The Nation Newspaper

Category: Aviation

  • Enhancing aviation security training in Africa

    Dearth of internationally-certified training centres for aviation security personnel is among the challenges confronting aviation in Africa. But last week’s inauguration of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) Training School as an Aviation Security Training Centre (ASTC) by the global aviation regulator, International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), for West and Central Africa sub-regions has raised the stakes in the sector, writes KELVIN OSA OKUNBOR.

    Efforts to improve training in aviation security have received a boost, with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) inaugurating the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) Training School as Aviation Security Training Centre (ASTC) for West and Central African sub-regions.

    The endorsement by the global aviation regulator was a fallout of 24 months of spadework by FAAN, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT) and  Ministry of Transportation.

    Speaking last week at the event in Lagos, NCAA Director-General Captain Mukthar Usman spoke of efforts to make the facility a global training centre for the African sub-region, given its contribution to manpower development.

    Usman said the facility underwent rigorous screening before it was approved. He said the request for the upgrade of the training school to a global centre was made on June 8, last year. ICAO, Usman said, began its  evaluation,  last May. It was conducted by the Regional Security Officer for the Western and Central African Office (WACAF). He said the request was granted within 24 months.

    He said Nigeria has the capacity to provide requisite personnel to handle the global training centre with five certified-ICAO aviation security instructors and over 60 qualified national aviation security instructors.

    Usman said: “On behalf of Nigeria, we wish to thank ICAO for this privilege and to further stress that the reason for the request for an ASTC was purely for the provision of aviation security training courses to cater for English speaking states in the West African sub-region.

    “It hopes that the designation of the FAAN Training School as an ICAO Aviation Training  Centre will attract patronage from airport communities of the West African sub- region and its environs, thereby contributing to the development and improvement of aviation security training in the region and elsewhere.”

    On his part, FAAN Managing Director, Saleh Dunoma said ASTC would not only contribute to the development of AVSEC but that it would also improve security in the West and Central Africa(WACAF) sub-region.

    Dunoma said the training centre would complement ICAO efforts in improving AVSEC in the West and Central Africa sub–regions.

    The FAAN boss commended ICAO, NCAA and the Nigeria College Aviation Technology (NCAT) for their contributions to making the training centre a reality, adding that  the facility would help the agency to train more workers in the country.

    He said with the certification, it would further bring patronage from the civil aviation personnel from the two regions.

    ICAO Regional Director Mr. Mam Sait Jallow said  the training facility was part of efforts by the global body to respond to the development of aviation professionals with skills.

    He said ICAO harps on safety and security, the reason it sees it as essential to the sustainability of civil aviation and a key factor for the rapid development of the global economy.

    The ICAO regional director, however, noted that the analysis of the results of the universal safety audit programme as well as other sources of information, shows that aviation security and facilitation in Africa often still show persistent shortcomings concerning regulatory, supervisory  and operational issues that result in unsatisfactory implementation of security related standards as well as an inappropriate risk reduction.

    He said: “The difficulties encountered mainly relate to shortcomings in national legislation, which covers primary legislation and security regulations, governance measures, ineffective or inadequate infrastructure and services, insufficient funds and a lack of qualified personnel in sufficient numbers.”

    He said the global body recognises that its standards and practices in its Annex 17 are only effective when those who implement them are competent and are recognised ASTCs.

    Jallow added: “The ICAO regional programme for comprehensive implentation of security and facilitation in Africa (SECAL Plan) in 2015 provides in its first phase the approval by states of national programmes in these areas, including a national civil aviation security training programme (NCASTP). This objective requires sufficient absorptive capacity for the demand for training in the region  of the world.”

    He said with the designation of the ASTC of Nigeria, the network of AVSEC Training Centres include 35 centres distributed in all ICAO regions to provide training at the international, regional and national levels to  personnel in line with its objectives to improve standards and practices.

