The Nation Newspaper

Category: Aviation

  • Foreign airlines may operate flights during strike

    There are  indications that foreign airlines operating into the country may not  be adversely affected over the  planned shutting of the Nigerian airspace by aviation unions during the proposed strike over agitation for National Minimum Wage.

    Investigations by The Nation revealed that in line with the terms of bilateral air services agreement, Nigeria signed with other countries, foreign carriers are not supposed to be affected by such development.

    This is coming as  aviation unions said on Monday that  domestic operators and other business organizations in the industry  would be affected by the action.

    The union said its affiliate members of labour centres have been communicated to  comply with the  directives.

    Speaking with our correspondent on phone, Comrade Illitrus Ahmadu, President of Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) said aviation   unions would obey the directive of the labour centres and shut down the airspace.

    He, however, said  industry unions were not unmindful of existing Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) arrangements Nigeria had with foreign countries whose airlines operate into the country, stressing that the issue at hand was a domestic one, which should not be allowed to affect international airlines.

    He said  during the fuel pump price hike of January 2012, the unions allowed international airline operators to reschedule their flights from 6am to 6pm,

    Ahmadu  unions  allowed international carriers to operate into the country in the past because some Nigerians caught in the web  travelled into the country for holidays and needed to return to their respective countries to resume work, even as  some were equally travelling for  scheduled medical appointment.

    He said: “The fact is that we are affiliated to labour centres and we are under obligation to comply with directives. So, from the strike notice issued so far, we are to shut down by mid-night of today. However, as we speak, the tripartite discussions have resumed; they are in a meeting and our hope is that something good will come out of the meeting so that we will no longer embark on the strike.

    “You know, we are in a very volatile industry. This is our own national problem; we have several bilateral agreements with most foreign nations that their airlines fly into Nigeria. It is our domestic problem. We should not allow it to adversely affect the fortunes of the international operators. We have offered a corridor where we will accommodate them. The major shut down we have had in this industry so far was during the price hike of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

    Read Also: Airlines to save 37% cost with newer aircraft

    “You will recall then that in line with our respect for international obligations, we allowed a dispensation wherein the foreign airlines were advised to reschedule their schedules so that they can fly in within 6pm and 6am the following day. We are looking at that.

    “We hope the discussions will go on well so that we will not have to go with the plan. We empathize with the industry; however, they must see where we stand that we are under obligations to comply with the directives of trade centres. We are monitoring, waiting and as soon as information comes, we will issue appropriate notices if there is a change of direction as regards area of notice.

    “We should be able to reconcile our problem without adversely affecting the international carriers that we have BASAs with. We wish we could extend the same dispensation to the local industry, however, we have sat down in the past and we have argued this out.”

  • We won’t shut down air operations, says NATCA

    The President of the Nigerian Air Traffic Controllers’ Association  (NATCA), Mr. Eyaru Victor  has said that it won’t be part of the  indefinite industrial action proposed by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC).
    The industrial action is slated for the 6th of November due to government’s failure to meet the labour union’s demand for a new national minimum wage.
    The  Association said it reached the decision after consultation with other Unions adding that the decision was to avoid disruption of its international conference.
    Speaking at the 29th edition of International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers’ Association  (IFATCA) in Abuja with the theme;  ‘Seamless Friendly Sky’, Victor said: “We are not part of the strike because we have discussed with our mother union which is Air Transport Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSAN) and Trade Union Congress (TUC). 
    “We are working out a way because of the International conference in order not disturb flight operations especially for our international delegates.”
    The Association however decried the obsolete condition of most of the air traffic control infrastructure in Nigeria.
    Victor  also attributed the inability of most domestic airports to operate at night to the unavailability of runway lights and other night, equipment.
    On how to address the infrastructural challenges in the air transport and ensure friendly sky, NATCA President said: “CPDS and infrastructure that will make the air space safe are needed and this is an opportunity to make request because if we keep quiet,  the government will not look at us.
    “This is an opportunity to bring the issue to the fore and to sensitize the government on the  need for the infrastructure like the CPDS,  ADSB, the radar; they are obsolete and need to be replaced.
    “After this meeting, we will deliberate and come up with a communique to inform the government that the infrastructure needs to be replaced. If it is replaced, the air space would be safe, the flying public would be safe and all of us will benefit.
    “To ensure safe sky, the infrastructure has to be developed. If we have infrastructure, then we can develop.”
    He continued: “Most of our domestic airports don’t operate in the night and it is because there are no night equipment like runway lights, approach lights that will enable the airlines go there in the night.

