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Tag: Nnamdi Azikwe International airport

  • BREAKING: FG declares Minna airport alternative to Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport

    BREAKING: FG declares Minna airport alternative to Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport

    The Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport, Minna, has been declared as the alternative airport to the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport.

    Minister of Aviation Festus Keyamo declared this at the inaugural flight commencement of Overland Airways from Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport in Minna.

    Keyamo said the airport has the face, runway, ambience, and location that fits any other international airport across the world.

    Read Also: Minna Airport to resume direct flights to Lagos, Abuja on April 23 after 15-year break

    “The runway is an international runway; a 747 and a tripple 7 can use this runway. Why over the years this has been underutilised is still a puzzle.

    “Our eyes are on this airport. By the powers conferred in me, I declare Minna airport as the alternative to Abuja Airport. NCA, FAAN, take note,” he stated.

    Details shortly…

  • BA treats Abuja passengers to classic lounge

    Premium passengers of British Airways (BA)  flying from Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja, will be treated to royal reception before departure courtesy of Strong ground Delivery Services Enterprise (SDS) Lounge Services,  which has provided a world-class lounge for BA passengers.

    Unveiled in Abuja, at a ceremony graced by major stakeholders, the newly set-up Lounge is a replica of one at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, where BA premium passengers are the treated to assorted cuisine and pleasure.

    Speaking at the cake-cutting ceremony, BA Customer Service Duty Manager ( Abuja) Mr. Jide Oladoye said BA customers deserve royal treatment. “They deserve it, and today marks a turning point for our customers, particularly our premium customers. Definitely, our passengers are going to relate with this experience. For a while now, they have been wanting great experience in our lounge.

    This is just the beginning,  because by the time we moved to the new terminal,  I’m sure we are going to even do better than what we are having here today “,said Oladoye.

    Federal Airport Authority Nigeria (FAAN) Regional Manager, Mr. Mohammed Sanni said SDS Lounge is the best of its kind.

    “This is a well-furnished, equipped lounge.

    Read also: Abuja Disco promises uninterrupted power supply in Niger

    “We pray they move to the new terminal where you will see a more improved facility passengers can enjoy. We have always insisted we should improve our facilities time to time for the comfort of our passengers.

    ‘’With this development, I ’m not surprised it has keyed in into our plans,” the Airport Manager, observed.

    FAAN Chief Security Officer, Abuja International Airport, Mallam   Mohammed Tijani Yakassa lauded the initiative. He said: “It ’s a good innovation. I’m really impressed with the way they changed the pattern of the Lounge.   Initially, the lounge was not as large as we have it now. The way it’s transformed now is very interesting.

    ‘’They have done a good innovation job here. Initially, the lounge is for BA. I think there is a cooperation between BA and SDS. Probably, the SDS are going to manage it for British Airways.

    “The British Airways passengers will be using it. Most of the passengers will be surprised, including those that have been using it. By the time they come back they will be surprised with the changes that has taken place, “ he said. BA Global Lounge Manager Mr. Lukasz Wyrzykowski expressed satisfaction with the new lounge under the management of SDS.

    “In Nigeria, we have our lounge in Lagos at the international airport and in Abuja. I’m impressed with what I see here. The lounge is beautiful. We have been operating in Abuja for about 20 years.

    ‘’We operate a daily flight, we operate first class. Therefore, we have many customers who expect to have a lounge before they go on board of our aircraft. We are working with SDS. We refurbished it to a very high standard. We have got beautiful furniture. We improve our catering proposition so that customers can enjoy; have something to eat before they go on board the flight; they can have a drink, they can have some wine, coffee and they have a selection of foods.

    “We have a real working partnership with the SDS in Abuja.

    ‘’They helped us to developed the lounge. I have seen the two terminals and  I’m happy they are looking great.

    ‘’At some point we will move to the new terminal and this will be massive improvement for our customers,“ Lukasz said.

