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Tag: airport

  • Protests in Uganda after lawmakers detained at airport

    Protests erupted in the Ugandan capital on Friday after police detained two lawmakers at the international airport as they prepared to travel abroad for medical care, witnesses said,

    People demonstrated in different parts of Kampala, burning tires and piling rocks and other barricades in the middle of the roads.

    Police said the protests were limited and had been contained.

    The lawmakers, Robert Kyagulanyi and Francis Zaake, say they were tortured by security forces while in detention.

    They were trying to leave to seek medical treatment abroad when they were arrested at Kampala’s international airport on Thursday night.

    Kyagulanyi’s lawyer last week told Reuters that his client had been left unable to stand after being beaten while in detention.

    When he appeared in court a day after his lawyer spoke, he was unable to walk without help.

    ReadAlso: Ugandan lawmaker re-arrested on new treason charges

    Government spokesman Ofwono Opondo last week dismissed the lawyer’s comments as rubbish

    “Protesters blocked the roads using garbage cans and burning tyres. Motorists have to get alternative routes to the city centre.

    Soldiers and riot police are still clearing the roads,” Nvule told Reuters.

    Police spokesman Luke Owoyesigyire said police were monitoring the city to ensure no illegal rallies took place.

    The two parliamentarians were among a group of five lawmakers who were detained on Aug. 13 in Uganda’s northwestern town of Arua and accused of throwing stones at a presidential convoy during the campaign for a parliamentary seat.

    Police said on Thursday they had stopped Kyagulanyi, who has been charged with treason but released on bail, as they awaited further guidance.

    Zaake has not been charged but has been in hospital in Kampala. Images of him posted on social media show him lying on a bed, eyes closed, with multiple bruises on his hand and other body areas.

    Kyagulanyi in particular has risen as a formidable threat to President Yoweri Museveni’s 32-year rule, winning popular support through his music and strong criticism of the government.

  • ‘Dutse Airport not a wasteful venture’

    Jigawa State Government said on Tuesday that the construction of the Dutse International Airport in the state capital is not a wasteful venture.

    In particular, the State Government said the airport has not only brought development ; but has assisted in decongesting passenger traffic into Mallam Aminu

    Kano International Airport as well serving alternative airport for pilgrims of the annual Hajj from Borno and Yobe States during the period of insurgency.

    Speaking on behalf of the State Government, General Manager of the Airport, Alhaji Yunusa Abubakar Umar said besides Overland Airways; which operated domestic scheduled flights into the airport, the facility has opened up the state to other parts of the world through seamless air link.

    He said though, the airline has stopped operating flights into the airport, the facility still parades the best air navigation equipment and airport facilities.

    This is just as it called for the administration’s policy of diversification for improved farming activities and promotion of agro allied produce for export by air

    However, he admitted that the airport built by Lamido administration , has not only opened up the state to other parts of the world ; but has facilitated trade and other businesses including movement of farm produce.

    He said though chartered flights operate into the airport, but the facility is grappling with challenges not limited to scheduld operations for movement of farm produce.

    Recall that the Sule Lamido led government had in 2014 signed a memorandum of understanding with Overland Airways to operate commercial flights into the airport thus making it the only airline that had ventured into the airport for two years.

    Speaking on why Overland Airways stopped operations to the airport, the General Manager declared: “lack of passengers and poor patronage made the airline abandoned the airport.

    After the expiration of the MoU between Jigawa State government and Overland Airways, the company recorded a loss forcing it to cancel operations to Dutse airport.

    “Presently, there is no commercial flight operating to our airport. It is only charter flights that have been coming to the airport since the Overland contract with the state government expired.”

    Umar while advising the government to ensure the initial purpose of making the airport a cargo airport was achieved, added: “It could be a very good opportunity for the state and farmers of the region in line with the present administration’s policy of diversification and desire for improved farming activities and promotion of export”.

  • Dana Air plane skids off runway in Port Harcourt

    Dana Air plane skids off runway in Port Harcourt

    Dana Air plane last night skidded off the runway while landing at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa in Rivers State.

