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Tag: Kaduna airport

  • Flights resume at Kaduna Airport

    Flights resume at Kaduna Airport

    After months of suspension due to security threats posed by banditry, flights have resumed at the Hassan Usman Katsina International Airport, Kaduna.

     Arrival of Air Peace flight ERJ-145, which touched down at the airport at 5:10 pm, on Monday marked the resumption of flights on the route.

    It would be recalled that bandits attacked the precinct of the airport in March, last year, and caused flights to be slightly impaired. Though Azman Air continued after some time, it also suspended operations about five months ago.

     The development had forced passengers, especially on the Lagos-Kaduna route, to either land in Kano or Abuja and travel to Kaduna by road.

    Meanwhile, passengers expressed happiness with the Air Peace flight, calling on the government and other relevant agencies to ensure that the Kaduna Airport remains functional.

    Speaking to reporters shortly after the ceremonial welcome given to Air Peace flight, the Airport Manager, Adamu Sheikh said more airlines were set to commence operations, stressing that adequate security has been put in place for aircraft landing and take off. 

    According to him, “more airlines are coming back and we are prepared. We have the cooperation of all the security agencies, everybody wants this airport to function, SK all stakeholders are rallying round us to ensure that this airport is safe for aircraft landing and take-off.”

    Read Also: Insecurity: Flights resume operation at Kaduna Airport

     Air Peace Kaduna Station Manager, Fatima Ndayako explained that the Airline returned to the Kaduna route due to persistent requests from their customers who needed to service them along the route. She however assured that, the Airline will have daily operation to and and fro Kaduna and Lagos.

    Air Peace is the sole airline providing service between Lagos and Kaduna at the Kaduna Airport, offering flights with a capacity of 50 passengers.

    Our Correspondent also gathered that, Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State facilitated the return of flight operations in the state after meeting with airline executives in Abuja. He also held meetings with high-ranking military officers, some of whom were present during the airport’s flight operations resumption.

  • Insecurity: Flights resume operation at Kaduna Airport

    Insecurity: Flights resume operation at Kaduna Airport

    After months of suspension due to security threats posed by banditry, flights on Monday, October 23, resumed at the Hassan Usman Katsina International Airport, Kaduna.

    The arrival of Air Peace flight ERJ-145, which touched down at the Airport at exactly 5:10 pm on Monday, marked the resumption of flights to the route.

    It would be recalled that bandits attacked the precinct of the airport in March 2022, and caused flight operations to be slightly impaired.

    Although Azman Air continued after some time, it also suspended operations about five months ago.

    The development had forced passengers, especially on the Lagos-Kaduna route to either land in Kano or Abuja and travel to Kaduna by road.

    Meanwhile, on resumption of the Air Peace flights Monday evening, passengers expressed happiness, calling on the government and other relevant agencies to ensure that, the Kaduna Airport remain functional.

    Read Also: Bayelsa blogger files N300m suit against police over alleged unlawful detention

    Speaking to journalists shortly after the ceremonial welcome given to Air Peace Flight, the Airport Manager, Adamu Sheikh said more airlines are set to commence operations, stressing that adequate security has been put in place for aircraft landing and take-off.

    He said: “More airlines are coming back and we are prepared. We have the cooperation of all the security agencies, everybody wants this airport to function, SK all stakeholders are rallying round us to ensure that, this airport is safe for aircraft landing and take-off.”

    Air Peace Kaduna Station Manager, Fatima Ndayako explained that the Airline returned to the Kaduna route due to persistent requests from their customers who needed to service them along the route. She however assured that the Airline will have daily operation to and and fro Kaduna and Lagos.

    Currently, Air Peace is the sole airline providing service between Lagos and Kaduna at the Kaduna airport, offering flights with a capacity of 50 passengers.

    Our correspondent also gathered that Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State facilitated the return of flight operations in the state after meeting with airline executives in Abuja. He also held meetings with high-ranking military officers, some of whom were present during the airport’s flight operations resumption.