  • Union shuts operations of Newrest Aviation Services at airport

    Union shuts operations of Newrest Aviation Services at airport

    The National Union of Air Transport Employees ( NUATE ) has for the second consecutive day shut down the operations of Newrest Aviation Services Limited at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

    The General Secretary of NUATE, Mr Olayinka Abioye, said that the workers’ action followed refusal of the in-flight catering services provider to allow the employees to belong to unions in the sector.

    Abioye told our reporters on Tuesday that Newrest ASL provides in-flight catering services to some foreign airlines operating in Nigeria.

    It also has lounges and restaurants at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos and at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja.

    Abioye said: “Before now, the workers belonged to a union in the hotel and hospitality sector, and overtime, they realised that they were not getting benefits from being members of the union.

    “They also took cognisance that since their work revolves round the aviation sector, they should belong to one of the unions in the sector.

    “They got in touch with us and we looked at their books and advised them accordingly.

    “So, they notified their former union individually as allowed by law that they wanted to leave and join unions in the aviation sector.”

    He said NUATE wrote the Newrest ASL informing the company that some of their employees had joined the association.

    Abioye said that the management, however, sought for clarification which led to a meeting between the parties and the Federal Ministry of Labour.

    He said the ministry urged NUATE to allow the workers to remain in the hospitality union, but the workers rejected the move.

    Abioye said the workers insisted that they wanted to belong to the aviation unions.

    According to him, the management thereafter made it compulsory for the workers to belong to the hospitality union and allegedly sacked those opposing the directive.

    “We have been dragging the issue for sometime before the Lagos State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress ( NLC ); enough is enough.

    “So, the employees wrote two letters to the management.

    “They did not respond, which led to the shutting down of the company’ s operations since Monday,” Abioye said.

    NAN

  • Abuja Airport runway repairs about 58% ready

    Abuja Airport runway repairs about 58% ready

    The Federal Government Thursday said the runway repairs ongoing at the Nnamdi Azikwe International airport is 57.5 percent completed.

    The FG also disclosed that escalators, lifts and lounge will be installed at Terminal building to ease the movement for the aged and the physically challenged.

    Also, since flight operations were moved to Kaduna International Airport, the federal government said it has witnessed about 1,119 domestic flights operation and 50 international flights.

    This was disclosed in Abuja Thursday after the Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika and the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed inspected the extent of work done three weeks into the closure of the runway.

    Sirika said: “Without going deep into the reasons why the airport had to be closed; basically because of safety, the runway had completely failed at several sections, making it impossible to take the option of repairs at night and operating by day.

    “Here we are, we choose the decision in the interest of safety and we commenced. Work is going on smoothly and everything is in order.

    “From the programme of work, we were supposed to import all necessary materials that need to be imported and those that are local be sourced and at the work site, the contractor has mobilized fully and we have done now about 57.5 percent of the total work which is good and which shows that we are on time and that we are doing what we are supposed to do to ensure that the runway is opened come 19th of April.”

    On other works that is ongoing at the airport, he said: “we are on course and this runway will be opened on the 19th of April and it will not only be opened, the terminal building will wear a new look.

    “We are doing complete rehabilitation of Wing D at the airport. We will put escalators and lifts for departure at that terminal.

    “Also, we are opening up a lounge for the disable, challenged and elderly. This in response from our thoughts and the feedback we get including the feedback from Omojuwa who said he hopes it will be opened with lift for the elderly and the challenged.

    “It has been part of what we planned, so we are speaking in the same language with users of our service.

    “In the Terminal B, we are building a new lift also, constructing it to install and of course, toilets and other artillery services will be provided. So, the benefit of this closure means that we are having improved terminal.

    “A terminal that is more robust, take more passengers and create seamless flow, international and local passengers not mixing. They will go to different sides of the airport entirely and that is according to international standards, ICAO standards and recommended practices.

    “So, the airport will be more compliant if you ask me and more functional and efficient at the time it will be opened”, he said.

    Speaking on some materials that were imported for the purpose of the rehabilitation, he said: “I am being asked what is imported for this purpose; there is a new technology where glass grid is put in the process of constructing the runway to reinforce it, to give it extra strength and prevent cracks.

