The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport

  • FAAN gives Abuja airport terminal new look

    The Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has embarked on complete rehabilitation of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja (NAIA) terminal ahead of its scheduled reopening on April 19.

    Correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) who visited the airport on Friday, reports that work was going on at the Terminal B of both the international and domestic wings of the airport.

    The Bureau de change stand at the terminal has been dismantled, most parts of the building were being repainted and the public toilets were also being fixed.

    The Acting General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Mrs Henrietta Yakubu who spoke with NAN said the ongoing renovation was to ensure that airport reopens with well-equipped facilities that would meet global standard.

    Yakubu said the bureau de change stand would be rebuilt into new style to meet with international standard in line with International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standard practice.

    She explained that the style being currently used in Nigeria was not in accordance with what obtained in other airports especially in the developed countries.

    The spokesperson added that the authority, being also mindful of the plight of the physically challenged and aged persons had decided to provide lift and escalators at the departure hall.

    According to her, the stand will not be relocated but will be rebuilt to standard as prescribed by ICAO.

    The Minister of State, Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika had on Thursday, disclosed that by April 19 when the airport would be reopened, it would be wearing new look.

    Sirika said that FAAN was doing complete rehabilitation of the terminal B of the international wing with escalators and lift at the departure for the physically challenged and aged persons.

    According to him, the airport is opening on April 19 with better runway, better facilities and will be more efficient and compliant with ICAO protocol on standard and best practices.

    “Also, we are opening a lounge for the physically challenged and elderly and this is a response from the feedback that we get.

    “In terminal B building also, lift, toilets and other ancillary facilities will be provided.

    “The closure of this airport also means that we improve the terminal to be more robust and create a seamless flow of international and local passengers,” he said.

    The Federal Government had on March 8 shut the airport for six weeks to enable Julius Berger carryout complete repair of its failed 3.6 kilometres runway.

    NAN reports that the rehabilitation work has reached 57 per cent completion three weeks after the closure.

     

  • Abuja airport closure: Rail service records over 18, 000 passengers

    The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) says passengers plying Abuja to Kaduna by rail have increased tremendously due to the closure of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja for repair works.

    Mr Victor Aduma, the rail service operations manager, made this known to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja.

    Aduma said that about 18,794 passengers used the rail service in the last three weeks.

    According to him, a total of 2,822 passengers joined the service on a free-ride to the Kaduna Airport while 15,972 passengers went on normal trip since March.8.

    “We started Kaduna Airport free service on March 8; the volume of passengers have been high.

    “The aim is to ease the pain on passengers connecting their flight at Kaduna pending when the repair works at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja is over,” he said.

    Adamu said that the ride had been hitch-free except for the urgent need of more coaches.

    According to him, the volume of passengers has outgrown the four coaches on ground. 

  • Abuja Airport repairs, 40% completed, work on schedule – FAAN, Contractor

    The Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and Julius Berger, the contractor handling the repair of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja runway, have said that the work is 40 per cent completed.

    The duo gave made this known in Abuja on Monday when members of the House of Representatives Committee on Aviation led by its Chairman, Mrs. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, inspected the project.

    Mr. Yemi Ayelesan, Resident Engineer, FAAN, told the committee that the hardest part of the work, which is mailing of the 3.6 kilometres runway, had been completed.

    He explained that the laying of “fibre glide rubber” which prevents water from going deep underground and also prevent runway from cracking has also been completed.

    He told the committee that the contractors are working to specifications and would deliver on schedule, expressing confidence that the six weeks period for reopening of the airport was feasible.

    According to him, the contractors are working round the clock to ensure that they meet the deadline.

    Ayelesan said the repair work was a total reconstruction and not partial rehabilitation, explaining that the entire runway had been excavated for laying of asphalt.

    He said there were isolated areas that were so bad that required digging deeper beyond mailing and laying of asphalt, stating that the entire surface were mailed to a certain depth.

    According to him, there is nothing like partial rehabilitation, even the taxi way is being repaired.

    “Laying asphalt does not take time; it is the easiest part of the work.