  • Abuja runway completion credit to Buhari govt – Minister

    The timely completion of the Abuja International Airport runway has confirmed that “Nigerians elected a responsive, responsible and capable federal government”, under President Muhammadu Buhari.

    The minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed said this on Wednesday in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in a statement signed by his Special Adviser, Mr Segun Adeyemi.

    The completion of reconstruction of the Nnamikiwe International Airport, Abuja, and run way paved the way for the re-opening of the airport, after a six-week closure. And it was done ahead of schedule.

    The Minister of State for Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika had vowed to resign his appointment as minister in the event that the deadline for the reconstruction was not met by the contractors handling the project.

    The reopening of the airport for air operations came a day before the expiration of the official deadline and the first airline to land at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport was the Ethiopian Airlines which relocated to Kaduna Airport after Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport was shut down.

    The minister said that the delivery of the project even before the scheduled date showed government’s ability to live up to its promise and rise up to any occasion, irrespective of how daunting the challenge may be.

    He described as “a remarkable achievement” the ability of the government to complete the reconstruction of the runway within the stipulated time, despite doomsday predictions.

    “The clock-work precision with which everything concerning the closure of the airport and the temporary relocation to the Kaduna Airport was handled is the clearest indication yet that Nigeria can tackle any challenge,” he said.

    He noted that the rehabilitation of the Abuja-Kaduna road, the provision of effective security along the highway showed that
    Nigerians have what it takes to make the country a proud member of the comity of nations.

    Mohammed also hailed the perfect handling of the massive logistics involved in ensuring that the Kaduna Airport
    was able to handle a large number of flights.

    “It is to the credit of the security agencies and the Federal Road Safety Corps that passengers travelling along the ever-busy
    Abuja-Kaduna highway were largely kept safe while the closure of the Abuja airport lasted.

    “There was no known security scare while accidents on the road were kept at the barest minimum, despite the increased vehicular traffic.

    “Who can forget the timely departure and arrival of the Abuja-Kaduna train that ferried thousands of passengers
    back and forth during the Abuja airport closure?

    “Indeed, the closure of the Abuja airport runway and the logistic nightmare it triggered must rank among the most intimidating
    challenges faced by this Administration,” he said.

    The Minister reminded those who might want to trivialize the feat by the present government to realize that what could not be done in the over 30 years the runway was left to deteriorate was achieved in just six weeks, even under an economic recession.

    He also recalled that the Port Harcourt International Airport was closed for almost two years by the Jonathan administration.

    Mohammed thanked Nigerians for enduring the inconveniences that came with the relocation of Abuja flights to Kaduna.

    He also thanked the Ethiopian Airlines that operated its scheduled Abuja flights to Kaduna and the Julius Berger construction company that worked day and night to deliver the project ahead of schedule.

    Mohammed said the success recorded in the timely reconstruction of the runway could only rank next to the determined effort with which the government contained the Boko Haram insurgency.

    The minister noted that the current administration under the stewardship of President Muhammadu Buhari  was employing the same uncommon determination to tackle all the challenges facing the country.

     

     

  • Abuja airport closure: Rail service records over 18, 000 passengers

    The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) says passengers plying Abuja to Kaduna by rail have increased tremendously due to the closure of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja for repair works.

    Mr Victor Aduma, the rail service operations manager, made this known to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja.

    Aduma said that about 18,794 passengers used the rail service in the last three weeks.

    According to him, a total of 2,822 passengers joined the service on a free-ride to the Kaduna Airport while 15,972 passengers went on normal trip since March.8.

    “We started Kaduna Airport free service on March 8; the volume of passengers have been high.

    “The aim is to ease the pain on passengers connecting their flight at Kaduna pending when the repair works at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja is over,” he said.

    Adamu said that the ride had been hitch-free except for the urgent need of more coaches.

    According to him, the volume of passengers has outgrown the four coaches on ground. 

