and 2038.

    The increase in demand for new pilots, according to global bodies, is predicated on the expected rise of yearly growth rate of 3.9 per cent in the next 20 years.

    In an interview, Chief Executive Officer and Rector of NCAT, Captain Abdulsalami Mohammed, said many professionals were getting worried over the increasing rate of young pilots unemployment in Nigeria and were thinking out of the box in proffering solutions to the lingering headache.

    Mohammed said the college was   worried about the inability of its young pilots  to secure jobs in scheduled carriers because of inadequate flying hours.

    He said many carriers peg minimum of 1500 flying hours as requirement to engage young pilots because of insurance and other considerations.

    Besides crossing the hurdle of flying hours, the rector said the college has introduced multi-engine type rating course for young pilots to prepare them both for local and global employment opportunities.

    Mohammed said: “I am very concerned about employment for graduates and not only pilots and the issue is not about type-rating, but the experience.

    Even when some of them come back from America, they still don’t get jobs because they have not gathered the necessary hours. Different airlines have different requirements.

    “Most of the airlines require a certain minimum of hours for insurance purposes before you can fly their aircraft. So, these pilots before they are employable need to build up these hours.

     

    “This is where the General Aviation comes in because they don’t have these requirements. So, we encourage the young pilots to go into General Aviation. That is the practice worldwide. If they are able to build more hours, that will make them marketable and employable.”

     

    He said the college has worked out a programme for multi-engine type rating to enhance job opportunities for pilots.

    He said: “As you know, when a pilot graduates from school, he comes out with a basic commercial pilot licence  and then with the type on the aircraft that he used for training.

    “So, when he comes out and gets a job anywhere, if they are operating that kind of an aircraft he trained on, he doesn’t need additional training, but if it is in any other aircraft that is different, he must undergo type-rating training regardless of the size of the aircraft.

    So, you can imagine the number of training facility that you will need. For the bigger commercial aircraft, most of the training is done on simulators for cost effectiveness.

    “We call them complex aircraft. When you fly complex aircraft, some of the maneuvres and the emergencies that you have to be trained on cannot be carried out on actual aircraft.

    You can only do them on simulators. That is why you have to go to where they have simulators. For each aircraft type, there is a simulator that is providing this training.

    “At NCAT, we recognised this gap and that was why we embarked on the acquisition of the Boeing 737 New Generation  simulator. That is the type that Arik Air operates.

    We envisaged that the Boeing 737 Classics are on their way out. That is why we decided to go for the New Generation. This project would have been completed a long time ago.

    “The initial process was to site the simulator in Lagos, but when this administration came into power in 2015, the decision was changed to site it in Zaria, Kaduna State,  and there was no provision for the building that will accommodate this simulator. We looked at the possibility of using existing structures, but they are not suitable.

    “So, we had to start afresh by getting consultants that will design the building, we had to go through full procurement, selecting contractors. We awarded that contract last year and the building as we speak is about 60 per cent completed.

    The structure is completed. We are only doing internal wiring, painting and stuff like that. That simulator we hope would be delivered to the college within the first quarter of 2020.

    “When we have that simulator installed, we will be able to offer type-rating courses on that Boeing 737New Generation .

    Now, as part of our plans for the future, we also made provision for a second simulator. So, if you go to the building, you will see that we have two simulator bases.

    “We intend to install a second simulator. We are watching the industry to see if the national carrier comes; the type of equipment they are going to use will guide us on the type of simulator to install.

    Once we have the national carrier, NCAT will play a big role in training a lot of the personnel.”

    Last week in Lagos, the Managing Director Aero Contractors, Captain Ado Sanusi said collaboration between airliners and aviation training institutions would  assist to reduce indigenous pilots unemployment as some carriers are making their facilities available for further training of pilots to accumulate flying hours.

    Sanusi explained: “In developed countries, if you finish with 250 hours, you don’t go to airlines; you go to flying school till you get 1,500 hours before you start coming to fly for airlines.