    Read Also: I will remain fair to all Nigerians – Buhari

    “If runway lights are there, the airlines will make efforts to be flying into those airports and the truth is that most of those airports are under-utilized because of the lack of infrastructures.”
    On the replacement of radar, he said: “We have discussed with government on the need to replace the radar because we are managing the one we have. It is not as if it is bad but being that it is a radar, if an air traffic controller is working and the radar fails, then it means it will  go back to its old ways of providing air traffic control which is procedural; it delays aircraft, it makes them burn fuel which makes the airlines unhappy. So if you have a redundancy, it will make the job easy.
    “We just want some spares to be fixed instead of buying brand new ones. Our radar systems are old and we want them to change some parts so they can work like new radar systems.”
    He also said the conference would avail Nigerian Air Traffic Controllers the opportunity to be trained without paying a dime.
    “Training abroad costs a lot of money but our members will be trained here in Nigeria during the Confrence without paying anything because the experts are here in Nigeria and we the Air Traffic controllers in Nigeria will be better of for it.”
    On efforts made to improve safe skies in the region, the Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika said over 100 air traffic controllers have been trained in the last three years.
    According to him: “We are committed to air traffic control especially on our part through training and retraining because we know that the lives of the people that are in the sky is dependent on the air traffic controller.
    “Since assumption of office, we have trained about 86 and we are currently training 46. We are also trying to strengthen the capacity of NCAT in order to handle much numbers in the coming years.
    “Some states governments like Kano trained about 48 of the air traffic controllers with state funding which we have absolved.”

  • SAHCOL manufactures ground support equipment

    Skyway Aviation Handling Company Limited (SAHCOL) team has built a Ground Support Equipment from scratch at the firm’s  Engineering and Maintenance workshop to fuelAviation Ground Support facilities in Lagos.

    SAHCOL’s spokesperson , Vanessa Uansohia disclosed this on Wednedsay .

    The equipment, she said is a fuel bowser, which supplies aviation fuel to aircraft at the Tarmac .

    SAHCOL, she said is the first firm in the history of aviation ground handling in Nigeria to have created such facility from locally sourced materials.

    The idea to create the equipment, she added was conceived by the engineering team of SAHCOL to align with the Nigerian maxim of Use Nigeria Buy Nigeria.

    She said “The production of the equipment is aimed at leading to higher efficiency of safe and fast service delivery which is what SAHCOL stands for.

    “The 3,000 liter capacity equipment can be operated both manually and with battery.

    “The equipment which is towable has all the features of an imported Fuel Bowser with modifications to fit the Nigerian terrain. The Bowser is designed to be both rugged and comfortable for use by the handlers to dispense rapid fueling in a safe and spillage free manner.

    “Before now the Fuel Bowser amongst other Ground Support Equipment has been purchased from aviation ground handling Ground Support Equipment making companies in Europe and other western countries.

    “This production has helped to overcome the problem of waiting incessantly for Ground Support Equipment to be shipped to the shores of Nigeria and also waiting for clearance by the authorities at the port before being brought to the workshop for use.

    “Another reason is that the construction of this bowser has saved the company the cost of sourcing for foreign currency to purchase imported equipment.

    “As much as the tow fuel bowser is an equipment that is overlooked as not been as important as other heavy duty ground support equipment, it is of great significance for a hitch free refueling of Ground Support Equipment on the ramp.

    “To remain profitable and true to her esteemed clients in terms of service delivery in delivering uninterrupted and punctual service and handling in all of SAHCOL’s stations nationwide, the engineering team put their intense training to use by producing the Fuel Bowser from scratch.”

  • Buhari inaugurates new PH international airport terminal

    After four years of spadework, President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday inaugurated the new international terminal of Port Harcourt Airport, in Omagwa, Rivers State.

    The terminal was built by the Chinese Civil Engineering Construction Company Nigeria Limited as part of the $500 million concessional loan from the Export – Import Bank of China.

    Buhari landed about 12.30 pm and was driven in a convoy to the location of the new terminal.

    Speaking at the ceremony Buhari said the Port Harcourt International Airport  terminal will play a significant role in promoting economic prosperity of Rivers State.