  • EFCC seizes N49m cash at Kaduna airport

    EFCC seizes N49m cash at Kaduna airport

    Who owns the N49 million “crispy notes of N200 and N50 denominations” abandoned at the Kaduna International Airport?
    This is the puzzle the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is trying to resolve.
    The EFCC found the cash on Monday night, packed in sacks.
    A man believed to be the owner ran away before EFCC operatives could question him.
    The cash was discovered by EFCC Zonal Office in Kaduna in five large black 150kg sacks during routine baggage screening at the airport.
    A top source in the commission said: “Upon careful scrutiny of the sacks, it was discovered that they contained fresh crispy naira notes of N200 denomination in 200 bundles totaling N40million and N50 denomination in 180 bundles totaling N9million.
    “The bundles were all sealed, purportedly emanating from the Nigerian Security and Minting Company (MSPMC) as seen in the label on the packs.
    “The five sacks were sighted unattended and without tags containing fresh bulk items suspected to be money from the aroma perceived from the sacks.
    “The owner of the money later showed up but could not state the exact money in the sacks or present any document authenticating the genesis of the monies.
    “However, his inability to give any concrete explanation made him become uncomfortable and he disappeared before the arrival of EFCC operatives.”
    Another source said the EFCC was working on clues that the fleeing suspect might be a courier for a syndicate.
    “We will get to the root of this crime. There is a way we can collaborate with some agencies to trace the source of the N49million.
    “We will also deploy forensic equipment and retrieve CCTV footage at the airport to identify the suspect,” the source said, pleading not to be named so as not to jeopardise the investigation.

  • Not a smooth take-off at Kaduna Airport

    Not a smooth take-off at Kaduna Airport

    With the huge Abuja traffic moving into Kaduna Airport in the next five weeks, some logistic problems have reared their head. Concerted efforts by aeronautical agencies can mitigate the problems, KELVIN OSA OKUNBOR reports

    Despite all the preparations, it seemed nothing was done when flight operations began last week. Passengers have tales of woes to tell. They are complaining of ill-preparations by airlines and ancilliary service providers.

    From absence of point of sales (PoS) terminals, automated teller machines (ATMs), automated passenger processing and profiling equipment, airlines and passengers are struggling to align their businesses with prescribed standards mandated by the International Air Transport Association ( IATA).

    Though critical safety and security facilities, including screening machines and points are manned at the airport by personnel, Common User Terminal Equipment (CUTE) and other Automated Operations Management System (AOMS) are  yet to be installed at the airport.

    The global airlines and regulator insist these facilities – CUTE and AOMS – as prescribed by IATA, should be made available at airports to simplify the business of travel by easing passenger processing and facilitation.

    The use of the Kaduna Airport, according to the Minister of State, Aviation, Hadi Sirika, is an intervention to make way for major repairs of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. But many passengers said the closure of Abuja airport for flights could have been delayed until all facilities are fixed in Kaduna.

    Investigations reveal that aviation fuel suppliers, airline catering, and other ancillary service providers only mobilised limited equipment and personnel to Kaduna Airport to match the scale of flight operations.

    At the moment, Ethiopian Airlines is the only foreign carrier operating  flights into Kaduna Airport.

    Other foreign carriers, including British Airways, Lufthansa  German Airlines, South African Airways, Air France/KLM  cited logistics a few months ago as part of the reasons they would not operate flights into the airport.

    Sources hinted that regional carriers, such as ASKY Airlines, may join Ethiopian airlines to connect passengers into and out Kaduna Airport if more logistic and facilitation equipment are provided at the airport.

    But nine scheduled domestic carriers – Air Peace, AZMAN Air, Medview Airlines, Aero , Arik Air, DANA Air, Overland Airways and First Nation Airways have been struggling to keep their operations afloat at Kaduna Airport in the face of limited facilities.

    An airline operator who pleaded not to be named said government should have partnered with financial institutions to provide banking facilities.

    There are no automated teller machines at the new terminal for passengers who find it convenient to carry out payment for fares and extra luggage using cashless platform.

