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Tag: Kaduna International Airport

  • Air Peace launches Kaduna service

    ……We’ll unite Nigeria with flight operations, Onyema assures

     

    Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace, Mr. Allen Onyema has said the carrier is embarking on massive expansion of its domestic flight operations to tackle air travel difficulties in Nigeria and build bridges of unity across the country.

    Onyema spoke on Monday in Kaduna State in an address to mark the commencement of Air Peace’s daily flights from the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos to the Kaduna International Airport.

    The launch of the airline’s Lagos-Kaduna service came exactly a week after the carrier started scheduled flights from Lagos, Abuja and Accra to Roberts International Airport, Monrovia, Liberia.

    Onyema, who was represented by Air Peace Corporate Communications Manager, Mr. Chris Iwarah described the launch of the carrier’s Lagos-Kaduna service as a “significant milestone in our vision to unite our dear country, Nigeria through air travel and lift the nation’s economy through trade facilitation and massive job creation.”

    He said the airline, which also launched its daily flights to Kano and Yola on February 12 and 15, 2018 respectively, was working on setting up mini-hubs across Nigeria and the West Coast of Africa to strategically fix the challenges of air travel.

    “Our plan”, he said, “is to massively expand our operations from our base in Lagos into mini-hubs across all regions of Nigeria and the West Coast of Africa. We assure you that the North of Nigeria will be one of the biggest beneficiaries of the massive expansion of our route network and fleet capacity. Since the first quarter of 2018, we have begun to take delivery of the six 50-seater Embraer 145 aircraft we recently acquired to serve cities with air transport difficulties under our subsidiary, Air PeaceHopper.

    Read Also: Air Peace, Benue seal deal on flights to Makurdi  

    “There is no doubt that as the leading and biggest airline in Nigeria with a fleet size of 24 aircraft, we are now more positioned to transform air travel experience in Nigeria, the West Coast of Africa and beyond. But more importantly, we are proud to use our flight services to build bridges of unity in Nigeria. We are not just achieving this by extending our flight operations across Nigeria without restriction, we also are doing so with our employment policy that does not discriminate on the grounds of religion, tribe and creed.”

    Onyema assured air travellers on the Lagos-Kaduna route of efficient, on-time and safe flight operations.

    “We are coming into the Kaduna route with a reputation for on-time performance and uncompromising stand on matters of safety. We promise to leverage the experience of our skilled staff and excellent business model to end the challenges of air travel on the Kaduna route and make Kaduna more accessible to leisure and business travellers,” he said.

    For his part, the Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Shehu Idris praised Air Peace for commencing flight operations to Kaduna.

    The royal father, who was represented by the District Head of Makera, Alhaji Shehu Tijani, assured the airline of the support and patronage of the Zazzau Emirate Council and the people of Kaduna State.

    Also speaking shortly after the launch flight, a 50-seater Embraer 145 operated by Capt. Matthew Ekeinde, Capt. Lawali Abubakar, First Officer Henry Khantiok, Lead Crew, Marylinda Okoye and Cabin Crew Executive, Sandra Nwagbologu, touched down to a warm reception and water salute by aviation regulators, workers and leaders of corporate organizations at the Kaduna International Airport at about 9.18 a.m., the acting Airport Manager, Mr. Jacob Ijaluwoye pledged the support of the management of the airport for Air Peace to ensure its success on the Lagos-Kaduna route.

  • 1,104 intending pilgrims will perform 2017 Hajj from Plateau – Amirul Hajj

    1,104 intending pilgrims will perform 2017 Hajj from Plateau – Amirul Hajj

    A total of 1,104 intending pilgrims from Plateau will perform the 2017 pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia, Alhaji Dayyabu Garga, the state Amirul Hajj, has disclosed.

    Garga told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Jos that each of the intending pilgrim would pay N1.529 million for their airfare and other logistics.

    The Amirul Hajj is the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.

    He told NAN that based on the time table released by the National Hajj Commission, intending pilgrims from the state are expected to be airlifted on Aug. 22.

    “Unlike previous years when intending pilgrims from Plateau were airlifted from Kaduna International Airport, this year, they will be airlifted from Bauchi International Airport,” Garga said.

    He said that the state Muslims Pilgrims Commission had already commenced sensitisation of the intending pilgrims.

