The Nation Newspaper

Tag: aircraft

  • NSIB deploys investigators to scene of Xejet aircraft incident

    NSIB deploys investigators to scene of Xejet aircraft incident

    The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has begun probe into the circumstances leading to the skidding off of an Embraer 145 aircraft in the fleet of Xejet Airlines, which plunged into a  grassy verge at the Lagos Airport on Saturday.

    To facilitate the exercise, the NSIB said it has deployed  its team of investigators to the scene of the incident. 

    In an electronic statement, the accident probe body said :” NSIB confirms that an aircraft belonging to XeJet Airline skidded off the runway at the domestic wing of Murtala Mohammed Airport this morning. 

    “A go team has been deployed to the site of the incident.”

    Experts in the industry are raising concerns over the spate of incidents involving aircraft skidding off the runway at airports across the country.

    Over the years, the aviation industry has experienced serious incidents of aircraft skidding off the runway.

    An event in which an aircraft veers off or overruns the runway surface during either take-off or landing is called ‘skidding off the runway.’

    Last November, two aircraft from two different airlines skidded off the runway in one week.

    Aero Contractors, flight NG 119 with a registered Boeing 737 aircraft 5N-BYQ from Lagos to Abuja had a total of 133 passengers on board.

    All passengers were safely evacuated through a controlled disembarkation.

    The same week, an aircraft operated by ValueJet Airline slipped on a taxi turn after landing and cleared off the runway at Port Harcourt airport at 3.30 local time. No damage was done to the aircraft.

    United Airlines also recorded an incident in September 2023 where its aircraft skidded off the runway. 

    Achilleus-Chud Uchegbu, the head of corporate communications, said the flight had successfully operated and landed at its destination, having arrived from the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport in Owerri.

    However, upon touching down in the downpour, the plane’s tyres lost grip on the wet surface, making it skid off the runway.

  • JUST IN: Another aircraft skids off runway at Lagos Airport

    JUST IN: Another aircraft skids off runway at Lagos Airport

    A medium range aircraft Embraer 145  belonging to a premium services provider Xejet Airlines has skidded off the runway and plunged into the grass areas of Runway 18Left of Lagos Airport.

    The aircraft with 52 passengers and the crew members on board departed Abuja Airport before the incident at the runway of Lagos Airport.

    According to sources at the airport, the 18Left Runway has been closed to aircraft traffic as personnel of the  Aerodrome Fire and Safety Rescue Unit of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) have mobilised to the scene of the incident to rescue the passengers.

    Xejet Airlines is a business class only airline based in Nigeria. 

    The airline is based at Lagos Murtala Muhammed International Airport (LOS).

    The source hinted:”  Another aircraft belonging to Xejet Airlines has skidded off the runway at the Lagos Airport . The incident occurred about 11:29 am, as the plane veered into the grass verge by B5.

    ” The aircraft carries registration mark – 5NBZZ, an Embraer 145 had 52 passengers on board with three crew members.

    ” Fire and Rescue personnel are on ground to help in evacuation of the passengers. 

    “At the moment Runway18L is closed to traffic.”

    Aircraft skidding off the runway , experts say could be attributed to the heavy downpour which characterised Saturday in Lagos.”

  • Nigerian carriers explore options to navigate aircraft leasing hurdles

    Nigerian carriers explore options to navigate aircraft leasing hurdles

    Nigerian carriers are returning to their strategy boards to evolve options that will enable them scale hurdles set on the way by aircraft lessors, which have classified the country under ‘ High Risk Status’

    High-risk rating by lessors puts obstacles in the way of its airlines trying to lease aircraft from companies or original equipment manufacturers to support their flight operations.

    Many indigenous carriers including: Green Africa Airways, United Nigeria Airlines, Overland Airways, Air Peace, Dana Air, Ibom Air, Aero Contractors, Arik Air, NG Eagle Airlines, Rano Air , Max Air and others have been struggling with options to expand their fleet.

    While some have adopted direct purchase /acquisition, others have been experimenting with different models of aircraft leasing which is stressing their finances beyond limits.

    But, difficulty in  accessing rising foreign exchange and other cost-related factors have put the option of wet leasing aircraft on the spotlight.

    Leveraging this option, experts say, it’s becoming difficult because of the negative perception Nigerian airlines have earned among aircraft leasing companies in Europe, United States and other parts of the world.

    Nigeria slipped into this category following default rate by some of its carriers to meet obligations concerning lease rentals for aircraft taken from lessors.

    Local  airlines are now finding it difficult to lease aircrafts from leasing companies due to the failure of some Nigerian carriers to return the aircraft when they contravene the terms of the lease agreement.

    As a consequence, Nigerian carriers,  experts say, now pay higher insurance premiums that could be 10 times higher than their counterparts in Europe.

    Nigeria is designated as high-risk country by lessors because of previous aircraft transactions by some local carriers, which not only defaulted in paying lease rentals, but blocked the opportunity of the lessor to repossess the airplane.