     

    Ministerial admission

     

    In an interview, last week in Kaduna, Sirika said government is aware of the challenges at Kaduna Airport. He said efforts were on to improve the state of facilities.

    Sirika said: “This is to thank  travelling passengers into and out of Kaduna consequent on closure of Abuja  Airport to attend to some safety concerns that the runway has completely failed.

    “We diverted operations to Kaduna and we did tremendous amount of work to get Kaduna to be efficient enough to serve the purpose.

    “We also want to say to Nigerians that this thing is temporary, they should bear with us in this time of emergency situation. Of course, they may observe some lapses. It is not  intentional. Once they find that out, we have a system in place where they can lodge their complaints and it will be attended to.”

    Investigations also revealed that many business class passengers are disappointed over non-completion of a business lounge, business centres, functional eateries, and other support facilities to keep them busy while they await their flights at Kaduna Airport.

     

    Passenger’s experience

     

    Though some passengers are excited over diversion of flights into Kaduna Airport, they say the government should provide business support facilities to enable airlines carry out seamless operations.

    A passenger, who identified himself as Toriola Stevens, expressed disappointment that  some airlines operating at Kaduna Airport do not have points of sales terminal facilities .

    He said the absence of such has encouraged some airlines to hike fares at late hours.

    He said: “Airlines at the airport do not even have PoS machines for people to buy tickets.

    ‘’One airline decided to hike its price exponentially because passengers were to pay with cash. The airline claimed that  they have closed their counters.

    ‘’Why should we start using an international airport that does not have any banking facility , no ATM machine, Stevens asked. To get money you have to travel many kilometres outside the airport, in the outskirts of city to get money. This is not convenient for passengers,’’ he added.

    Another passenger, who identified herself as Linda Ufot, said she was trapped at the airport because of absence of banking facilities.

    She said it was of no use to have an international airport without standard facilities.

    Ufot said: “I almost turned to a beggar last week when I travelled through the airport.

    ‘’I had looked forward to using my debit card to get some money for my air fare only to discover there were no ATM machines.’’

    Air navigation facilities

     

    The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has assured airlines, pilots and other stakeholders of smooth air navigation services at Kaduna Airport.

    Its Managing Director, Captain Fola Akinkuotu, who spoke to reporters at the airport, said the airspace agency had mobilised relevant personnel and equipment to ensure safe flights.

    Akinkuotu  said the instrument- landing systems and other air navigation equipment were working effectively and had been flight checked by the pilots of many airlines.

    He said NAMA has back ups for the relevant air navigation equipment.

    According to him, apart from the old aerodrome safety and fire security tower from where air traffic controllers give advisory services to pilots, NAMA had also mobilised its mobile tower from Abuja into Kaduna to ensure smooth flights.

    He said pilots of many airlines have flown into Kaduna Airport using installed air navigation equipment in line with global standards.

    He said airport operations is not about the terminal building, but critical safety equipment that will ensure smooth take-off and landings of aircraft.

    He said fixing such critical safety equipment is what NAMA has done.

    Akinkuotu said: “NAMA has provided safety facilities because our work is navigation, surveillance and communication. NAMA is very satisfied that it has done a good job.

    “The glide scope, the instrument landing system are in place, we have the approach air field lighting that actually complement the instrument landing system.

    “The mobile tower  from Abuja is already in Kaduna working fine. Even our air traffic  controllers, engineers, aeronautical information services officers, air traffic communication officers are on ground to fix any equipment  that requires any repair.

    “We have deployed both equipment and personnel to strategic areas of need to ensure seamless flow of traffic at the airport during the six-week period.

    “We installed a digital Instrument Landing System (ILS) at Kaduna airport.”

    Other  facilities already deployed to Kaduna Airport, Akinkuotu said, include a low-level wind shear alerting and other cooling systems.

    “The Performance Based Navigation (PBN) procedures for satellite-based navigation capability have been published for aircraft that are  equipped to use it for approach and landing, rather than ground aids,”he added.

