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Tag: Lagos airport

  • Lagos Airport not attacked by terrorists, say FAAN, Air Force

    THE Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the Nigerian Air Force have debunked reports of a video circulating in the social media showing terrorists attack at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.

    It came as the Airport Police Command said yesterday that it would investigate and prosecute persons behind the video.

    FAAN’s spokesperson Mrs. Henrietta Yakubu, in a statement, said the video was the handiwork of mischief-makers.

    She urged the international community to disregard such video, saying the airport is safe and activities going on smoothly.

    Mrs. Yakubu said the video in question was that of a simulation exercise carried out by Nigeria Air Force in conjunction with other aviation agencies about two years ago.

    The statement added: “FAAN will like to state unequivocally that MMIA is not under any kind of attack. The video in question is that of an old simulation carried out by Nigeria Air Force and others.

    “FAAN will like to advise those uploading such to desist from the act as it is not only malicious, wicked, embarrassing but also sending wrong signals to the world about the internal security of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

    Also yesterday, Air Force spokesman Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola said in a statement that the video in circulation was an airport security simulation exercise tagged: “Exercise Thunderbolt “, conducted by the Air Force two years ago.

    The statement reads: “The NAF wishes to state categorically that MMIA was not and has never been under any attack. The video being circulated shows an airport security simulation exercise, tagged: Exercise Thunderbolt”, which took place on November 8, 2016, over two years ago.

    “The exercise was aimed at practising NAF personnel and other security agencies at MMIA on actions to be taken in the event of an attack on the airport.

    “The general public is, therefore, advised to disregard the video and also endeavour to refrain from sharing or uploading unverified videos, pictures or articles so as not to cause panic. The NAF wishes to assure all local and international travellers that our airports remain safe and that they can go about their travels without any fear.”

    In a statement yesterday, Lagos Police Public Relations Officer, Chike Oti, who is a Chief Superintendent of Police, said the Police Commissioner has directed the command’s Intelligence Unit to unmask the persons behind the rumour for prosecution.

    The statement added: “In view of the disturbing video, the authorities of Lagos State Police Command contacted the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of operations at the Airport Command and he stated that the video was that of a simulation exercise carried out by Nigerian Air Force in conjunction with other agencies at the airport three years ago.

    “The command wishes to assure the public that MMIA is safe and secure and not under any form of attack as wickedly portrayed by those behind the rumour.”

  • Lagos Airport not under terrorists attack, says FAAN

    Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) on Saturday said that the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos was not under any form of terrorists attacks.
    FAAN’s spokesperson, Mrs Henrietta Yakubu said a video trending on social media suggesting such was the handiwork of mischief makers.
    She urged the international community to disregard such video as the airport is safe and activities going on smoothly.
    She said the video in question was that of a simulation exercise carried out by Nigeria Air Force in conjunction with other aviation agencies about two years ago.
    The statement reads: “FAAN will like to state unequivocally that MMIA is not under any kind of attack . The video in question is that of an old simulation carried out by Nigeria Air Force and others”.
    “FAAN will like to advise those uploading such to desist from the act as it is not only malicious , wicked , embarrassing but also sending wrong signals to the world about the internal security of the federal republic of Nigeria.”

  • Aviation unions disrupt flights at Lagos Airport

    Flights operations at the new domestic terminal Two of Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA2) , Ikeja, Lagos on Wednesday as aviation union members blocked entrance into the terminal with their vehicles.

    Sequel to the blockage of the entrance into the terminal, many airline staff could not access the facility to process early morning flights.

    Sources hinted that many passengers had to find their way to the old domestic wing – General Aviation Terminal ( GAT) axis of the airport.

    Airlines affected by the disruption include : Dana Air , Arik Air, AZMAN Air , AeroContractors and Medview Airlines.
    The action by the unions was a violation of a court order restraining them from stopping operations at the MMA 2 terminal managed by Bi – Courtney Aviation Services Limited( BASL).

    Confirming the development , spokesman of BASL , Steve Omolale said the unions have violated the laws of the land by going ahead to disrupt flights at the terminal.

    The unions are protesting against the sack of their members by BASL.
    Meanwhile normal flight operations are on going at the GAT, where Arik  Air and Air Peace operate from.

    Only yesterday,  the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos granted an order restraining the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) and the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) from disrupting the operations of the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two (MMA2).

    The court granted the order restraining the three unions from carrying out their threats of disrupting the activities of the terminal from this morning in the suit filed by Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), operators of MMA2.  