    “It is when you get Airline Pilot Licence (APL) that you fly for an airline. But, we take them with commercial pilot licence, with very low hours. We train them or let us say they even train themselves. They come to us with very low hours, 250 hours and 300 hours.

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    ”Taking a trainee pilot with that number of hours will increase the airline’s insurance premium because the airline is using inexperienced and low time co-pilot.

    The increasing insurance premium will put a lot of stress on the aircraft because they are going to be doing training and everything. And when the pilot becomes proficient, then he now says I am paying him small remuneration and he leaves.

    ”When you come in with low flying hours, you pay the airline to gain up to 500 and 1000 hours on the type of the aircraft. But now, I am bringing you in, giving you this training on the aircraft, giving you the opportunity to have this experience, without any government incentive to the airline and I am a privately owned company, I am doing business purely on profit basis; I am not doing it on charity.

    ”Then after you have been trained and I have paid a high insurance premium; after I have suffered a lot on my landing gear because of hard landings that pilots do while training; after I have suffered all that expense in maintenance of the aircraft and other expenses, you now say, I am paying you a little, so, you want to leave me and go to another airline.”

    Aviation security consultant and Secretary-General of the Aviation Safety Round Table Initiative Group Capt. John Ojikutu (rtd) called on indigenous carriers to absorb young pilots.

    He said: “The onus is on the airlines; if we really want to have more Nigerian pilots, they should absorb them. But to absorb them most times, the airlines ask them to go for type-rating with their money and where will many of them get between $100,000 and $200,000 for that from? These are people who are looking for jobs.”

    Meanwhile, Captain Mohammed said NCAT has embarked on many projects that will enhance its training capabilities.

    He said the college will increase its fleet of trainer aircraft to enhance its training capabilities.

    Mohammed said acquiring more trainer aircraft will create a window for its young pilots to acquire more flying hours to prepare them for the job market.

    The rector said: “The whole idea of getting more training aircraft is that it will greatly enhance our training capacity. By breaking down the aircraft orders into batches until the twenty target is achieved is part of strategy to equip the college for efficiency.”

    Mohammed said the setting up of a national carrier has a huge role to play in resolving the challenge of young pilots unemployment.

    The rector said: “There is need for domestic carriers to work together and support every initiative that will make them stronger to absorb young pilot graduates. Besides, I believe there is need for Nigeria to have a national carrier. Such airline will have training capacities for our young pilots to enhance their professional growth.”

  • How intruder fought security personnel at Lagos Airport, by FAAN

    By Kelvin Osa Okunbor

     

    Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), on Friday, gave account of how a 25-year-old man fought its unarmed Aviation Security Personnel (AVSEC) in a bid to escape arrest while trying to intrude into an Air Peace aircraft taxing for take-off at the Charlie One (C1) Link/Holding Area of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos.

    FAAN’s spokesperson, Mrs Henrietta Yakubu said the intruder put up a struggle with AVSEC personnel on static guard duties at the area when they rushed to stop him from further movement towards the taxing Air Peace aircraft.

    Yakubu said: ” At about 0850hrs of 27th December 2019, a young man of about 25yrs was sighted around the airfield by FAAN Aviation Security (AVSEC) personnel manning the Charlie One (C1) link/holding area.

    ” AVSEC personnel on static guard duties at the area rushed to stop his further movement towards a taxiing Air Peace aircraft numbered APK 7252 and with registration number(CS-TQU) and a struggle ensued. All efforts to stop the intruder by the unarmed AVSEC personnel failed as the intruder continued to resist arrest.

    “While the struggle was ongoing, the AVSEC personnel called for reinforcement and alerted the pilot of CS-TQU of the intrusion, and to delay the aircraft to allow for a successful apprehension of the intruder.

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    “The intruder was eventually apprehended by the AVSEC personnel with the support of the reinforcement and has been taken into custody for investigations.