    As a fall-out, aircraft lessors now require local carriers to pay outrageous lease fees and high insurance premiums, a development that impedes their ability to operate profitably.

    But Nigerian airlines have limited choices in aircraft acquisition forcing them to embrace convenient options.

    To tame the default of Nigerian carriers in handling aircraft leases, a coalition made up of some aircraft manufacturers; Airbus, Boeing and others have taken up the mandate to raise the bar on the conditions to meet before releasing their aircraft to indigenous carriers.

    To navigate the hurdle, some indigenous carriers are now considering partnership with financial institutions and other organisations to raise funds to acquire brand new aircraft.

    But, carriers that cannot scale the huge financial; requirements for aircraft outright purchase are now exploring the different variants of leasing.

    According to experts, there exists: dry, wet and damp leases.

    In a dry lease, the owner provides the aircraft to the lessee without a crew.

    Such an arrangement, experts say is economical for Nigerian carriers, as it saves them the huge salaries paid in foreign currency to foreign crew, their hotel accommodation and other associated costs.

    A wet lease is a leasing arrangement whereby one airline (the lessor) provides an aircraft, complete crew, maintenance, and insurance (ACMI) to another airline or other type of business acting as a broker of air travel (the lessee), which pays by hours operated.

    But, a damp lease is when there is a commercial arrangement that results in crew being ‘shared’ between the lessor and the lessee.

    An expert, who declined to be named in print said: “Dry lease is very cost-effective for airlines as they provide the crew to operate a leased asset but because of the action of some airline operators in the past who clandestinely keep airplanes leased to them without fulfilling the lease deal.

    “The actions of these operators which gave the country a bad image necessitated aircraft lessors to block Nigeria from dry lease agreements, categorising the country as high-risk as regards getting their equipment back when needed.

    “The situation opened the door for a wet lease which costs so much per block hour as the airline pays the foreign crew and maintains the aeroplane with the crew reserving the right to ferry the airplane back to its owner in the event of a default.

    Speaking in an interview, the Chief Operating Officer of United Nigeria Airlines, Mr. Osita Okonkwo said, “Our appeal is that we don’t miss out on opportunities. Nigeria is the largest market in Africa. The potential is there. The market is large”.

    “The Minister is on top of it. It would help that Nigeria is removed from country risk on aircraft dry lease. The country’s risk rating has hampered our operations and we are exposed to wet lease which is very expensive.”

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    The airline chief disclosed that no local insurance company can insure big aircraft in Nigeria, adding that the inability to insure big aircraft has made it difficult for lessors to operate in the country.

    According to him, even if an airline purchases an aircraft, it is an international requirement that it has to be insured, but no insurance company can do that in Nigeria, especially for bigger aircraft.

    He said, “The other one on insurance is that there is no capacity internally to do big aircraft insurance in Nigeria. So many lessors are not operating in Nigeria because of insurance. It is killing business because even though you want to do indigenisation, you cannot do that with another person’s assets.”

    “Even if you buy an aircraft today, it is a requirement that you have to insure it even if you pay with your money in Boeing, Embraer or whatever. The insurance must cover Boeing even though they have sold it to you, they must be party insured in that transaction. So you can’t escape the international requirements of the business and limiting it locally will not help lessors.”

    Speaking on the development, an industry expert said: “One of the main drawbacks is the higher long-term costs associated with leasing. Although, the upfront costs are lower, the total cost of leasing an aircraft over its useful life may be higher than the cost of purchasing.

    In a recent report,  Airbus Africa and Middle East Marketing Manager, Prajyoth Krishna Mirajkar said in Nigeria, lessors find it difficult to repossess their aircraft easily and this has become a disincentive to leasing aircraft to domestic airlines. This is why lessors, international insurers and others involved in aircraft acquisition business describe Nigeria as high risk. High-risk means that not many leasing companies would like to do business with airlines in that country.

    Experts say the Nigerian Import Export Bank could extend credit facilities to 85 per cent of the cost of an aircraft to an airline.

    However, it would require the airline to give a guarantee from a local bank, but Nigerian banks would insist on the deposit of that same sum they want insured and in the same foreign currency in their banks before they could give approval for the loan. All these make it very difficult for Nigerian airlines to acquire aircraft.

    Speaking on the development, the Chief Operating Officer of Ibom Air, George Uriesi, said the difficulties associated with aircraft acquisition is forcing Nigerian carriers to collaborate with original equipment manufacturers and financial institutions.

    Ibom Air, investigations reveal has solidified its plans with a Nigerian financial institution to cover its order of 10 Airbus aircraft.

  • Trainees get certificates in aircraft maintenance, recycling

    Trainees get certificates in aircraft maintenance, recycling

    Cameroon Civil Aviation Authority (CCAA), with support from Caverton, yesterday gave out Certificates of Competence in Aircraft Maintenance and Recycling (CAMRA 2024)  to first batch of 14 students.