    Passengers were evacuated by Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) emergency officials. There was no casualty.

    The FAAN attributed the incident to a downpour accompanied by a strong wind and storm.

    Flight number 9J0363 took off from Abuja.

    A statement by FAAN General Manager (Corporate Affairs) Mrs Henrietta Yakubu said : “A Dana aircraft numbered 9J0363 flying from Abuja to Port Harcourt airport has overshot the Port Harcourt runway.

    “The incident was suspected to have been caused by a heavy rain, which was accompanied by strong wind and storm in Port Harcourt.

    “No casualty was recorded, as all passengers on board were safely evacuated.”

    Dana Air, in a statement, attributed bad weather occasioned by torrential rain.

    Corporate Communications Manager Kingsley Ezenwa Okwudili said:” On Tuesday , 20 February 2018, one our aircraft (9j0363) operating the Abuja- Ph flight  skidded off  the runway  at the Port Harcourt International Airport,  as a result of the  bad weather situation and torrential rain at the time of landing.

    “No casualty was recorded and all passengers and crew disembarked safely.

    “We commend the Pilot-in -command who was able to control the aircraft to a complete stop, before passengers and crew disembarked. We also wish to applaud the Captain for exhibiting the highest safety standards and handling the situation professionally. ”

    There were 49 passengers on board.

    Dana Airlines Limited operating as Dana Air is a fully private sector-owned carrier. The airline commenced flight operations on November 10, 2008.

    From its hub at the Murtala Mohammed Airport Terminal 2 (MMA2), Dana Air operates on the Lagos – Abuja; Lagos – Port Harcourt, Lagos – Uyo as well as the Port Harcourt – Abuja and Uyo – Abuja routes using its fleet of Boeing McDonnell 83 and Boeing B737-500 aircraft.

    It runs a daily Lagos-Accra international route

    Dana also undertakes scheduled flight operations in addition to offering executive charter services, using a brand new Bombardier Learjet 45XR.

    On June 3, 2012, Dana Air Flight 992 travelling from Port Harcourt to Lagos, operating on McDonnell Douglas MD-83 aircraft, crashed into a furniture works and printing press building in the Iju-Ishaga neighbourhood of Lagos.

    All 153 people on board and 10 more on the ground died.

  • Towards efficient airport management

    Towards efficient airport management

    Managing airports in 2017 had its many challenges. Efforts by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to address some of these sore points, including the shortage of technical manpower and redesigning of airport security architecture, may, however, signal better days ahead for the industry, writes KELVIN OSA OKUNBOR reports. 

    Taking stock of developments in aviation in the last one year has become difficult.This is predicated on the inability of operators, regulators and officials of the airport authority to agree on the modalities for running an effective airport system.

    Besides the challenge of reaching  an agreement on how to run effective  airport systems, dearth of technical manpower has remained on the burner.

    With ageing workers in technical areas, experts said unless urgent steps were taken, airport management systems might be in dire straits.

    Consistently, the industry continue to  navigate around intrigues, controversies and scandals over the state of security at airports.

    As aviation authorities struggle to keep the airport security running, allegation of infractions to air safety continue to rear its ugly head in the face of alleged reports over vandalism of aircaft parked on the tarmac of the Lagos Airport.

    But, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) said it is navigating around critical safety  and security issues that emanate  from the airports.

    The authority said it is working hard to ensure it complies with all statutory requirements prescribed by the global regulator, International Civil Aviation Organisation ( ICAO), in ensuring that it addresses shortcomings in airport operations.

    Specifically, its Managing Director, Saleh Dunoma, an engineer, said the authority in the last one year has taken bold steps to address shortage of technical personnel by embarking on aggressive recruitment and training of aviation security personnel as well as airport rescue and fire fighting officers.

     

    Steps Taken

    In the last few years, Dunoma said over 300 aviation security officers have been recruited.

    Beyond recruitment, he said FAAN ensured that the officers underwent mandatory standard aviation  training courses  to equip them with the knowledge and trends of handling threats to aviation security.