    He said the new terminal will increase passenger growth as well as facilitate the movement of cargo.

    He said the facility will bring the airport to international standard to create economic growth for Rivers State as the country.

    He said the concession of four international airport terminals in Lagos, Abuja , Kano and Port Harcourt will improve infrastructure in Nigeria.

    He said the construction of new terminals will be linked to the Warri Rail Line.

    Buhari said government is making deliberate efforts to increase handling capacities and infrastructure of the nation’s transport sector which was not taken care of since the 70s and 80s when they were built.

    He said it was part of his promises to upgrade Nigeria’s transport infrastructure in all geo political zones of the country.

    The president said:” Todays commissioning is a significant landmark for international travellers especially those in the South South region.

    “Not much was done after these airports were built in the 70s and 80s to increase handling capacity of the airports and so we needed to take decisive steps to ensure that our terminals meet the minimum international global standards”

    “In the 2017 budget, I promised to upgrade Nigeria’s transport and complete a number projects that will be beneficiary to the nation economically and these include construction of new terminals, railways and power projects,” he said.

    Read Also: Buhari to open Port Harcourt airport

    “Today’s commissioning is a direct policy to sustain economic growth in all geo political zones of the country,” the president stated.

    In his remarks, Minister of State, Aviation, Hadi Sirika said the project commenced in 2014 and was inherited from the previous administration at 30 per cent completion in 2015.

    He despite the inherent challenges associated with the project, Buhari gave approval for the lapses to be corrected.

    He listed the challenges to include: inadequate power supply, litigation, lack of apron space which have been addressed .

    Speaking earlier, Rivers state Governor, Nyeesom Wike assured the president that the people of Rivers State and indeed the South South are happy with the project stating that it would foster further investment in the state.

    Governor Wike said,”I can tell you this today that the people of Rivers State and the Niger Delta are happy with you Mr. President. This terminal here will help the drive of the state to grow the economy and it will attract investment to the state. What has happened here shows that Rivers State is safe, Rivers State is secure and if it was not CCECC will not have been here to construct this.“

  • Arik Air resumes Warri flights

    Arik Air said Thursday that it will  resume flight operations to Osubi Airport, Warri with effective  Friday, October 26, 2018 following the reopening of the Airport closed on September 3, 2018 by Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA).

    Its spokesman, Adebanji Ola disclosed this in a statement.

    Read Also: Arik Air resumes flights from Abuja to Calabar, Uyo

    According to him, Arik  Air operates two daily flights from Lagos to Warri and one flight from Abuja to Warri. He said flights into Osubi are  also resuming same day.

    Also speaking , its Chief Executive Officer, Captain Roy Ilegbodu, said the airline is pleased  to welcome passengers back on the Lagos-Warri and Abuja-Warri routes with a promise of on-time departures and great customer experience. 

    Arik Air recently launched its Mobile App to further boost customer experience. Free to download on Google Play store and IOS App Store, the app presents consumers with an intuitive, easy-to-use interface.

  • Dana Air wins best customer service airline of the year award

    Dana Air  has won the Best Customer Service Airline award at MamaJ’s Aviation Careers Conference held recently in Lagos, at the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority Annex, Lagos

    MamaJ Aviation Careers conference is an annual seminar to create a platform to introduce and mentor aspiring youths and other invited guests to the many career opportunities that exist in the aviation industry and also to celebrate and honor outstanding Aviation Professionals and stakeholders who have contributed immensely to human capital development in the aviation industry in Nigeria.

    The Media and Communications Manager of Dana Air, Kingsley Ezenwa, while receiving the award on behalf of Dana Air, said ‘I want to say a big thank to MamaJ Aviation Consult for this award. We are delighted that our customer centric products  and our efforts towards providing excellent service to our valued guests is being rewarded and this will only spur us to continue.’’

    Read Also: Dana Air introduces smart booking

    Kingsley while reacting to a comment by one of the invited guests about the short lifespan of airlines in Nigeria said,’ Dana Air will be 10 years in November and this only shows that we have a structure and management style that is worthy of emulation and we are in it for the long haul.’’

    Also speaking at the conference, the Founder, MamaJ Aviation Consult limited, Joy Ogbebo said, the conference is a non – profit career initiative to promote aviation education advocacy for youths in an emerging world.