    The unions had given notice that they would disrupt operations at MMA2 from today over the disengagement of some workers of BASL who they said were disengaged for their alleged attempt to join them, but who the company said had attained retirement age or were found not to be diligent in their duties.

    But a statement issued by BASL yesterday said, “we will like to bring it to the attention of the entire public that the Federal High Court in Lagos in suit number FHC/L/CS/16412/18 has granted an order restraining the unions from carrying out their threats of disrupting the activities of the terminal. Pursuit to this order, members if the unions found in the premises of MMA2 would be liable to trespass. We reserve our right under the law of Nigeria to deal with such person as a trespasser”.

    BASL also assured customers and passengers of MMA2 that they will continue having seamless access to the facility.

    The statement said: “BASL is fully aware of the plan by some unions in the aviation sector to disrupt the operations of MMA2 over our decision to disengage some employees. Disengaging the ex-employees had nothing to do with unionism, as we were not aware of this. In as much as we know that the unions have the right to protest without disturbing public peace and safety, we too reserve the right to ensure that our operations and services are not interrupted in any way whatsoever.

    “Despite the fact that we have bent backwards, even beyond our contractual obligations, to resolve the matter of the ex-staff amicably, the unions are still adamant in their resolve to disrupt the operations of MMA2. Any attempt to carry out this lawless act despite the subsisting court order would be viewed seriously and considered as an act of economic sabotage targeting a concession which they constantly tried to truncate. And as a law-abiding corporate citizen, we will do everything possible within the ambit of the law to protect our facility.

    “We wish to use this opportunity to assure our numerous customers, including all the airlines operating from our terminal, and the passengers that MMA2 will remain open for business, as every measure has been put in place to ensure that security and safety is maintained for the flying public.”

  • Visa on arrival: 38,000 passengers processed at Lagos Airport

    No fewer than 38,000 passengers, including potential investors, have been processes at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos  under the Visa On Arrival scheme and Ease of Doing Business policy rolled out by government in the last one year, according to sources close to the Nigeria Immigration Services (NIS).

    The Nation learnt that the bulk of the passengers were investors and tourists seeking business opportunities.

    An immigration source told The Nation that many investors are latching on the visa scheme.

    It said: “Investment is booming in the country as more and more investors are finding their way to the West African country to trade and do other forms of businesses investing both funds and technology.”

    According to the source,  the over 38,000 passengers came in from all over the world but there were frequent influx from countries like  the United States (U.S.), China, Britain, Canada, South Africa, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Zambia and a host of others.

    She said: “The visa on arrival is seriously helping and It is a good omen for this country. The Nigeria Immigration Services has done something great and this has helped access of investment as people will make their application and come in and pay for it, instead of going to the embassy.”

    On the duration of the visa, she explained that the VOA has always been a duration of one month, stating that once an approval is granted by the Comptroller General, it has a two-week validity.

  • Attempt to remove aircraft sparks row at Lagos Airport

    AttemptS by some aviation agencies to smuggle out two aircraft parked at the tarmac has sparked a row at the domestic wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airpoirt, Ikeja, Lagos.

    At the centre of the controversy are the aircraft lessor, SEA Gold Investment Limited; local aviation regulatory agencies- Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN); domestic airlines- Aerocontractors and Topbrass Aviation.

    The objects of the controversy are two 50-seater Bombardier DHC 8-315 aircraft with registration marks 5N- TBB and 5N TBC.

    Topbrass Aviation, which brought the aircraft into the country under “finance purchase” agreement from SEA Gold Investment Limited, said it was being challenged by  a firm represented by  a pilot in the Presidential Air Fleet.

    Topbrass Aviation said it paid higher lease rentals for 30 months for the two aircraft and was seeking to repossess them because of the residual paid for ownership.

    The airline said it was not bound by the conditions of Cape Town Convention, whereby airlines enter into operating  lease using the mobile asset as collateral.

    Topbrass Aviation contends it  has a court order restraining FAAN, NAMA, NCAA and AeroContractors from taking the aircraft out of the country, but a top source in the industry insists that SEA Gold Investment Limited has the right of attorney over the aircraft.

    Investigations reveal that unresolved issues concerning the conclusion of payment of lease rentals amounting to over $12 million by Topbrass Aviation to  SEA Gold Investment Limited it procured the aircraft from is the bone of contention.

    Topbrass Aviation was negotiating with SEA Gold Investment Limited for the renewal of its contract agreement for the finance lease of the two aircraft, because it did not default in the payment of the lease rentals. The NCAA, ordered it to handover the documents to the firm represented by the pilot in the Presidential Fleet .

