The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Air France

  • 29 airlines lost 44,712 luggage last year, says report

    At least, 44,712 luggage were declared missing among 29 local and international airlines that operated within and into the nation’s airports last year, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has said.

    In a report, Air France led the pack with 6,175 missing luggage on the international scene. Air Peace led the other eight indigenous carriers on the domestic scene with 66 missing baggage within the period under review.

    While 41,498 of the missing luggage were retrieved by their owners, the others could not.

    A further breakdown of the missing luggage indicated that on the international scene, apart from Air France with the 6,175 missing luggage, other airlines involved in missing luggage were KLM with 5,088, African World Airlines, 308; Air Cote d’Ivoire, 670; Air Namibia, 221; Arik Air, 172; Asky, 1,167; British Airways; 4,273, Cam Air-Co; 109; Cronos Air; one, Delta Air Lines; 3,473, Egypt Air; 2,448, Emirates; 1,725, Ethiopian Air; 1,946, Etihad; 472, Kenya; 1,152 and Lufthansa with 3,750 missing luggage.

    Others were Mediana; 218, Med-View; 25, Middle East; eight, Mid Africa; 112, Qatar Airways; 1,238, Royal Air Maroc; 2,624, RwandAir; 1,234, South African Airways; 762, Turkish Air; 4,348 and Virgin Atlantic had 1,166 missing luggage within the period.

    On the local scene out of the eight local airlines that operated within the period under review, seven out of them except Azman Air had issues of missing baggage in 2018.

    According to the report, Air Peace had 66 missing luggage with 63 of them recovered within the period. Arik Air recorded 59 missing luggage with 55 of them recovered.

    Also, Dana Air had 34 of its passengers missing with 32 recovered between January and last December, Aero Contractors had six missing luggage with all of them recovered within the period.

    Besides, Max Air recorded four missing luggage with all of them recovered. Med-View and Overland Airways also had two luggage of their passengers missing within the period, but were later recovered.

    In all, last year, 173 luggage were declared missing, but 164 of them were recovered with nine not returned to their owners, according to the report.

    The report further revealed that last year, there were at least 15,645 flights operated on international routes, another 59,818 flights were operated on the domestic routes.

    Besides, the report indicated that last year, no fewer than 734 flights were cancelled by airlines on international and local routes. Of these figures, 190 were cancelled on the international scene, and 544 occurred within the local airlines.

    In all, there were 85 air returns last year; 25 among international carriers and 60 among the local  airlines.

    According to NCAA, the  airlines recorded 70 overbookings between January and December, last year with international airlines recording 11; 59 of such occurred among the eight local carriers.

    The report further stated that air travellers on local and international scenes experienced 92 luggage pilfering across the airports with 63 of such recorded on the international scene and the others on the local scene.

    The regulatory agency’s report emphasised that in the past year, all the international airports in the country recorded a total 1,994,099 in-bound passengers and 2,084,980 out-bound passengers, bringing the number of international passengers to 4,079,079.

    On the local scene, there were 10,092,643 were in-bound and out-bound passengers. Of these numbers, 5,033,669 were in-bound passengers, and the others out-bound passengers.

    The record showed that all the airports recorded 14,171,722 passengers in the past year.

    NCAA stated that its Consumer Protection Directorate (CPD) received 161 complaints from air travellers last year with 99 of such complaints resolved by the directorate.

    The breakdown indicated that the CPD received 74 complaints on the international scene and resolved 36. Of the 87 complaints received from the local  airlines, 63 were resolved.

  • Kunle Afolayan releases trailers, posters for ‘Mokalik’

    …Reveals pact with Canon, Netflix, Canal+, Air France, Pavilion Afriques…

    Prolific filmmaker, Kunle Afolayan has unveiled trailers for his most anticipated movie, ‘Mokalik’ (Mechanic).

    The two trailers which dropped on February 1, 2019 by 2pm, were accompanied with three posters, setting the pace for another round of media buzz for his latest effort.

    “Mokalik’ stars awards-winning singer, Simi, alongside other prominent actors like Femi Adebayo, Charles Okocha, Faithia Williams, Lateef Oladimeji, and comic actors like Wale Akorede (Okunu), Ayo Ogunshina (Papa Lolo) and Dayo Akinpelu (Alabi Yellow).

    The celebrated director is optimistic that the film will traverse commercial and artistic ends, having been provoked by the expectations of his diverse audience and fan-base across the world.