    ‘The conference, every year brings together aspiring next generation of Aviation Professionals and Participants on the career opportunities that exist in the industry and I want to express our heartfelt gratitude to our sponsors, partners and everyone involved in this project. She added’’

     

  • Wanted : A code of corporate governance

    Nigerian carriers are weighed down by lack of corporate governance – a factor stakeholders claim is responsible for the poor state of airline business in the country. Experts warn that unless urgent steps are taken by the industry regulator to curtail this lingering malaise, more domestic airlines will close shop soon, KELVIN OSA OKUNBOR reports.

    Despite its many attractions,  investment in the domestic aviation sector parades ugly statistics indicating low returns.

    The statistics from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority ( NCAA) supports this position.

    Checks with the NCAA revealed that about 42  domestic airlines have failed in Nigeria since commercial aviation started over 80 years ago.

    This unpleasant statistics makes Nigeria the country with the highest number of failed airlines in the world. Averagely, the country’s domestic airline has a life lifespan of 10 years before running into turbulent waters.

    A plethora of factors have been adduced for the high failure rate of airlines. Some of are unfriendly operating environment; unfriendly government policies; multiple taxation; poor business plans/models; poor financial models by investors and manager, among others.

    But besides these factors is poor corporate governance, which industry experts insist has remained one of the major factors responsible for the ‘burst  and boom circles‘ of many airlines.

    It was therefore instructive when eggheads in the industry and beyond converged for a colloquium organised in Lagos to chart a new way out for the aviation sector.

    The forum, organised by NigeriaTravelsMart.com, had as its theme: “Corporate Governance and Airline Industry Development in Nigeria.“

    The Chief Executive Officer of the firm, Mr. Simon Tumba, disclosed that the programme was put together to examine why domestic airlines have a short life span in the country.

    He said the forum was part of his contributions to deepening conversations on the challenges and growth of the aviation sector.

    Resource persons

    Experts at the gathering included the Managing Director of Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), Ahmed Kuru; Vice President, Pricing and Revenue Management, Copa Airlines, Panama, Chris Amenechi; Chief Executive Officer, Ropeways Transport Limited, Captain Dapo Olumide; Chief Executive Officer, GDL, Kolawole Ayeye and Senior Partner, Aelex  Law Chambers, Lawrence Fubara Anga.

    The eggheads were unnanimous on the fact that without applying strict principles of corporate governance, the future of airline business in Nigeria hangs in the balance.

    Issues

    The forum discussed deployment of corporate governance principles, adoption of the latest technology, use of the right human capital and people. It agreed that proper understanding of right policies will fast track the industry growth

    Besides canvassing the right policy framework, participants said stakeholders buying in into what government should adopt for the growth of the sector remains a critical national assignment.

    AMCON’s position 

    Kuru, while describing  aviation as  a catalyst for economic development, said this could only happen if industry and operators apply global best practices in carrying out their operations.

    One of such practices, he said, is the entrenchment of corporate governance codes built on rules and practices that promote accountability, fairness  and transparency in stakeholders’ dealings and engagements.

    He said corporate governance  requires that there are checks and balances to entrench effective regulation to facilitate entrepreneurial and prudent management that could deliver long-term success for public interest.

    Kuru said: “Robust corporate governance ensures that the business is well managed , proprietor controlled , has a formal and balanced decision making framework with independent input.”

    He said the airline sector has peculiar characteristics such as huge capital outlay; low returns on investment;  poor capital size and structure;  poor reserves to replace major aircraft parts; limited access to leasing opportunities; regulatory changes and other macroeconomic factors which have made the business a nightmare.

    He said: Airline operators continue to complain of  lack of government support, huge burden of taxes, poor infrastructure and these have combined with shallow-rooted corporate governance principles to cause stunted growth and collapse of many airlines.”

    Kuru said many airlines collapsed because corporate governance principles were not applied  in the constitution of  boards.

    Kuru said: “Airlines fail when    the lifestyle of the owners supercedes payments to pilots and engineers. Funds  of the company are not separate from that of the owner.

    “When decisions to expand fleet are taken by an individual without deep analysis, the industry will continue to grapple with collapse owing largely to  lack of effective boards, weak regulations and lack of the courage to enforce compliance based on need to ensure effectiveness of airlines.”

    He proposed the professional scrutiny of cash flow of airlines; scrutiny of ownership and source of funding of prospective investors to confirm fitness.