    A source hinted that while the Ministry of Aviation and other agencies were trying to mediate between Topbrass Aviation and SEA Gold, the NCAA was allegedly working with some individuals to hand over the aircraft to the highly placed person in the industry.

    Efforts by Topbrass Aviation to prevail on the NCAA to re- register the two aircraft, while the matter was being resolved did not yield fruit as the aircraft  registration numbers were erased and the airplane towed from the tarmac of the general aviation terminal into Aerocontractors hangar.

    Speaking in an interview, President , Topbrass Aviation, Captain Roland Iyayi, said the NCAA, FAAN, and Aerocontractors have  been colluding with the firm to take possession of the two aircraft, even after Topbrass had concluded an agreement with SEA Gold Investment Limited.

    Iyayi alleged that NCAA, had since 2015 de-registered the aircraft from its data base.

    Sensing surreptitious moves to ferry the aircraft out of the country, Iyayi said Topbrass went to court to secure an order restraining concerned parties from tampering with the two aircraft.

    He regrets that despite the court order asking the parties not to tamper with the aircraft , NCAA and FAAN, and others are still perfecting plans to ferry the aircraft out of town.

    Sequel to this,Iyayi said Topbrass Aviation had filed contempt proceedings charge against the affected parties.

    A source close to Aerocontractors,said upon receiving the court papers, it has resolved to have nothing to do with the aircraft in contention.

    The Aerocontractors official said  the airline was  only approached by a third party to carry out maintenance check on the disputed aircraft.

    He denied that Aerocontractors was part of the plot to ferry out the aircraft.

    The Aerocontractors official said the aircraft will be towed out of its hangar to the tarmac of the GAT, as evidence of its non involvement in the matter.

    Officials of NCAA declined to comment on the matter because the issue is before a court of competent jurisdiction.

    Investigations revealed that FAAN, despite orders of the court restraining it from tampering with the aircraft has communicated its security personnel to release the aircraft to SEA Gold Investment Limited.

    In a letter with reference number FAAN /1600/OOT331, the authority said : “We write in respect of two aircraft (Bombardier Dosh 8 Q300 series) parked at the General Aviation Terminal of Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja.

    “You are hereby directed to grant Messrs SEA Gold Investment Limited access to the aircraft and release same to the company accordingly.

    “The above is for your information and further necessary action.

    “Please ensure strict compliance and treat as very urgent.”

    Copies of the letter by FAAN were forwarded to Director General of NCAA, Director,  Security Services, FAAN ; Director, Airport Operations, FAAN and Terminal Manager, (GAT, FAAN).

    Speaking further on the matter, Iyayi said : “ It is sad that the NCAA as a regulator is allowing impunity to take over the aviation sector. Rather than seeking truce on issues affecting airlines and aircraft lessors, it is colluding with other agencies to allow people hijack, steal and smuggle out an aircraft out of the country.

    Despite court orders on the issue, the NCAA , not only re-registered the aircraft, it colluded with other agencies to issue documents to the highly placed personality in the industry to have access to the aircraft. What NCAA has done is pure promotion of anarchy  on the air side.”

  • Row over missed flight at Lagos airport

    •Airline promises action as passengers press claims

    A row yesterday broke out between an airline and some of its passengers who missed their flight to Kano.

    The passengers, among them a journalist, are blaming Air Peace for the development.

    Recounting what happened, the journalist, Mr Wale Ajetunmobi, said they were on the check-in queue on Wednesday at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, when an official of the airline asked them to move to another line.

    The official, he said, took the action because the first line was not moving fast.

    He said after being screened, he rushed to board his flight, but was told that boarding had ended. Ajetunmobi booked online and was issued reference number ADN2PR for the 6:40am Kano flight. He got to the airport at 5:40am for the flight and was issued a boarding pass.

    At the boarding gate, Ajetunmobi claimed he was asked to pay N5000 as ‘no-show’ penalty and reschedule his trip for yesterday.

    “I protested and demanded why I needed to pay when I did not deliberately miss the flight. I wondered why a ‘trained flight official’ would call the development a ‘no-show’ when I was issued a boarding pass and my checkedin luggage had been taken to the destination,” he said.

    He lodged a complaint with the Air Peace supervisor on duty, simply identified as Peggy, who confirmed that she was aware of the confusion created by the official, who directed the passengers to leave the queue. Peggy apologised to the journalist and rescheduled his trip for yesterday morning free of charge.

    He was re-issued the same reference number ADN2PR and Peggy told him to check-in online.

