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Tag: Medview Airlines

  • Medview Airlines, NAHCON spat over pilgrims air lift

    Medview Airlines and National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) have disagreed on the modalities for the  return leg of pilgrims air lift from Saudi Arabia.

    The disagreement has sparked a huge row between the airline and commission.

    NAHCON was accused of breaching its contractual agreement with the airline on the airlifting of pilgrims to Saudi Arabia, which prompted the carrier to petition the Presidency.

    Documents made available to our correspondent by a source close to the airline alleged that NAHCON through its Acting Chairman, Abdullahi Mukhtar, acted “wickedly, in contravention of the agreement and frustrated” Med-View Airline from continuing with the exercise.

    A source close to NAHCON hinted that the exercise was flawed with “personal interests.”

    Med-View insisted that the action of  NAHCON through Mukhtar amounted to economic sabotage, claiming that he attempted to compel the airline to partner with a Saudi Arabian’s carrier, Flynas despite its partnership with another Nigerian airline, Max Air, which is also participating in the exercise.

    The solicitor to Med-View, Barr. Debo Adeleke, the Principal Lead Counsel, Maritime, Commercial and Immigration Law said  Med-View made down payment of $8,897,663.63 as the total contractual sum for the airlift of 5, 720 pilgrims on May 20, 2019 with First Bank as the  guarantor.

    According to him, the contractual agreement stipulated that on execution of the contract, NAHCON was to pay 50 per cent payment to Med-View, which was supposed to be $4,448,831.08 to enable the airline to conclude all necessary arrangements for the commencement of the hajj operations.

    But, rather than 50 per cent in the contractual sum, the commission made available only 25 per cent payment on July 15, 2019, five days into the exercise.

    According to him, Med-View was given $2,412,539.

    Read Also: Medview Airlines returns

    Before the airline was disallowed from continuing with the outbound exercise, it had already airlifted 4,383 pilgrims in five days of the exercise, with eight airlifts, according to NAHCON website.

    A letter dated July 5, 2019, signed by Alhaji Muneer Bankole, the Chief Executive Officer, MedView Airline and addressed to the Chairman, NAHCON, demanded for payment of $900,000 to be made available to General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) and TAIBA, $400,000 and $500, 000, respectively.

    The letter with the title  ‘Demand note for Payment to GACA and TAIBA,’ reads in part: “As a result of exigency with regards to preparation for 2019 hajj airlift exercise, we write  to request for payment of the sum of $900,000 to GACA and TAIBAH as analysed below: (i) GACA – $400,000  and (ii) TAIBAH – $500, 000.”

    Besides, another letter with the reference number: MCILC/STFGN/NCBTAAB/01/19, dated August 5, 2019 and addressed to the Vice President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Chief of Staff to the President and Secretary to the Federal Government of Nigeria, accused NAHCON Chairman of malice against the carrier.

    The document claimed that the entire 100 per cent was to be returned to the airline in four tranches; 50, 30, 10 and another 10 per cent, but as at August 5, the agreement was not redeemed by NAHCON.

    The report added: “A sum of 35 per cent of the contract sum is payable on the positioning of aircraft by our client for the commencement of the hajj operation and completion of all agreements for the outbound flights, while 10 per cent of the contract sum is meant for the inbound.

    “Sir, it is highly unfortunate and agonising that while our client had meticulously, sincerely and religiously kept to the terms and spirit of the agreement between parties, the acting chairman of NAHCON, failed, refused and neglected to honour the terms and spirit of the said agreement.

    “To salvage the ugly situation, a resolution was reached amongst parties on the 24th July, 2019 whereby amongst other things, the commission was mandated to pay both 50 and 35 per cent contract sum to our client.”

    The solicitor insisted that rather than allow Med-View to continue with the hajj exercise with its contractual agreement with Max Air, Mukhtar wanted to compel Med-View to put some of its pilgrims on Flynas, a Saudi Arabia’s airline, which it alleged the NAHCON boss had an interest in.

    The airline demanded for the payment of the remaining 35 per cent, which it said was already due and 10 per cent of the contract sum in readiness of the return of the pilgrims.

    In another petition to the Acting Chairman, National Hajj Commission (NAHCON), dated August 16, 2019 and copied to the Vice President, Chief of Staff to the President, Secretary to the Federal Government of Nigeria and First Bank, the solicitor to Med-view said there letter written by NAHCON, stating that it had paid the sum of $5,576,582.50, representing 63 per cent of the total contract of $8,897,663.63 was incorrect.

