The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Medview

  • 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.”

  • Our aircraft utilisation model effective, says Medview

    Medview Airlines has put in place a new operational model that will ensure the effective utilisation of the aircraft in its fleet, its Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Muneer Bankole, has said.

    He made this known in an interview in Lagos.

    He said the model had become imperative because of the aircraft in its fleet, which will see the carrier consolidate on its domestic and regional operations.

    Bankole said four of its six aircraft were being serviced, while  the others were undergoing seat configuration and major maintenance checks at Maintenance Repair Organisation ( MRO) overseas.

    He said the sector was experiencing challenges, which have put operators under pressure to consider how to achieve a lot with adequate cost, equipment and route planning.

    Bankole said the prevailing  economic situation, which has increased operating costs, with aviation fuel selling for over N220  per litre in Lagos and over N260 per litre in other locations, calls for full aircraft utilisation.

    He disclosed that in the last five years, Medview Airlines had spent  over N22 billion on aviation fuel. He, however, denied allegations that the airline was indebted to fuel suppliers and other companies that provide services to it.

    To reduce operating costs, Bankole said Medview was  discussing with aircraft manufacturer – Boeing, and a leasing company to procure fuel efficient new airplanes.

    He said the carrier will continue to operate a restrictive flight schedule until the two aircraft undergoing maintenance and seat reconfiguration arrive.

    He spoke of plans by Medview to resume flights into London and Dubai routes, which it suspended some weeks ago, when the two aircraft arrive.

    He said before the end of end of the year, Medview would fly into South Africa and the United States.

    Bankole said the relevant documentation and regulatory approvals were being pursued.

    Meanwhile, Bankole revealed that the airline has rationalised as 52 workers in the professional and administrative units were  laid off as part of efforts to realign its operations.

    He debunked claims that Medview was indebted to any of its international service providers, affirming that the carrier has paid over $90,000 to Gatwick  Airport Authority, Menzies  Aviation and World Fuel in the United Kingdom.

    Bankole said: “I will tell you Medview is carrying out staff rationalisation and that is normal in any business. We came back in January and we announced to staff that we had to carry out this exercise (rationalisation).

    “In January, we were not owing anyone and in February, we had paid 60 per cent  of our colleagues, including our pilots, but those that were laid off were 52 and we are still doing it.”

    On alleged debts to service providers, the Medview chief executive said if the carrier was owing any of its foreign service providers, it would not last six months on any route.

    He said :” if you owe a foreign service provider you will not last six months. Reason is that the antecedents of the past and many airlines have come and did not last six months.

    “ I can give you specifics, Gatwick in the UK, Menzies and World fuel, between them we have paid $9million.

    “Our Boeing  777 is undergoing C-Check and will be back by May but this affected our scheduled operations. When you have two aircraft outside, you restructure your operations and plan your schedule.”

    “ What We have achieved now, they say charity begins at home, is that instead of flying everywhere and making nonsense of the whole operations, we consolidated our domestic operations and you can see with no challenge we are flying 99.9 per cent  capacity.”

  • Medview suspends Dubai operations

    Medview Airlines said yesrterday that  it would suspend its Dubai operations until March 24.

    Its Managing Director, Muneer Bankole disclosed this at a briefing in Lagos.

    Medview began Dubai operations last  December 7.

    He said the airline was not suspending operations on account of indebtedness but took the decision to create time to fix its aircraft.

    Bankole said: “‘We have shut down Dubai operations till March 24th when our own aircraft B767-300ER returns from complete refurbishment in the UK. Passengers who have booked with us will be flown to their destination via interline arrangements.”

    Speaking on its recent challenges with its London operations, the airline’s MD said the airline has paid 1.45million pounds for service provided by Menzes, its ground handlers in UK and has an outstanding of 37,000 pounds.

    He futher disclosed that the airline had paid 45,000 pounds ahead, which could be accessed in case there was any default.

    He stressed that the ground handling company had no basis for grounding their operations, as they could have accessed the security fund which had been paid ahead.

    Speaking on the challenging environment, he said: “On this part of the world, it is difficult to compete with the big players on the other side. If you do not have the resources and support from the central bank to provide you dollars for your operations, there is no how you can survive.

    ”There is no place in this country or in this part of the world, where you have a basic Maintenace Repair Overhaul, such that if anything happens to your aircraft, you can maintain it. There are no spare parts vendor that can provide you support in 24 hours but in Europe, there are platforms 24 hours working.’’

  • Medview set for Dubai flight

    MedView Airline has concluded arrangements for its December 7 inaugural flight to Dubai from Lagos via Abuja

    Its Chief Executive Officer, Alhaji Muneer Bankole, who, at the weekend commended the Ministry of Aviation, parastatals, travel agencies and passengers, who keyed into the airline’s inaugural flight, assured that the carrier was committed to dedicated service on the route.

    He said the airline’s package for tourists to Dubai included air fare, visa, accommodation and tour guides at reasonable rates, adding that there are various packages for traders and business travellers.