    The training, was conducted by CCAA, in collaboration with National Advanced School of Engineering in Cameroon, following partnership between University of Yaounde and CCAA.

    It is designed to meet demand for Aviation managers in Aircraft Maintenance, Continuing Airworthiness management and aircraft recycling in compliance with safety and environmental protection standards.

    Four trainees had three month Internship in Caverton Helicopters Ikeja, Lagos ,and two in Caverton Aviation Cameroon, Douala.

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    Two trainees, sponsored by Caverton Helicopters, will be given employment.

    At the graduation were  Cameroon’s Minister of Transport,  Ernest Nobehe; Director-General of CCAA, Assoumou Koki; and top Aviation personnel in Cameroon.

    Representing Caverton Offshore Support Group (COSG) was Group Chief Executive Officer, Olabode Makanjuola; with Group Chief Operating Officer, Rotimi Makanjuola; and top management staff.

    Highlight of the event was issuing of certificates to graduating students.

  • Akwa Ibom to commercialise aircraft

    Akwa Ibom to commercialise aircraft

    Akwa Ibom State Government has given indication that it will commercialise its aircraft, to reduce the cost of governance.

    It said it could no longer bear the cost of maintaining the aircraft as a private jet due to the harsh economic realities.

    This was part of the resolutions of the state Executive Council (Exco) meeting chaired by Governor Umo Eno.

    In a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Iniobong Ememobong and made available to reporters in Uyo yesterday, the government said it intended to put the aircraft to “more lucrative use.”

    The statement said: “During deliberations and decisions, Council granted permission for the office of the Secretary to the State Government to undertake cost reduction management structure for the state official private jet. 

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    “This decision is predicated on the need for a drastic reduction in the cost of governance, the volatile exchange rate and the corresponding increase in the cost of maintenance of the private jet. While the aircraft will remain the state’s asset, it will be put to more lucrative use.”

    It revealed that the state has registered 671, 410 vulnerable people in its social register across the 31 local governments.

    “On infrastructure, Exco ratified recommendations from the Finance and General Purposes Committee (FGPC) on the approval for release of funds for additional work at the airport and ongoing road contracts in the state,” the statement said.

  • Aircraft manufacturers jostle for market with maintenance offer

    Aircraft manufacturers jostle for market with maintenance offer

    Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), including airplane makers, are jostling for dominance in the market as they unfold offers to get the patronage of indigenous carriers which have embraced fleet modernisation programmes  propelled by market needs, cost savings and other considerations.

    The manufacturers include Airbus Company, Boeing Corporation, Embraer Regional Jets and Bombardier.

    Investigations by The Nation show that while cost appears a major consideration in the choice of airplanes for Nigerian carriers, driven by the oscillating prices of aviation fuel, equipment with lower consumption is topping the needs’ chart for most operators.

    To reaffirm this, many indigenous operators – Overland Airways, United Nigeria Airlines, Air Peace – are moving to acquire more narrow body jets- Embraer regional aircraft as opposed to state-run carrier – Ibom Air – which is looking on the direction of Airbus and other carrier, including Value Jets Airlines boosting their fleet with ATR aircraft and Bombardier CRJ from Canada.

    In an interview at the weekend, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo, said Nigerian carriers planning to acquire up to 20 airplanes to boost their fleet must show evidence that the OEM would  support the setting up of a maintenance centre in Nigeria for the local maintenance of such planes and for third parties.

    To accelerate this drive, Brazilian aircraft maker – Embraer – is set to  build an aircraft maintenance centre in Nigeria because its aircraft type is dominant in the fleet of some indigenous carriers which include Air Peace, United Nigeria Airlines, and Overland Airways.

    Only last week, Air Peace signed an order for five brand new Embraer 175 jets valued at $288.3million.

    In April 2019, the airline ordered 10 brand new Embraer 195-E2 aircraft.

    The order comprised purchase rights for a further 20 E195-E2 jets.

    With the purchase rights, the contract was valued at $2.12 billion.

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    In November 2021, Overland Airways ordered six Embraer E175 jets valued at $299.4 million, at list prices, if all purchase rights are exercised.

    Besides Embraer, another aircraft manufacturer – Airbus – is making inroads into the country’s market.

    State-run carrier Ibom Air in November 2021 ordered 10 Airbus 220 aircraft. At a market price of $90.5million per aircraft, the deal is worth about $905 million.

    Other carriers, including Green Africa Airways, a start up carrier – Rano Air  Value Jets Airlines, Max Air, Azman Air, Aero Contractors Airlines, Dana Air and others are also fletching out their fleet modernisation/expansion programmes for different aircraft types in line with varying market/route needs.

    Looking at frontier markets, aircraft making giant Airbus has predicted that the demand for new aircraft by Nigerian airlines will triple by 2042.

    The aircraft manufacturing giant also predicts that the country’s aviation sector will record a soar within the period.