    Rather, the airline said that it received the total sum of $5,576,550.5, but insisted that it airlifted 6,443 at the total value of $10,007,550.00, insisting that the amount received did not amount to 63 per cent as claimed by NAHCON.

    It said that Flynas, a foreign carrier was “selfishly imposed on our client against the indigenous airline in the name of Max Airline,” stressing that the idea of forcing a foreign airline on the carrier was an act of economic sabotage and “a clear negation of the extant Federal Government policies.”

    Our correspondent could not get any official response from NAHCON as at the time of filing this report.

     

  • Medview Airlines returns

    Medview Airlines said on Saturday that some of its aircraft have returned from major maintenance checks abroad as it prepares to increase flight frequencies on some routes.

    In a statement by the airline’s Head of Commercial, Mr. Trevor Henry said the relaunch of its traditional routes is anchored on the re-fleeting program of the airline

    With the return of some of its aircraft from maintenance, Med-View Airline on Saturday said it will relaunch the Yola and Maiduguri routes on Tuesday, 18 December, and increase  flights on Lagos-Abuja  route, using the B737-800 NG aircraft.

    The number of flights on the Lagos-Abuja route will increase to three daily round trips on weekdays to offer better departure timings throughout the day.

    Mr Henry commended the Med-View passengers for their continued patronage and assured them of better customer service and reliability.

    Med-View’s management  said it wishes all its loyal passengers a Happy Festive Season and a prosperous New Year in advance.

     

  • Domestic Flights: Travellers decry high price of air tickets

    Travellers on the domestic routes were on Friday hit with a drastic increase of air tickets, due to shortage of flights by local airlines. Shortage of flights is due to the reduction in number of aircrafts being used by domestic airlines in recent weeks.

    Some of the airlines said their aircraft were currently out of the country for maintenance purposes, while others claim that their planes were unavailable due to “operational reasons’’.

    However, the few operational airlines, as well as travel agents, have taken advantage of the situation to jack up their air fares, to the chagrin of intending travellers.

    The airlines operating at the General Aviation Terminal (GAT) include: Arik Air, Air Peace, Overland Airways, Dana Air, Max Air, Medview Airlines, Arik Air (PH).Others are; Aero Contractors and Azman Air, which operate at the Murtala Muhammed Airport 2 (MMA2).

    A NAN aviation correspondent, who monitored the situation at both domestic terminals, observed that some travellers were stranded, due to their inability to get seats on the available flights.

    Also, the counters of Arik Air, Azman Air, Dana Air, Max Air, Aero and Air Peace witnessed a large number of passengers trying to book and pay ahead, in order to secure their seats.

    Air Peace Economy Class one way ticket on the Lagos-Abuja route, was being sold for N32, 700, as against N25, 500 before the flight shortage.

    Similarly, a Lagos-Port Harcourt one way ticket was selling for N42, 700 as against the previous fare of N35, 000, while Lagos-Uyo one way, was sold for N42, 700 as against N30, 700.

    An Arik Air economy class one way ticket from Lagos-Abuja was sold for N27, 548 as against N22, 560, while Lagos-Port Harcourt one way, was sold for N39, 000, as against previous fare of N30, 700.

     

    Read Also: Fuel scarcity: More domestic airlines cancel flights

     

    Mr Chris Iwarah, Air Peace Corporate Communications Manager, told NAN that five of the airline’s aircraft were pulled out of service for C-Checks abroad.

    Iwarah, in a statement, said the carrier was concerned about reports of shortage of scheduled flights across the country. He said that the airline was ready to do everything within its capacity to ease the pain of air travellers.

    “We urge members of the flying public not to entertain any fear. Most of our aircraft that went for C-Check will soon begin to return, to join our operations.

    “We are soon going to schedule more flights and deploy more aircraft across our domestic routes.“We have also made plans to cater to the upsurge expected during the Yuletide.

    “A lot of flights would be scheduled from around Dec. 17, to seamlessly take those travelling for Christmas and the New Year to their destinations.

    “As an airline, we prioritize safety and place a premium on the lives of our valued passengers and crew.

    “We have undertaken comprehensive maintenance of most of our aircraft to ensure their readiness for our end-of-year operations,’’ he said.

    On his part, Mr Kingsley Ezenwa, Media and Communications Manager, Dana Air, told NAN that the airline was currently undergoing re-certification by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

    “We are currently undergoing re-certification which hopefully will be concluded in two days. As soon as we conclude, more flights will be available,’’ he said.