    Afolayan who just returned from a meeting of his company, Golden Effects Pictures with Netflix in Amsterdam, Netherlands, disclosed that he is in talks with the world leading online streaming platform for the acquisition of ‘Mokalik’.

    According to him, the deal with Netflix will include other works directed by him, including ‘The Figurine- Araromire’; ‘Irapada’; ‘Phone Swap’; ‘October 1’; ‘The CEO’, ‘The Bridge’ and the yet to released ‘Tenants of the House’.

    “We are excited about having our other films, including ‘Mokalik’ on Netflix, as that will assuage our fans who have been sending messages from all over the world, complaining of not having access to our films,” he said.

    For ‘Mokalik’ which was shot on EOS C300 Mark II, with Canon Cine lenses, the filmmaker says: “We are very delighted and grateful for the camera support extended to us by Canon Central and North Africa team here in Nigeria,” adding that, “EOS C300 Mark II – Stunning 4K quality and versatility allowed me as a producer to experience the creative vision in stunning cinematic details and provides footages, suitable for extensive post-production work.”

    Senior Sales & Marketing Manager – B2C, Canon Central & North Africa, Mr. Amine Djouahra, expressed delight over the partnership, saying: “We are very proud to be part of this esteemed mainstream commercial and artistic movie, ‘Mokalik’, produced in Nigeria , one of the largest growing film industries in the world, and at Canon, we continue to listen to our customers when developing the product range to ensure our innovations meet their needs, enabling story tellers for creative filmmaking.”

    Djouahra disclosed that Canon is looking at having a media screening of ‘Mokalik’ in Nigerai between March 19-21, 2019.

    As part of the world slating for ‘Mokalik’, Afolayan, an Air France partner plans to have the film on several platforms including the French premium television channel, Canal+, which he said has showed interest in ‘Mokalik’ and ‘Odu’ (Capsule of Tales), a TV series in the works.

    As Pavillon Afriques at the Marche du Film, Cannes Film Festival 2019, makes debut this May, Afolayan, on Thursday, was named Ambassador of the pavilion, and will be joining the showcase by other filmmakers from the continent by curating a Kunle Afolayan/Golden Effects Pictures retrospect. This is in addition to plans to get ‘Mokalik’ listed in the official selection of Cannes, among other major film festivals around the world.

    A letter sent to the filmmaker reveals that Afolayan, having been listed as Ambassador on Pavillon Afriques – VIP page, is expected to wear a special ambassador’s tag during the event and function as a panelist on content sourcing, distribution and storytelling sessions among other roles.

    Happy about the feats attained by the filmmaker, Commercial Director of Air France/KLM, Mr. Remco Bohre said: “Our partnership with Kunle Afolayan is another way of showing how excited we are, at Air France and KLM, about Nollywood and the Nigerian entertainment industry at large.”

    ‘Mokalik’ follows the career of an 11-year-old boy, Jaiye, from the middle-class suburbs who spends the day as a lowly apprentice at a mechanic workshop in order to view life from the other side of the tracks… When his father arrives to take him home, Jaiye has to make up his mind if he wants to return to school… or take on his apprenticeship full time.

  • AIR FRANCE MADE A SHOW OF KUNLE AFOLAYAN’S FILM IN LONDON

    IT was yet another glamorous event for Nigerian filmmaker, Kunle Afolayan, as Africa converged in London, penultimate Thursday, for the Gala premiere of The CEO, a pan African film which stars Grammy Award winner, Angelique Kidjo, Wale Ojo, Kemi Lala Akindoju, Hilda Dokubo and Aurelie Eliam who were all present at the event.

    Sponsored by Air France London, the premiere was one of the many commitments of the airline to the film project which they are part sponsors of, and for which Afolayan sways as their brand ambassador.

    The popular Vue Cinema, Cranbourn Street, Leicester Square, London, witnessed a huge convergence of African movie buffs and their foreigner friends, who graced the red carpet, savoured a lavish cocktail, before proceeding to see the movie at 8pm.

    There was so much from giggles, laughter and clapping to humorous side of the thriller, just as some moments of tensed silence seemed to grip the audience over the twists, turns and intrigues in the race for the CEO.

    The movie tells the story of five top level staff of a company who are selected for a retreat where the new CEO will be chosen. What starts off as cordial soon goes sour as they attempt to outdo one another in the bid.

