The Nation Newspaper

Category: Aviation

  • Why airlines fail, by AMCON chief

    Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer Mr Ahmed Kuru has attributed the failure of many domestic carriers to weak corporate governance principles.

    According to Kuru, until corporate governance is strengthened,  domestic carriers will continue to fail.

    He said the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) must show courage and ensure there is sound financial risk management systems in domestic airlines.

    In an interview in Lagos, Kuru referred NCAA to the measures adopted by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Financial Regulation Council of Nigeria(FRCN) to sanitise the financial sector.

    He said: “The aviation and transport sector requires solid capital to make it deliver for the good of  Nigerians. It will require a measure of policy consistency and governmental support to thrive.

    “However, from our experience, no matter the capital thrown at the sector, if corporate governance is not strengthened, it will still fail.

    “The absence of quality governance and sound financial risk management systems is at the heart of the failures that are common in the sector.

    “I urge regulators to act with courage by insisting on proper governance in airlines. I recommend they look at the work being done by CBN and Financial Reporting Council to improve the practice in airlines.”

    He also spoke on the take-over of Arik Air and Aero Contractors Airlines by AMCON, describing it as the best decision to keep the carriers from imminent collapse.

    Kuru said if not for the take over, Arik and Aero Contractors Airlines would have gone under due to huge debts.

    He said since AMCON’s intervention, the two carriers had attained stability in their flight operations.

    He said AMCON’s mission in the airlines was in discharge of its mandate as a stabilising and revitalising tool in the economy.

    Kuru said at the point of intervening in Arik, the company was witnessing  a high spate of flight cancellations of up to 40 per cent of its on-time performance (OTP).

    OTP, according to Kuru,  which measures the promptness of schedule flights in Arik Air, at the time of take over, had fallen to as low as 15 per cent.

    ‘’If AMCON had not taken over Arik Air last year,  the airline would have liquidated, as its workers, including pilots, were owed salaries, in some cases, up to six months,’’ he said.

    Kuru said:“Staff morale was therefore, understandably low. Several service providers, including fuel marketers, maintenance and spare part companies were withdrawing services or were unwilling to extend credits. There were indeed, significant concerns at various governmental circles for safety and the possible impact of the collapse of the company on the economy.”

    He clarified that the take-over of Arik and Aero Contractors Airlines by AMCON was not to destroy the companies but to add value to their operations.

    Kuru said: “We are glad to report that this position has been largely arrested. Cancellations are down to four per cent, in time departure is over 60 per cent, all owed salaries of  staff members are fully paid.

    “Suppliers are being paid as at when due. This, of course, has come at a cost to AMCON, though the Central Bank of Nigeria and local banks suppoted the intervention.  “As a major policy drive of this government, we were able to save over 3,000 direct jobs and hundreds of indirect jobs in the airline industry. We are, indeed, proud to have played this important role.

    “AMCON  does not wish to be in the airline business or, indeed, any business apart from its legal mandate. So, AMCON will be willing to exit the firms if the owners of the companies pay the debts owed.

    “Where this does not happen, the Corporation will seek to strengthen the intervened companies and undertake a responsible exit in a manner that reinforces the sector.”

  • Dana begins Owerri /Abuja flights

    TO  boost its expansion drive, Dana Air will kick off flights on Owerri-Abuja-Owerri route today.

    Flights into the new route, the airline said, are to connect the South East with Abuja.

    The airline said the new service is part of its commitment towards providing dependable options for Imo people and ensuring seamless travel for business and leisure travellers.

    In an interview, Dana Air’s Media and Communications Manager Kingsley Ezenwa,  said: ’’We are greatly delighted to introduce an additional flight on our Owerri route, connecting Owerri to Abuja and back.

    “This is part of our commitment towards providing dependable options for the good people of Imo state and ensuring seamless travel for business and leisure travelers.’’