    He said the safety officials had been sent abroad for tarining on airports’security.

    Dunoma said: “Over 300 aviation security and airports rescue and fire fighting officers were recruited in  2016 to address shortage of manpower and ageing work force.

    ‘’Key operational officers, especially from aviation security and fire department were trained both locally and internationally, to enhance operational efficiency at the airports.”

     

    ICAO safety regulations programmes 

    Last year, Nigeria underwent a safety audit conducted by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) officials aimed at ensuring that the airports are run in line with the standards and recommended practices of the global body.

    Ahead of the audit, FAAN organised trainings for its aerodrome personnel on runway markings, aerodrome design and management.

    The robust preparation for the audit assisted Nigeria to emerge  winner in the ICAO universal safety programme, scoring over 96 per cent.

    A thinktank group, Aviation Roundtable Safety Initiative (ART) Secretary-General, Group Captain John Ojikutu (rtd), called on FAAN to fix all sore points involving runway operations.

    The group called on the regulatory authority to call FAAN to order by ensuring that threat to air safety was not compromised.

     

    Airports reconstruction

    Last year, the airport was subjected to intense strain following the temporary closure and reconstruction of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja for six weeks.

    Earlier, some groups, including the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), led by Captain Nogie Meggison, challenged FAAN.

    But, the airport authority said it was acting in the best safety interest by shutting for the agreed time to enable it fix many challenges at the terminal.

    According to Dunoma, the relocation of flights from Abuja to Kaduna Airport also provided an opportuniy for FAAN to fix critical safety infrastructure at both airports.

    Describing it as a trying time, Dunoma said FAAN stepped up efforts to upgrade facilities at the Kaduna Airport, designated the alternate aerodrome. He said the airport was upgraded to Category 9 in terms of air field lighting and runway capacity. Dunoma said: “2017 was a very challenging year for airport managers, because we had to ensure that the reconstruction of Abuja Airport runway was completed in record time.

    Though stakeholders are not excited over the slow pace of work at the five international airport terminals in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Kano and Enugu, the FAAN boss assured that the projects would soon be completed.

    He said when completed, these terminals would enable the airports handle more passenger traffic.

    Dunoma said: “I’m okay with the state of our airports, as far as the management and running of the airports are concerned.

    “But we need to develop them further and this has to do with additional infrastructure that we require. Right now, if you look at the airports, there is congestion in terms of the traffic. These terminals were built a long time ago. For example, Lagos airport (Murtala Muhammed International Airport) is about 40 years old, Abuja airport (Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport) is over 20 years old and Kano airport (Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport) was built even before I was born; it’s about 60 years old.

    “So, we need to expand these airports to meet with the growth in traffic and this is where we have a problem.

    “If we develop in accordance with the pace of traffic growth, we would not have issues. In Lagos airport, the terminal was built originally to handle 120,000 passengers per annum. But today, it’s handling seven million passengers per year. How do we reconcile that?”

     

    Engagement with private sector

    In the last few years, the airport authority has been struggling to source funds to build facilities at airports.

    To resolve this hurdle, it has adopted  the concession model, which last year brought about the construction of an ultra-modern five-storey car park at the Lagos International Airport.

    But, this has come with a challenge as the security architecture had to be reworked to cater to the need of airport users.

    Dunoma said: “Airport security architecture has been restructured to contain emerging airport security challenges.

    “FAAN has continued discussions on Public-Private Partnership (PPP) mechanism to inject new life to our airports.

    “Cargo airports have been strengthened to encourage agro-allied businesses.

    ”We continue to work on the provision and maintenance of general airport infrastructure.

    “We have created   business friendly  environment for enduring partnerships with aviation investors.”

     

    Certification of airports

    Though  it was received  with mixed reactions by stakeholders, the certification of Lagos and Abuja airports by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) was a major feat for FAAN in 2017.

    Ojikutu said FAAN should have a mandatory runway and airport maintenance programme rather than engage infrivolous certification of other airports.

    But, Dunoma described it as a feat that should not be wished away, because it took over 20 years to accomplish.