    Ajetunmobi said: “I did just as Peggy advised. I got to the airport today (yesterday) at 5:50am. I  checked in online and I joined a queue at the security check. When the boarding was announced, I proceeded to the boarding gate but I was turned back and asked to get a new boarding pass.

    “I and five other passengers ran to the Air Peace counter to get new boarding passes, since we had about 22 minutes left before the boarding would close. But, none of the counter attendants listened to us. They referred us to a supervisor, a woman, to get the new boarding passes.

    “The supervisor asked the complainants to go to “any counter” to get their boarding passes. But the attendants, again, referred the passengers back to the supervisor.

    “Eventually, they were told the flight had left and the supervisor asked them to reschedule for another day.

    “I asked why it was difficult for them to issue a new boarding pass. None of the officials responded. All they could say was ‘meet our supervisor’. I missed the flight for the second time, not out of my own lateness or negligence, but because of the confusion created by Air Peace officials and their supervisors.”

    Reacting to the journalist’s complaint on the Twitter handle of the Consumer Protector Council (CPC), its Chairman, Mr Tunde Irukera, described the development as “insensitive”.

    He called on Air Peace to refund the passengers’ fare forthwith.

    Irukera said: “CPC expects more candour and sensitivity from Air Peace on this matter.”

    In its reaction, Air Peace said: “Thanks for bringing this to our notice. We regret you missed your flight to Kano on two occasions. This will be immediately investigated for proper resolution and feedback. Kindly note the refund process takes three to four weeks to finalise starting from the initial date of the request. Kindly note that Voluntary refunds are honoured less 25 percent of the fare paid while an involuntary refund is honoured the full fare when we cancel their flight.”

  • Arik Air aircraft aborts take-off at Benin Airport

    An Arik Air aircraft operating from Benin Airport to Lagos Airport on Tuesday aborted take-off when the Pilot-in-Command observed an abnormality during the process.

    The Communication Manager of Arik Air, Mr Ola Adebanji, confirmed the incident in Lagos.

    Read Also:Smoke in Arik Air plane forces pilot to declare emergency on Accra-bound flight

    Adebanji explained that the aircraft, a Bombardier CRJ900, was brought under control on the runway in the process with no damage to the aircraft and no injury was sustained to the passengers on board.

    “After the situation was brought under control, in which there was no casualty to the passengers, an alternative aircraft was immediately provided to fly the passengers to Lagos.

    “The aircraft has since been ferried to Lagos for appropriate checks and observation and maintenance,” he said.

    Adebanji said the airline apologised to its passengers for the inconveniences that occurred during the incident.

    He restated the airline’s commitment to maintaining the highest safety standards.

     

  • Clearing agents on strike at Lagos Airport

    Commercial activities at the cargo section of the  Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA), Lagos was yesterday  grounded following the introduction of a new policy by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Lagos Airport Command.

    Clearing agents accused the command of tripling charges imposed on them for clearance of consignments at the airport.

    The clearing agents in their hundreds protested the directive of Mrs. Jayne Shoboiki, the Customs Area Comptroller (CAC), MMA Command that all consignments must as from July 13, 2018 be on Form M.

    The agents insisted that the policy was anti-progress, stressing that some of the consignments could not come with Form M as they were not major goods.

    Mr. Chris Nwabuzor, a member of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) at the Lagos Airport, in an interview said most of the policies introduced by the CAC could not work at the airport as some of their consignments could not fall into the category directed by the command.

    Immediately the protest began, Customs at the command locked the long room while the leaderships of the clearing agents ordered their members to vacate the premises.

  • FAAN tightens security at Lagos airport airside

    FAAN tightens security at Lagos airport airside

    The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has deployed 10 Hilux patrol vehicles to tighten security at the airside of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.

    The airside is the area of an airport with direct access to the aircraft. Entry to the place is controlled.

    In an interview in Lagos, FAAN’s General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Mrs Henrietta Yakubu, said the deployment was part of measures to enhance efficiency and security at the airport.

    She said: ”The authority will like to assure airport users and the public that we will continue to upgrade our facilities, processes and procedures, in consonance with our core values of security, safety and comfort.”

    In a related development, FAAN has automated the car park at the General Aviation Terminal (GAT) at the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA), Lagos.

    Mrs Yakubu said  within one month of the  exercise, it has recorded 68 per cent increase in revenue.

    She said the exercise had blocked some of the leakages in the system.

    She said with the automation, rowdiness and  traffic gridlock  caused by the manual collection at the park had disappeared.