    Speaking further,  he said the airline, which operates over 27 daily flights from Lagos to Abuja, Port Harcourt, Uyo, and Owerri, will operate flights from the Sam Mbakwe International Airport, Owerri to Abuja.

    He noted that the airline had to create a flight from Owerri to Abuja as a result of the overwhelming calls from its passengers who had enjoyed its uninterrupted schedule and on-time departures from Lagos to Owerri and assured passengers  of the airline’s commitment towards providing a reliable and affordable service across its route network.

  • FAAN pensioners to Sirika: fulfill your promises

    THE Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) branch of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners  (NUP)  has urged Minister of State, Aviation, Hadi Sirika, to fulfil the promises he made over two years ago to turn around the sector.

    The pensioners noted that Sirika, a pilot, was yet to fulfil his promise to effectively concession airports and facilitate the payment of severance benefits to former workers of the Nigeria Airways Limited.

    FAAN NUP Chairman Comrade Rasaki Ope and the Secretary, Comrade Emeka Njoku, asked Sirika  for his achievements since he assumed office.

    The group alleged that rather than take steps to impact positively on the industry’s development, Sirika “influenced the recruitment of his cronies as general managers and directors into aviation agencies.

    “The flooding of his cronies into aviation agencies,’’ they alleged, ‘’is a stumbling block to the promotion of deserving career officers to their next level.’’

    The pensioners said they were more disappointed in Sirika, whom they reasoned, understood the challenges of the sector and should have taken urgent steps to fix the critical problems.

    Passing a no-confidence vote on him, the pensioners said Sirika failed to deliver the national carrier which timeline he had set for March.

    They said: ‘’It may not be out of place to say that Sirika has performed lowest as minister appointed to oversee aviation.

    “He promised last year that a national carrier will start operations by March 2018, and this is May 2018, and there is nothing on ground suggesting the project is realisable.”

    ‘’They also took a swipe at Sirika’s failure to ensure the outstanding payment of retirees of defunct Nigeria Airways approved last year are paid before the last Easter.

    “Easter had come and gone and nothing had happened. Sirika raised the hope that aviation security officers of FAAN would be carrying arms to enhance their job at the airports. Till now, there is no plan or training for the security personnel to achieve this.

    “What about the perimeter fence construction or reconstruction at major airports, which the minister has been singing about in the past two years? Nothing has happened.”

    They said with these unfulfilled promises, it would be difficult to take seriously the minister’s continued propagation of concession of four major airports, when 80 per cent of their revenue points have been given to private firms to handle.

    The pensioners asked: ”Does this minister have a hidden agenda not known to President Muhammadu Buhari and other members of the Federal Executive Council?

    They continued: “When he was appointed and was busy making mouth-watering promises, we thought he will perform, but today we are disappointed that he has exhibited emptiness despite that he is a pilot.

    “When this minister came in, he met an Aviation Road Map with clear-cut futuristic plan for the industry, but no sooner than Sirika came, he systematically jettisoned  the road map for his self-centered agenda.”

    The union leaders noted that as a member of the technical aspect of the industry and as a pilot, they thought he would have created an enabling environment to create employment opportunities for unemployed pilots, adding: “To us he is a failure in all ramifications“.

    But an official of the Ministry of Aviation, who pleaded not to be named, said Sirika would not be distracted by the comments.

    He said the minister remained committed to his vision to drive the  sector’s development by strengthening the procedures and processes for the implementation of government policies and programmes.

  • NAMA set to improve revenue

    The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has begun moves to shore up its revenue.

    Its Managing Director, Capt. Fola Akinkuotu, said this became imperative because of the rising commitments in upgrading navigational infrastructure, enhancing air traffic management services, building staff capacity and meeting other personnel costs.

    Akinkuotu, who spoke while receiving the report of the Revenue Mobilisation Committee set up by the agency, said the management would  study the report  and implement relevant aspects of it.