    He said: “All ICAO-sponsored training delivered through the ASTC network are conducted by certified ICAO instructors. ICAO oversees the quality of aviation security training delivered by the ASTC network through the certification of these instructors and the recognition of training centres based on general criteria for the establishment and maintaining recognition as an aviation security training centre of ICAO in accordance with the training policy.

    “These general criteria include the establishment of a sustainable source of funding to meet the financial need s of the training centre and ensure its ongoing operational effectiveness; maintain a list of qualified and certified aviation security instructors; maintain and make available appropriate facilities and equipment; provide technical and administrative staff to support all training activities and provide support to  ICAO in the development , review and translation of training materials.”

    He, however, cautioned that recognised ASTCs were required to comply with ICAO requirements to maintain their recognition, which involves establishing and maintaining communication and coordination with the headquarters, regional offices and aviation experts on all matters related to international training.

    He warned: “They must also develop and implement an active annual training programme for regional and national participants. The certificate of recognition issues by ICAO to the ASTC of Nigeria means it has been duly demonstrated that the centre meets the general and specific requirements in this respect, and that it is able to continue to meet such requirements during the period of validity of the certificate of recognition. Maintaining the certificate, therefore, requires all stakeholders to redouble their efforts through the implementation of a coherent and comprehensive monitoring programme.

    “With the recognition of the ASTC of Nigeria, the network of aviation security trading centres (ASTC) now includes 35 centres widely distributed in all ICAO regions, to provide aviation security training at the international (ICAO), regional and national levels to all categories of personnel involved or responsible for implementation of security measures, policies and procedures in accordance with its strategic objectives to improve the level of implementation of Annex 17 Standards.”

    Experts who attended the event include the United Nations Counter terrorism trainer, Emma Watson; Kenan Wood of the British High Commission and Ministry of Aviation Permanent Secretary, Sabaru Zakari.

     

  • NATCA to Fed Govt: fix Lagos Airport’s lighting, taxiway

    THE  Nigerian Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) has called on the Federal Government to fix the Runway 18L/36R lighting and the abandoned taxiway B at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos.

    The association stated this at its 47th Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Conference in Lagos, saying the government should prioritise the matter to reduce pilots and controllers’ workload.

    In a communique issued at the weekend  by its former President and General Secretary, Victor Eyaru and Banji Olawode, the association urged the Minister of State, Aviation, Hadi Sirika, to complete the construction of the abandoned new control tower at the Kaduna Airport razed by fire four years ago.

    The communique reads: ”NATCA enjoins all stakeholders in the Nigerian aviation industry to develop a framework for stronger collaboration to achieve zero accident.

    “The Federal Ministry of Transportation should, as a matter of urgency, see to the completion of the construction of the abandoned new control tower at the Kaduna Airport to replace the old one that got burnt on  April 20, 2014 in the interest of air safety.

    “The association wishes to appeal to the Minister of State, Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika to intervene on the fixing of the Runway 18L/36R lighting and the abandoned Taxiway B at the Murtala Muhammed Airport Lagos to reduce work load of the pilots and controllers.

    “The association also encourages the Federal Government to come to the aid of the Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) to speed up the ongoing upgrade of the Controller-Pilot and Controller-Controller communication facilities as well as surveillance equipment to meet with the required standards for sustenance of air safety.”

  • Row over N1.9 billion debt : We are not owing FAAN, says bi-courtney

    As the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), commenced negotiations with airports owing it N2.808 billion, one of the affected firms : Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL) said yesterday that it is not bothered by threats by the airport authority to withdraw some  services because it is in any way indebted to it.

    FAAN) had at the weekend issued a Notice To Airmen (NOTAM) that effective Monday, December 10,  2018, Aviation Security Personnel will be withdrawn from the terminal. 

     Earlier, FAAN had threatened to withdraw its personnel from MMA2 due to alleged indebtedness to the tune of N1, 943,323,516.50 billion naira.