    He said the prospective pilgrims were advised to `carry things that are not prohibited in the holy land as the Saudi Authorities don’t bend their laws.

    “We try to educate them on some of the laws to be mindful of and work in the confines of the law.

    “We advised them to secure their Basic Travelling Allowance (BTA) as that is their feeding allowance that will sustain them in the period that they will stay in the holy land,’’ he said.

  • Kaduna International Airport records 189,734 passengers, 3,274 aircraft movements in 6 weeks

    The Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), says a total of 189,734 passengers and 3,273 aircraft movements were processed at the Kaduna International Airport between March 8 and April 17.

    FAAN made this known in its monthly statistical report made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) by its Acting General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Mrs Henrietta Yakubu on Friday in Abuja.

    The report indicated that a total of 175,931 passengers were processed on scheduled domestic flights, comprising 89,655 arrivals and 86,276 departures.

    It also revealed that 1,474 passengers, comprising 472 arrivals and 1,002 departures were processed on non-scheduled domestic flights during the period under review.

    According to the report, the airport also processed 12,329 passengers on scheduled international flights, comprising 5,638 on arrivals and 6,691 on departures.

    On the whole, a total of 3,274 domestic aircraft movements comprising 2,340 scheduled and 736 non-scheduled flights were recorded according to the statistics.

    It also showed that the aircraft movements for scheduled international flights were 122, while non-scheduled flights recorded two aircraft movements during the period.

    According to the report, the airport received 84 cargo flights through courier service.

    Flight operations began at the airport on March 8, following closure of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja for its runway rehabilitation.

    Meanwhile, Ethiopian Airlines was the only international airline that operated in Kaduna during the period.

    The airline processed 11,568 passengers in and out of the airport.

    Out of this figure, according to the Airline’s Traffic and Sales Manager, Mrs Firiehiwot Mekonnen, 6,456 were processed on departures, while 5,112 were on arrivals

     

  • Abuja Airport reopens for operation after six weeks

    Abuja Airport reopens for operation after six weeks

    After six weeks closure, the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja was on Tuesday reopened for operation.

    The Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika was said to be on board the test flight from Kaduna international airport which landed at the Abuja airport on Tuesday morning.

    Details later…

  • Ethiopian Airline airlifts 4,500 passengers from Kaduna airport in 28 days

    Ethiopian Airline airlifts 4,500 passengers from Kaduna airport in 28 days

    Ethiopian Airlines says it has airlifted over 4,500 passengers from Kaduna International Airport since it commenced flight operations from the airport on March 8.

    Mrs Firiehiwot Mekonnen, the airline’s Traffic and Sales Manager, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja that it had so far operated 28 flights from the airport.

    “We have airlifted more than 4,500 passengers; we also operated 28 flights from March 8 to April 4 and our experience so far is good.

    “Ethiopian Airlines, having a vision of being the leading aviation group, is working hard to have more than 120 destinations as one of the vision 2025 goals,” she said.

    Mekonnen described as encouraging the level of work so far done on the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja and expressed optimism that the airport would be reopened on April 19.

    She, however, urged the contractor to maintain the high pace of work on the runway and ensure that the deadline was met.

    “We have not seen the runway yet but from the report we are getting we think the government will meet the deadline,” she said.

    NAN recalls that the Minister of State, Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika had on March 30, disclosed that over 50 international flights had been operated from Kaduna airport with about 4,000 international passengers in three weeks.

    He added that about 73,000 domestic passengers had been airlifted with about 1,119 aircraft movements for domestic operations.

    NAN reports that Ethiopian Airline is the only foreign airline operating from Kaduna, while two Nigerian airlines, Arik and Medview, also operate international flights from the airport.

    As at March 29, Arik had airlifted about 165 international passengers with 11 aircraft movements for both arrivals and departures.

    NAN reports that the Federal Government shut Abuja airport on March 8 for six weeks to carry out major repairs on its 3.6 km runway.

    The rehabilitation work has reached 75 per cent completion two weeks to the reopening of the airport, according to a tweet by the minister on Wednesday.

  • Abuja Airport runway repairs about 58% ready

    Abuja Airport runway repairs about 58% ready

    The Federal Government Thursday said the runway repairs ongoing at the Nnamdi Azikwe International airport is 57.5 percent completed.