    “This is the first time any Nigerian runway is being treated with such material and that material is a 50 tonner. We had to fly it in to Nigeria to ensure that it comes in time for this job and you have seen samples of it.

    He added: “The runway work is going according to plan and you could also see that we are working simultaneously. Whilst the surface work is being finished, the installation of lightings are going on at the same time, channels are being cut for the laying of wires and also installation of lights at the same time.”

    On the statistics of passengers and flight operation in Kaduna since the closure of the Abuja airport runway, Sirika said: “We have had about 50 international flights out of Kaduna, we have moved about 4000 international passengers out of Kaduna and about 73,000 domestic passengers and about 1,119 aircraft movement for domestics.

    “There are inconveniences for people but I am sure Nigerians are in support in the interest of safety.”

    On whether there will be any delay if rain falls before the 23 of April, the date predicted by NiMet for rain to start in Abuja, the Minister said: “there won’t be disruption because we have factored that into our thoughts.

    “So long as we don’t get some surprises, even though science and technology is factual, and precise, something can go wrong and God can decide to do something different but so long it is normal rain that will set in and go away as we envisaged, it is not going to disrupt our operation but if it something beyond the usual that can tamper, of course it will tamper but all the same, I think with all of that, we will be able to reopen on the 19th.”

    On the delay of flight operation from Kaduna to London, Sirika said: “the operations that would have happened on Monday for us to fly direct to London was on course until that Monday.

    “We had couple of issues with the local carrier we wanted to partner with. The aircraft is available, the route is available, the capacity and ability of the local partner; but we have some issues which is being considered.

    “We were of the belief that everything was okay and that is why we projected Monday, however, as soon as that is sorted out, we will commence that flight.

    “Our intent is to make all of our airport, regardless to be able to access the world through them, so we are taking them seriously. So, I will update you as soon as I have an uodate”, he added.

    Also speaking, Lai Mohammed assured that the six weeks promised will not be extended.

    He said: “We believe it is befitting that we bring you here again since we are three weeks gone from the six weeks we promised to see the extent of the work that has been done.

    “This is to reiterate that the six weeks we promised the world is still valid and we don’t intend to give any excuses.”

     

  • We’ve committed N2bn to projects on flight diversion to Kaduna – El-Rufai

    We’ve committed N2bn to projects on flight diversion to Kaduna – El-Rufai

    Kaduna state government said it has committed N2 billion to the preparation for the diversion of flights to Kaduna International Airport due to the proposed closure of Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja to repair its runway.

    The amount according to Governor El-Rufai is being spent on the building of the new road linking Kaduna Airport with the light rail train station in Rigasa, resurfacing of the, Nnamdi Azikwe Express Way and installing of solar powered streets lights among others.

    Governor Nasir El-Rufai who disclosed this when he received the Corps Marshall of Federal Road Safety Commission, Mr Boboye Oyeyemi in his office in Kaduna Wednesday, said that the projects when completed will serve four states in the North west region.

    According to him, “We have committed close to N2 billion of our resources to the new airport work. We are building a link road from the train station to the airport. We are financing police outpost and resurfacing western bypass with solar street lights, we are rehabilitating airport link road from Mando with street lights from our inadequate resources. If the experiment succeeds Kaduna stand to get some gains. 

    “We are confident that Kaduna would be ready very soon, we are working hard on security and infrastructure, 40 percent of passengers that fly out of Abuja airport are from Kaduna, Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi states.”

    Speaking on the state-owned Doka General Hospital, Governor el-Rufai said the state government has awarded contracts for construction of emergency reception facility in the hospital. “Kaduna state government has awarded contract for the construction of emergency reception facility at Doka to be ready in months. World class trauma centre with helipad for emergency evacuation, MRI, RT scan facilities will be ready before the end of the year or early next year.”