    Other interventions 

    On his part, Amenechi said until operators adopt the right business, operational and funding models more airline will collapse.

    He said smart players would find the right models to remain in business.

    Amenechi said  merger or consolidation of airlines could change the narrative because existing operational models of carriers is not likely to keep more airlines afloat.

    He said  Nigerian carriers could be sustained if they have effective boards that could manage the business and at the same time balance  issues on external community and capitalistic interests to achieve organisational performance.

    According to him,  the  way to go, is to hire the right management with proper understanding of financial plan, growth strategy, deployment of information and regulatory strategies as well as capital strategy.

    Panel’s perspective 

    Olumide , Anga and  Ayeye, noted that besides corporate governance, the industry needed to examine critically, issues affecting airlines’ demarketing;  intrigues among operators ; use of wrong aircraft ; fare structure and absence of truth by industry players.

    In particular , Olumide said  that financial models of aircraft used by an airline could affect its costs of maintenance and its  effects on airlines’ survival.

    He said issues of inefficiencies in the management model by setting the right business plan ; on time performance and the consequence of flight delays are major  issues that contribute to airline failure.

    Olumide said: ”If consumer rights are pursued in line with extant regulatory requirements, airlines getting away with infractions in their operations will assume a different dimension. This brings to the fore the failings of the industry regulator, NCAA.“

    Legal perspective

    Anga, a senior advocate of Nigeria, said failure to apply the code of corporate governance remains a recurring challenge in the sector.

    He said this was due largely to poor entrepreneurial leadership.

    Anga said: “The essence of corporate governance across the spectrum of the industry is to expose poor economic regulation.

    “This has raised fundamental questions about capacity and capability of the NCAA. The industry regulator should lead the way in entrenching the code of corporate governance.

    Operating environment 

    Ayeye said something was fundamentally wrong with the operating environment as passenger traffic is not sustainable by the number of airlines.

    He canvassed peculiar legislation, regulation and principles that will accommodate efficient carriers and chase out inefficient operators. He said using regulation to create players for the aviation sector remains key.

    Ayeye said the revenue generation and distribution template is not healthy for existing carriers.

    He said: “We have to declare a state of emergency in the industry and the dysfunction in regulations, operations, policies should be examined exhaustively.”

    Recommendations 

    Participants resolved that  deeper consultation among stakeholders;  improved airport infrastructure and air navigation facilities as well as provision of   aircraft maintenance facilities and  leasing opportunities should be adequately addressed.

    They said the  adoption of global models by airlines will advance the drive to create strong and functional airlines, as well implementation of air treaties will go a long way to accelerate the growth and development of the industry.

  • Virgin Atlantic inks deal to transform airline dining

    Virgin Atlantic has unveiled a partnership with award winning food writer  and TV host Donal Skehan to reinvent their dining experience at 38,000ft.
    Irish native, and now LA based Donal Skehan has been working with Virgin Atlantic for 12 months to develop a completely new approach to in-flight dining.  This includes a range of delicious dishes inspired by global destinations and focuses on sustainable, fresh ingredients which bring restaurant standard food to the skies.
    This month new “dine with Donal” dishes will debut in the airline’s Upper Class cabins and airport Clubhouses, followed by Premium and Economy cabins next year.
    This is Donald’s first airline collaboration and the dishes take inspiration from his best selling cookery books, and experience travelling the world. He is a regular host on BBC One’s Saturday Kitchen and  also presents; “Meals In Minutes” on RTE One & Good Food Channel, and hosted “Junior MasterChef” on BBC One, “Grandma’s Boy” on FOX International and “Follow Donal” on Food Network UK & US, he also regularly appears on The TODAY Show on NBC.
    The new menu items feature sustainably sourced fish, meat and vegetables – building on Virgin Atlantic’s industry leading sustainability work. The British airline has worked in partnership with the Sustainable Restaurant Association (SRA) to introduce the world’s first framework to address the challenges of sustainable inflight catering such as: Fair Farming, Sustainable Fish & Seafood, Deforestation & Biodiversity, Animal Welfare, Transparency and Waste.