    Two travellers, Mr Peter Olaoye and Mr Ijeomah Ikechukwu, expressed concern over the shortage of flights. They urged the airlines to find lasting solutions to the problem, especially as the festive period was approaching.

    (NAN)

  • Medview Airlines air lifts 320 Lagos pilgrims to Mecca

    Medview Airline in the early hours of Thursday airlifted 320 Lagos State Pilgrims to Mecca from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos

    The pilgrims were ferried by the B777-200ER, recently acquired by Medview ! Which took off from the hajj/cargo terminal about 7am.

    As early as 5.30 am, the pilgrims started boarding the airline’s newly acquired Boeing 777-200 and were done with boarding formalities before 6:00am.

    The airline is scheduled to airlift no fewer than 2,001 passengers from Lagos alone and has a total of 10,000 pilgrims of the 95,0000 pilgrims nationwide to be air lifted.

    Apart from Lagos pilgrims the airline will also be airlifting pilgrims from Kaduna, Maiduguri, Ilorin as well as pilgrims from Guinea Bissau and Niger according to the airline management.

    Executive Director, Business Development, Alhaji Isiaq Na’allah who spoke to reporters just before the takeoff of the flight said that Med-view will be airlifting its pilgrims on seven trips.

    Na’allah said, “We give praise to the almighty Allah for giving us the strength to start our airlift, this is the first flight we are doing this year and we are hoping to do about 10,000 pilgrims. We are airlifting our pilgrims from Lagos, Kaduna, Maiduguri and Ilorin.”

    “Obviously, it’s challenging if you look at the number of passengers we use to carry in such a short period, it is challenging and so you need a very high capacity aircraft, this is why we have brought this aircraft, it’s a triple seven(777) it’s a modern aircraft.

    This flight carries 323 capacity right now the Lagos people that are going now we have 320 . From Lagos state we have about 2000 passengers and we are going to do about 7flights for them.”

    On consistency he added,”The major source of our consistency is our ability to provide the desired services for our passengers, we give them the comfort when they are going and when they are coming back and also when they are there as much as possible we make sure they enjoy their stay.”

  • Medview Airline suspends Dubai operations

    Medview Airline suspends Dubai operations

    Medview Airlines on Monday announced the suspension of flight operations on the Lagos /Dubai route till March 25.

    The decision, according to the airline was taken to resolve issues on aircraft with its Euro Atlantic partners.

    The Managing Director of Medview, Alhaji Muneer Bankole, disclosed this at a media briefing in Lagos.

    Medview began Dubai route operations on December 7 last year.

  • Medview Airlines appointed for evacuation of 5,037 Nigerians from Libya

    The federal government has appointed Med-View Airline to participate in the evacuation of 5,037 Nigerians facing social challenges of various degrees in the Northern African country, Libya.

    An agreement to that effect was signed at the Nigeria Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) headquarters in Abuja on December 29 between the two organisations to facilitate the  smooth airlifting of Nigerians out of the troubled zone.

    Med-View will be participating in the airlifting of 5,037 evacuees with another Nigerian carrier.

    “This kind of responsibility is meant for Nigerian carriers, because it’s our responsibility and we have the capacity to carry out this operation. We have demonstrated the capacity that we can do it and we are honoured to have been appointed by the federal government through NEMA”, said Med-View’s Executive Director, Business Development and Commercial, Mr. Isiaq Na’Allah who participated in the signing of the agreement.

    “It is a known fact that Med-View Airline has been in operations for the past 10 years. We do Hajj operations and we do it successfully and the record is there for everybody to see, that is a factor I think the government considered before we are assigned this national project. We will deliver professionally up to international standard and the government is not making any mistake for entrusting Nigerian carrier to this kind of project.”

    NEMA’s Director-General, Mustapha Maihaja; Fatima Bukar, a Senior Legal Officer to NEMA; Med-View’s Executive Director, Business Development and Commercials, Mr. Isiaq Na’Allah and Med-View Corporate Affairs Officer, Johnson Omole, participated in the signing of the agreement.

    Recently, President Muhammadu Buhari constituted a 17-man fact finding committee to aid the evacuation process of 5,037 Nigerians. The 17-man team is headed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Geoffrey Onyeama.