    The FG also disclosed that escalators, lifts and lounge will be installed at Terminal building to ease the movement for the aged and the physically challenged.

    Also, since flight operations were moved to Kaduna International Airport, the federal government said it has witnessed about 1,119 domestic flights operation and 50 international flights.

    This was disclosed in Abuja Thursday after the Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika and the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed inspected the extent of work done three weeks into the closure of the runway.

    Sirika said: “Without going deep into the reasons why the airport had to be closed; basically because of safety, the runway had completely failed at several sections, making it impossible to take the option of repairs at night and operating by day.

    “Here we are, we choose the decision in the interest of safety and we commenced. Work is going on smoothly and everything is in order.

    “From the programme of work, we were supposed to import all necessary materials that need to be imported and those that are local be sourced and at the work site, the contractor has mobilized fully and we have done now about 57.5 percent of the total work which is good and which shows that we are on time and that we are doing what we are supposed to do to ensure that the runway is opened come 19th of April.”

    On other works that is ongoing at the airport, he said: “we are on course and this runway will be opened on the 19th of April and it will not only be opened, the terminal building will wear a new look.

    “We are doing complete rehabilitation of Wing D at the airport. We will put escalators and lifts for departure at that terminal.

    “Also, we are opening up a lounge for the disable, challenged and elderly. This in response from our thoughts and the feedback we get including the feedback from Omojuwa who said he hopes it will be opened with lift for the elderly and the challenged.

    “It has been part of what we planned, so we are speaking in the same language with users of our service.

    “In the Terminal B, we are building a new lift also, constructing it to install and of course, toilets and other artillery services will be provided. So, the benefit of this closure means that we are having improved terminal.

    “A terminal that is more robust, take more passengers and create seamless flow, international and local passengers not mixing. They will go to different sides of the airport entirely and that is according to international standards, ICAO standards and recommended practices.

    “So, the airport will be more compliant if you ask me and more functional and efficient at the time it will be opened”, he said.

    Speaking on some materials that were imported for the purpose of the rehabilitation, he said: “I am being asked what is imported for this purpose; there is a new technology where glass grid is put in the process of constructing the runway to reinforce it, to give it extra strength and prevent cracks.

    “This is the first time any Nigerian runway is being treated with such material and that material is a 50 tonner. We had to fly it in to Nigeria to ensure that it comes in time for this job and you have seen samples of it.

    He added: “The runway work is going according to plan and you could also see that we are working simultaneously. Whilst the surface work is being finished, the installation of lightings are going on at the same time, channels are being cut for the laying of wires and also installation of lights at the same time.”

    On the statistics of passengers and flight operation in Kaduna since the closure of the Abuja airport runway, Sirika said: “We have had about 50 international flights out of Kaduna, we have moved about 4000 international passengers out of Kaduna and about 73,000 domestic passengers and about 1,119 aircraft movement for domestics.

    “There are inconveniences for people but I am sure Nigerians are in support in the interest of safety.”

    On whether there will be any delay if rain falls before the 23 of April, the date predicted by NiMet for rain to start in Abuja, the Minister said: “there won’t be disruption because we have factored that into our thoughts.

    “So long as we don’t get some surprises, even though science and technology is factual, and precise, something can go wrong and God can decide to do something different but so long it is normal rain that will set in and go away as we envisaged, it is not going to disrupt our operation but if it something beyond the usual that can tamper, of course it will tamper but all the same, I think with all of that, we will be able to reopen on the 19th.”

    On the delay of flight operation from Kaduna to London, Sirika said: “the operations that would have happened on Monday for us to fly direct to London was on course until that Monday.

    “We had couple of issues with the local carrier we wanted to partner with. The aircraft is available, the route is available, the capacity and ability of the local partner; but we have some issues which is being considered.

    “We were of the belief that everything was okay and that is why we projected Monday, however, as soon as that is sorted out, we will commence that flight.

    “Our intent is to make all of our airport, regardless to be able to access the world through them, so we are taking them seriously. So, I will update you as soon as I have an uodate”, he added.

    Also speaking, Lai Mohammed assured that the six weeks promised will not be extended.

    He said: “We believe it is befitting that we bring you here again since we are three weeks gone from the six weeks we promised to see the extent of the work that has been done.