    He said  an improvement in the revenue profile would translate to a more robust NAMA, adding that this will enable it discharge its functions in a more efficient manner.

    Akinkuotu, however, enjoined the staff members to be more prudent and avoid wastages to realise the  dream.

    In the quest to improve its revenue-generating capacity, the agency inaugurated a Revenue Mobilisation Committee, whose main term of reference was to deliberate on the agency’s statutory revenue sources and develop strategies for more effective ways of generation and collection.

    The committee, which sat between February and April,  recommended the improvement on the frequency of stakeholder engagement, especially on service delivery.

    Others include enlightenment  through various platforms, provision of incentives for prompt payment by customers, improvement on the agency’s e-payment platform, deployment of Point of Sales (POS) in revenue payment points and maintaining liaison with the regulator and stakeholders in matters on reviewing charges.

  • FAAN pensioners to Sirika: fulfil your promises

    THE Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) branch of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners  (NUP)  has urged Minister of State, Aviation, Hadi Sirika, to fulfil the promises he made over two years ago to turn around the sector.

    The pensioners noted that Sirika, a pilot, was yet to fulfil his promise to effectively concession airports and facilitate the payment of severance benefits to former workers of the Nigeria Airways Limited.

    FAAN NUP Chairman Comrade Rasaki Ope and the Secretary, Comrade Emeka Njoku, asked Sirika  for his achievements since he assumed office.

    The group alleged that rather than take steps to impact positively on the industry’s development, Sirika “influenced the recruitment of his cronies as general managers and directors into aviation agencies.

    “The flooding of his cronies into aviation agencies,’’ they alleged, ‘’is a stumbling block to the promotion of deserving career officers to their next level.’’

    The pensioners said they were more disappointed in Sirika, whom they reasoned, understood the challenges of the sector and should have taken urgent steps to fix the critical problems.

    Passing a no-confidence vote on him, the pensioners said Sirika failed to deliver the national carrier which timeline he had set for March.

    They said: ‘’It may not be out of place to say that Sirika has performed lowest as minister appointed to oversee aviation.

    “He promised last year that a national carrier will start operations by March 2018, and this is May 2018, and there is nothing on ground suggesting the project is realisable.”

    ‘’They also took a swipe at Sirika’s failure to ensure the outstanding payment of retirees of defunct Nigeria Airways approved last year are paid before the last Easter.

    “Easter had come and gone and nothing had happened. Sirika raised the hope that aviation security officers of FAAN would be carrying arms to enhance their job at the airports. Till now, there is no plan or training for the security personnel to achieve this.

    “What about the perimeter fence construction or reconstruction at major airports, which the minister has been singing about in the past two years? Nothing has happened.”

    They said with these unfulfilled promises, it would be difficult to take seriously the minister’s continued propagation of concession of four major airports, when 80 per cent of their revenue points have been given to private firms to handle.

    The pensioners asked: ”Does this minister have a hidden agenda not known to President Muhammadu Buhari and other members of the Federal Executive Council?

    They continued: “When he was appointed and was busy making mouth-watering promises, we thought he will perform, but today we are disappointed that he has exhibited emptiness despite that he is a pilot.

    “When this minister came in, he met an Aviation Road Map with clear-cut futuristic plan for the industry, but no sooner than Sirika came, he systematically jettisoned  the road map for his self-centered agenda.”

    The union leaders noted that as a member of the technical aspect of the industry and as a pilot, they thought he would have created an enabling environment to create employment opportunities for unemployed pilots, adding: “To us he is a failure in all ramifications“.

    But an official of the Ministry of Aviation, who pleaded not to be named, said Sirika would not be distracted by the comments.

    He said the minister remained committed to his vision to drive the  sector’s development by strengthening the procedures and processes for the implementation of government policies and programmes.

     

  • Why airlines fail, by AMCON chief

    Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer Mr Ahmed Kuru has attributed the failure of many domestic carriers to weak corporate governance principles.