  • Kaduna airport ready for 24-hour operations – NCAA

    The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has said the Kaduna International Airport is now fit and ready for 24-hour operations.

    The General Manager, Public Affairs of NCAA, Mr. Sam Adurogboye , said in Lagos on Tuesday that the airport was ready for local and international flights.

    Adurogboye explained that all necessary steps to ensure that the status of the airport as an alternative airport to the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport during the closure had been taken.

    The Federal Government had announced the closure of the Abuja airport effective from midnight of Wednesday to allow for extensive repairs on the runway.

    The NCAA official assured all passengers of safety and security in all airports in the country.

    He said, “The navigational aids have been well calibrated and fully functional to facilitate continuous smooth landings and takeoffs.

    “Therefore, towards a seamless flight operations in line with Standard and Recommended Practices (SARPs) all relevant departments and directorates with full complement of staff have been redeployed to Kaduna.”

    Adurogboye said the Regional Managers of NCAA for Abuja and Kaduna offices were on ground to allow for smooth integration of the additional staff coming to Kaduna.

     

  • Only Ethiopian airline to fly to Kaduna airport

    Only Ethiopian airline to fly to Kaduna airport

    •Fed Govt plans tight security, emergency medicare

    THE Federal Government said yesterday that tight security has been put in place on Kaduna highway, few hours to the closure of Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport,Abuja for runway repair.
    It added that there will be heavy security presence in every five kilometres along the route.
    But despite the assurance, only Ethiopian airline has agreed to fly to Kaduna.
    Two other airlines – Turkish Airways and Lufthansa – are yet to decide if they would fly the route during the six-week closure.
    The government said talks are ongoing with the two airlines and their stance would be made public soon.
    Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika, Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris and others said this in Abuja yesterday at a ministerial press briefing on the airport closure.
    Sirika said: “We are going ahead with the closure of the airport as announced and it will be done by midnight of March 8.”
    He emphasised that the closure would not exceed the stipulated six weeks.
    On the number of foreign airlines that will fly to Kaduna, Sirika said: “So far, we have Ethiopian airline. They said they would be coming with a brand new airplane, the latest aircraft in the whole world – 787.
    “We are still talking with Lufthansa and Turkish airline on their intent to come. We may conclude today. At the end of the day, we will know if they would or not.”
    On information about movement of passengers and flight schedule, passengers were advised to visit www.abujaairport closure.info.
    On the losses that airline operators would incur following the closure, the government said the loss would be in the interest of safety and could not be compared to the lives of travellers.
    On how much the repair work will cost, the minister said: “I do not have the exact figure now. But I know the contractors were paid in excess of N5 billion.”
    He added that bus and train service for passengers from and to Abuja would be free.
    Sirika said there will also be helicopter arrangement for those who can afford it.
    On security arrangements, Idris said the police have deployed various units to ensure safety and security of passengers.
    Some of the units deployed are: Explosive Ordinance Department (EOD), Counter-Terrorism Unit (CTU), Mobile Police Force (MPF), Force Animal Branch (FAB) and the airwing.
    Idris said: “All units have been fully deployed. Patrol vehicles, helicopters to cover the airport and some of the flashpoint areas like Katari. We will ensure periodic surveillance.
    “Also, at every five kilometres on the road, officers of the police will be on ground to ensure adequate security.”
    On the level of preparedness of Kaduna airport, Mohammed said: “After inspection of the airport on Friday by the Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo, the summary of the inspection is that the airport is not ready 100 per cent, but it is suitable enough for operation.”
    On his part, Amaechi said: “We have kept to the promise we made that all will be ready for flight operation to Kaduna. The only area we seem to have problem is the terminal building and it will be completed before Saturday.”
    The Federal Government has approved the Nigeria Air Force ( NAF) Base Hospital, 44 Army Hospital and the St. Geralds Catholic Hospital located in Kaduna State for emergency operation.
    Minister of State for Health Dr. Osagie Ehanire broke the news at the weekend when he embarked on facility tour of the hospitals chosen for referrals ahead of the temporary closure of the Abuja airport.