    He said: ”Above all, we are excited over the certification of Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

    “The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has continued to drive the nation’s airports to success through robust engagements with critical airport stakeholders to ensure that its mandates are continually being delivered to the public. FAAN’s doors are open for potential investors who may wish to take advantage of the various investment opportunities at our airports nationwide as it repositions to serve you better.”

     

    Addressing epileptic power supply 

    Aside the strides accomplished by FAAN, the Lagos Airport continues to grapple with the challenge of disruption in power supply to the terminals.

    Many passengers in 2017 complained about the Lagos Airport Terminal being thrown into darkness.

    But, Dunoma said the challenge was being addressed. He said:  “FAAN fully commenced the process of migrating to a brand new independent power source, with the acquisition of six brand new generators with a capacity of 29.1 MVA at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, thereby resolving the power challenges at the airport.

    Installation and inauguration  three  brand new Carousels at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport to speed up baggage facilitation, enhancing passenger comfort and convenience.

     

    Global recognition 

    Last year, Nigeria maintained her regional leadership in African aviation when Dunoma was elected the President of Airports Council International (ACI) Africa.

    His is saddled  with coordinating  and ensuring  the entrenchment of safety and security as core values in airport organisations in Africa.

    Also last year, Nigeria hosted the ICAO global conference of aviation finance in Abuja, where players across the globe designed the blueprint for accelerated development of air transport in Africa.

  • Truck hits Air Peace aircraft at Lagos Airport 

    Truck hits Air Peace aircraft at Lagos Airport 

    Truck operated by one of the ground handling companies yesterday hit and damaged an aircraft belonging to Air Peace at the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos, disrupting some of its flights.

    The incident occurred in the morning during the loading of passengers’ luggage into the cargo hold of the aircraft scheduled to service the carrier’s Lagos-Uyo route.

    A statement issued by the Corporate Communications Manager of Air Peace, Mr. Chris Iwarah, said the door of the rear cargo hold of the aircraft was impacted and damaged in the incident.

    The aircraft, it added, had been declared unserviceable.

    The airline’s Uyo-bound passengers were rescheduled to fly later in the day.

    The airline said it deeply regretted the disruption of the Lagos-Uyo service and the delay the incident caused its passengers.

    It assured that arrangements had been made to take the affected passengers to their destinations.

    A truck belonging to another ground handling company also hit and damaged an aircraft belonging to Air Peace at the Benin Airport in April, this year.

    Air Peace confirmed that officials of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) were already investigating the incident at the Lagos airport yesterday.

  • Airport faces flight delays, cancellations over heavy snowfall

    Airport faces flight delays, cancellations over heavy snowfall

    A number of flight s were delayed and cancelled at the Heathrow Airport in the United Kingdom over a heavy snowfall, the airport’s press service said in a statement.

    “Heathrow Airport remains open. However, we regret that weather conditions across the UK are resulting in some passengers experiencing disruption to their travel arrangements.

    “Airlines are responsible for ensuring their flights are fully de-iced before they are operated, and this is resulting in some delays and cancellations,” the airport management said.

    The press service also called on passengers to check status of flights before coming to the airport.

    According to the BBC broadcaster the heavy snow also resulted in power cuts as well as disruption of rail and road travel across the United Kingdom.

    Hundreds of schools will be closed on Monday.

    The deepest snow (30 centimetres or 12 inches) has been registered in the village on Sennybridge, Wales.

    Read Also: Air Peace begins flight to Freetown, others

  • Abiola airport in Osun gets local concession pact

    The Osun State government has entered into an agreement with All Works of Life Development Organisation (AWOL International Limited) for the completion of Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (M. K. O) Abiola International Airport at Ido-Osun under a build, operate and transfer (BOT) arrangement.

    The signing of the concession agreement on the completion of the airport will hasten the take-off of its operation =in the next eight months.

    Speaking after signing the agreement, the Chairman of AWOL International Limited, Ambassador Nurudeený James Ogunlade said the company would shoulder 100 per cent funding of the project.

    The company chief said the project will begin on November 9, while the first phase will be completed within eight months.