    The event was attended by top personalities from the social and corporate worlds including the General Manager for Air France-KLM for UK and Ireland, Mr. Warner Rootliep, Managing Director of Heritage Bank, Mr. Ifie Sekibo, Mr. Chris Oshiafi, Managing Director of PanAfrican Capital Plc, Founder of Terra Kulture, Bolanle Austen-Peters, U.K-based publisher and film promoter, Mike Abiola and his wife actress Golda John.

    Other crew members of the movie who attended the premiere include the writer, Tunde Babalola and the Cinematographer, Dawid Pietkiewicz.

    Expectedly, fans took turns to catch picture moments with stars of the movie who were elegantly dressed for the occasion. Angelique Kidjo was resplendent in traditional African print, just as Wale Ojo’s s stealing the show in a matching shirt and blazer created from beautiful African print also.while Kemi Lala Akindoju, Aurelie Eliam and Hilda Dokubo sparkled in long white, Yellow and green dresses respectively.

  • Air France set to axe 2,900 jobs

    Air France KLM is reported to be cutting 2,900 jobs after talks with pilots unions were unsuccessful.

    Air France would not confirm the number of cuts, but said it would present a cost-cutting plan at the weekend.

    Profits at the airline have been hit in part by strikes by pilots, who have been protesting over the expansion of its budget subsidiary.

    It also faces stiff competition from low-cost rivals as well as airlines in the Middle East.

    Air France said after a board meeting that it had decided to implement a new restructuring plan in order to accelerate its recovery.

    “Facing the impossibility of reaching an agreement to implement the productivity measures within Air France and restore long-term profitability, the board members consider it essential to introduce an alternative plan and have unanimously agreed to mandate Air France-KLM and Air France Management to carry this out,” the company said in a statement.

    The plan will be presented to the Works Council on today.

    Union sources leaked the planned job cuts to reporters at two news agencies.

    The unions also said the restructuring could include retiring five long haul planes next summer and nine others in 2017.

    One official is quoted as saying: “These points were presented to the board for information, but no vote has been taken.”

    Air France merged with Dutch KLM in 2004.

  • Check Gulf carriers’ predatory practices, Air France chief urges

    Check Gulf carriers’ predatory practices, Air France chief urges

    AN Air France/KLM chief has accused Gulf carriers Emirates, Etihad and Qatar Airways mount of predatory practices, warning that if they are not checked, they could dominate the global airspace and challenge the status quo.

    Its Commercial Director, Mr. Arthur Dieffenthaler who spoke in Lagos, however, said the carriers’ activities were stepping up competition in the global air industry.

    He spoke against the backdrop of agitations by American carriers, adding that Gulf carriers be restricted in their operations in the North America.

    This position is not supported by the European Union (EU), which canvasses liberalisation of operations by airlines.

    He said the arrival of Gulf carriers in the last decade has changed the services to air travellers by airlines.

    Dieffenthaler said Middle East carriers – Emirates, Etihad and Qatar  Airways – could grow  their operations in phases  like any airlines, if there  is a level playing field in bilateral policies.

    He said the existence  of Gulf carriers has brought competitiveness to the airline business.

    He said: “There is difference between the position canvassed by American carriers and that the EU. Why American carriers are canvassing restriction, the EU is insisting on liberalisation for all players.

    “The only thing I can say about that is that to my knowledge, there is need for a careful look  at the positions being canvassed if there is a level playing field. The US carriers are putting their feet on ground.

    “For the EU, I think it is a little bit different, but that leads us to the question, ‘are we playing the game by the same rules?’ And if not, ‘can we continue on that?

    “But, for me and from the airline perspective, Gulf carriers  are the new kids on the block, they have a clear strategy, which is different from what other airlines used to have and we have to accept that reality.”

    He said there could be possibilities for partnership with any Nigerian carrier for the distribution of passengers, which would depend on the interested carriers meeting  some  technical , operational and safety standards.

    He said: “So, at this point in time, we don’t have it and I’m not saying we would have it next year, I don’t know when we will have it. But definitely, we would be interested to partner with the local airlines in the country.”

  • Air France to scrap expansion plan

    Air France to scrap expansion plan

    Air France has offered to scrap plans to expand its Transavia low-cost airline in Europe, in return for pilots returning to work immediately.

    In a statement, it said the proposal would help “find an immediate outcome to this destructive conflict.”

    The company also offered “a renewed guarantee that there will be no relocation” of jobs.

    Pilots have been on strike for 10 days and have grounded about half of the airline’s flights, the BBC reports.

    They are unhappy at the lower rates of pay offered by the expanding budget operation compared with core Air France services, threatening to strike indefinitely unless the European expansion is scrapped.