    “The lighting system is the next step, and the cable can be fixed within two days, as things are now, we will start fixing the light cable on March 29,’’ he said.

    Dr Lai’s Richter, Project Manager, Julius Berger, said the work was being done in line with the programme of work.

    Richter said the fixing of the lighting cable would commence on Wednesday, restating that the runway repairs would be completed before April 19 deadlines.

    The Chairman of the House Committee, Onyejeocha, said their visit was to seek explanation on the level of work so far in line with the project agreement.

    She also raised concern as to whether the repair work was a total reconstruction or partial repair, urging the contractor to ensure the completion of the project as scheduled.

    “We want them to know that Nigerians are concerned and that there should be no extension of the completion date based on the agreement that we have put in place,” she said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the contractors have recorded progress within 19 days since the commencement of work.

    The runway was shut on March 8 for six weeks for its total repair and Abuja flights diverted to Kaduna pending the completion of the repair work.

     

  • Abuja Airport closure: First Nation seeks compensation

    Abuja Airport closure: First Nation seeks compensation

    First Nation Airways has appealed to the Federal Government to address the issue of compensation for airlines over losses incurred as a result of closing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

    The airline made the plea in a statement signed by its Manager, Corporate Services, Mr. Rasheed Yusuf on Wednesday in Lagos.

    The Federal Government on March 8 closed the Abuja airport for a period of six weeks to carry out a major rehabilitation of its runway.

    Yusuf said the airline was in total support of the on-going repair of runway and commended government’s efforts at addressing infrastructure decay, especially in the aviation sector.

    He said that the closure of the airport had affected the operations of the airline, adding that this informed the airline’s decision to temporary reschedule its operations.

    According to him, this was to accomplish crew training and other important capacity building exercise that would further raised quality raise of service and enhance safety.

    “It is our prayer that the government will urgently address the issue of financial compensation to airlines for losses incurred as a result of the closure with the same fort rightness being displayed with respect to the runway repair.

    “We also acknowledge that within the last 30 days’ Foreign Exchange constraints continue to ease.

    “However, the current 60 days forward bid is more suited for bill for collections and foreign airline remittances but challenges remain for airlines headquartered in Nigeria, who have to also wait 60 to 90 days for value.

    “We hope that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) will start offering a mixture of spot foreign exchange availability to ease planning as forward transactions is unduly prolonging airlines maintenance, training, and thus compounding planning.”

    He further expressed optimism that the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) would continue to engage the government on how to improve the operating environment of the industry.

    “First Nation remains bullish about her future outlook and will return to Kaduna and Port Harcourt as from March 29 when we anticipate that traffic would have stabilised in preparation for Easter season,” Yusuf added.

    NAN reports that the airline had temporary suspended its operations as a result of low passenger demand which it claimed was due to the diversion of Abuja flights to Kaduna International Airport.

    The General Manager, Public Relations, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Mr. Sam Adurogboye, confirmed the development in a text message to aviation correspondents.

    Adurogboye, however said the airline grounded its operations because it did not have “flight crew who are current” at the moment.

    The NCAA spokesperson had also in a recent interview with newsmen confirmed that First Nation was operating with only a single A319 aircraft instead of the prerequisite two aircraft.

    Adurogboye said the airline was granted waiver for a few months to use one aircraft due to the unserviceable nature of its second aircraft, adding that the NCAA was closely monitoring its operations.

    The airline in Aug. 2016 voluntarily suspended operations for two months, due to lack of operating aircraft.

     

  • Rehabilitation work on Abuja airport runway in progress – Official

    Rehabilitation work on Abuja airport runway in progress – Official

    Julius Berger Plc, the contractor handling the rehabilitation work of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, runway has commenced work, an official said on Wednesday.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent, who visited the airport reports that both workers and equipment have been fully deployed on the runway with major work underway.

    NAN also observed that a substantial part of the runway has been excavated, showing that work has been on for a number of days already.

    Mr. Nuhu Mustapha, Deputy General Manager/Head of Department, Civil Engineering, Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, told NAN that the work commenced on Thursday as soon as the airport was shut.