    He said the project would be completed in 2019.

    Ogunlade said the airport would serve local and international passengers as well as cargo services.

    The company chief said this would complement the legacies of the present administration.

    He said: “ýWe are entering into an agreement with the Osun State government to fast-track the completion of the MKO Abiola International Airport, having realised the zeal and effort being put into it by Governor Rauf Aregbesola.

    “We have seen that MKO Abiola International Airport is designed to facilitate a smooth movement of people and goods from one point to the other and serve as a channel or gateway for tourism, hanger/maintenance and cargo hub.ý

    “AWOL International Limited will fund the project 100 per cent through our financial partner, like Turkish Exim Bank and Biray Group of Companies from Turkey.

    “We will Build, Operate and Transfer the first phase of the airport with an ultra-modern commercial complex (terminal building, control tower, among others), standard infrastructure (offices, duty-free shops, among others), construction of maintenance building and power house, workers’ training centre, fire fighter station, security infrastructure and services, apron and taxiway parking, dual carriage road from Oba Adesoji Aderemi to the airport and completion of the fence and surveillance road within the perimeter of the airport and completion of 3.5-kilometre of standard runway.

    “The first phase of the Airport will be completed within eight months and it will take off with five aircraft, three passenger plane (B767-200ER, MD73 Helicopter (1) and B727 (1) cargo by AWOL International Limited.

    “Also, the completion will be done within two years. By then, we must have had in place the establishment of the airport with five star hotels, including amenities, such as a cultural centre, water park, recreation centre and garden, butterfly museum, casinos, among others.

    “To us, Osun is a major state in our country with tourism and historical linkages for the international market. We have seen spectacular economic development with the present and future administration.

    “MKO Abiola International Airport will serve as a point of entry to tourists, opening doors for businesses and other trade-related opportunities among the Southwest states as well as foreign investors.”

    The Managing Director of Biray Construction Nigeria Limited Mr Kartal Arikan said the company firmed up the agreement with the Turkish EximBank on the provision of funding for the project through the Turkish Ambassador to Nigeria.

    He said 85 per cent of materials and services will come from Turkey Construction Company to boost the quality of work during the construction work.

    Arikan said: “During the last visit of Governor Rauf Aregbesola to Turkish Ambassador Hakan Cakil, the ambassador promised to facilitate $350 million for the project’s development from Turkey Investment Group and effort for that is ongoing.

    “Let me assure the good people of Osun and government that Biray Group will support the project, bring to bear the best international professional standard in airport construction and development.”

    Aregbesola noted that despite paucity of fund, his administration had spent over N3 billion on the project.

    The governor said the idea to have a standard airport was conceptualised before he became governor, having realised the need for the state to develop economically, commercially and industrially.

    He said with the concession agreement with AWOL International Limited, Osun would live to its potentialities.

    According to him, Osun State is on the right track of having a standard airport.

  • Security operatives abort picketing of airlines at Lagos airport

    THE Organised Labour planned picketing of airlines at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, was yesterday aborted by armed security operatives.

    Unionists under the aegis of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the aviation unions had stormed the General Aviation Terminal (GAT) of the airport about 8.05 a.m. to protest alleged casualisation in the sector.

    The unions are the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), the Air Transport the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) and National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE).

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) report that they were, however, prevented from gaining access to the busy terminal by the combined team of mobile policemen and Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) officers.

    Mr Olayinka Abioye, the General Secretary of NUATE, told NAN that the unions were at the terminal to launch a campaign against casualisation and the refusal of the airlines to recognise the unions in the industry.

    Abioye said Oct. 7 every year had been declared “World Day for Decent Work” by the International Labour Organisation (ILO), adding that it was unfortunate that some airlines were still treating their employees “indecently”.

    According to him, some of the workers are prevented from joining unions of their choice, a constitutional right, and also not allowed to go on annual leave thereby breaching of the extant labour laws.

    He said some of the workers were paid as low as N20, 000 as casuals which, he noted, was not proper for a sensitive industry such as aviation.