    “The aircraft was also advised to return to base for necessary safety/ security inspections in line with standard procedure. Subsequently, The aircraft departed lagos at 10:16, with 171 passengers, and six crew

    Mrs Yakubu said the Managing Director of FAAN , Captain Hamisu Yadudu in company with the Directors of Aviation Security services, and Airport operations, , the Regional General Manager (SW) and the Airport Chief of Security (MMA) inspected the site of the incident and discussed with the Captain of the aircraft, who commended the action of the Aviation Security team. According to him, it was timely and professional in protecting the flight as he was not even aware of any intrusion until they alerted him.

  • Airlines as drivers of economic development

    The push for economic development through air transportation is increasingly gathering momentum at domestic, regional and international arenas, with experts saying adequate government support and a raft of intervention measures could reduce attrition rate of indigenous carriers in their roles as enablers and catalysts of economic development, writes KELVIN OSA-OKUNBOR

     

    The relationship between air transportation and economic development is increasingly gaining global traction, robust enough that the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), International Air Transport Association (IATA) and Airport Council International (ACI) are closing ranks to optimise the benefits of the air transport value chain.

    Significantly, the bodies have continued to roll out measures – in terms of policies, programmes and initiatives – that will not only attract, but sustain and protect investments in airline and allied businesses to keep economies running.

    According to IATA,  aviation remains a key driver of economic development. Over one third of all trade, by value, is sent by air which makes aviation a key component of business worldwide.

    The global body said the aviation industry supports 65.5 million jobs around the world.   Some of these roles are within the industry at airports, for airlines and in civil aerospace and air navigation services, while other jobs are supported by the economic activities that air travel creates.

    Besides, supporting $2.7 trillion of the world’s gross domestic product, air transport facilitates international trade, in particular valuables and perishable goods.

    Experts say the global aviation market is expected to grow significantly in the coming decades. By 2036, the global air transport is forecast to support 97.8 million jobs and will $5.7 trillion to the global economy.

    According to a global fact sheet for 2017  provided by IATA , over 4.1 billion passengers were carried by airlines in 41.9 million scheduled flights  flown across 7.75 trillion kilometres in 1,303 commercial airlines.

    At a time global carriers are filling in the gap, airlines in Nigeria are grappling to play their role as drivers of economic development.

    Besides Air Peace which currently parades a sizeable fleet of aircraft types – Boeing and Embraer – others are struggling to get their airplanes out of maintenance facility.

    Regrettably, the failure rate of Nigerian carriers in the last decade has called to question the role airlines could play as enablers of economic growth in a country where air transport still holds the key in accelerating the movement of passengers and cargo goods and other allied services.

    Besides Air Peace, which currently has the largest pool of airplanes and scope of operations; it is filling the gap as an economic enabler by providing air link between Nigeria’s commercial hub, Lagos, its political capital , Abuja and other major cities including Port Harcourt, Owerri, Enugu, Calabar, Uyo, Benin, Asaba, Warri, Sokoto, Yola, Kano , Kaduna and other cities it categorised as “under served “  and “unserved.”

    Experts say airlines’ role in the logistic value chain in the movement of passengers,  goods and services across the length and breadth of the country underscores the in  creasing value of air transportation mode.

    Besides, being the fastest and albeit safest mode of transport, airlines create job opportunities for millions of Nigerians in the aviation and allied sectors.

    Towards this end, experts say the health of indigenous carriers is directly proportional to their contributions to economic development.

    Air Peace’s Chief Operating Officer, Mrs Oluwatoyin Olajide, told The Nation that  the carrier in its few years of operation, has bridged the gap in connecting major cities in Nigeria’s air link by providing a window for people and cargo to move seamlessly thereby contributing to the gross domestic product.

    She said airlines remain key drivers in pushing national economic development through their on- time performance services, which has made seamless for organisations and individuals to move from one location to the other in the accomplishment of their corporate responsibilities.

    The airline COO said besides providing a platform for people and goods to move, airlines as key players in the logistic value chain have created job opportunities for many professionals in the aviation and related industry.

    But, experts say if local carriers must play their role as economic enablers, operators must step up on-time departure to reduce frequent incidents of flight delays which impact on the national economy for businessmen and women hoping to meet their schedules and appointment.