    According to Kuru, until corporate governance is strengthened,  domestic carriers will continue to fail.

    He said the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) must show courage and ensure there is sound financial risk management systems in domestic airlines.

    In an interview in Lagos, Kuru referred NCAA to the measures adopted by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Financial Regulation Council of Nigeria(FRCN) to sanitise the financial sector.

    He said: “The aviation and transport sector requires solid capital to make it deliver for the good of  Nigerians. It will require a measure of policy consistency and governmental support to thrive.

    “However, from our experience, no matter the capital thrown at the sector, if corporate governance is not strengthened, it will still fail.

    “The absence of quality governance and sound financial risk management systems is at the heart of the failures that are common in the sector.

    “I urge regulators to act with courage by insisting on proper governance in airlines. I recommend they look at the work being done by CBN and Financial Reporting Council to improve the practice in airlines.”

    He also spoke on the take-over of Arik Air and Aero Contractors Airlines by AMCON, describing it as the best decision to keep the carriers from imminent collapse.

    Kuru said if not for the take over, Arik and Aero Contractors Airlines would have gone under due to huge debts.

    He said since AMCON’s intervention, the two carriers had attained stability in their flight operations.

    He said AMCON’s mission in the airlines was in discharge of its mandate as a stabilising and revitalising tool in the economy.

    Kuru said at the point of intervening in Arik, the company was witnessing  a high spate of flight cancellations of up to 40 per cent of its on-time performance (OTP).

    OTP, according to Kuru,  which measures the promptness of schedule flights in Arik Air, at the time of take over, had fallen to as low as 15 per cent.

    ‘’If AMCON had not taken over Arik Air last year,  the airline would have liquidated, as its workers, including pilots, were owed salaries, in some cases, up to six months,’’ he said.

    Kuru said:“Staff morale was therefore, understandably low. Several service providers, including fuel marketers, maintenance and spare part companies were withdrawing services or were unwilling to extend credits. There were indeed, significant concerns at various governmental circles for safety and the possible impact of the collapse of the company on the economy.”

    He clarified that the take-over of Arik and Aero Contractors Airlines by AMCON was not to destroy the companies but to add value to their operations.

    Kuru said: “We are glad to report that this position has been largely arrested. Cancellations are down to four per cent, in time departure is over 60 per cent, all owed salaries of  staff members are fully paid.

    “Suppliers are being paid as at when due. This, of course, has come at a cost to AMCON, though the Central Bank of Nigeria and local banks suppoted the intervention.  “As a major policy drive of this government, we were able to save over 3,000 direct jobs and hundreds of indirect jobs in the airline industry. We are, indeed, proud to have played this important role.

    “AMCON  does not wish to be in the airline business or, indeed, any business apart from its legal mandate. So, AMCON will be willing to exit the firms if the owners of the companies pay the debts owed.

    “Where this does not happen, the Corporation will seek to strengthen the intervened companies and undertake a responsible exit in a manner that reinforces the sector.”

  • Dana begins Owerri /Abuja flights

    TO  boost its expansion drive, Dana Air will kick off flights on Owerri-Abuja-Owerri route today.

    Flights into the new route, the airline said, are to connect the South East with Abuja.

    The airline said the new service is part of its commitment towards providing dependable options for Imo people and ensuring seamless travel for business and leisure travellers.

    In an interview, Dana Air’s Media and Communications Manager Kingsley Ezenwa,  said: ’’We are greatly delighted to introduce an additional flight on our Owerri route, connecting Owerri to Abuja and back.

    “This is part of our commitment towards providing dependable options for the good people of Imo state and ensuring seamless travel for business and leisure travelers.’’

    Speaking further,  he said the airline, which operates over 27 daily flights from Lagos to Abuja, Port Harcourt, Uyo, and Owerri, will operate flights from the Sam Mbakwe International Airport, Owerri to Abuja.