    “This is to reiterate that the six weeks we promised the world is still valid and we don’t intend to give any excuses.”

     

  • Dana boss lauds facilities at Kaduna Airport

    The Managing Director, Dana Air, Mr Jacky Hathiramani, has applauded the Minister of State Aviation, Capt. Hadi Sirika over the execution of the Kaduna Airport as alternate to Abuja Airport.

    Hathirmani gave the commendation in a statement issued in Lagos on Wednesday by Mr Kingsley Ezenwa, the airline’s Communications Manager.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Hathirmani had earlier carried out a spot-check of the Kaduna International Airport.

    The airline boss said considering the time and the urgent need for the Abuja airport to be closed for desired maintenance, the minister and the aviation agencies should be commended.

    “This commendation is for the speed, tireless work and commitment they have shown in ensuring that the airport is world-class for passengers flying in and out of Kaduna,” he said.

    Hathirmani disclosed that more passengers were now embracing the Kaduna Airport as alternate to Abuja and cargo services were also improving gradually.

    The airline boss also said the Kaduna–Abuja expressway is now smooth and okay for passengers to connect from Kaduna to Abuja.

    “The security arrangement on the road is also commendable. I just went for a meeting in Abuja and I have taken time to assess the facilities.

    “Some of the facilities here are world-class and it is just two hours to Abuja.

     “For us, we are always conscious of the fact that passengers will be connecting Abuja from here.

    “We have made adequate arrangements to ensure that all our departures from Lagos to Kaduna and other routes are as scheduled,” he said.

     Commenting on the inability of passengers to pay their fares using Point of Sales (POS), the managing director said the airline now had its POS working.

     “We had to fast-track the process with our banks in order to reduce the burden on our passengers.

    “I also sighted an ATM somewhere around. Things are coming up to speed here and I think it’s good for the industry.

    “As you may be aware, everything we do at Dana Air is geared towards ensuring that passengers get all they need without hassles

    “Our passengers can also visit our website www.flydanaair.com for their booking, or download the Dana Mobile App which is also fast, secure and convenient for booking, reservation, payment and lots more,” he said.

    Speaking further, he urged the airline’s passengers to take advantage of the airline’s low fares and superior on-time performance.

    The airline boss advised passengers to be patient as the ministry and its agencies would continue to improve facilities at the Kaduna Airport to their satisfaction.

     

  • Abuja Airport closure: Organisers postpone Intl Trade and Investment Conference

    The Nigeria International Trade and Investment Conference (NITIC) 2017 with focus on agribusiness, manufacturing and financial services billed to hold in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital in March, has been postponed till June.

    Organisers, Africa International Trade and Development Trust said the postponement was due to the closure of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, for upgrade of its dilapidated runway.

    The spokesman for the conference organiser, NITIC, Mr Sand Mba Kalu disclosed this in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja.

    The conference, themed: “Multiple Frontiers-Moving Away From Oil”, aims to bring together local and international stakeholders to a common platform to strengthen the positive contributions from International Trade and Investment in the non-oil sector, focusing on agribusiness, manufacturing and financial services.

    NITIC 2017, endorsed by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) amongst others, scheduled for March 2017 at the NAF Conference Centre, Abuja, is now slated for June 2017 at the same venue.

    He said the change in date was necessary to accommodate the interest of stakeholders while allowing for the completion of maintenance and extensive repairs at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja, by the Federal Government.

    “Efforts to convince registered participants and embassies to use the Kaduna International Airport were fruitless;

    “We have talked to several of them but they seemed not interested in Kaduna. So, the only option was to postpone it to June, when the renovation work at the Abuja airport runway would have been over.

    “This change in date is at a huge cost, with travels and other logistics altered”, said Kalu.

     

  • I thank God my husband is back – Mrs Buhari

    I thank God my husband is back – Mrs Buhari

    The wife of the President, Mrs Aisha Buhari, received her husband, President Muhammadu Buhari, amid cheers from families and well wishers, who joined her to welcome the President from medical vacation.

    Mrs Buhari, who received the President at about 9a.m. at the official residence in the Presidential Villa, Abuja, thanked Nigerians for their support and prayer for the President.

    The wife of the President was joined by Mrs Dolapo Osinbajo, the wife of the Vice-President, wives of State Governors, Ministers, family members and her close associates.