    Governor El-Rufai said the decision to ask FRSC men to concentrate on federal highways was made by the state security council borne of complaints of checkpoints that end up causing accident instead of stopping it. “It was the decision of the Security Council to ask men of the road safety corps to focus on the highway and allow state traffic regulation agency to man the urban roads. 

    “We did not ban road safety staffs or activities in Kaduna state, we have no such powers. The relationship between FRSC and our traffic agency should be complementary and not duplicated efforts. FRSC should concentrate on highway and state agency should focus on urban roads. IIf the road safety corps has been embarrassed it is my duty to apologize.

    “We look forward to training of our state traffic agency to highest international standard. We look forward to hiring a further 1,000 staff for the agency. Overloading is a big issue, a danger to those within and outside the vehicle. Tankers carrying firewood and other goods have become danger to our roads and citizens as well.”

    The Corps Marshall, Boboye Oyeyemi commended the state government for supporting FRSC in the state and for setting up Kaduna State Traffic and Environmental Law Enforcement Agency (Kastelea), saying that there is need to train the members for effective application of traffic laws. He said 16 states have set up state traffic agencies, noting that there is need to share responsibility with the state traffic agencies. 

    “The Federal Road Safety Corps had policy shift to focus on federal highway and allow states set up traffic management agencies. The Corps will then transfer responsibility of traffic control of the state and urban roads to the state agencies, while focusing on the federal highways. 16 states have since set up their traffic management agencies and we are sharing responsibility by regulating their activities.

    “I learnt that your state traffic agency started operation in January (2017), they would need proper training so that we can be on same page and work to remove recalcitrant drivers from the road and save more lives. We would do more regulatory work while concentrating on federal highways. I learnt what some of our boys did, you don’t need to worry, I would carry out major reorganization in FRSC in the state. 

    “We are setting up eight additional outposts along Kaduna-Abuja highway with four on Kaduna side, two will be sited along bypass, one at the train station and one at the airport. We are also setting up four more ambulance points along the road. I’m worried about overload which I have witnessed along Abuja Kaduna road up to Kano, putting people in the boot with rams. I’m working on it but can’t leave Abuja always, you need to help us about it. 

    “The Doka Hospital is not equipped, we move crash victims to St Gerard Hospital and some of them die along the way. The hospital needs to be equipped to serve as a traumatic center, Kaduna state government need to do something about it. Most of the crashes take place about 300 meters either side of the hospital because it is a long stretch of road which force drivers to over speed”, he said.

  • 2017 Budget: Reps reject Aviation Ministry’s budget defense

    2017 Budget: Reps reject Aviation Ministry’s budget defense

    Ministry of Aviation’s 2017 budget estimates is at a risk of not being considered unless a comprehensive presentation was made to the House of Representatives Committee on Aviation within 48 hours.

    This is because officials of the Ministry failed to satisfactorily defend some expenditures of the Ministry in the 2016 budget document.

    Defense of a preceding year’s budget is a condition for the consideration and adoption of the budget estimates of the current fiscal year.

    Meanwhile, Minister of State, Aviation, Hadi Sirika has disclosed that the process for the closure of the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja is complete, adding that Kaduna State  is also ready for the expected  human and  vehicular traffic upsurge during the period.

    At the Ministry’s budget session Thursday, Director of Finance, Akin Ijiwole failed to convince the Nkeiruka Onyejeocha-led Aviation Committee on how N407m was committed to a N700m project but had zero performance recorded in the budget document.

    In addition, while the Committee expressed concern over budget releases, budget performance and physical development, it questioned the rationale behind the completion of 22 capital projects out of 98 while 28 projects out of 32 were completed for Overhead.

    The Committee also sought explanation for the release of N25m out of N320m for Enugu Airport control tower with fiscal year running out.

    The Committee wondered if the project would not end up as another abandoned project.

    Onyejeocha said: “There is an urgent need to discuss procedures for making the aviation sector self-sustaining in line with the stance on diversification.

    “The aviation sector is of enormous importance to our nation and matters concerning expenditure and revenue projections require careful consideration to reap the benefits the sector has to offer”.