    FAAN in a letter dated October  30 , 2018 to BASL  informed it of outstanding personnel costs for FAAN staff deployed to MMA2, demanding Bi-Courtney to pay for the provision of the Aviation Security, Rescue and Fire Fighting Services as invoiced by FAAN among other charges or face withdrawing its personnel.

    BASL, which manages the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two ( MMA2) , Ikeja , Lagos said it had already put adequate safety and security measures in lace to preempt the withdrawal of FAAN personnel at the terminal to ensure smooth flight operations by airlines and other business activities.
    In a statement signed by its public relations officer, Ayotunde  Osowe on Monday, Bi- Courtney said it has adequately trained and Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority ( NCAA) certified personnel to man various parts and sensitive points at the terminal.

    According to statement , BASL management said since inception, it has trained its own Aviation Security Personnel to work along with FAAN Security at the terminal.

    It reads : ”   Since 2016, BASL have been performing the same service that FAAN performs in their absence.  Staff are trained in accordance with the National Civil Aviation Security Training Programme (NCASTP) in respect of X-ray Image Interpretation and physical security screening.  

    “It should be noted that the withdrawal of FAAN personnel in no way jeopardizes security levels – in fact, it is known that the NCAA have conducted numerous audits on FAAN personnel at the terminal revealing that many of the staff are absent and that the required number are not on duty or do not have the requisite training. 

    ” BASL assures all air operators and the travelling public that the regulatory requirements for security and safety will be strictly adhered to and complied with in full.

    “BASL is prepared and continues to consistently ensure safety, security and smooth operations at MMA2, without entertaining compromise on aviation best practices.”

    It further reads :” We want to state that ample safety and security measures have been put in place to ensure the withdrawal of FAAN personnel does not in any way impede or disrupt smooth flight operations and other business activities at the terminal, reiterating that there are adequately trained and NCAA certified personnel to man the various parts and all sensitive points at the terminal. “

    Bi- Courtney said it considers FAAN’s action as an alleged financial infraction against it because it had formally responded to in a letter addressed to FAAN reiterating BASL’s stance on the demands for payments of purported outstanding liabilities.

    In this letter, BASL stated :  “We have consistently brought it to your notice that we have a judgment credit of N132, 540,580,304.00 (one hundred thirty-two billion, five hundred forty million, five hundred eighty thousand, three hundred four Naira) since 03 March 2009. This credit arose directly from the non-implementation of the Concession Agreement by the appropriate authorities. The Courts have consistently ordered that any liability we have to FAAN or any federal government agency should be deducted from this amount”.

    The statement went on : ” Despite the receipt of BASL’s response, FAAN have flagrantly disregarded several Court Orders including the most recent with reference Suit Number – FHC/ABJ/CS/1422/18/ issued on Wednesday, the 28th of November 2018 pertaining to this matter, duly served to FAAN, ordering that “the status quo be maintained and that nothing that may disrupt and / or hinder the operation of the Airport should be done pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice”.

  • Dana Air wins best domestic airline award 2018

    Dana Air has won the award for Africa’s Best Airline of the year 2018 in the domestic operations category, at the Development in Africa Merits Award held recently at Sheraton Hotels, Lagos.

    DAMA awards is a yearly conference and awards ceremony organized annually by Delta Business School Limited to recognize  Corporate organizations and Individuals who have contributed immensely to the development of Africa through their service, humanitarian activities, business model and creativity.

    The merit award also celebrates leading businesses and academics in Nigeria and Africa who have raised the bar, and setting new standards through creative and innovative products, ideas and services.

    The Media and Communications Manager of Dana Air, Kingsley Ezenwa , who received the award on behalf of the airline said: ‘We are honoured to be recognized as Africa’s Best Airline in the domestic category. This award is a confirmation that Africa and indeed the world is watching and we are glad that we are making Nigeria proud with our customer-centric products geared towards improving customer experience and value added services.’’

