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Tag: Murtala Muhammed Airport

  • New Year: Airport witnesses low turnout of domestic passengers

    Passenger traffic reduced at the arrival wings of Domestic Terminals 1 and 2 of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, on Monday, ahead of the New Year celebrations.

    News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Federal Government has declared Jan. 1 as public holiday to mark the New Year celebrations.

    NAN correspondents that visited the two airport terminals, however, observed the arrival of some passengers coming out from the arrival wings.

    Some relatives of the passengers were seen at the arrival hall at the two terminals, waiting to welcome their loved ones.

    However, the departure hall had lesser traffic at the two terminals, as few intending passengers were seen on queue at the counters of the airlines.

    An airline official at the counter, who pleaded anonymity, told NAN that passenger traffic at the terminal was scanty at present because most of the prospective passengers had travelled out of Lagos to celebrate with their loved ones.

    “As you see, today is the last day of the month and the year; and most of our passengers have travelled out before and after the Christmas period to visit their loved ones.

    “What we are witnessing now is the influx of inbound passengers from different parts of the country.

    “However, once the holiday is over by Wednesday, there will be an influx of outbound passengers, travelling to their various destinations,’’ the official said.

    NAN correspondents also observed that the flights of some airlines for Dec. 31 and Jan. 1, 2019 had been fully booked, while other airlines were still selling their available seats to intending passengers.

    An air ticket from Lagos to Kano, which hitherto sold for between N30,500 and N32,000, rose to about N45,000 and N47,000, probably due to the few seats that were available for sale.

    Flights from Lagos to Abuja, which normally cost between N27,000 and N32,000, depending on factors such as the airline and the time of flight, also went for N45,000 or more.

    It was also observed that most of the flights, which had their fares increased, were heading for the northern part of the country.

  • Fire guts Forte Oil petrol station at Lagos Airport

    Forte Oil Petrol Station besides the Domestic Police Station, Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos has been gutted by fire.

    The incident triggered anxiety among passengers, motorists and passersby along the busy.

    Thick smoke billowing from the petrol station filled the skyline occasioning heavily vehicular movement along the Airport Road.  Scores of road users took to their heels to avoid being caught in possible conflagration as the huge flakes of smoke was seen as far as the Mafoloku axis of the Airport Road and other parts of the metropolis.

    But as at the time of writing this report , the cause of the fire was  still unknown.

    An eye witness said the fire started about 2.10pm

    Read Also: Lagos Airport not under terrorists attack, says FAAN

    He added that already fire fighters from both the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and Lagos State Fire Service battled to put the fire under control.

    The eye witness said that the firemen have been able to prevent the fire from affecting other building close to the razed Forte Oil Petrol Station

    As at 2.30 pm thick smoke was still coming out from the burnt petrol station and it also enveloped the area where the filling station is located

    The  development has further caused gridlock on the ever-busy Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA), Lagos Access Road.

    As at 2.45 pm the gridlock has reached the Concord Bus Stop area, a situation that further cause panic among commuters and motorists using the Lagos Airport Access Road.

    Traffic along the Airport became unbearable.

    Sources hinted that the fire incident may have forced many passengers to miss their flight on account of inability to access the General Aviation Terminal ( GAT), in the domestic wing of the Lagos Airport.

  • Air Peace receives fifth Embraer regional jet

    Air Peace at the weekend took delivery of its fifth Embraer 145 Regional Jet , assuring that the development has deepened its capacity to relaunch its flights to Sokoto and start its Katsina service.

    The carrier, which had earlier received four of the six 50-seater Embraer 145 Regional aircraft it recently acquired, said its goal of unifying Nigeria through air transport and extending its flight operations to unserved and undeserved cities was fast being realized under its subsidiary, Air Peace Hopper.

    A statement signed by Air Peace Corporate Communications Manager, Mr. Chris Iwarah said the latest delivery touched down at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos at the weekend.

    The new aircraft, marked 5N-BUX and named Udoka Ozor (Nee Onyema), the statement added, would be deployed on the Sokoto and Katsina routes in about two weeks’ time.

    Read Also: Air Peace relaunches Asaba route

    “We are pleased to announce the arrival of our fifth Embraer 145 aircraft in Lagos. The aircraft, which is marked 5N-BUX and named Udoka Ozor (Nee Onyema), landed at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos about 6.30 p.m. on Sunday, October 14, 2018.