    Bankole said Economy passengers would enjoy a two – piece baggage allowance of 25 kg each, while Business Class has three pieces.

    Activities lined up for the inaugural flight include a brief ceremony at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport and in Dubai. The airline will host the business and the diplomatic communities to a dinner.

    The airline has three weekly flights originating from Lagos via Abuja to Dubai on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays .

  • Medview Airlines clarifies EU restriction

    Medview Airline yesterday gave clarification on the European Union (EU) operational restriction on its London operations, saying it is not a ban on the airline into destinations in Europe including Gatwick Airport in London.

    The airline according to its Executive Director, Business Development and Commercials, Isiaq Na ‘ Allah said it decided to clear the air on the matter because of public perception that Medview Airlines has been banned from flying into the United Kingdom.

    “The airline said its operations to London is in no way affected by the ban and had since being operating with her wet-leased aircraft. The ban which falls under exception rule in EASA, Annex A, where it states that “Air carrier listed in Annex A could be permitted to exercise traffic rights by using wet-leased aircraft of an air carrier, which is not subject to an operating ban,” the carrier explained in a statement.

    The carrier regretted the anxiety the misinformation may have caused its teeming passengers and assured them that there is no basis for alarm as the Lagos-London flight remains unaffected.

    “We at Med-View Airline are committed to safety, and currently working with EASA and NCAA to restore normalcy, the statement said.

    The Airline on Wednesday, May 17, 2017 operated its normal schedule flight to London amidst the misinformation about the restriction.

    It will be recalled that in March 2016, Med-View Airline passed through one of the most stringent operations audit of the global airlines’ body – the International Air Transport Association (IATA), after which it was issued with IOSA – International Operational Safety Audit.

    The Airline has secured a B777 aircraft leased from an EU-member state to boost its international operations, which will soon join the fleet.

  • Medview to expand operations in W/Africa

    Medview to expand operations in W/Africa

    MED-VIEW Airline  Managing Director   Alhaji Muneer Bankole has unveiled  plans  to expand the firm’s operations to Francophone countries within  West Africa.

    In an interview in Lagos, Bankole said the airline would expand its operations to Dakar (Senegal), Conakry (Guinea) and Abidjan (Cote D’Ivoire) in the next two months, noting that the airline has already began Lome (Togo) route.

    He said  arrangements have reached an advanced stage on the commencement of the francophone countries, saying the aim of the airline is to connect all the West African states before expanding its tentacles to Europe and America.

    Bankole said that beginning from the next quarter of 2017, Med-View would begin the Lagos-Dubai route, which has been in pipeline for over two years while the Baltimore, Washington DC in United States is also on the card.

    He said: “We went to West Africa countries with the whole idea of integrating all West African citizens together. The Economic and Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has about 15 nations and Heads of States and the purpose of the community is to integrate the citizens in the region.

    “We started with Anglophone and we are commencing in the next two months to expand to the francophone countries, such as Dakar, Conakry and Abidjan. We are already in Lome and in the next quarter, we want to be in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

    “We intend to take the citizens to New York; we are heading up to Baltimore, Washington, United Kingdom and Jeddah, which is our home base.”

  • Medview deploys Boeing 747-400 on Lagos- London route

    Med-view Airline  yesterday took delivery of a Boeing 747-400  aircraft, which operated for the  first time on its schedule flight from London- Gatwick  into  Lagos Airport with 400 passengers on board.

    According to a statement by the airline,  the operation was made possible with the approval of the British Civil Aviation Authorities with the switch from B767-300ER to B747-400

    The 463 passenger capacity aircraft with Medview Airline livery touched down the Murtala Muhammed International airport on Monday.

    An elated Med-View Airline Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Alhaji Muneer Bankole said the aircraft will be used to consolidate  Lagos-London route operations as well as  the  Hajj operations, pointing out that opening up the transatlantic route is on the  burner

    He said a B777-200 will join the fleet this week to coincide with the airline 10th Anniversary of its foray into Hajj operations.

    Alhaji Bankole said three jumbo jets – B777-200, B747-400 and B767-300ER will be devoted to the 2016 Hajj operations, which begin next week – August 8, 2016.