    Speaking in an interview in Lagos, Chief Pilot of Air Peace, Captain Victor Egonu, said domestic carriers will continue to contribute their role in national economic development, if government puts in place the right policies that will guarantee the sustenance of such carriers.

    He said domestic carriers,including Air Peace will be excited if the relevant agencies could fix sore points at major airports to reduce the burden of airlines.

    He listed such sore points to include flooded and undulating runways at some airports, night landing facilities at some secondary airports in addition to multiple screening points at airport terminals to improve turnaround time for indigenous carriers.

    He said:. ‘’Any measure or step that could be taken by government to reduce the burden on domestic carriers will put them in a vantage position to contribute significantly to national economic development.

    “It is time government should start considering domestic carriers as partners in progress.

    The whole idea is to empower these carriers so that they could improve their operations both domestically, regionally and intercontinentally in the bid to advance the economic development of the country.”

    In his views, former Secretary General of African Airlines Association (AFRAA), Mr Nick Fadugba said government should design policies that should support local carriers to remain in business and make their lofty contributions to the development of the national economy in the provision of travel services, aviation fuel supply, airline  catering aircraft maintenance and repairs and other support services.

    Also speaking, Executive Chairman of Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), the umbrella body of indigenous carriers, Captain Nogie Meggison said local airlines would have contributed more to the development of the national economy if they get the support of government.

    He said : “ The operating environment for local carriers is very harsh. Multiple charges and taxes , unpatriotic policies by government, these factors are militating against the potential of Nigerian carriers to contribute significantly to national development. “

    Look at an airline like Air Peace, which in the last five years has taken on many battles and challenges . Such an airline should be supported by government as a strong carrier which is flying the flag of Nigeria in the international scene.

    Government needs protective policies , the way other countries such as United States and the government of the United Arab Emirates are supporting the Gulf Carriers. That is what Nigerian government should do to local airlines.”

    He cited the patriotic services Air Peace carried out a few months ago, when it evacuated over 520 Nigerians trapped in the xenophobic attacks in South Africa.

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    Speaking in an interview, Chairman of Air Peace, Mr Allen Onyema said local airlines need support from government to enable them accelerate the growth of the economy by providing a platform of movement for trade, commerce and industry.

    He said local carriers contributed significantly to the over 14.2 million passengers recorded in Nigeria in 2019. He said the passenger traffic figure compared to 11.2 million flown the previous was enough evidence of the commitment of local operators.

    He said : “ Though the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority has not released passenger figures for this year, the figures of last year speaks volumes of the exploits of local airlines, including Air Peace, which continue to weather the storm in an unfriendly business environment. “

    He said local carriers could do better if government reviewed sundry charges under the guise of taxes and levies at airports nationwide accounting for over 65 per cent of revenues accruing to airlines.

    The airline boss said : “ What local carriers are asking from government is an enabling environment that will make things work.

    We look forward to a time when the taxes will be streamlined in such a way to help local carriers help the government and help the country by contributing to the national economy and by extension national economic development .”

    Also speaking, Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Captain Abdulsalami Mohammed said domestic carriers could contribute to economic development if they explore economies of scale, cooperate and forge alliances.

    He said one of the ways they could be stronger as economic enablers is by pooling their expertise and equipment together. Mohammed said: “ Airlines will continue to play greater role in economic development, when the operators evolve sustainable operational plans.”

     

  • FAAN fetes passengers at Lagos, other airports

    By Kelvin Osa Okunbor

    Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) on Monday doled out Xmas gifts to arriving passengers at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos and other airports as part of celebrations for the yuletide.

    The arriving passengers especially children and their parents were treated to a photo section with Santa Claus and handed over gift items.
    At the arrival hall of the Lagos Airport scores of children were ushered to see St. Nicholas (Santa Claus) at his stand at the E Arrival Hall of the airport where he doled out gift items to the arriving kids.

    Speaking at the event, Regional Manager South West, FAAN, Mrs. Victoria Shin-Aba said the initiative was meant to show the kids the Christmas spirit.She said FAAN is doing it all over it’s international airport and the aim was to welcome the kids.