    “We have now received a total of five of the six Embaer 145 aircraft we recently acquired as part of our fleet expansion project. We are delighted that with the arrival of the aircraft, we will relaunch our Sokoto operations and start our Katsina service in the next two weeks.

    “Air Peace is committed to our no-city-left-behind project under our subsidiary, Air Peace Hopper. We are honoured that our involvement in the aviation industry is fulfilling our goal of uniting Nigeria through air transport, creating thousands of direct and indirect job opportunities and lifting Nigeria’s economy.

    “We assure the flying public and Nigeria that we will continue to deliver exceptional flight services and create massive employment opportunities for the people with our domestic, regional and international operations. We our indeed grateful to our valued guests and solicit their continued support as we take greater steps to make our dear nation proud in the global aviation community,” Air Peace said

     

  • Fire engulfs Overland aircraft at Lagos Airport hangar 

    Fire engulfed a propeller aircraft – ATR 42 belonging to Overland Airways at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, Lagos on Friday.

    The source of the fire that burnt the aircraft is yet to be verified.

    Read Also:Overland Airways undergoes IATA Safety Audit

    Sources hinted that the fire damaged the engine of the aircraft and spread to other aircraft at the hangar.

    Spokesperson of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) Mrs. Henrietta Yakubu confirmed the incident.

    She said fire fighters belonging to the authority have contained the inferno as the situation has been brought under control.

    Officials of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) are already investigating the fire incident.

    Management of Overland Airways will issue a statement shortly.

    Details later…

     

     

  • Closure of MMA2: Airlines cry out over losses, threaten to downsize

    Airlines at the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two (MMA2), operated by Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), have cried out over their losses, as the grounding of the terminal by aviation labour unions, including 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) entered day two on Thursday.
    In view of this, they threatened that they may be forced to retrench some of their workers, if the unions sustained the closure of the terminal.
    Airlines operating from MMA2 to various destinations in the country include Dana, Aero, Arik, Med-View, Azman, Max Air and First Nation.
    They said since the unions shut down the terminal building despite an order of the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos and presided over by Mr. Justice I. N. Buba, they had lost over N300million in revenue.

    Read Also: Dana Air, MMA2 to reward passengers

    One of the airlines’ officials, who craved for anonymity, said: “For now, we have lost over N63million to the ongoing industrial action and losing such money in an industry where airlines are still grappling with a myriad of challenges is unacceptable and disappointing to say the least. We do not know how the situation will be in the coming days and we might have no other option than to downsize, if the action stretches for too long.”
    While lamenting the extent of damage to their businesses, the airlines expressed regrets that the labour unions disobeyed a court order and continued their strike, which they said was ill-timed, not minding the effects of the action on the businesses of others.
    They expressed regrets at the chaotic situation at the General Aviation Terminal (GAT) and said this had been worsened by the blockade of MMA2, which they described as the most conducive terminal for their guests.
    They advised the parties involved to resolve the issues amicably in the interest of the passengers, the airlines, and other businesses operating at the terminal.

  •  Air Peace claims loss of N60m as NLC strike disrupts operations

    Air Peace said yesterday that its flight operations were disrupted by members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) at the General Aviation Terminal (GAT) wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, Lagos for more than four hours

    The airline, according to its Chairman, Allen Onyema, lost more than N60 million as revenue that would have accrued from the disrupted flights.

    Onyema said although the NLC and its members have the right to agitate for minimum wage, it was wrong to hide under such guise to damage the airline’s property at the terminal and disrupt the movement of passengers going about their normal business.

    He said it was wrong for the protesting unions to single out the carrier while others were allegedly allowed to fly.

    He said the negative impact of such action would spill over and affect the flight rotations of the carrier.

    Speaking in an interview in Lagos, Onyema said: “In the early hours of Friday, the NLC led their troop to the GAT and disrupted our flight operations for four hours.

    “This led to thousands of passengers being stranded and resulting in the loss of revenue running into over N60 million.

    “We think this was a selective action. They pushed down our computers and started fighting our staff. This is not good for the health of the industry. “

    He however called on government to support indigenous carriers by providing operational infrastructure to eliminate flight delays because of limited screening and scanning machines at the terminals.

    “If many airports have air field lighting, airlines could operate into them any time of the day. Through this, the aircraft would be in the skies with the assurance that it could land at any airport any time of the day with the right landing aids.”

    Onyema said government should be conscious of the fact that good airports assist to drive hub status, and not the wrongly held view that it is airlines that develop hubs.

    He berated aviation authorities for not allocating space to Air Peace for lounges at airports preparatory to its international operations.