    Read Also: Dana Air wins award

    He noted that ‘exceeding the flying aspirations our guests,  and giving back to the society in which we operate are part of our secrets of success having flown for 10 years in Nigeria, and this award is a motivation for us to continue to raise the bar of our operational efficiency, safety and service delivery. ‘’

    He further stated that ‘our commitment to our core values, passion for the industry and our superior understanding of the flying public and the industry have kept us going despite the challenges, and our mission is to constantly earn the loyalty and respect of our customers by consistently demonstrating our commitment to service, and providing affordable regional air transport services that focus on innovation, quality and service excellence.’’

    Dana Air, 3-time winner of the airline of the year award at the Nigerian Aviation Awards, recently celebrated its 10th anniversary with a record breaking load factor, unrivaled on-time performance, world-class in-flight service and customer-centric products and services .

  • Medview Airlines returns

    Medview Airlines said on Saturday that some of its aircraft have returned from major maintenance checks abroad as it prepares to increase flight frequencies on some routes.

    In a statement by the airline’s Head of Commercial, Mr. Trevor Henry said the relaunch of its traditional routes is anchored on the re-fleeting program of the airline

    With the return of some of its aircraft from maintenance, Med-View Airline on Saturday said it will relaunch the Yola and Maiduguri routes on Tuesday, 18 December, and increase  flights on Lagos-Abuja  route, using the B737-800 NG aircraft.

    The number of flights on the Lagos-Abuja route will increase to three daily round trips on weekdays to offer better departure timings throughout the day.

    Mr Henry commended the Med-View passengers for their continued patronage and assured them of better customer service and reliability.

    Med-View’s management  said it wishes all its loyal passengers a Happy Festive Season and a prosperous New Year in advance.

     

  • Emirates Group declares $14.8bn profit half year performance

    The Emirates Group has declared  its half-year results for 2018-19, posting a profit of $14.8 billion in the first six months representing 10 per cent higher the figures of same period last year.

    The Group saw steady revenue growth compared to the same period last year, however profits were impacted by the significant rise in oil prices, and unfavourable currency movements in certain markets, amidst other challenges for the airline and travel industry.

    The Emirates Group revenue was $ 14.8 billion) for the first six months of its 2018-19 financial year, up 10 per cent from $ 13.5 billion  during the same period last year.

    Profitability was down 53 per cent compared to the same period last year, with the Group reporting a 2018-19 half-year net profit of $ 296 million.

    The profit erosion was primarily due to the significant increase in fuel prices of 37 per cent compared to the same period last year, as well as the negative impact of currencies in certain markets.

    The Group’s cash position on September 30,  2018 was $ 5.9 billion compared to $ 6.9 billion as at March 31, 2018.

    Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline and Group said: “Emirates grew steadily in the first half of 2018-19. Demand for our high quality products and services remained healthy, as we won new and return customers across our businesses and this is reflected in our revenue performance. However, the high fuel cost as well as currency devaluations in markets like India, Brazil, Angola and Iran, wiped  from our profits.

    Read Also: Emirates Group honours top employees

    “We are proactively managing the myriad challenges faced by the airline and travel industry, including the relentless downward pressure on yields, and uncertain economic and political realities in our region and in other parts of the world. We are keeping a tight rein on controllable costs and will continue to drive efficiency improvement through the implementation of new technology and business processes.

    “The next six months will be tough, but the Emirates Group’s foundations remain strong. I’m pleased to note that our home and hub in Dubai continues to attract travel demand, as the airline saw  more customers enjoying Dubai as a destination in the first half of 2018-19 compared to the same period last year. ” We expect this demand to remain healthy as new attractions come online and the city gears up for Dubai Expo 2020. Moving forward we are firmly focussed on sustaining our business. We will do this by being agile to capitalise on opportunities, and investing to serve our customers even better with high quality products that they value.”

    In the past six months, the Group’s employee base reduced by  one per cent compared to 31 March 2018, from an overall average staff count of 103,363 to 101,983. This was largely a result of natural attrition, together with a slower pace of recruitment as the business continues its various internal programmes to improve efficiency through the implementation of new technology and work flows.