    Read Also: Virgin Atlantic unveils offer

    Donal Skehan said: “It’s such a pleasure working with Virgin Atlantic, as I can’t imagine another airline that has such a right to win in this space.  Together, we’re turning the industry upside down by creating stunning, delicious and healthy food at 38,000 ft.”
    Daniel Kerzner, VP Customer Experience at Virgin Atlantic said: “We continue to raise the bar by looking outside our industry for the latest trends and innovation. Donal is the perfect partner to help us bring game changing food to the skies, and give our customers an elevated experience they won’t find anywhere else.”
    Earlier this year Virgin Atlantic introduced a “Mile High Tea” designed exclusively by master patisserie Eric Landlard for their clubhouses, and all cabins on board. The latest partnership builds on Virgin’s aim to be the airline that doesn’t serve airline food.

  • NAMA seeks local refining of aviation fuel

    Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Managing Director (MD) Captain Fola Akinkuotu has charged stakeholders in the oil and gas sector to consider the production of aviation fuel (Jet A1) in line with the content development initiative of the Buhari administration.

    Akinkuotu, guest speaker at the yearly Health, Safety, Security and Environment (HSSE) forum organised by PSRG-Richardson Oil and Gas, held at Eko Hotel  and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos said the call became imperative given the high cost of aviation fuel which costs over 30 per cent  of operational cost of airlines.

    He said apart from cost, the supply of the product is, sometimes, epileptic, resulting in flight disruptions.

    He said the production of Jet A1 in Nigeria would regularise supply, reduce cost which would also translate to lower air fares by airlines.

    The NAMA boss, who delivered a paper on the topic “Aviation safety in Nigeria – Challenges, issues and Solutions”, lamented the high cost of aircraft maintenance, which he described as “atrocious because these costs are denominated  in dollars.”

    He revealed, however, that effort was being made by the Federal Government to set up a Maintenance, Repairs and Operations (MRO) facility “as part of plans to reduce capital flight, lower the times aircraft leave the country for repairs and lower the cost of maintenance.”

    On the state of air safety in Nigeria, Akinkuotu said: “The recent pronouncement by the U. S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that Nigeria’s air carriers’ operations are in compliance with the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s (ICAO’s) standards is good news that rekindles hope in the sector.

    He said: “ The  aviation sector in Nigeria is all together safe as accidents have remained at zero level for six consecutive years with serious or reportable incidents at acceptable levels.”

    This, according to him, does not presuppose there are no challenges and issues in the sector which deserve mention and require adequate attention.

    Akinkuotu noted that as an airspace manager, NAMA has embarked on the modernisation of airspace infrastructure through the Installation of Instrument Landing System (ILS), Distance Measuring Equipment (DME), Doppler Very High Frequency Omnidirectional radio Range (DVOR) and Wide Area Multi-Lateration (WAM) for low-flying aircraft surveillance and control, even as he revealed that Installation of ILS/DME and DVOR/DME is ongoing in 12 airport locations while CAT III ILS will be completed in Abuja and Lagos before the end of the year.

  • Integrating Africa’s air connectivity

    Flight connectivity among African countries remains a barrier to the continent’s economic integration. Experts warn that billions of dollars in trade, investment and tourism will be lost if the trend continues. But stakeholders have risen to the challenge with the flights to Niger, Benin, Togo, Ghana and Republic of Chad to bridge the gap, KELVIN OSA OKUNBOR reports.

    The anticipated prosperity of Africa’s 1.25 billion people and projected economic growth of over $6.36 billion is hanging in the balance.

    Reason:  Africa’s economic growth is being threatened by challenges not limited to hurdles of connecting flights among its major capitals.

    It is for this reason that experts have canvassed a single African transport management to make it seamless for carriers on the continent to operate flights among capitals without restrictions.

    That drive received a boost last week when Nigeria’s Overland Airways operated a flight between Lagos and Niamey, the Nigerien capital in Northwest Africa.

    Overland is the only carrier to operate the Atlantic/Sahel/Sahara route after the liquidation of Nigeria Airways over 15 years ago.

    According to Overland Airways Managing Director, Captain Edward Boyo, the operations were part of efforts to activate the principles of the Single African Air Transport  Market (SAATM), put together by African governments and heads of state at the African Union Summit in Addis Ababa.

    Boyo said the flight between Niamey and Lagos would boost economic activities, including trade, investment and tourism on the Atlantic and Sahel and Sahara regions.

    He said it was part of efforts to boost economic integration among African countries.

    Boyo said besides plans to connect passengers from Niger into Overland route network in Nigeria, saying the airline will link passengers into Abuja, Kano, Katsina, Calabar, Enugu and other destinations.