    READ ALSO: Yuletide: FAAN boss urges staff to evaluate activities

    She said,” In the spirit of the season we had this last year and we felt this year the children especially those coming into the country so they can have a feel of the season.

    “You see their smiles, surprises that shows that something great is happening around international terminals in the country. The children are getting welcome packages and this is being done in the four international airports and there is one going on at the General Aviation Terminal ( GAT) in Lagos.

    The first flight, an Emirates EK781 from Lagos to Dubai arrived at 9:30 while other international flights experienced same.

    Some of the passengers expressed excitement over the exercise thanking FAAN for remembering them at times like this.

  • Challenges of airport cleaning business, by Lakewood General Manager

    Kelvin Osa Okunbor

    To keep four international airport terminals clean is not an easy task, Lakewood Development Company Limited engaged by the the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has said.

    General Manager Services, Mrs Belinda Irafor disclosed this while speaking in an interview after clinching an award as the best airport cleaning services provider at the Nigerian Aviation Awards (NIGAV) in Lagos.

    Mrs Irafor said keeping the airports clean is not a simple task because the airport terminal as a sensitive facility needs an environment that is not only hygienic for passenger convenience and comfort but must at all times look good.

    She said given the large number of passengers between 5,000 and 10,000 that visits and use the airports everyday it is only incumbent on the provider of cleaning services to ensure the environment is clean, comfortable and friendly.

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    Irafor said: “We are very grateful for this award. We are into janitorial cleaning, industrial cleaning and we are also in estate management. We are the ones cleaning the four international airports in Nigeria. Port Harcourt, Calabar, Lagos and Abuja. Cleaning is a very interesting job because cleanliness is nearness to God. You have to make your environment clean and airport is a very important place and a very sensitive environment whereby you have to make the convenience and the entire environment hygienic and also make the passengers comfortable”.

    Irafor said “For that reason and a professional cleaning company, we do our best and we leave the rest to God by making sure that the environment is convenient for everybody. We are very grateful for this award and we pray more come. We want the the federal government to give us more opportunity to do better and give us more jobs”.

    She commended the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) for their support and cooperation but urged the Authority to make all the facilities at the airport work.

    “I think the only thing I want them to do is to allow us work as a team. They have been very accommodating and helpful. Whenever, we have complaints, they listen to us. I think the only thing that I want them to do for us right now is to make all the facilities working,” Mrs Irafor said.

    On runway de-rubberisation, she said: “We are looking into that aspect but for now, we are waiting for the authorities to be called to do that. Apart from cleaning, we do runway de-rubberisation outside the country.”

  • Yuletide: FAAN boss urges staff to evaluate activities

    Kelvin Osa Okunbor

    The Managing Director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) Captain Hamisu Yadudu has urged staff of the authority to use the outgoing year to evaluate their activities as they prepare for the challenges ahead.

    Speaking at this year’s Children’s Forum/Quiz competition for FAAN staff children in Lagos, Captain Yadudu said the yuletide season was a time to appreciate the Almighty God for sparing their lives through the year.

    Yadudu represented by the General Manager, Corporate Affairs FAAN, Mrs. Henrietta Yakubu said festive periods were beyond dinning and wining but time to connect share and extend love.

    He noted that this year’s ceremony was unique because its organisers factored into it quiz competition.

    He said: “As you all know, every situation in life comes with opportunities to learn new things and I want to assure you all that you will learn a few things in the course of today’s event”.

    Captain Yadudu charged the children to be attentive, open-minded, relax as they embark on the activities.

    “As it is often said that everything under the surface of the Earth has it’s time and season, this is the season for you children to unwind and celebrate after a year of intensive academic pursuit”.

    READ ALSO: Uber, Bolt, others not banned at airports – FAAN

    The FAAN helmsman applauded the entire Management and staff of the Authority for their commitment and passion towards ensuring that the children have a memorable yuletide celebration.

    “We say a big thank you to you all for putting all of these together. We thank God for His goodness and blessings in the outgoing year; I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a prosperous year.