    “The airport authority will not allocate space to us at the airports for passengers lounge, but it is giving such out to foreign carriers. Is this how to support Nigerian carriers?” he queried.

  • Clearing agents embark on indefinite strike at Lagos Airport

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

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

    The clearing agents in their hundreds protested in the open the directive from 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 with our correspondent said that 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.

    As a result of this, clearing agents at the Lagos Airport have commenced an indefinite strike to register their grievances, vowing that they would not resume for work until their grievances were addressed by the command.

    Read Also: FAAN is fencing Ilorin airport

    Nwabuzor said: “Since this new CAC came onboard, it has been from one crisis to the other. Initially, she claimed that customs introduced new system, which would enhance clearance of cargo at the airport, but with several challenges. In fact, most of the consignments we were supposed to clear entered demurrage in the process.

    “Today again, the command sent out a circular that as from July 13, 2018, which is two weeks from now, all consignments, must be on Form M, which is not possible. Form M are for huge consignments, but some of our consignments do not fall into that category. For instance, if you want to clear a one kilogramme goods now, it must be on Form M.

    “Even, at the seaport, car importation and clearance does not fall under Form M. how come goods of just one kilogrammme and more will now fall under this category,” he queried.

    In his response, Mr. Haruna Ephraim, the command PRO, confirmed the circular, but said it was not for immediate implementation.

    Ephraim, however, said  the command had new machines, which was installed recently, saying that the system recognises only such  information.

    He added: “We have not given any deadline, we just issued them a circular today (Monday) informing them that from July 13, they should make sure all their consignments coming into the country are on Form M.

    “We ought to have commenced the policy immediately, but they complained that some of the consignments were already ordered and we gave them enough time to plan ahead.”

  • Buhari’s visit: travelers, commuters, groan over restriction of movement

    President Muhammadu Buhari  travelers and commuters were on Thursday, forced to walk long distances to the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos to catch their flights, following restriction of movement around the airport vicinity by security operatives, The News men report that the movement restriction around the airport is due to.

    The President is expected to inaugurate the newly constructed Ikeja Bus Terminus among other engagements.

    The News men reports that as early as 5 a.m, commercial buses and other unauthorised vehicles were restricted from plying the Agege Motor Road, Airport Road, Mobolaji Bank-Anthony Way and other link roads.

    Activities of shuttle buses and taxis within the airport were also restricted, forcing commuters and travelers going to the airport, to walk long distances to their destinations.

    The News men  observes that the situation had also affected flight operations by domestic airlines, which had to delay their 7 a.m flights for about an hour to enable stranded passengers catch up with fights.

    Air Peace, in a statement posted on its Facebook page empathised with its guests over the situation.

    “We empathise with our esteemed guests who are having a challenge accessing the airport to catch their flights due to the diversion of traffic at various points In Lagos.

    “This is currently affecting flights out of our base in Lagos despite the availability and readiness of our crew to operate their flights.

    “We urge our valued guests to remain calm, while we monitor the development and take steps to minimise the impact of the resulting flight disruptions,’’ the airline said.

    Similarly, Arik Air, in continuous public announcements, appealed to passengers already checked in on its 8 a.m Lagos-Port Harcourt flight to exercise patience with other passengers yet to arrive due to the movement restriction.

    However, Mrs Henrietta Yakubu, the General Manager, Corporate Affairs,
    Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), explained that the restriction on commercial vehicles was to allow smooth movement during the president’s visit.

    Read Also: Lagos declares tomorrow work-free day for Buhari’s visit

    An aviation expert and a member of the Aviation Round Table, Retired Capt. John Ojikutu , faulted the early closure of the access way to the airport which caused discomfort to travelers.

    “Knowing that most flights outbound Lagos are between 7 a.m/7.30 a.m, the closure of the airport that is built within urban developed area like MMA should not have come before 7.30 a.m.

    “Access control for vehicular movement should have been limited not beyond the roundabout near the Forte Oil and the roundabout near the Bisam Police Station.

    “The experience of passengers into the airport today should not be on the president as most people would want.

    “Rather, on the state government and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) mainly and FAAN which could have jointly assess the impact of the visit to the airport on the public,’’ he said.

    Two travelers, Mr Ejike Agu and Mr Augustine Iweh, told The News men, advanced notices should have been sent to travelers to enable them prepare for the inconveniences caused by the restriction.

    Agu said “some of us are going home for the Easter holidays and it is not good that we are treated this way. It took me hours to get to the airport as I had to trek from Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way.’’