    Mrs Yakubu  said  FAAN would review the performance of the exercise by the end of this quarter and make adjustments where necessary. He noted that so far, the new system had been in favour of both FAAN and the public.

    FAAN started the automation of the GAT car park on January 8, a development that has eliminated the manual collection of toll which was in place for about two decades.

    She said: “FAAN decided to overhaul the whole system and see how we could make it orderly because we were getting a lot of complaints from our passengers and airport users that they were not getting space to park their vehicles.Then, we were wondering if all the people that parked their vehicles at the car park were airport workers and travellers. Also, we are in an era of technology where people no longer do things manually, but automated. That was what prompted FAAN into doing the automation.

    “And since we started, there has been a lot of sanity at the car park. There is a lot of orderliness, progression. As soon as you go into the airport, you just go into the car park without any issues. In time past, there were lots of queues. Once you get into the airport, if you are not dropping, you are encouraged to go to the car park and do your business there, rather than parking on the road and create traffic jam.”

    Despite the automation of the car park, Mrs Yakubu said FAAN would still continue with the planned construction of a multi-storey car park within the GAT terminal, stressing that such would further enhance revenue generation for the agency.

    “As you know, FAAN just completed the construction of a multi-storey car park at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos. Plans are on ground, too, for the car park at the GAT. When we commence the construction, everyone would see it,” she said.

    On the evacuation of aircraft at the Lagos Airport, she said the exercise had been completed in Lagos while the team would move to Kano airport for the same exercise and, subsequently, move to Ilorin, Kaduna and others.

    She added that FAAN was also working on the toilets at the international wing of the Lagos Airport.

    “The Wing D toilet fittings have been removed and replaced. Once we are done with Wing D, we shall move to Wing E. We are doing overhaul of the facilities so that we can have new toilets for users,”she said.

  • FAAN tightens security at Lagos airport airside

    FAAN tightens security at Lagos airport airside

    The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has deployed 10 Hilux patrol vehicles to tighten security at the airside of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.

    The airside is the area of an airport with direct access to the aircraft. Entry to the place is controlled.

    In an interview in Lagos, FAAN’s General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Mrs Henrietta Yakubu, said the deployment was part of measures to enhance efficiency and security at the airport.

    She said: ”The authority will like to assure airport users and the public that we will continue to upgrade our facilities, processes and procedures, in consonance with our core values of security, safety and comfort.”

    In a related development, FAAN has automated the car park at the General Aviation Terminal (GAT) at the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA), Lagos.

    Mrs Yakubu said  within one month of the  exercise, it has recorded 68 per cent increase in revenue.

    She said the exercise had blocked some of the leakages in the system.

    She said with the automation, rowdiness and  traffic gridlock  caused by the manual collection at the park had disappeared.

    Mrs Yakubu  said  FAAN would review the performance of the exercise by the end of this quarter and make adjustments where necessary. He noted that so far, the new system had been in favour of both FAAN and the public.

    FAAN started the automation of the GAT car park on January 8, a development that has eliminated the manual collection of toll which was in place for about two decades.

    She said: “FAAN decided to overhaul the whole system and see how we could make it orderly because we were getting a lot of complaints from our passengers and airport users that they were not getting space to park their vehicles.Then, we were wondering if all the people that parked their vehicles at the car park were airport workers and travellers. Also, we are in an era of technology where people no longer do things manually, but automated. That was what prompted FAAN into doing the automation.

    “And since we started, there has been a lot of sanity at the car park. There is a lot of orderliness, progression. As soon as you go into the airport, you just go into the car park without any issues. In time past, there were lots of queues. Once you get into the airport, if you are not dropping, you are encouraged to go to the car park and do your business there, rather than parking on the road and create traffic jam.”

    Despite the automation of the car park, Mrs Yakubu said FAAN would still continue with the planned construction of a multi-storey car park within the GAT terminal, stressing that such would further enhance revenue generation for the agency.

    “As you know, FAAN just completed the construction of a multi-storey car park at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos. Plans are on ground, too, for the car park at the GAT. When we commence the construction, everyone would see it,” she said.

    On the evacuation of aircraft at the Lagos Airport, she said the exercise had been completed in Lagos while the team would move to Kano airport for the same exercise and, subsequently, move to Ilorin, Kaduna and others.

    She added that FAAN was also working on the toilets at the international wing of the Lagos Airport.

    “The Wing D toilet fittings have been removed and replaced. Once we are done with Wing D, we shall move to Wing E. We are doing overhaul of the facilities so that we can have new toilets for users,”she said.