    He noted that the airline had to create a flight from Owerri to Abuja as a result of the overwhelming calls from its passengers who had enjoyed its uninterrupted schedule and on-time departures from Lagos to Owerri and assured passengers  of the airline’s commitment towards providing a reliable and affordable service across its route network.

  • NAMA set to improve revenue

    The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has begun moves to shore up its revenue.

    Its Managing Director, Capt. Fola Akinkuotu, said this became imperative because of the rising commitments in upgrading navigational infrastructure, enhancing air traffic management services, building staff capacity and meeting other personnel costs.

    Akinkuotu, who spoke while receiving the report of the Revenue Mobilisation Committee set up by the agency, said the management would  study the report  and implement relevant aspects of it.

    He said  an improvement in the revenue profile would translate to a more robust NAMA, adding that this will enable it discharge its functions in a more efficient manner.

    Akinkuotu, however, enjoined the staff members to be more prudent and avoid wastages to realise the  dream.

    In the quest to improve its revenue-generating capacity, the agency inaugurated a Revenue Mobilisation Committee, whose main term of reference was to deliberate on the agency’s statutory revenue sources and develop strategies for more effective ways of generation and collection.

    The committee, which sat between February and April,  recommended the improvement on the frequency of stakeholder engagement, especially on service delivery.

    Others include enlightenment  through various platforms, provision of incentives for prompt payment by customers, improvement on the agency’s e-payment platform, deployment of Point of Sales (POS) in revenue payment points and maintaining liaison with the regulator and stakeholders in matters on reviewing charges.

  • Repositioning African airports for efficiency

    From prohibitive charges and levies to poor deployment of technology, managing airports in Africa is becoming a difficult undertaking. Experts say managers of airports in Africa, must take a critical look at facility modernisation; diversification beyond aeronautical sources of revenue; enforcement of global safety and security standards and other interventionist measures to make airports attractive to passengers and other users, KELVIN OSA OKUNBOR reports.

    A global alliance led by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and Airports Council International (ACI)   is building on how to ensure African airports are not only safe and secure, but are also fitted with modern facilities to  make them user-friendly.

    Besides modernisation of facilities, experts sayAfrican countries need to restrategise on how to make the airports attract revenue beyond primary sources – flights.

    Experts say better management of airports  in Africa could assume new dimensions, if their managers think out of the box by designing models that position them as mere   public service providers.

    They argue that African airports should be commercial enterprises that are efficiently managed to generate more revenue and subsequently declare profits.

    These issues were on the burner last week, when over 300 delegates from across the globe met at the 59th Airports Council International (ACI) Regional Conference and Exhibition in Lagos to fashion strategies for efficient management of airports.

    With member-states numbering over 176 countries having 1,940 airports, ACI as the voice of the world’s airports, has served as a  veritable platform for developing best practices in airports management.

    It has remained the key driver of policies in the industry since 1991.

    Presidential remark 

    ACI President Saleh Dunoma said the global body would continue to focus on how to improve on airport security through its  Airport Excellence in  Safety  Programme (APEX).

    Dunoma, who is also Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) Managing Director, said many African countries, including Nigeria, has benefited from ACI’s interventions with programmes tailored to achieve better management of airports.

    Dunoma said: “FAAN’s relationship with ACI Africa spans over a decade and it has been a worthwhile and mutually benefitting relationship.

    “AC1 Africa works with its members and also liaises with other International bodies like ACI World, ICAO  to ensure improved human capacity development by providing various standard and customised training in different skill areas to ensure safe, secure and efficiently managed airports.

    “Last year, Nigeria signed the agreement to become one of the ‘AC1 global training centers, to further advance the goal of human capacity development in FAAN and in Africa. The first training after the agreement was conducted in December 2017 where Nigeria received participants from other African countries.

    “ Over the years, ACI Africa had focused on safety as a priority leading to the initiation of the world wide acknowledged Airport Excellence (APEX) in safety programme. This has recorded great achievements as major airports continue to requests for this programme.