    During the first six months of 2018-19, Emirates received 8 wide-body aircraft –  three  Airbus A380s, and  five  Boeing 777s, with  five  more new aircraft scheduled to be delivered before the end of the financial year. It also retired 7 older aircraft from its fleet with further 4 to be returned by  March 31 , 2019. The airline’s long-standing strategy to invest in the most advanced wide-body aircraft enables it to improve overall efficiency and provide better customer experiences.

    Emirates continues to offer ever better connections for its customers across the globe with just one stop in Dubai.

    In the first six months of its financial year, Emirates launched new passenger services to Stansted (UK) and Santiago (Chile).  It also introduced a new linked service from Dubai via Bali to Auckland. As of 30 September, Emirates’ global network spanned 161 destinations in 85 countries. Its fleet stood at 269 aircraft including freighters.

    Emirates further developed its partnership with flydubai, offering customers even more benefits as both airlines combined their loyalty programme under Emirates Skywards.  Customers also enjoy new flight choices as Emirates and flydubai continued to leverage their complementary networks to optimise flight schedules and offer new city-pair connections through Dubai, as well as open new routes including Kinshasa (Congo), Krakow (Poland), and Catania (Italy) in the first half of 2018-19.

    Overall capacity during the first six months of the year increased a modest  three per cent  to 31.8 billion Available Tonne Kilometres (ATKM). Capacity measured in Available Seat Kilometres (ASKM), grew by  four per cent , whilst passenger traffic carried measured in Revenue Passenger Kilometres (RPKM) was up six months  with average Passenger Seat Factor rising to 78.8 per cent  compared with last year’s 77.2 per cent .

    Emirates carried 30.1 million passengers between  April 1 , 2018  and September 30,  2018, up three per cent  from the same period last year. The volume of cargo uplifted at 1.3 million tonnes is largely unchanged while yield improved by a healthy 11 per cent  .This performance is the result of Emirates SkyCargo’s focused investments in products and services tailored to key sectors, which gives it a strong competitive edge in a recovering global air freight market.

  • Aviation cooperative trains 200 members

    The Federal Ministry of Transport and Aviation (FMT&A) Cooperative Society has trained over 200 members in entrepreneurship and retirement planning.

    The members, drawn across the various sectors, benefited from various training.

    Appealing to those who were yet to benefit, the cooperative said it has developed a long-term plan to ensure that its members benefit.

    Speaking at the 49th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of society at the weekend in Lagos, its President, Mr Babatunde Sotin, said the society’s management committee, in the last one year, had not only worked assiduously to ensure that the society does not derail from its achievements, but has also ensured that value was  added to the members’ well-being.

    According to Sotin, impressive result of the society was instrumental to the growth of its membership, which has reached 517.

    Sotin said more members were joining the society and that this was reflecting in its long-term strategic economic plan.

    On projects, Sotin said: “Since the completion of the guest house project last year, operations have commenced fully at the facility.

  • IATA to African carriers: establish competitive costs structure

    The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has called on African carriers to establish costs structures to improve competitiveness of African aviation.

    Its Director-General/Chief Executive Officer, Alexandre de Juniac, said statistics about aviation in Africa remained gloomy as airlines lose an average of $1.55 per  passenger flown on the continent.

    Speaking at the 50th Annual General Assembly (AGA) of the African Airline Association (AFRAA) in Morocco, he said operators and governments must evolve measures to stimulate aviation’s growth by releasing blocked funds and other things.

    He said Africa is an expensive place to do business because of the heavy burden African countries extert on aviation, adding that taxes and charges in Africa are among the highest in the world.

    Sadly, he said, many governments in Africa consider aviation as luxury rather than a sector necessary to drive the growth of the economy.