    Members of the team includes Comptroller-General of Immigration, Mohammed Babandede; NEMA Director-General, Mustapha Maihaja; Senior Special Assistant to the President on the Diaspora, Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa; National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) Director-General, Julie Okah-Donli; National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq; amongst others.

    The federal government has also established a Reception Centre in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, to be managed by the Zonal Coordinator of NEMA, to receive the 5, 037 returnees.

    News Agency of Nigeria – Subscription Service

  • MedView Airlines begins direct flights to Jeddah

    MedView Airlines  has commenced direct flight to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia for Muslims performing lesser Hajj in the holy land.

    The flight took off from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), the operational hub of the airline in Lagos  is routed via Kaduna and Kano in the North West.

    The Boeing 737-800 aircraft conveying the passengers had a full load mostly Muslim Ummah traveling to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for lesser Hajj.

    The flight which took off from Lagos was welcomed with a ceremonial water shower at Kaduna International Airport by the officials of the Airport Fire Service in commemoration of the inaugural flight to Kaduna.

    Before now, the airline has been operating scheduled flights from Lagos – Kano to Jeddah but has now added Kaduna state to the Jeddah network amidst excitement from tour operators in the region.

     

  • Medview Airlines apologises to passengers on flight delays

    Medview Airlines apologises to passengers on flight delays

    Medview Airline yesterday offered apology to passengers following flights delays  and rescheduling experienced in the week.

    In a statement by its spokesman, Obuke Oyibotha, the airline said it regretted the inconveniences caused passengers as result of such delays and rescheduling.

    “We share your pains for our inability at the material time to fly you to your destinations at the appointed time.”

    The airline however attributed the delays to adverse weather conditions and unscheduled aircraft maintenance, which are critical to flight operations.

    The airline said the safety of passengers and crew come first before any other considerations and in such situations, delays and rescheduling become inevitable.

    “We have put the necessary logistics in place to meet our obligations to our esteemed passengers who have over the years kept faith with us.”

     

  • Medview Airlines gets Boeing 777 to boost operations

    Medview Airlines gets Boeing 777 to boost operations

    Med-View Airline has taken delivery of its Boeing B777-200ER aircraft to boost its international routes network.

    The aircraft with registration no – CS-TFM arrived the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Tuesday.

    According to the airline, the modern generation aircraft will be positioned to service the Lagos – London route.

    The aircraft is configured to accommodate a total of 326 passengers – 24 (flatbed seat) business class and 302 economy.

    The aircraft is also installed with IFE on individual seat of both classes of the cabin.

    Since its debut on the Lagos – London route on November 20, 2015, the airline has operated with B767 and later B747, which is now being replaced with B777 aircraft.

    Speaking at a brief reception, Med-View Airline Chief Operating Officer/Accountable Manager, Engr. Lookman Animashaun, said the deployment of the B777 on London route is part of the airline strategy to rebrand its international operations, especially the London route.

    He said the airline would soon commence operations to Francophone West African countries – Abidjan (Cote’d’ Ivoire), Conakry (Guinea) and Dakar (Senegal).

    The COO said Dubai would be added to the airline route network in November.

  • NCAA to meet EU aviation commitee on Medview ban

    NCAA to meet EU aviation commitee on Medview ban

    The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) is expected to meet with the European Union Air Safety Committee (ASC) this week on the current ban slammed on Medview Airlines.

    The spokesman of NCAA, Sam Adurogboye disclosed this on Tuesday.

    The meeting, he said is part of several engagements with the European Commission following a failed application by Medview Airlines for a Third Country Operator Authorisation to the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).

    The airline’s application failed during documents’ verification stage.

    “Medview Airlines’ application did not comply with Regulation (EC) No 2111/2005 and therefore could not qualify for approval,” Adurogboye said.

    The spokesman said NCAA later received the notification of non-compliance through the office of the Nigerian Mission to International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

    He added: “Upon receipt of notification, the Director General of NCAA, Capt. Muhtar Usman, met with senior officials of European Commission in Gaborone, Botswana, during the Regional Safety Oversight Organization Conference in February this year.

    “During this meeting, extensive discussions were held with a view to resolving the matter.

    ” Similarly, the Regulatory Authority engaged Medview Airlines to straighten out issues arising from the failed application to the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).

    “However, the EU Air Safety Committee invited NCAA and Medview for a tripartite meeting in Brussels on the 25th – 26th April, 2017. After the deliberations, the European Commission with the full support of the EU Air Safety Committee unanimously decided to ban Medview Airlines.”