    “Nigeria has been in the forefront in striving to attain the highest levels of safety standards, hence with the assistance of the APEX in safety programme, we were able to achieve the certification of our  two  busiest airports.

    “Our goal is to certify all our international airports and we are working tirelessly to achieve that, them we have taken the bold step to carry out the APEX in safety programmes in our international airports.

    “ The APEX review for Kano and Port Harcourt were carried out in March while reviews for Enugu and Kaduna airports are scheduled for June.

    “The evolving nature of airport management demands a transformation of airports who mostly serve as public service providers and not commercial enterprises that are efficiently managed to generate more revenue and subsequently declare profits.

    Fed. Govt’s position 

    Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Gidado Mustapha said the government was not oblivious of the fact that there is an urgent need to intensify efforts to improve aviation infrastructure.

    Describing airports as a catalyst for Africa’s economic development, he said the government should consider as urgent facilities upgrade, improve operations, service delivery as ell as security and airspace safety.

    He said: “To transform aviation business in Africa, countries would be expected to continue to attain and maintain global safety standards, strive to achieve competitiveness and user friendliness,  install infrastructure and navigational aids to maximise aircraft utilisation for passenger and cargo movement   in addition to achieving  costs competitiveness.”

    Other steps to be taken, according to Mustapha, were that African countries should develop integrated multi-modal transport system around the airports as well as diversify revenue lines.

    Said he: “For sustainable development of African airports, new strategies must also evolve. These strategies include holistic planning for defined development targets; effective and efficient financing plan and successful implementation. The role of partnership with the private sector cannot be over-emphasised.

    ‘’All these would be complemented by a reliable legal, institutional and regulatory framework to institutionalise policy.”

    ICAO’s Intervention 

    In his presentation, President , International Civil Aviation Organisation ( ICAO) Council, Dr Bernard Olumuyiwa Aliu said the global aviation regulator continues to work with African countries  on how to plug gaps militating against effective airports management in Africa.

    With aviation becoming  a catalyst for sustainable social, economic and human development,  supporting 6.8 million jobs and generating $72.5 billion in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in Africa, Aliu said the global body would continue to support the sector.

    He said: “ The efforts being undertaken to reposition air transport in Africa, and ensure its sustainability, are in clear acknowledgment of the fact that regional air traffic is still forecast to grow at roughly 3.8 per cent annually through 2032.

    “ I will like to reiterate that this rapidly-expanding air traffic can only be sustained and optimised through the continued development at modernisation of local aviation infrastructure, particularly at airports.

    “This is a key reason ICAO’s Global Plans are helping to establish globally-harmonised objectives and requirements in support of the worldwide modernisation of our sector which is now underway.

    “Our related goal is to ensure there are “no constraints of infastructure capacity, technology and financial resources for aviation development.

    “It has become increasingly difficult however, for many states and airport operators to mobilise the significant and dependable funding and investments required for high quality aviation infrastructure.

    “ The very limited volume of official development assistance (ODA) and Southsouth cooperation funding available for our sector’s infrastructure projects is a big part of this challenge, as are the constraints being faced with respect to public financing more generally.

    “Another key concern is the risk associated with a lack of sufficient institutional, legal and regulatory enabling frameworks in many African states, something which makes it very difficult for financial institutions to invest in airport projects.

    He charged African countries see airports as being more than mere terminal buildings, requiring that attention be paid to air side safety

    Aliu said: “More attention must continue to be paid to the airside safety priorities at Africa’s airports, including international airport perimeter fencing, taxiway and runway safety and effective fire services and wildlife management.

    “ICAO remains particularly concerned that many African airports  are accepting international flights without requisite certifications. To address this significant deficiency, the AFI Plan includes a specific project championed by the ICAO Dakar and Nairobi-Regional Offices to assist African states in Aerodrome Certification in compliance with the Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) contained in Annex 14 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation.