    Airbus, while unveiling its market forecast for Nigeria through its Marketing Director for Africa, Mr Joel Ellers, also predicted that airlines serving Nigeria will require nearly 160 passenger and freight aircraft by 2042, according to this year’s Airbus Global Market Forecast (GMF).

    “This includes 131 single-aisle aircraft such as the A220, A320 families, and 28 widebody aircraft such as the A330 and A350 families serving the Nigerian market in the next two decades,” he said.

    The Airbus director acknowledged that aviation plays a pivotal role in driving economic development across the African continent through creating jobs, facilitating domestic, intra-African and global trade and regional integration, with its significance particularly profound in the case of Nigeria.

    His words: “Africa’s most populous country, marked by substantial landmass, a vibrant, dynamic and ever expanding economy. The aviation industry in Nigeria possesses the potential to emerge as the connective tissue that binds together its diverse regions and fuels economic progress.”

    Airbus also predicts that the aviation sector growth on the continent will drive average yearly services demand up by 4.1 per cent  from $2 billion, to $7 billion. Growing Maintenance Repair & Overhaul (MRO) services at local and regional level, according to Airbus, are central to the sector’s growth, safety and longevity.

    The expansion of MRO capabilities, the Airbus director, said could serve to bring in more revenue, reduce aircraft maintenance costs and provide even further opportunities for job creation and skills development in Nigeria and the continent at large.

    He said: “As the  industry grows and becomes more dynamic, an increasing demand for specialised skills is creating thousands of new opportunities for young people on the continent. Already, an estimated 7.7 million direct and indirect jobs have been created by the industry in Africa. Airbus predicts that a further 17,000 technicians, 14,000 pilots and 23 000 cabin crew positions will be required across Africa in the next 20 years.

    “Regional cooperation and cross-country licensing are important in ensuring that talent is retained, while government and private sector partnerships and training academies are essential in creating a pipeline of talent for a robust and sustainable aerospace industry in Africa.

    “In the wider African continent, Airbus predicts that 1,180 new aircraft will be needed for the continent by 2042, made up of 295 widebody and 885 single-aisle aircraft.

    On its part, its rival – The Boeing Corporation has projected that 1,025 new airplanes will be needed over the next two decades by African airlines, including carriers in Nigeria.

    Boeing included the data as part of its Commercial Market Outlook (CMO) for the year, the company’s long-term assessment of global demand for commercial airplanes and services.

    According to Boeing Managing Director of Commercial Marketing for Middle East and Africa, Randy Heisey, “African carriers are well-positioned to support intra-regional traffic growth and capture market share by offering services that efficiently connect passengers and enable commerce within the continent”.

    “We forecast an increase in the average aircraft size and seats per aircraft for the African fleet, as single aisles, like the Boeing 737 MAX, will be the most in demand for the continent,” he added.

    Single aisle jets are expected to account for more than 70 per cent of commercial deliveries, with 730 new planes mainly supporting domestic and intra-regional demand. In addition, African carriers are estimated to need 275 new wide-bodies, including passenger and cargo models, to support long-haul routes and air freight growth.

    Estimated demand for aviation personnel will rise to 69,000 new professionals, including 21,000 pilots, 22,000 technicians and 26,000 cabin crew members.

    Commercial services opportunities such as supply chain, manufacturing, repair and overhaul are valued at $105 million.

  • Get more aircraft for Arik, NAAPE begs AMCON

    The leadership of the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) led by Engineer Mudi Muhammad yesterday called on Management of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) to get more aircrafts into Arik’s fleets to enable it dominate the industry.

    The group asked AMCON to ignore distractions from critics, and continue the execution of its interventionist strategy that would ensure the survival of Arik.

    Mohammad while on a courtesy visit at AMCON in Abuja, insisted that NAAPE as an association recognised the activities of AMCON in Arik, its huge investment, giant strides in both Arik as well as the overall financial system stability and asset management in the country for which the association wants AMCON to continue.

    That, he said,  is the only viable option that will guarantee Arik’s survival.

    Mohammad was accompanied to AMCON by other senior officials of the association including Ehiamere Okechi, Captain Jude Aduba and Engineer Egagah Alex.

    They were received on behalf of the Management of AMCON by  Usman Abubakar and Mr Tinus Osikoya, AMCON’s Head of Specialised Asset Enforcement and Head of Operations, respectively.

    The NAAPE Chairman according to a release by Jude Nwauzor, Head, Corporate Communications Department of AMCON said:

    “We are here (AMCON) today as an association to demonstrate our support to AMCON because as insiders, we understand the big contribution AMCON made to ensure that Arik did not die. If AMCON had not stepped in at the time they did, Arik would have ceased to exist a long time ago to join the growing list of airlines in the burial ground of Nigeria’s aviation industry.