    “This is because it raises safety and security concerns. We have written to some of the airlines to enable us come in and start the process of unionising the workers, but we have not received any response.

    “We are here in GAT this morning to launch this campaign because it is an important terminal with Air Peace, Arik Air and Land Over operating here and for passengers to know what is happening in the industry.

    “We recognise the efforts being put in place by these entrepreneurs who own the airlines and we want them to see us as partners committed to the common goal of making our industry better,”Abioye said.

    Contacted for his comment, Mr Chris Iwarah, the Communications Manager of Air Peace, told NAN that the airline would not allow their operations to be disrupted by the unions.

    Iwarah noted that the security operatives were at the terminal to ensure that there was no breakdown of law and order at the terminal.

    He also dismissed the unions’ claims of casualisation as a deliberate falsehood to confer legitimacy on what he called “illegal picketing”, insisting “the airline has no single case of casual staff in its employ”.

  • Withdrawal of NIS from airport

    SIR: Travelling out of the country has always been a menace to me and other concerned Nigerians due to unnecessary harassments experienced from the officials of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) special reference to those manning the luggage check-in areas.

    I have had to part with some ‘perks’ for immigration officials to allow my luggage pass when I carry foodstuffs am sure are not contraband .Oftentimes, whether I carry foodstuffs or not, these beggarly NIS officials never cease to amaze and annoy me with their stylish begging – ‘madam, what do you have for us?

    I was going with that same mentality of experiencing the usual drama on my last August trip when to my surprise, no NIS officials was present as usual at the luggage check-in area. The federal government’s decision to withdraw them from that area is a welcome development and huge relief!

    But it never ends there as going through the security checks too will meet one with same stylish beggarly ordeal.

    When will the NIS officials stay content with their pay cheques and uncalled for kickbacks demanded for during passports applications? That is another jeremiad for another day.

     

    • Banke Badmus,

    Ibadan.

  • IATA flays high tax, airport charges

    IATA flays high tax, airport charges

    The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has called for reduction in taxes and airports’ charges.

    The global airlines regulatory body, in a study released at the weekend, said higher airport charges and taxes could deny passengers full benefits of cheaper air travel in the next 10 years.

    The IATA study indicated that many airports across the globe have increased charges and taxes astronomically in the last few years, with statistics showing that international passengers departing from 13 African Airports are charged between  $40 and $85.

    Included in this group are major destinations, such as Accra, Abidjan, Ouagadougou, Nairobi and Entebbe. Djibouti, the study said, has the highest charge of $89 per passenger (departing and arriving), adding that at other nine airports, passengers are charged between $30 and $40.

    Within the European Union (EU), it  was observed that the United Kingdom (UK) still has the highest flight taxes with an adult holder of economy short haul ticket flying from a UK airport, paying $20 in tax.

    For a first or business class ticket, the tax paid goes for as high as $41.

    Despite the critical role that air transport plays and its significant contribution to the economies of African countries, governments’ policy makers continue to view air transport as a luxury service for the elite, the report said, stating that directly and indirectly, air transport supports about 6.7 million jobs in Africa and contributes $67.8 billion to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Despite this, many African governments and airport service providers burden airlines and passengers with high taxes, fees and charges, the report, said.

    IATA’s Director-General/CEO, Alexandre de Juniac, said: “Airlines, like all competitive businesses, are in a constant struggle to improve efficiency. Europe’s airports however, are largely insulated from competitive forces. Europe’s light-handed Airport charges directive has failed Europe’s travellers and its own competitiveness by letting airport charges rise.”

    He said tighter EU regulation is needed to stop airport monopolies from taking money from the pockets of travellers to reward investors. The goal should be economic regulation of airport monopolies that is an effective proxy for competition—promoting efficiency while protecting consumers.

    “In that regard the voice and interests of airlines – airports’ main customers– should be carefully listened to. This will ensure effective regulation that will broadly balance the interests of travellers, investors, citizens and economies,”he said.

    The trend of increasing private ownership of European airports, he said, adds urgency to the situation, hinting that since 2010 the number of European airports in private hands has almost doubled.