    Mrs Buhari, who was happy at the return of her husband, expressed gratitude to Almighty God for the successful return of the President.

    In the same vein, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Winifred Oyo-Ita, has expressed her happiness for the successful return of the President.

    Oyo-Ita urged Nigerians to continue praying for their leaders to enable them deliver good governance to the people.

    Also speaking, the Senior Special Assistant to the wife of the President Dr Hajo Sani, expressed her joy for the return of the President to the country.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that President Muhammadu Buhari, returned to Nigeria in the early hours of Friday from London, after 51 days of medical vacation.

    Buhari touched down at the new Kaduna International Airport at about 7.40 a.m on Friday, amid tight security.

  • Kaduna Airport ready for 24 hours operations – NCAA

    Kaduna Airport ready for 24 hours operations – NCAA

    Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has declared the Kaduna International Airport, Kaduna, is fit and ready for 24 hours local and international operations.

    All necessary steps to ensure that the status of the Airport as an Alternate Airport to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, (NAIA), during the closure have been put in place.

    Spokesman of NCAA, Sam Adurogboye stated this in a statement Tuesday.

    He said navigational equipment have been well calibrated and fully functional to facilitate continuous smooth landings and takeoffs.

    He said: “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 from the aviation agencies.

    “The Regional Managers of NCAA Abuja and Kaduna offices are on ground to allow for smooth integration of the additional staff coming to Kaduna.

    “To sustain the safety and security of airline operations, a team of Aviation Safety Inspectors (ASI) from the Directorate of Airworthiness Standards (DAWS), Directorate of Consumer Protection, (DCP), Directorate of Air Transport Regulations (DATR), Directorate of Aerodrome and AirspaceStandard, (DAAS) and Aviation Security Personnel are already at the airport.”

    He said the National Security Committee has designed and got approval for the Security programme to cover the airport and its environs during the six weeks closure.

    Adurogboye said relevant aviation agencies, the Regulatory Authority, (NCAA), Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Nigerian Customs and Excise, (NCS), Nigerian Immigration Service(NIS), Nigerian Police Force and other security services are all at the airport to provide unhindered facilitation of passenger traffic and flights.

    He said: “At the commencement of flights, it is expected that the Ethiopian Airlines (ET) will be the first scheduled airline to arrive the Kaduna International Airport upon the closure of Abuja Airport.

    “The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, (NCAA), wishes to assure all passengers that all hands are deck to conduct a safe and secure air transport operations at all airports in Nigeria.”

    In a related development, DANA Air said  it will commence flights to Kaduna on March 8, 2017.

    The airline said it will operate four daily flights from Lagos to Kaduna  while there will be one flight each from Uyo and Port Harcourt to Kaduna keeping strictly to its scheduled time of departure.

    The Accountable Manager of Dana Air, Mr Obi Mbanuzuo while speaking on the new schedule said: “We will commence four daily flights from Lagos to Kaduna and one flight each from Uyo and Port Harcourt to Kaduna on 8 March, and we intend keeping to our scheduled time of departure. From Kaduna to Lagos, our new schedule caters to the needs of all our passengers .”

    He said :” With  our on-time performance still unrivaled, our desire is to ensure that passengers connecting Abuja from Kaduna meet their appointments and commitments, while those visiting Kaduna can trust us to take them there on-time.’’

    Meanwhile, another domestic carrier: Air Peace said it has deployed  staff  to  Kaduna Airport to ensure smooth operations .

    In a statement the airline’s Corporate Communications Manager, Mr.  Chris Iwarah said the carrier has already deployed its staff to the Kaduna International Airport in readiness for diversion of Abuja-bound flights to the facility from March 8, 2017.

    Iwarah assured that Air Peace was fully prepared to operate flights into and out of the Kaduna airport during the shutdown of the Abuja facility.

    He confirmed that the airline would operate flights from Lagos, Port Harcourt, Enugu, Benin, Calabar, Owerri and Sokoto into and out of Kaduna.

    Iwarah urged air travelers to frequently visit the airline’s website, www.flyairpeace.com and social media platforms to get daily information on its flight operations during the closure of the Abuja airport.

    The airline’s staff, he added, would be available at all its offices to assist air travelers and provide up-to-date information on the Kaduna flight operations.