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    “As NAAPE, we know AMCON’s intervention in Arik about seven years ago was to protect the airline and save hundreds of us from losing our job. We can tell you categorically that in the last seven years of AMCON’s take over of Arik, the airline has stood the test of time. So, we totally understand that Arik survived because of AMCON unlike what some people wanted us to believe at the time. Before AMCON stepped into Arik, pensions, allowances, staff salaries, were not forthcoming and the airline was on the verge of total collapse because of its huge debt burden.

    “Indeed, AMCON has tried but Arik still has several challenges, which we want the Management of AMCON led by Mr Ahmed Lawan Kuru to address through the Mr Kamilu Omokide, the Receiver/Manager who is also doing his best based on the support he gets from AMCON. We are here to plead that AMCON should support Arik to get more aircraft into its fleet, and as professionals who are passionate with our job, we want you to watch Arik dominate the aviation industry once again. We are making this appeal because apart from providing and sustaining jobs in the country, Arik is a great training ground for the aviation sector, which is critical to the growth of the Nigerian economy.

    “As an airline, we are always careful in following the rules of engagement, and global best practices. For that professionalism, we are proud to tell the public that for over 16 years of our operational existence as Arik Air, we have zero accident record, which is a great feat, and the reason why most former presidents of Nigeria always preferred to be flown by pilots from the Arik fold. So, with AMCON investing more into the affairs of the airline by procuring additional aircraft for its operation, Arik will help both the federal government and the economy because of its strategic importance.”

    The NAATE Chairman added that the way things are going presently at the airline, if further investments are not quickly made by AMCON, Arik may begin to lose some of its highly experienced pilots and engineers to some foreign airlines who are desperate to poach them, a development he argued will defeat the purpose of the federal government’s intervention in Arik, which would ultimately bring bad name to AMCON after such a well-intended intervention.

    Again, he reiterated: “Arik has a strong Nigeria brand name. We therefore as members of NAATE are pleading with AMCON not to let Arik to die because of the number of unemployment the death of Arik will add to the stressed economy, and the negative ripple effect that it would create in the country.”

  • Growing colony of abandoned aircraft at airports

    Growing colony of abandoned aircraft at airports

    Airports across the country are increasingly becoming an eyesore, littered with abandoned, unserviceable and dead airplanes.This unpleasant development is fuelling safety, security and environmental concerns in the aviation ecosystem. Refusal to remove these airplanes from the aerodromes re-echoes the failed trajectory of Nigeria’s airlines, writes KELVIN OSA-OKUNBOR

    Abandonment of unserviceable aircraft is a growing sight across the country’s aerodromes’ airsides. This development has irked experts and stakeholders who have not relented in exposing the dangers these disused aircraft pose to the safety of aviation operations, including the attendant evironmental hazards.

    Besides the hazards these aircraft pose to the aviation ecosystem, efforts by aeronautical authorities to prevail on their owners is yet to yield the expected outcomes.

    The rise and collapse of Nigeria’s beleaguered carriers is worrisome.

    Nobody knows the story of these abandoned  airplanes, but their haunting image fills the mind with many endless and unsettling opportunities.

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    In the last decades many carriers have operated flights and closed shops in Nigeria. They include ADC Airlines, Afrijet Airlines, Air Atlantic Cargo Air Nigeria, Albarka Air, AL-AIR Al-Dawood Air , Amako Air , Amed Air Arax Airlines, Axiom Air, Barnax Air, Bellview Airlines, Capital Airlines, Chrome Air Service, Dasab Airlines, Earth Airlines, EAS Airlines, Easy Link Aviation , Freedom Air Services, Fresh Air, GAS Air Nigeria, Hamsal Air, Harco Air Services, Hold-Trade Air , British Aircraft Corporation, IAT Cargo Airlines, Intercontinental Airlines (Nigeria), and Mangal Airlines.

    Others are Meridian Airlines, Nicon Airways, Nigeria Airways, Nigeria One, Nigerian Global Aviation, Okada Air, Overnight Cargo Nigeria, Pan African Airlines, Premium Air Shuttle, Sosoliso Airlines, Space World International Airlines, Trans Sahara Air, Triax Airlines,  Virgin Nigeria Airways and  Wings Aviation.

    No doubt, abandoned  aircraft have contributed to the increasing number of abandoned aircraft littering the airside, in what has become the industry graveyard of old airplanes.

    But, abandoned airplanes littering the airside are not a rarity in global aviation. In other parts of the world, in particular, in the United States, Arizona  is known as the graveyard of airplanes.

    Pinal Air Park in Marana, Arizona is just one of the many aircraft boneyards scattered across the Southwest.

    They exist as a long-term storage facility for retired or grounded aircraft and are largely spread across New Mexico, Arizona, and California to take advantage of the favourable weather.

    Experts said airplanes, as mobile equipment, which crisscross the skyline, if no longer serviceable, could be converted to other uses after a tear down.

    Global industry data finger Nigeria as one of the countries with a notorious record of abandoned aircraft at the airport airside.