  • Airport diversion: IGP assures air passengers of maximum security

    Airport diversion: IGP assures air passengers of maximum security

    The Inspector General of Police,(IGP) Ibrahim Idris, has on Sunday assured air transport passengers being diverted to the Kaduna International Airport of maximum security.

    Idris gave the assurance following his inspection of security facilities in the airport.
    According to him, the force has deployed men and equipment required to perform their work including vehicles and helicopters for surveillance.

    “We mobilised men from different units of the force, counterterrorism and anti bomb squads to man security points within and outside airport.

    “We have also deployed sniffer dogs in all the nook and cranny of the airport to ensure adequate security on the issue of movement of passengers from Kaduna to Abuja.

    “We are covering all the highway from Kaduna to Abuja and other roads linking  the town.

    “We will provide security for all the vehicles to be provided by the Federal Government as charter vehicles.

    ”We will equally provide security at railway stations. The Police will give effective security throughout the period of operations.”

    The IGP said synergy with the airport authority was commendable and assured foreigners of their safety.

  • Why foreign airlines are rejecting Kaduna Airport – APC chieftain

    Why foreign airlines are rejecting Kaduna Airport – APC chieftain

    A chieftain of the APC in Kaduna State Yusuf Ali, has attributed the decision by foreign airlines to use the Kaduna airport as alternative airport when the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport is closed to bad publicity as a result of politicization of the decision.

    Ali who said it was no longer in doubt whether the runway at the Abuja airport was in need of repair said the Kaduna state government has demonstrated enough commitment to accepting the challenge by scaling up infrastructure and security to compliment efforts of the government.

    “Since the idea of the diversion of air traffic from Abuja to Kaduna was mooted, the Governor has faced the challenge squarely through the provision of complementary infrastructure and security to ensure the safety and comfort of passengers.

    “I watched with keen interest the debate that ensued in the wake of the decision to use the Kaduna airport for the duration of the repairs of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja. Some people deliberately attempted to politicised the patriotic intentions of the Buhari Administration. 

    “But the truth of the matter is that Abuja Airport runway is due for repairs and the only viable alternative is Kaduna. It therefore becomes imperative for lovers of development to embrace and support this decision instead of casting aspersions.

    “One of the major attractions to Kaduna is the availability of standard gauge rail-line between Kaduna and Abuja. For any passenger who desires alternative and convenient means of transportation to Abuja, he can simply use the services of the speed train that takes him to Abuja in matter of minutes. 

    “Of course there is need for the Minister of Transportation to consider increasing the frequency of the trips between Kaduna to Abuja as against the two trips per day being operated the Nigerian Railway Corporation in order to meet up with the volume of passengers. The road is also convenient courtesy of the intervention of the Kaduna State Government in some areas.

    “Kaduna also has a genial environment that is a natural attraction for visitors as well as comfortable hotels and guesthouses for those who may wish sleep over. The security in the state is also tight to guarantee the safety to passengers,” he said.

    Ali condemned the negative publicity being given the use of the Kaduna International Airport in spite of the upgrading of infrastructure at the airport by the government, adding that it was such negative publicity that informed the decisions of some international airlines to boycott Kaduna even though they fly into Port Harcourt with far inferior infrastructure.

    He said: “Some international airlines go to Port Harcourt but because of what they read in the newspapers being promoted by some sentimental analysts, they are now dragging their foot on coming to Kaduna, which has all it takes to accommodate their airlines. To be candid, which contiguous state to Abuja has airport and navigational facilities that can accommodate commercial airlines save for Kaduna.

    “I am appealing to such international airlines to rescind this very unpopular decision which is not grounded in any fair analysis or fact but purely based on media sentiment. This is in consideration of the fact that Nigeria is their biggest market in Africa and the least they can do is to reconsider their decision and fly into Kaduna”.