    In his response, Sirika said the decision of the government was to complete all abandoned projects, which was the reason behind the mobilisation of contractors that have abandoned several projects across the country, citing Enugu and Port Harcourt Airports

    On the closure of Abuja Airport, he said, “We have done all we can, the process for closure of the airport is compete.

    “Even on security, we have constituted a Security Committee headed by an Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) with high ranking military and other security agencies officers as members.

    “Their mandate is to provide maximum security on the Abuja-Kaduna road for the users of the road.

    “The government of Kaduna State is also ready for the closure by offering to repair a section of the road leading to the Kaduna Airport, in addition to enhancing the road with street lights and cleared bush.

    “The State will also construct a bye pass route for users of the airport to avoid heavy traffic within the town.

    “The government has also assured that other auxiliary services are ready with provision of restaurants and others.”

    However, when asked to break down the figure in the budget document, Director of Finance, Ijiwole failed to convince the Committee with his explanation.

    This led the Committee to warn that the consideration of the Ministry’s 2017 budget would be affected unless full information on the real percentage of project completion as well as a comprehensive and comprehensible budget estimates presentation was made to it within 48 hours.

  • Airport closure: FG meets with foreign airlines operators

    Airport closure: FG meets with foreign airlines operators

    As anxieties mount over government proposed closure of the Nnamdi Azikwe International airport runway in Abuja, the federal government held a closed door meeting with foreign airlines in Abuja.
    Highlighting what transpired at the end of the meeting which lasted for over one and half hours, the Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika said the operators would be subjected to inspect some of the facilities that would be installed in Kaduna before the closure.
    According to him: “Foreign airline operators in Abuja have certain questions, queries and concerns and I am glad to inform you that even though we have not exhausted the questions 100 percent, we have done so by 95 percent.
    “They want to know whether Kaduna airport has an operational fence to ensure that the airport is secured, to know whether the airport can contain several aircrafts at the same time, to know the level of preparedness as regards security within the city of Kaduna enroute Abuja and the airport?
    He further said: “Whether there is the availability of Jet A1 in Kaduna? Whether the airlines will participate in the screening of passengers and baggage? Handling of aircrafts and catering also?
    “Possibility of having a breakdown of any of the aircrafts in operation in Kaduna, whether the airport or Kaduna as a city has the capacity to contain such breakdown and if there is the availability of engine system by which airlines talk to themselves?
    The operators according to the minister also sought to know if there is an office that the opeeators can use for the stipulated time.
    He said: “they also wanted to know if there are airline offices that can be used temporarily for six weeks and whether there are enough boarding gates and what happens if there is any delay in catering which is a necessity in all of the flight operations?
    “They also wanted to know if there was any delayed bag, how the bags could be tracked? Also, the fuel contracts that may arise knowing fully well that they are all engaged and they have some arrangements and agreement with fuel companies in Abuja and what will happen if they move to Kaduna?
    “We also talked about a delivery team to deliver procurement and also discussed the possibility of putting up a website where all these can be interactive and it will be between us and them”, he said.
    Moving forward, the Sirika said: “Because the questions are many, we have dealt with each of them, and some of them are subject to verification and inspection of Kaduna as an airport to see whether those facilities are available”.
    On whether the closure will be put on hold or not, he said: “We cannot continue to use the runway for safety reasons, the airport will be closed for six weeks. We want to take advantage of the dry season to be able to rehabilitate the only runway in Abuja and this is the demonstration of the fact that we have successfully succeeded in removing hitherto impunity in governance, we are able to consult, interact with members of the public and stakeholders in decision making in governance.
    “We are not closing the airport for fun, we are doing it in the interest of safety as demonstrated by high level of destruction of the runway”, he stated. 
    Some of the foreign airlines present at the meeting are: Ethiopian airways, Air France/KLM, Turkish Airlines, Lufthansa, Egyptair, and South Africa Airways
    The minister also noted that a media chat will be held to discuss further fears and concerns on the closure of the airport.