     CH Aviation, a Swiss-based firm that specialises in data and information gathering for global aviation operators, estimates that Nigeria, with a small aviation industry, ranks higher than Germany, United Kingdom, Argentina, and Malaysia as a country with highest number of retired airplanes, in comparison with those in operation.

    But, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), in the last few years, has made frantic efforts to have abandoned aircraft removed from airports airside.

     On February 1, 2018, it commenced the evacuation of abandoned aircraft at the airside of the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA) in Lagos. The authority, according its personnel,  embarked on the action after several calls had been made to the owners of the abandoned planes to relocate them but without any positive response.The  affected abandoned  aircraft  belonged to Associated Air, IRS, Dana Air, Hak Air, Air Nigeria, Associated Cargo, Bellview, JedAir, Precision Aviation Handling Company and TopBrass.

    FAAN said the relocation became necessary  to give more space for airworthy aircraft to land, take off and manoeuvre as expected during operations at the airside, adding that it  would continue to take safety and comfort of airport users as a top priority.

    “The airports belong to FAAN, which means that it is the property of the Federal Government and there is no airline that is bigger than Nigeria. Nigeria has given them a long time  to move their aircraft, but they have refused to do this. 

    “FAAN is not taking possession of their aircraft, but we are moving them to another place within the airport where they will not serve as eyesore and where they will not constitute nuisance to activities on our air-side. 

    “What we are doing is part of the services FAAN is providing – comfort and security. These aircraft have been abandoned at the airport for a long time and miscreants can just go in there and do whatever they want. We want our airports to look beautiful and fine; the aircraft that are littered around deface the beauty of our air-side.” 

    Most disturbing is that the country has not developed the modern culture of aviation tourism and hospitality, where decommissioned airplanes and scraps can still yield extra revenue even in their state.

    “In 2002, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) banned BAC-One-11 airplanes’ operations, following crashes and serious incidents by the aircraft. The series was the most popular among carriers then. That decision meant a death knell for several airlines and grounding of BAC airplanes.

    A consultant in African Travel and Tourism, Ikechi Uko, said there is an abundance of value to sift from disused aircraft, which litter airports, but for want of readiness on the part of authorities.

    Uko noted that it is not out of place to use abandoned aircraft in building aviation museums, educational facilities, hotels and restaurants.

    “When I did the first Seven Wonders of Nigeria in 2010-2012, I applied to the Ministry of Aviation and FAAN for access to those aircraft to use them for the Aviation Museum. I was invited by FAAN and I was told that if I could take the aircraft outside of the airport vicinity immediately, they would be happy. Their reason was that they had become security threats and they were not thinking about any other thing, but to grind them out of the place.

    “If I may quote the man I met: ‘If it is possible to just chew the thing and they just disappear, that is fine.’ So, nobody was interested in harnessing those aircraft for economic prospects. I exclaimed and said we could actually create a successful international aviation museum with what we have in Lagos or even Benin, where we have the airplanes from Okada Air. But the response was ‘no. We just want to dispose of the aircraft.’ Then, it was lucrative for people to chop-off the aircraft and use the scraps for aluminum. I saw them tear apart an old Nigeria Airways aircraft.

    “The point is that the environment has not looked at the economic utilisation of those aircraft. They could be turned into museums, restaurants, used for training, tourism and educational purposes, among others. They are just occupying space, and the grass is growing  over them, and I’m sure reptiles live in them because they are not properly mothballed like those you have in Mojave Desert in America, where the aircraft are well-preserved and welcome tourists. So, if they turn it over to people, we could put it to good use and bring revenue to the airport. Where they are, they are useless, constitute an eyesore, and of no value to anybody,” Uko said

    Aware that some of the “assets” are subject of knock-down-drag-out litigations, he reasoned that those aircraft are occupying FAAN’s land and have acquired sufficient packing fees over the years, enough for the owners to abandon them as bad debt.

    A member of the Aviation Safety Round Table Initiative (ASRTI), Olumide Ohunayo, agreed with Uko that there are several secondary options for retired aircraft, which also include aluminum parts and complementary furniture to attract people to the industry.

    Ohunayo, however, regretted that prolonged litigation procedure had kept the assets in the graveyard longer than normal.

    “What we have here is that most of the abandoned aircraft are under litigation with the banks or between the lessor and the lessee. They tend to rot away until when the case is determined. Knowing the judicial process here, it can take donkey years because someone will also appeal the case. That is why you see that those aircraft cannot be touched because of litigation.

    “I know two or three old aircraft that are being used for hospitality purposes right now. One is at the beach. The other has to travel by road and outside Lagos for hospitality. Another was used to complete a house. Those are the things people are doing and not that we don’t have an idea of what to do with them. Even the décor are things that can be reused as seats and tables. But that is when the aircraft has been permitted to be decommissioned by the owner and authorities around it,” Ohunayo said.

     Former Commandant, Murtala Muhammed Airport Airport, Lagos, Group Captain John Ojikutu, said the economic value of the parts of the aircraft could well over billions of naira  considering what the conversion of the airplanes to restaurants, hotels and other entertainment centres could do to rev up business around the airports and environs.