    Chairman of the committee and General Manager, Welfare and Management Services, Sanni Jimoh in an interview said, the event was organized by the Management to help the children socialize and interact.

    “This year’s pattern is a bit different from last year, last year there was no quiz, we just felt it should not be eating and dancing alone, we should test their mental capability to align them with where their parents work so that they can get familiar with aviation, from here they can develop their interest”.

  • Arik Air resumes services to Asaba

    By Kelvin Osa Okunbor

     

    Arik Air said it will resume flight services to Asaba Airport in Delta state.

    Effective Wednesday, December 18, 2019, Arik Air will be operating daily flights from Lagos to Asaba.

    The resumption of flights to Asaba is coming at a time when people are looking for seamless travel during the yuletide.

    Arik Air’s return to Asaba is nostalgic as the airline was the first to commence commercial flights to Asaba when the airport was inaugurated in 2011.

    Read Also; Arik Air reconnects Owerri

    Similarly, Arik Air, in the spirit of the yuletide season, will be increasing its frequency from Lagos to Owerri to thrice daily.

    Speaking on the latest development, Arik Air Chief Executive Officer, Captain Roy Ilegbodu said: “The resumption of flights to Asaba is a promise kept as we had assured our esteemed customers that we will be back on the route before the Christmas festivities.

    “We once again assure our customers of a high operating safety standards and exceptional customer service during the yuletide and beyond.”

  • Yuletide: Arik Air boosts fleet as two aircraft arrives from maintenance

    Kelvin Osa Okunbor

    Arik Air said on Tuesday that it is set to boost its operations ahead of the Yuletide season as two of its aircraft returned from a major maintenance check – in aviation parlance described as C- Check conducted at Lufthansa Technik AG facility in Malta.

    The return of the two airplanes including a Q- 400 and Boeing 737 – 800 according to a statement by the carrier was part of efforts by the management team led by Captain Roy Ilegbodu to resolve outstanding debts with the African Export Import Bank ( AFREXIM) and string support from Lufthansa Technik AG.

    Ilegbodu said the carrier was set to take advantage of the huge passenger influx during Yuletide as it expects two additional aircraft to return from maintenance facility in the next few weeks.

    He said one airplane will return before the end of the year, while the other will return by January 2020.

    He said in the last two years, the current management has been working hard to improve the number of serviceable aircraft in the airline’s fleet. The efforts, he said are yielding results.

    Ilegbodu said: “The Arik fleets are nearly mid – life and such require major overhaul of engines, landing gear, etc. Unfortunately, Arik in addition to being over burdened by debts had no reserves. The company was simply in a fix. The significant work done to date has therefore been the result of prudent management of resources and the support of Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON).

    “The management’s effort is bearing fruits with two more aircraft expected to return from C-checks in the next few weeks – one at the end of the year, and another in January.

    READ ALSO: Arik Air reconnects Owerri

    “Since the current management took over the airline operation its Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA) is positive, customers’ confidence has been restored On Time Performance (OTP) is over 70 per cent – from as low as 30 per cent ; load factors on domestic routes are over 80 per cent , flight cancellations are down to less than one per cent from over 40 per cent , Salaries are paid as at when due, pensions are being remitted, all current obligations are being met and the company is prepared for AMCON exit.

    “The Boeing 737-800 had been in Malta with Lufthansa Technik AG since 2015 before the current management came on board, and its return is a huge testimony of the achievements of the current management due to the high cost of C check of as a result of extended lay over.”

    The Chief Executive Officer of Arik, Capt. Roy Ilegbodu said: “We are pleased to announce the return of some of our airplanes, following positive resolution of our outstanding debts with African Export Import Bank (AFREXIM) and strong support from Lufthansa Technik AG.

    “We are aware that our services are critical to numerous travelers in this festive season, and we are ready for the challenges ahead with improved schedule in our domestic and regional network and excellent customer experience.”