    The Overland Airways boss also commended the civil aviation authority on Niger Republic in granting the necessary approval for the airline to start flights into the West African country.

    He said: “We believe in African economic integration that would assist to bind business, social and cultural values.

    “Because we see air transport as an intangible economic infrastructure, we plead government support through conducive operating environment to sustain this flight.

    ” We ask the government of Niger Republic to support  air transport infrastructure to open up the country.”

    Boyo said soon, Overland would also connect flights to Chad Republic and Accra, Ghana to integrate many countries into its West African route network.

    He said: “Flight  connectivity challenges in West Afruca will not be resolved in one day. That explains our over one decade plan to resolve this challenge in our business and expansion plan.

    ” What we have done to consolidate our operations and continue to grow from Nigeria, which is big market into other West African countries. Niamey into Sokoto, Abuja sector is already being pursued. Once we get the regulatory approvals, we will plan our entry into Chad Republic and Accra in Ghana.”

    Also, Minister of Transport, Niger Republic, Mahamadou Karidio said the flight by Overland Airways would assist to open up Niamey to other West African capitals.

    He said they look forward to Overland Airways to connect Niamey to the world through safe, reliable flight services.

    Karidio said the flight service was a demonstration of the relationship between the two countries to boost West African economy.

    He said: “It took many years for this to materialise and we have constantly made efforts to improve aviation infrastructure through our commitment to build an international airport.

    “We believe one of the ways to attract airlines to fly into our country is by having a good airport. With this partnership with Overland Airways flights are now open to Abuja, Cotonou  and other capital cities in West Africa.

    “We need to continuously improve air transport because Niger  Republic is a landlocked country. We will rely on Overland Airways to connect Niamey to the world. This flight service will have economic impact on businesses in the two countries by creating opportunities for business, investment and tourism.

    ” It will create  flight connectivity across the West African region and also create opportunities for regional and long haul connections for flights from Niger Republic into United States, Europe and other parts of the world.

    ” We hope Overland Airways will increase the flight frequency and offer competitive fares to end the challenge of over 16 years that will have grappled with how to get direct flights into Niamey.”

    Also, Nigeria’s Ambassador to Niger Republic, Attahiru Haliru said the flight services would bring people from both countries together for business , trade and investment, which he said a good tool for diplomatic relationship.

    Haliru said: ”Flight services between Nigeria and her neighbour Niger, will not only create job opportunities but will increase the volume of commerce, trade and the gross domestic product of both countries.

    Nigerians Association in Niger Republic President, Ellias Okute said the introduction of direct flight services between Lagos and Niamey would be a huge relief to the business community in both countries.

    Okute said: “It is a great relief in addressing the difficulties we experience traveling between the countries.

    “Before now, we spend more travel time, connecting flight through Togo, Lome before getting to Niamey.

    “This in the past led to loss of lives vets through accidents on the road and robbery attack. But, we can now flight from Lagos to Niamey to Lagos. We urge Overland Airways to, sustain the flight , so that we in the business community could exploit opportunities in Niger.”

    Also, Niger’s Civil Aviation Authority (ANAC) Director-General,  Ahmed Ayaha said Overland Airways met the regulatory requirements for the operations.

    He said with Overland Airways safety and technical rating as an International Air Transport Association (IATA)-certified  carrier, he was confident of safe operations in line with international standards and recommended practices.

    Ayaha said: ”As an IATA operations safety certified airline with good safety record, its operations in terms of safety and security is guaranteed.”

    Also, Overland Airways Chief Operating Officer, Mrs Aanu Benson said the twice weekly flights would connect Lagos, Cotonou and Niamey.

    She said: “Our Lagos – Cotonou – Niamey flight offers opportunities for travelers in Niger Republic to get to Nigeria and Benin Republic for business and pleasure in addition to connecting regional and long haul flights from Lagos to other parts of Africa, Europe United States, Middle East and Asia.

    “The flight will connect the Sahel region  to the dense business and tourism opportunities in Cotonou and Lagos both in coastal West  Africa thereby stimulating trade and commercial activities in the three countries.”

    She further said: “We must bring to life the whole essence and meaning of Economic Community of West African States in the region with quality flight services across the network.

    “The Lagos-Cotonou-Niamey flights will connect traders, business people and holiday makers to the rich farming livestock industry, leather industry and milk industry in Niger Republic.”