    Mustapha said the contractor had shown that it would complete the work as planned, adding that work had commenced as scheduled, since the contractor had been mobilised.

    He explained that the runway, which had a total length of 3.6 kilometers had been divided into three parts by Julius Berger with the plan to complete each of the one third in two weeks each.

    According to him, the mailing (digging) of the first 1,200 metres has been done within one week, later on the asphalts will be laid and then the electric light fitting will be fixed.

    “The length of the runway is 3.6 kilometres but so far, we have mailed one third of it, which is 1,200 metres and they are going to finish the mailing of this part today.

    “We will work on that one third, mail it, put asphalt and the electrical fittings then move on to the second and third part.

    “They have done the scan part of the mailing and the contractor said they are going to finish it as scheduled,” he said.

    Mustapha also disclosed that the major work would be carried out on the middle portion of the runway which is 20 metres of the total 45 meters width of the runway.

    He explained that the middle portion would be mailed (cut) by an average 17 centimeters deeper underground to address the defects.
    According to him, the depth of the middle portion to be removed is 17 centimetre because the landing is always in the middle, that’s where the aircraft lands.

    “That is why we feel that the middle has more structural problem and that is why we are cutting deeper to solve that problem before we put the asphalt.
    “The runway was opened in 1982 and no major work has been done on it in almost 35 years after, this is the first major work that is being done on it sine construction.

    “It was designed for 20 years and it has been used for additional 15 years so we expect this type of problem,’’ he said.

    The Minister of State, Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika had on many occasions stated that Abuja airport runway had totally failed due to negligence on the part of the past governments.

    This informed the decision of the government to shut the airport for comprehensive repair of the runway and subsequently diverted all Abuja flight to Kaduna airport for six weeks.

     

  • Airport Closure: 1,890 passengers conveyed by road, says FG

    Airport Closure: 1,890 passengers conveyed by road, says FG

     

    The Federal Government Monday said it has conveyed 1,890 air passengers by road since the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport runway was closed.

    This is contained in a statement in Abuja Monday by the Deputy Director of Press of the Ministry of Aviation, James Odaudu.

    The statement did not state whether passengers used the free train transport provided by the government.

    Quoting statistics collated by the office of the minister of State (Aviation),  Hadi Sirika, 28 passengers were transported on the first day of the arrival of Ethiopian Airlines’ aircraft.

    “589, 695 and 578 on the second, third and the fourth day respectively when the domestic flight operations commenced.”

    The statement further reads: “From Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja to Kaduna Airport, total numbers of 458 passengers were transported on the return leg, 1,426.

    “The figure is expected to go up this new week due to the rising awareness among passengers”, said the minister

    The Minister also implored air passengers to take advantage of the provision and to also arrive early at the Abuja Airport end in order not to miss their flights in Kaduna.

    “The passengers need to get to Abuja Airport four hours earlier than their scheduled flight, so the buses will bring them within two or two and half hours to be able to process their boarding at Kaduna Airport within an hour”.

    According to the statement, a passenger on board of one of the buses provided, said:  “the government has saved me nothing less than Ten thousand naira (N10, 000) if I want to go to Abuja on my own on a hired taxi from Kaduna International Airport”.

     

  • Kaduna Airport ready for 24 hours operations – NCAA

    Kaduna Airport ready for 24 hours operations – NCAA

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

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

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

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

    He said: “Therefore, towards a seamless flight operations in line with Standard and Recommended Practices (SARPs), all relevant departments and directorates with full complement of staff have been redeployed to Kaduna from the aviation agencies.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • Abuja Airport shuts down Wednesday night – Sirika

    Abuja Airport shuts down Wednesday night – Sirika

    The Federal government said on Tuesday that the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja will be shut down from midnight of Wednesday, March 8, 2017, and not Tuesday March 7, 2017.

    James Odaudu, Deputy Director, Press and Public Affair, Ministry of Aviation said in a statement on Tuesday morning that Stakeholders in the Aviation sector and the general public should note that the Abuja airport remains open for operations until the midnight of Wednesday, March 8, 2017.