    “It is also important to remember that airports are very much at the ‘front lines’ where aviation security and passenger facilitation are concerned, and that they are the source of many travellers’ first impressions of the country they will visit. Airports also play a very important role in our efforts to check the spread of communicable diseases through air transport.

    “ Conscious of these challenges, ICAO has been working with ACI and other stakeholders to assist states in securing resources and capacities to develop and modernise their aviation infrastructure.“

    Angela Gitten’s  position 

    In her presentation, ACI World President, Angela Gittens, said ICAO and ACI had formed a synergy to improve airport facilities in Africa.

    She said the two global bodies were working to modernise and expand airport infrastructure.

    Gittens noted that this had become imperative because of the projected growth of passenger traffic on the continent, as some countries in the region were witnessing or would soon witness rapid economic growth that would make more demand on air transport.

    She  highlighted some of the challenges confronting African airports growth. They include protectionism and competition, saying Africa often described as a sleeping giant has enough potential to develop and become a leading part of the global economy.

    Gittens said  African airports managers should ensure that they meet the need for passenger growth by  contributing significantly to the development of aviation globally.

  • AIB attributes poor crew resource management as cause of crash

    ……Says pilot should have aborted take – off

    …….Fingers poor oversight duties by NCAA

     

    Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) on Wednesday attributed poor co- ordination between the two pilots that operated the ill – fated Associated Aviation October 3, 2013 as the cause of the crash saying the crew failed to implement principles of crew resource management.
    The AIB, while releasing the final accident report said the pilots should have aborted take – off the aircraft following indications from the aircraft that some components were not properly activated.
    Besides, the failings of the crew, the AIB also fingered poor regulatory oversight duties by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority ( NCAA) as another causal factor for the crash.

    Speaking yesterday at a briefing in Lagos , AIB , Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer, Akin Olateru apologized for the delay in the release of the accidents reports saying probe of air accidents is not to indict any agency but to avoid reoccurrence.
    Olateru also fingered poor company as part of the cause of the crash.
    The Associated Aviation Embraer 120 aircraft with 20 passengers on board was conveying the remains of former Ondo State Governor, Chief Olusegun Agagu for burial in Akure.

    Besides, the Associated Aviation crash report, the AIB also released five final reports involving Bristow Helicopters , NCAT trainer aircraft , Westlink Aviation and NAHCO loader and AeroContractors Aircraft .
    Olateru said since January 2017 the AIB, has released 16 accident reports.
    The Accident Investigation Bureau said the six final accident and serious incident reports occurred in the Nigeria aviation industry between 2009 and 2014.

    Among the six reports released were two accidents and four serious incidents.

    Another accident report released was that of Westlink Airlines Limited Piper Aztec 23-250 aircraft with the registration number 5N-BGZ, which occurred at Matseri Village,Bunza Local Government Area of Kebbi State on August 11, 2014.

    The serious incidents were Aero Contractor’s DHC-8-400 aircraft incident with registration 5N-BPT, with the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) baggage loader on April 29, 2014 and another incident involving two Bristow Helicopters aircraft, Bell 412 helicopters with Registration numbers 5N-BGS, and 5N-BDD, at the Addax Base Helipad, Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria on 12th November, 2009.

    Also covered were the serious incidents involving two aircraft belonging to Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT). They were the Tampico Club TB9 with the registration number 5N-CBE, which serious incident occurred at Zaria Aerodrome, Kaduna State on October 4, 2012 and another serious incident involving Tampico TB–9 Aircraft with registration number 5N-CBI that occurred at the same Zaria Aerodrome on May 23, 2012.

    The report on the Associated crash cited as its causal factor the decision of the crew to continue the take-off despite the abnormal number two Propeller indication warning and the low altitude stall as a result of low thrust at start of roll for take-off from number two engine caused by an undetermined malfunction of the propeller control unit.