    Juniac canvassed a paradigm shift in perception to reposition the sector as a catalyst for economic growth

    He said aviation infrastructure in  Africa has problems in two extremes, saying it is either overbuilt and expensive; and in other cases, deficient and cannot meet demand.

    According to him, dialogue between industry and government is critical to ensuring that there is sufficient capacity to meet demand.

    He also said airline technical and commercial quality standards are met and that the infrastructure is affordable, adding that achieving that will create the platform on which aviation’s economic and social benefits could be maximised.

    Juniac said: “Africa is an expensive place for airlines to do business. There is no shortage of examples illustrating the heavy burden that governments extract from aviation. Jet fuel costs are 35 per cent  higher than the rest of the world. User charges, as a percentage of airlines’ operating costs, are double the industry average. And taxes and charges are among the highest in the world. On top  of that, $670 million of airline funds are blocked. Too many African governments view aviation as a luxury rather than a necessity. We must change that perception.”

    He  urged governments in Africa to maximise the positive social and economic power of aviation by working together to promote safe, sustainable and efficient air connectivity.

    According to him, only 24 African states comply with at least 60 per cent of International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Standards and Recommended Practices ( SARPS.)

    Such arrangement, he said, is not good enough, saying African states need to be encouraged to make global safety standards a priority.

    While calling for closer collaboration among African states, he said IATA has called for an aviation agenda focusing on improving competitiveness; developing effective infrastructure; modernising the regulatory framework with attention on global standards, connectivity as well as ensuring a well-trained and diverse work force.

    He said airlines in Africa, on  the average, lose $1.55 on every passenger, urging operators to establish competitive cost structures that enable growth and reduce blocked funds.

  • Our expansion plan, by Dana Air

    Dana Air has started discussions with some of its financial partners to enable it achieve fleet modernisation and route expansion, its Media/Communication Manager, Kingsley Ezenwa, has disclosed.

    In an interview at the weekend in Lagos, Ezenwa said discussions had reached advanced stages. But he did not name the partners because of the non-disclosure agreement reached by the parties.

    He said Dana Air will acquire more aircraft next year to achieve its route expansion and fleet expansion drive.

    The Dana Air spokesman said   the additional aircraft will enable the carrier airline achieve on-time performance using customer-centric products and best in- flight services.

    While awaiting the delivery of the airplanes, Ezenwa said the carrier has designed an interim measure – a smart aircraft scheduling team to cater to the needs of passengers during Yuletide.

    He said though the airline has five aircraft, it has pulled out two for the mandatory C-check.

    C-check is a major maintenance carried out on aircraft every 18 months in line with regulatory requirement by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

    He said: ”However, we really feel the pain of our guests who have had to travel by road as a result of the shortage of aircraft across the country.

    “This has also occasioned a hike in fares and wish to reassure passengers of our commitment towards putting an end to this in the coming year.”

  • 11 Plc relaunches aviation fuel sale

    11 Plc (formerly Mobil Oil Nigeria Plc) has recommenced the sale and marketing of aviation jet fuel (ATK) at the Murtala Mohamed International Airport and General Aviation Terminal (GAT – Domestic), in collaboration with Air BP.

    Its spokesman, Bobby Ayomike,  in a statement, said the company’s aviation business, which has been inactive for the past five years, is being revitalised in the wake of the construction of a new 20million litre aviation jet fuel (ATK) tank and laying of new ATK pipelines linking the company’s facility at Apapa with the Apapa Jetty.

    Speaking on the development, the company’s  Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Adetunji Oyebanji, said:  “We are delighted with the relaunch and our collaboration with Air BP. Air BP is one of the world’s largest suppliers of aviation fuel products and services. We are leveraging their innovative technical support and risk management expertise to provide best-in-class aviation fuel services to airline customers.”

    The company, under its new management, he said,  continues to take huge strides in the oil and gas downstream sector.

    He added that the company in keeping with its strategic investment drive geared toward repositioning for maximum output and improving its  growth and earning potential.