    He said: “In most countries, these disused airplanes have great economic value. The engines can be sold, parts can also be smelted and, above all, converting them to restaurants.

    There are no decent restaurants around the airports. Individuals can take advantage of this to bring business to the area and other businesses will positively be affected. “You can’t quantify the benefits and I am sure we are losing so much in the region of several billions of naira.”

    The engines and avionics are the priced assets of aircraft that are no longer serviceable while the fuselage can also be used for hospitality purposes. The aluminium frames can be converted to cutleries and other important metal works.

    Examples are replete in many parts of the world where disused aircraft frame or fuselage were converted to restaurants or hotels.

    On December 16, 2021, the  House of Representatives urged the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the FAAN to ensure that abandoned and non-functional aircraft are “immediately removed from all airports across the country and impose heavy fines on the owners for non-compliance.”

    In addition, the House mandated its Committee on Aviation to ensure compliance with the resolution and report back within three weeks for further legislative action.

    The House  noted that airports are gateways and signposts to any country, as first impressions from foreign visitors often start from an assessment of the airport upon arrival.

    It noted:  “The House is concerned that a large number of abandoned, non-functional aircraft littering airports across the country gives an impression that Nigeria is a dumping ground for old aeroplanes.

    “The House is also concerned that leaving such grounded aircraft within the airports constitutes safety hazards and could serve as a hideout for stowaways. Leaving the non-functional aeroplanes visible even from the runway demonstrates a low capacity in maintenance and recycling culture in the country.”

  • Africa mulls aircraft leasing firm

    The African Development Bank (AfDB) is studying the possibility of creating an aircraft-leasing firm for the continent. Details on the project is expected in the first half of 2019.

    This is just as the AfDB has commissioned a study to assess the socio-economic benefits of intra- African liberalisation as part of efforts to support the sector.

    Speaking last week at the African Airlines Association (AFRAA) annual meeting in Rabat, Morocco, the AfDB chief aviation officer, Romain Ekoto, outlined plans to set up a “robust leasing company or platform for African airlines”.

    He said the aim of the project is to overcome limited access to leased aircraft and fleet financing, particularly for smaller African airlines.

    The new entity will also provide technical assistance with airline restructuring projects, paving the way for increased private investment in the continent’s airlines.

    “We are exploring the viability of such a leasing platform, assessing the benefits for African carriers, identifying the legal arrangements and the role of the bank in setting this up. We intend to complete this work in the first semester of 2019,” Ekoto said, while delivering a keynote address to AFRAA delegates.

    His role as chief aviation officer is newly created, giving the sector a voice within the AfDB. The bank has since held an “aviation lab” with key industry stakeholders, leading to the creation of an initial aviation framework and guidelines.

    “The bank aims to support practical efforts to overcome key challenges and help promote a comprehensive transformation of the sector,” he said, listing those challenges as low disposable income among African citizens and market-access constraints, as well as inadequate infrastructure and safety standards.

    Over the last 10 years, the AfDB has invested $1 billion in the sector, with roughly 75 per cent of this being used for airport infrastructure and 25 per cent  to assist  with aircraft acquisitions.

    The AfDB also invests in safety and security initiatives, air navigation projects and regulatory pushes, like the single African air transport market(SAATM), which aims to liberalise air links between African states.

    Ekoto said African countries must sign up with SAATM as a prerequisite to access AfDB financing.

    So far, 27 states have signed with 15 agreeing to put this promise into action.

  • Aircraft manufacturers jostle for African market

    The African market is fast becoming a centre of attraction to aircraft maunfacturers all over the world. Aviation Correspondent, Kelvin Osa-Okunbor reports on the development and its promises for the continent’s carriers.

    Major aircraft manufacturers – Boeing, Airbus, Bombardier, Embraer, ATR and others – are in fierce competition to have their aircraft types dominate the fleet of Nigerian and other African carriers, investigations have revealed.

    The push for the dominance is coming on the heels of market survey studies, which revealed Africa as the new frontier market for the growth of global air transport.

    Boeing, Airbus, Embraer and Bombardier’s surveys indicate the demand for their aircraft types in Africa as the next destination for growth.

    Besides the reports, many African countries, including Nigeria, have opened discussions with some aircraft manufacturers to acquire their aircraft for either their national or flag carriers.

    Investigations revealed that many African governments are about sealing their aircraft acquisition deals with Boeing Corporation, Airbus Company, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft Company and Brazilian aircraft maker – Embaer.

    To confirm its interest in Nigeria as well as West and Central Africa, Boeing Corporation last year signed an agreement with Spring Fountain Infrastructure Limited to set up an aircraft company to facilitate airplane acquisition for carriers.

    Part of the move, investigations revealed, was to encourage Nigerian and other African carriers to replace their ageing aircraft with state-of-the-art Boeing equipment that are  environment-friendly and fuel efficient.