    He said government has also concluded all arrangements for the complimentary transportation of passengers to and from Kaduna as soon as the Abuja Airport shuts down for operations, adding that this is in line with the approval of President Muhammadu Buhari to mitigate the discomfort of air passengers resulting from the closure.

    “As part of the arrangements, and for security reasons, there will be an initial screening of passengers and luggage at the Abuja Airport which is the departure point for the buses, while screening for boarding will be done at the Kaduna airport. Government will also set up contact points at the Idu and Kubwa railway stations for those opting to travel by rail to Kaduna.

    “However, in order to properly identify genuine passengers, government has decided that only those with valid air tickets and / or Boarding Passes will be allowed on the buses or travel by train at government expenses.

    “Minister of State for Aviation wishes to once again appeal to the public to understand that decision to shut down the Abuja Airport has been taken in the overall public interest, and in line with government stand on enhancing the safety and security of the nation’s airport and, of course, the flying public”, he said.

     

     

  • Abuja airport closure: Airlines, cab operators anticipate losses

    Abuja airport closure: Airlines, cab operators anticipate losses

    Some airlines and cab operators have anticipated losses as the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, is set to be shut tonight for its runway repairs.

    Abdullahi Saroke, Station Manager, Azman Airlines, told NAN that 65 per cent of flights operated from Abuja airport would likely to be cut off at Kaduna resulting in losses.

    Saroke explained that many lucrative routes like Abuja-Lagos, Abuja-Enugu, Abuja-Kano and many others would be affected as many passengers might decide to travel by road to those destinations.

    He expressed fear that airlines might run at loss at Kaduna, explaining that airlines take load factor into consideration before flying a particular route.

    According to him, if you fly aircraft with 124 and 110 passengers’ seats with less than 85 or 90 passengers, you are running at a loss.

    “From the airlines’ perspective, what I foresee will happen is that we are going to go to Kaduna but not all routes will be viable.

    “Then those routes that we think will be viable from Kaduna, if you operated it and you are at lost, I am sure with no time people will just shut down their operation unless something is done.

    “For these reasons, some airlines may not want to go to Kaduna except those routes that are far like Port Harcourt and Lagos but all these routes that are close to Abuja may decide to stay away.

    “Statistics has shown that 65 per cent of domestic flights happened between Abuja and Lagos and this route is going to be shut down by midnight on March 8.

    “What that means is that 65 per cent of this operation has been cut off remaining 35 per cent and there are so many routes you cannot operate from Kaduna and they are lucrative routes.

    “Those routes are Abuja-Asaba, Abuja-Owerri, Abuja-Warri, Abuja-Port Harcourt, Abuja-Enugu and Abuja-Kano,’’ he said.

    On the free transportation arrangement by the government, Saroke advised that there should be supporting vehicles in the event of breakdown or tire burst since flights are time bound.

    He also advised the government to take into consideration the fact that airlines would not be responsible for the passengers that miss their flight since it is the government that handles their movement.

    “In the event that the passengers miss their flight, who pay their compensation and who takes care of their accommodation if need be since it is the government that is responsible for that?

    “Those are the key areas the government did not look at because in case you want to assist somebody and the assistance failed, are you going to compensate the passengers,’’ he queried.

    Also, Aliyu Abdullazeez-Aliyu, Chairman, Airport Car Hires Association (ACHA), Abuja Chapter, said his members would lose up to N300 million during the period.

    Abdullazeez-Aliyu said that a larger number of the members would be out of job during the six weeks period, adding only few of their members would join those at Kaduna.

    He added that the association would deploy between 150 to 200 car hire members to Kaduna airport to complement those operating there.

    According to him, it is our Kaduna branch that is absorbing some of them from Abuja because both Abuja and Kaduna belong to one national body.

    “Quantitatively, we stand to lose about N300 million to N500 million within these six weeks because our members make millions of naira on daily basis here.