    Iweh said he was lucky to get a cab driver who was able to navigate his way to the General Aviation Terminal (GAT) of the airport in spite of the restriction.

    “But it cost me N5, 000; At least, I got here without too much stress unlike some other people,’’ he said.

    The news men observes that a number of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority personnel, the Nigeria Air Force, Police and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, have been deployed around the airport to beef up security ahead of the president’s visit.

    NAN

  • Robbers attack plane on runway

    Robbers attack plane on runway

    A gang of robbers on Thursday night swooped on an Air Peace plane while preparing for takeoff at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos.

    The incident occurred at about 7.35 pm on Runway 18 Right (A1) of the airport, the airline said Friday.

    It said suspected bandits opened the cargo hold of the aircraft.

    Spokesman for the company, Chris Iwarah said the crew observed the development and insisted on thorough security of the Abuja – bound flight after the incident.

    Iwarah said the carrier’s crew acted in line with the high safety standards of the airline.

    He expressed appreciation to “all our wonderful guests on board Flight 7138 for their support, patience and cooperation throughout the precautionary security checks conducted by Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) squad, Federal Airport Authorities of Nigeria Aviation Security and our security team after suspected thieves opened the cargo hold of our aircraft.”

    Pilot-in-Command, Capt. Adesola Arasi was said to have contacted the control tower “when he was alerted by the light that came on in the cockpit suggesting that the cargo hold was opened for about 15 seconds and immediately shut.”

    He added: “In line with our high security standards and the huge value we place on the lives of our guests and crew, Capt. Arasi insisted on having EOD squad check Flight APK 7138 before takeoff to be doubly sure nothing was deposited in the cargo hold by the suspected thieves to endanger the lives of our guests and crew.

    “Our guests, who were fully briefed of the development by the pilot-in-command, were advised to disembark from the aircraft and board an Air Peace bus while the joint security operation by EOD, FAAN AVSEC and our security team lasted. The Lagos-Abuja flight was cleared by the security experts after exhaustive screening of the aircraft lasting about 30 minutes.

    “The flight eventually took off at 9.30pm and safely landed in Abuja at about 10.23pm. Our satisfied guests commended the professionalism of Capt. Arasi and his team as well as the high safety standards of Air Peace.”

  • How unauthorized persons opened our Aircraft cargo hold – Air Peace

    How unauthorized persons opened our Aircraft cargo hold – Air Peace

    Air Peace alleged yesterday that suspected bandits opened the cargo hold of one of its aircraft while holding for departure on Runway 18 Right (A1) of the Murtala Muhammed Airport , Lagos.

    According to the airline, the incident occurred about 7.35 pm on Thursday.

    Its spokesman, Chris Iwarah said the crew observed the development and insisted on thorough security of the Abuja – bound flight after the incident.

    Iwarah said the carrier’s crew acted in line with the high safety standards of the airline.

    In a statement issued on Friday, Iwarah said: “We are sincerely grateful to all our wonderful guests on board Flight 7138 for their support, patience and cooperation throughout the precautionary security checks conducted by Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) squad, Federal Airport Authorities of Nigeria Aviation Security and our security team after suspected thieves opened the cargo hold of our aircraft holding for departure on Runway 18R (A1) of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos at about 7.35pm on Thursday, February 08, 2018.

    Read Also: NPA breaks monopoly in oil and gas  cargo 

    “Pilot-in-Command, Capt. Adesola Arasi had to contact control tower when he was alerted by the light that came on in the cockpit suggesting that the cargo hold was opened for about 15 seconds and immediately shut.

    “In line with our high security standards and the huge value we place on the lives of our guests and crew, Capt. Arasi insisted on having EOD squad check Flight APK 7138 before takeoff to be doubly sure nothing was deposited in the cargo hold by the suspected thieves to endanger the lives of our guests and crew.

    “Our guests, who were fully briefed of the development by the pilot-in-command, were advised to disembark from the aircraft and board an Air Peace bus while the joint security operation by EOD, FAAN AVSEC and our security team lasted. The Lagos-Abuja flight was cleared by the security experts after exhaustive screening of the aircraft lasting about 30 minutes.

    “The flight eventually took off at 9.30pm and safely landed in Abuja at about 10.23pm. Our satisfied guests commended the professionalism of Capt. Arasi and his team as well as the high safety standards of Air Peace.”

    The airline, he assured, would continue to take all necessary measures to ensure the safety of its guests, crew and equipment.