    According to the project’s promoter, Mrs Tokunbo Fagbemi, this would boost Boeing Corporation’s inroads into Africa.

    This move lauded by many operators, including Chairman of Air Peace, Mr Allen Onyema, has seen the airline acquiring more aircraft.

    Though Boeing aircraft consists of over 60 per cent of the fleet in  the airspace by indigenous carriers, others exist.

    Air Peace, for instance, has acquired some Embraer jets. The aircraft,  experts say, are good for short haul flights.

    It was learnt that the Brazilian aircraft manufacturer is making inroads into the Nigerian and African markets as more operators are embracing the fleet because of its fuel economy, limited crew and lower maintenance cost.

    In a recent interview in Lagos, Tropical cal Arctic Logistics Limited (TAL) President and Chief Executive Officer, Emperor Baywood Ibe, advised operators to consider Embaear regional and business jets as the most suitable aircraft for short haul flights.

    The helicopter operator, who plans to launch scheduled domestic flights soon, said the company will settle for Embraer jets.

    Also, in a recent interview, Minister of State, Aviation, Hadi Sirika confirmed that the government was discussing with some aircraft manufacturers to acquire airplanes for the proposed national carrier – Nigeria Air.

    Investigations reveal that besides Boeing and Embraer aircraft types, many Nigetian carriers, including Arik Air, Aero Airlines and Overland Airways, have many Bombardier and ATR aircraft in their fleet.

    While Overland Airways has ATR 72 aircraft type in its fleet, Aero and Arik Air have some Bombardier CRJ and Dash 8 Bombardier jets in their fleet.

    Meanwhile, Canadian airplane manufacturer, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft, said three of it turboprops has been acquired by a Ghanaian operator – Passion Air.

    The airline has become the first Bombardier operator in Ghana.

    The aircraft manufacturer said the company  placed three pre-owned Q400 turboprops.

    The airline acquired the aircraft through a dry-lease with a third party.

    “Bombardier has sold about 3,500 new regional aircraft to date, and we continue to be very active on the used aircraft market,” said David Speirs, Vice President, Asset Management, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft.

    “Our recent momentum on the pre-owned aircraft market worldwide is a clear indication that our products are addressing a growing need for regional air transportation, especially in emerging markets.

    “Our market penetration in Africa continues to intensify, and we are pleased to welcome Passion Air as the first commercial airline operating a Bombardier regional aircraft in the Republic of Ghana,” said Jean-Paul Boutibou, Vice President, Sales, Middle East and Africa, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft.

    “Africa is the youngest and fastest growing region in the world, and regional aircraft like the Q400 will play a key role in helping advancing Africa’s economic growth.

    The airline will operate the three Q400 aircraft in a 78-seat configuration on domestic routes.

    “This is a first step, and we look forward to expanding our fleet with more Bombardier aircraft,” said Edward Annan, Chief Executive Officer, PassionAir.

    Only last month, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft announced that it has signed a firm order for four new CRJ900 regional jets with Uganda National Airlines Company.

    Based on the list price for the CRJ900 aircraft, the firm order is valued at $190 million.

    “We congratulate the Government of Uganda on the revival of its national flag carrier, and are thrilled that the new airline has selected Bombardier and the CRJ900 regional jets for its upcoming debut,” said Jean-Paul Boutibou, Vice President, Sales, Middle-East and Africa, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft.

    Investigations reveal that 21 operators are flying 58 CRJ Series in Africa. Bombardier has recorded firm orders for 1957 CRJ Series regional jets.

    A recent batch of acquisitions by African carriers boosted Bombardier’s presence on the continent.

    “As we seek to increase our market share on the continent, we have successfully placed a significant number of pre-owned regional aircraft with more than seven airlines from the region in the last three months,” Boutibou said.

    Among African carriers that have acquired Bombardier aircraft are South Africa’s CemAir, Tunisian Syphax, Cameroon’s CamAir – Company, Kenya’s DAC East Africa and Congo Airways.

    Others are: Kenya’s 784 Air Services and Silverstone Airways.

    “Our market penetration in Africa is making headway,” Boutibou said at the African Aviation Finance conference in Johannesburg, South Africa

    “Our strategy not only further supports our aftermarket revenue stream, we are confident that it will also lead to new aircraft orders in the future,” he added.

    “These latest placements in Africa are testament to the residual value of our regional aircraft,” Bombardier Commercial Aircraft Vice President, Asset Management, David Speirs said

    Africa’s fast growing carrier, Ethiopian Airlines, has signed a purchase agreement with Bombardier for 10 new Q400 aircraft.

    “The Bombardier turboprops continue to deliver unmatched performance to our operators, and we are proud that the flag carrier of Ethiopia is once again recognising its tremendous value by increasing its fleet of Q400 aircraft,” said Fred Cromer, President, and Bombardier Commercial Aircraft.