    On the contributory factor, the AIB’s release fingered the aircraft being rotated before attaining Vector One the decision to continue the take-off with flap configuration warning and auto-feather warning at low speed, poor professional conduct of the flight crew, inadequate application of Crew Resource Management (CRM) principles, poor company culture and inadequate regulatory oversight.

    AIB released four safety recommendations on the crash, were all directed at NCAA.

    AIB called on NCAA to enhance the enforcement of the regulations with regards to the implementation of operators approved personnel training programme and intensification of its safety oversight function on the airline to ensure that flight operations were carried out in accordance with approved operations manuals in line with the provisions of Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (NCARs).

    Others were improved safety oversight on the affected carrier to ensure staff welfare issues, and that remunerations were settled promptly and the establishment of Confidential Voluntary Reporting System, which must be implemented in line with the State Safety Program.

    On the two Bristow Helicopters serious incidents at the Addax Base Helipad, Calabar in Cross River State on November 12, 2009, like Associated Airways, the bureau also made four safety recommendations.

    AIB recommended that the regulatory agency should ensure that Calabar Base Helipad Manual of APDNL be reviewed to comply with Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (NCARs), APDNL should ensure that helicopters are properly parked in designated locations, APDNL should ensure that Helicopter Landing Officers (HLOs) are always present during aircraft operations and the agency should ensure that helicopter flight operations at the Helipad were done in accordance with Nig. CARs.

    AIB in the report, however, stated that NCAA responded to the safety recommendations of the bureau and implemented them.

    On the Aero Contractors incident with NAHCO aviance baggage loader vehicle fleet L3-23 and a parked Bombardier DHC-8-400 aircraft of Aero Contractors,

    AIB in its report said the NAHCO personnel who operated the baggage loader vehicle was neither employed to operate the vehicle, nor was he authorised to do so.

    The report observed that the rostered driver of the baggage loader vehicle was not available at the time of the occurrence and cited the non-adherence to NAHCO Safe Operating Procedures by the Ramp manager as one of the contributory factors to the incident.

    It also made four safety recommendations to NCAA, which included ‘strict adherence to NAHCO’s Standard Operating Procedures’ and ‘Air Operators’ Certificate (AOC) holders should determine the minimum number of personnel for airline ground handling operations to be deployed for each aircraft type.’

    On the Westlink Airlines’ Piper Aztec 23-250 aircraft accident, AIB identified inadequate visual lookout and failure to avoid the obstacle by the pilots as the only causal factor responsible for the accident.

    The contributory factors included less than adequate planning and preparation for the flight, inadequate pilot training and experience on agricultural aerial work and limited regulatory guidance and oversight on agricultural operations.

    It also made four safety recommendations to NCAA in its report.

    The report also included two NCAT serious incidents that occurred on May 23, 2012 and October 4, 2012 in Kaduna State, which generated eight safety recommendations.

    Olateru said : ” With 66 safety recommendations out of 147 and 16 reports out of 35 recorded from January 2017 to date, we have achieved 45 percent on our Safety Recommendation and 46 percent on publication of the accident and serious incident report.

    “To ensure that our recommendations are effective and are getting the desired results and as you may be aware, we recently inaugurated a committee to review all safety recommendations issued by the Bureau since inception to measure the effectiveness of the safety recommendation. We look to publish the report of the exercise shortly.

    “Reaching a total of 16 accident and serious incident reports in the last 15 months could only be made possible by the tremendous effort of our member of staff who continuously have sleepless night in ensuring that we clear the backlog, the support of the supervisory ministry and particularly the Minister.

    ” Accident investigation and reporting is not an easy task especially when there are several laws/procedures/regulations that govern each investigation. When there is an occurrence, it is important to investigate and publish the findings of the occurrence promptly for avoidance and prevention.

    As we work assiduously to clear the backlog of reports, we are equally ensuring that new occurrences are resolved promptly. “