    “Our operation will be at Kaduna within this period because of those that will prefer to travel privately but we don’t have provision in the city centre.

    “There will be processing of passengers in Abuja but that will be exclusively government arrangement because they are providing free buses to convey them to Kaduna,’’ he said.

    It can be recalled that the Federal Government has announced that the airport will be closed at midnight of Tuesday to commence diverted flights to Kaduna International Airport on Wednesday.

    The development has necessitated the closure of many businesses being operated at Abuja airport such as car hire, food vendors, provision store and other businesses.

     

  • FG assures of seamless operation at Kaduna airport

    FG assures of seamless operation at Kaduna airport

    The Federal Government on Monday announced its readiness to ensure seamless operation at Kaduna International Airport as Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja closes on March 8 for runway repairs.

    The Minster of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, disclosed this during a World News Conference organided by the ministry in Abuja.

    The news conference featured the Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi; Minister of State, Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika and the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Ibrahi Idris.

    The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, was also represented at the news conference.

    Mohammed said the Acting President had inspected Kaduna airport and the rail station to ascertain the level of readiness to ensure smooth operation during the six-week closure period.

    He said that the summary of the findings during the inspection was that even though the airport might not be 100 per cent ready, its current state was suitable enough for the operation.

    The minister also disclosed that the repair work on the Abuja-Kaduna highway had been completed to ensure smooth passage for Abuja bound passengers.

    “As you are all aware, the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja will shut from the midnight of Tuesday March 7 to the Wednesday March 8 for the purpose of repairing the failed portion of the airport runway.

    “During that time, Abuja flights will be diverted to Kaduna.

    “On Friday, the Acting President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo inspected the Kaduna airport and the railway station to ascertain the state of readiness.

    “The summary of the finding is that while the airport may not be 100 per cent ready, by the time Abuja airport is shut, it will indeed be suitable enough,’’ he said.

    Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, said the government had concluded arrangements to provide free transportation service for Abuja-bound passengers to and from Kaduna.

    Amaechi said that the train services would be rearranged to suit the flight schedules at Kaduna airport, adding that the train would be coming from Kaduna instead of the current arrangement.

    He said the Kaduna airport runway was in perfect shape, adding that it was a portion of the terminal building that was yet to be completed as at Friday.

    According to him, the work was nearing completion as at that day and the contractor promised to deliver it before the deadline.

    The Minister of State, Aviation, Sirika, craved the indulgence of air travelers to bear with the government on the closure.

    He said that the decision was for safety reasons, which is the key word in aviation sector.

    The minister said the part of the Kaduna airport terminal building had been completed as at this morning, adding that much work had been done to ensure smooth operation.

    According to him, the ministry has provided a dedicated website (www.abujaairportclosure.info) to update airport users on the operations at Kaduna during the period.

    Sirika said the government had no other option than to shut the Abuja airport runway considering the level of dilapidation that had made it to fail completely.

    He said that Kaduna airport would remain a seasonal international airport even after the six weeks period until it met the requirements to be a designated international airport.

    According to him, Ethiopian Airline is the only foreign airline that has expressed its readiness to fly the airport so far but at the end we expect more to operate the airport.

    The minister reiterated the government’s plan to concession all the airports for efficiency beginning from the big four such as Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt.

    “We have already concluded the arrangement for the appointment of transaction adviser that will commence work in a matter of weeks,’’ he said.

    The Inspector General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris, assured that the police had made adequate security plans to ensure seamless operation between Abuja and Kaduna airports.

    Idris said the police force had enough capacity and capability to carry out efficient surveillance on the road, the rail line and air during the six weeks.

    According to him, he was in Kaduna on Sunday to conduct assessment of security in the airport, on the road and the rail at Jere and Idu stations.

    “In the whole, our deployment on the ground is perfect because we have the various units of the Nigeria Police Force in charge of specialized units.

    “We have the force Explosive Ordinance Department (EOD), we have the force animals in charge of dogs; we have the patrolling team and the mobile force as well as the air wing.

    “As I stated, all the units are deployed fully on ground,’’ he said.