  • Boost for sector’s manpower development

    Partnership between airlines, maintenance repair and overhaul centres and aviation training organisations is increasingly bridging the gap in manpower development by creating a window for On-the-Job Training  (OJT) for budding pilots and aircraft engineers, writes KELVIN OSA OKUNBOR.

    Opportunities for job creation through manpower development received a boost at the weekend as Aero Contractors of Nigeria signed a Memorandum of Understanding  (MoU)  with the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT),  to engage 10 graduates of the college for On the Job Training  (OJT).

    The partnership between Aero and NCAT, is part of efforts to deepen indigenous capacity in the sector, by providing a platform for young aircraft  engineers to acquire practical knowledge and experience in the mechanics of the aviation industry.

    The pact between Aero and NCAT, experts say, could not have  come at a better time given diminishing opportunities for job creation in the aviation industry.

    Besides creating such unique platform to acquire practical knowledge and experience in avionics,  Aero Contractors and NCAT are the oldest organisations in the sector with commonality in values in building capacity for the sector.

    Speaking shortly after signing the MoU in Zaria, Kaduna State , Managing Director of Aero , Captain Ado Sanusi, described the cooperation between the airline and the college as institutional relationship that will deepen human capacity development and the growth of the aviation sector.

    He said besides being an airline, Aero Contractors as an Approved Maintenance Organisation  (AMO)  licensed by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority  (NCAA),  the aircraft maintenance facility will come in handy for NCAT student engineers who have looked forward to cementing their classroom knowledge with practical experience during the On-the-Job training.

    Read Also: Aero Contractors’ maiden flight lands in Benin

     

    Sanusi added:” This Memorandum of Understanding is going to set in motion, the annual On-the-Job Training for NCAT student engineers for a three-month period to enable them gain practical experience on aircraft maintenance  before proceeding for another specialised intense training at Aero Contractors Rotary and Fixed  Wing Departments.

    “Aero Contractors shall expose the student engineers to invaluable experience in our workshops on planning detailed knowledge of air frame and other matters vital to acquiring knowledge on aircraft maintenance.

    “On completion of this robust maintenance exposure, I am pleased to announce that the management of Aero Contractors is pledging an offer of immediate employment to the best 10 student engineers that emerge from the On the Job Training. They shall be distributed five each to our Rotary and Fixed Wing Departments.

    “Aero Contractors has chosen this course of action to demonstrate our unequivocal support to the policy of government,  which is the creation of employment opportunities for our youths.”

    The Aero Contractors boss described its AMO as one of the few facilities which has made critical link between human capacity development and employment creation as a basis for effectively servicing Nigeria ‘s  growing aviation industry.

    Sanusi urged government to continue to engage companies who have proven antecedent of human capacity development and employment creation.

    “This is the proven path by which the organised private sector can accentuate the attainment of employment creation as advocated by government. “

    The Chief Executive Officer and  Rector of NCAT,  Captain Abdulsalami Mohammed described the partnership between the organisations as a milestone that will play a significant role in advancing the safety and growth of Nigeria’s aviation industry.

    He said:”This collaboration is unique in the sense that both parties have a long history in the aviation field.

    “Aero Contractors is the first Maintenance Repairs and Overhaul Organisation and the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology is the first Approved Training Organisation to be certified by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority.”

    Mohammed said human capacity development was  fundamental to sustainable development of the aviation industry.

    But, he said achieving such feat of sufficient and effectively trained manpower demands  sustainable synergy and partnership among critical stakeholders.

    For instance, he described the  partnership between the college and the airline as a “momentous phase”in the training of Nigeria ‘s future aircraft engineers.

    “ The problem of lack of job opportunities in  the aviation sector has become a great concern to the players . As the Chief Executive Officer of a training organisation it is painful to see young qualified Nigerians finding it difficult to secure jobs. Therefore, it is profund that Aero Contractors has pledged to absorb 10 student of the college after the end of their stay in the airline.

    “ Let me assure our partners of the college’s commitment to the development of aviation professionals.  Because of this , we will continue to work with stakeholders to ensure that the aviation sector has well – trained and skilled manpower.