  • AON pledges to pay NCAA all unremitted funds in full

    The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has pledged to ensure that all outstanding debts are paid to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) as agreed.
    This assurance was given during a meeting between the management of the regulatory authority led by the director general, Capt. Muhtar Usman and the Airline Operators at the NCAA Conference Room yesterday .
    Speaking on behalf of the operators, the AON Chairman, Capt. Noggie Meggison remarked that it is incontrovertible that operators are heavily indebted but promised that all unremitted funds will be fully paid.
    He thanked the  director general for holding a series of meetings with all operators, a move he said was long expected. Meggison therefore requested for similar fora¨ where the Authority’s vision will be properly articulated from time to time to enable us key into it.’’
    He, however, called for a retreat where stakeholders will meet to brainstorm on some knotty challenges which operators and the entire industry is confronted with.
    In his response, Capt.Usman enjoined the airlines to comply as agreed because the issue of Ticket and Cargo Sales Charges is sacrosanct. According to him, this is to enable the Authority and other benefiting Agencies effectively carry out its regulatory and Statutory responsibilities.
    The Director General and the NCAA management emphasized the need for automation by operators which will offer real-time and transparent transaction. He directed that all reconciliations must be done within the 60 days window provided.
    He advised the operators to forward all required documentations to verify conflicting claims.
    Capt. Usman admonished the operators to be alive to their responsibilities and challenges.
    He urged operators to take advantage of various Bilateral Air Services Agreements (BASA) entered into by the federal government to compete with their foreign counterparts thereby generating the much needed foreign exchange.
    Usman assured the operators that there will be a broader stakeholders’ forum very soon where various grievances could be looked into and addressed and charge the operators to fully embrace the automation  for the sake of transparency and an end to discrepancy over figures forthwith.
    Over 20 airlines chief executives and their representatives attended the meeting. These include Arik Air, Medview, FirstNation, Chanchangi, Kings Airlines, Overland among others some of who also contributed richly to the issue of the day while the meeting lasted.

  • Medview, firm partner on UAE route

    Medview, firm partner on UAE route

    MedView Airline has entered into partnership with Anta Travel, a United Arab Emirate (UAE)-based  travel management firm to ensure that Nigerians travelling to Dubai on the airline  get the best experience.

    The deal is expected to open  various vistas fr passengers.

    As part of plans to begin flight operations into the UAE, Medview Airline hosted its sales agents and clients to a trade partner forum in  Lagos.

    Medview Airline Managing Director, Alhaji Muneer Bankole, restated his airline’s commitment to meet the yearnings of Nigerians by providing affordable flights with plenty of luggage space to boot.

    He said the airline has come of age in delivering on its promises since the commencement of all operations, making it not just a reliable airline but a consistent one. Although he said Medview was not ready to release its entire package for the UAE operations slated for the summer.

    Bankole noted that at Medview, they were well aware that Nigerians are prone to carrying a lot of luggage and as a response to that, they would be giving a three-piece luggage room for the Business Class at 75 kilogrammes, and that is just for starters.

    “Med-View Airline will always do what is right and ensure that safety remains its priority. As you know, Medview started from a humble beginning as a travel agency before taking the initiative and venturing into hajj operations. And now, it is scheduled for domestic and international operations, always excelling in what it does.

    “The airline only got to where it is because it listened to constructive criticism and took the advice of all its partners.”

    Medview as an airline will look into their suggestions and come out stronger for it,” the Medview boss said.

    On competition on the Dubai route, one that has seen off two major Nigerian players over the years, Bankole expressed optimism that competition is to help them  get better. According to him, the airline was not worried and other carriers on the route will keep them on their toes and drive them to success.

    He called on partners, travel agents to be part of the success story and aiding them to grow as an airline stating that Medview got to its heights with the support they brought to the table further urging them not to stop supporting the airline.

    On the partnership, Anta Group, UAE and Oman General Manager,, Mr Kumar Jagadeensan, expressed the delight to partner with the airline, praising its chief executive for his proactiveness.

    He said the airline’s commitment was unrivalled and that this partnership forged would bring more value to Medview.

     

  • Medview begins flight to Jeddah via Kano

    Medview begins flight to Jeddah via Kano

    Medview Airlines yesterday began flights from Kano via Lagos to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

    The airline also plans to start flights from Lagos to Kano and Abuja-Kano on Monday.

    The airline said it was allocated four slots weekly at the King Abdulazeez International Airport, Jeddah, but would commence with two. The airline flies to Saudi Arabia on Thursdays and Saturdays.

    Med-View’s Executive Director of Technical Services   Lookman Animashaun said the airline deployed a Boeing 737-800, but planned to use a bigger aircraft, Boeing 767-300, with increasing demand.

    Animashaun noted that like its London route, it would attract passengers with lower fares of N159, 000.

    He said Med-View entered the route as a Nigerian flag carrier to supply the missing link; reasonable fare, good customer care and excellent in-flight entertainment.

    “We have an approval for four slots weekly, but we will start with two. We have approval to go to Jeddah from Abuja.

    “On our inaugural flight, we took 44 passengers to Jeddah; 28 from Lagos and 16 from Kano. The traffic will improve with time. The only competitor we have on that route is Saudi Air, which flies from Kano Airport. Other airlines, such as Egypt Air, Kenya Airways and others fly to Jeddah.

    “This is one good thing Nigerians will love. Under four hours, you are in Jeddah from Kano and within five and a half hours, you are in Jeddah from Lagos. Our luggage allowance is also a major factor for us. We are offering 64kg for our economy passengers; 32kg each and 96kg for business class passengers.”