    The strike has been costing the airline up to 15m euros (£11.8m) a day.

    Air France said it would instead develop its Transavia France project.

    “Our Transavia project is a 100 per cent pro-France project. It is about developing Transavia to encourage growth in France and quickly create more than 1,000 jobs in France (including 250 pilot jobs),” said the chief executives of Air France-KLM, Alexandre de Juniac, and Air France, Frederic Gagey in a joint statement.

    “With the withdrawal of the Transavia Europe project, there is now no reason to strike because there are no longer any concerns about relocation.

    “We therefore call on the striking pilots to return to work immediately,” they said.

    The BBC says the union has yet to respond to the offer.

  • Air France plane makes emergency landing in Lagos

    Air France plane makes emergency landing in Lagos

    •Ebola fear grips pasengers

    An Air France flight yesterday made an emergency landing at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos.

    The plane, which landed at 4:59pm, was said to have developed low tyre pressure midway into its journey to Nigeria from Paris.

    Although the flight’s origin was not ascertained, it was learnt that its fear-griped passengers quickly disembarked the aircraft after it touched down after hovering for over an hour.

    Rescue agencies, including the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), fire service and the Nigerian Air Force and Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) placed their men on standby at the tarmac.

    But the plane landed and taxied to the hanger without a hitch.

    NEMA’s Southwest spokesman Ibrahim Farinloye said there were neither casualties nor injuries.

    He said the problem was adequately handled and the 178 passengers moved to safety.

    A statement by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) spokesman, Fan Ndubuoke, quoted the airline’s captain as saying he noticed that the left hand nose tyre pressure indicator was on. This indicated faulty nose wheels.

    Observing the Standard and Recommended Practices (SARPs), which is a corollary to safe operation, the pilot declared an emergency.

    Ndubuoke said the aircraft landed safely.

    The statement added that the captain of the flight later explained to the NCAA that the nose tyre pressure indicator was faulty, hence the wrong signal. The tyre pressure was later discovered to be in perfect condition.

    The NCAA directed the pilot to submit the Mandatory Occurrence Report.

  • Breaking News: Paris bound Air France develops fault

    A Paris bound Air France flight Sunday afternoon developed fault midway its trip forcing the aircraft to return to Lagos. At the moment, the plane, which is yet to be identified, is having difficult landing at the MMIA, Lagos due to lack of landing space. It was learnt that the plane’s pressure tire got leaked, hampering the continuation of its journey. At the moment, the aircraft is still hovering and it could not be ascertain if there are casualties.
    Confirming the incident, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said it could not provide details since its personnel are currently awaiting the landing of the aircraft.

  • Racial discrimination: Nigerian sues Air France

    An engineer with Shell Petroleum Development Company, Chidi Adabanya, has sued Air France for N192million at the Federal High Court, Lagos, over alleged racial discrimination.

    The plaintiff claimed the airline maltreated him on the basis of his being a Nigerian, which Air France denied.

    Adabanya alleged the airline’s officials told him in Paris that he could not carry two pieces of luggage which he was entitled to because the provision was “not for Africans.”

    He is, therefore, urging the court, presided by Justice Okon Abang, to order the defendant to pay him 1.5million Euros (about 192million) in damages.

    He also prayed for a refund of 1,381 Euros (or its equivalent of N176, 768) which he paid to the defendant for purported excess luggage.

    The asked for interest on the sum at the rate of 30 per cent per annum from May 30, 2003 till judgment is delivered.

    Adabanya also wants Air France to bear the cost of the court action, and pay interest at 30 per cent on the damages when it is awarded; from the day judgment is delivered until the sum is fully paid.

    The plaintiff said he bought an Air France ticket through an agent in Warri Delta State sometime in May 2003 for himself, his wife and two daughters to travel to Paris, France.

    Their journey, he said, was routed as Lagos, Paris, London, Paris, Lagos.

    According to him, it was stated in the ticket that he was entitled to two pieces of luggage between London to Paris and from Paris to Lagos.

    The plaintiff said based on “standard practice on international routes”, each passenger was entitled to two pieces of luggage of not more than a total weight of 64 kilograms, each not to weigh more than 32 kilograms.

    According to the plaintiff, he left his family in London and went to Paris via Air France flight AF1471, from where he would return to Lagos.

    On his way to Lagos, he said he packed two pieces of luggage which did not exceed 32 kilograms, but when he got to the Charles de Gaulle Airport, Paris on May 30, 2003, he was told that he had excess luggage.