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Tag: Overland Airways

  • Bago, Overland Airways boss hail President on airport upgrade

    Bago, Overland Airways boss hail President on airport upgrade

    Niger State Governor , Mohammed Umar Bago and the Chief Executive Officer of Overland Airways, Captain Edward Boyo have hailed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his Renewed Hope Agenda which they said  brought about the upgrade of airport  infrastructure and other interventions in the aviation sector.

    They lauded the President for facilitating collaboration between state governments and the Federal Government in delivering the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport, Minna for functional flight activities.

    Bago  thanked Tinubu for granting approval for the state’s request to fix Minna Airport with state-of-the art facilities and name it after the president.

    The governor spoke during the inaugural flight of Overland Airways into Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport,. He said  the goodwill his administration had enjoyed under the Tinubu administration speaks volumes of the determination of the government to utilize aviation as a catalyst for economic development.

    Bago said Niger State Government is working hard to achieve an Airport City with intentional facilities.

    He said: “ We thank our father , President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for  the support that has encouraged us to fix the airport, which is now functional to attract investors and economic development to our state.

    “ We intend to establish an aircraft,  repair centre and other facilities that will drive development in the state.”

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    Boyo lauded Tinubu for the strides in the aviation industry, describing airline connectivity as the catalyst to drive economic transformation.

    He said:” The launch of this flight services from Minna to Lagos and Abuja is the beginning of restoration of important air connectivity to Minna and its environs and we count on your support to sustain this flight services. The Governor has great plans and we hail and admire his ambition.

    “Overland is here to support him fully.

    “Overland Airways is ready.We have deployed in this route our brand new Embraer E-175 aircraft which features Premium and Economy cabins. This is the latest technology in aviation and we assure you of our excellent services and courteous staff.

    “We express our profound gratitude to the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria , Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his Renewed Hope Agenda which has reflected greatly in the aviation sector.

    “We thank the Executive Governor of Niger State, His Excellency, Farmer Governor, Business Governor, Progress Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago for this opportunity. What the administration of His Excellency is doing today by ushering Overland Airways into Minna will be remembered and appreciated in the years to come for the prosperity it will bring to the lives of the people.

    “We thank the Honourable Minister of Aviation, Barrister Festus Keyamo,  for his unwavering support to the airline sector in Nigeria

    “Aviation is not an end in itself, it is a means to an end. What we are witnessing today is not only about air connectivity, it is about opening up the economy of Niger State and offering opportunities for trade, investment, agriculture and other sectors of the economy with the outside world, to explore business opportunities in this State.

    “There is a saying that “A kilometer of road takes you nowhere but a kilometer runway can take you all over the world”. This direct flight services from Minna to Abuja and Lagos will ensure that citizens of Niger State can fly to any part of the world through onward connections from Abuja and Lagos.

  • Overland begins Lagos-Abuja direct flights

    Overland begins Lagos-Abuja direct flights

    Overland Airways yesterday said it will begin direct flights between Lagos and Abuja. The airline added that it will operate over 60 weekly frequencies between the two cities to boost capacity on the route.

    The Executive Director of Overland, Mrs Aduke Atiba, said: “The introduction of this new route is part of Overland’s commitment to meeting the growing demand for convenient and comfortable air services between Lagos and Abuja and relieving Nigerians of the difficulties they are experiencing on the route.

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    The addition of the Lagos to Abuja direct service to our expanding route network represents a significant milestone in our journey to serve our valued customers better.”

    Assuring its customers of quality and consistent service that Overland Airways is known, Atiba said that the route will be operated using the airline’s newly acquired Embraer E-175 aircraft.

  • Domestic Flights: Travellers decry high price of air tickets

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

     

    Read Also: Fuel scarcity: More domestic airlines cancel flights

     

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    (NAN)

  • NCAA, AIB launch probe as Overland plane bursts into flame

    An aircraft  – ATR 42 -belonging to Overland Airways unexpectedly caught fire yesterday  where it was parked at the airline’s hangar at the domestic wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja.

    The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority ( NCAA) and Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) immediately launched investigations into the fire.

    Spokesman of the AIB, Tunji Oketumbi, who confirmed the development, said a team of investigators from the bureau went to the site of the incident and carried out the necessary duties.

    The AIB official said there was no intention of flight as regards the aircraft, which he said was seriously affected by fire.

    He said the AIB could only operate within the limits of the International Civil Aviation Organisation  (ICAO) Annex 13 covering air accident investigation.

    In a telephone interview, an official of the NCAA said the regulatory body sent its personnel to ascertain what happened to the aircraft at the hangar.

    It was also leant that a director with the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN),  led to team to see how its aerodrome rescue safety fire fighting unit contained the incident.

    FAAN fire tenders/trucks were mobilised to the incident scene to put out the fire.

    Meanwhile, Overland Airways attributed the impact of a foreign object as the cause of fire.

    A statement issued by the airline’s management said: “In a lone incident this morning (yesterday), our aircraft asset undergoing routine maintenance inspection was impacted by a foreign object which led to a fire that damaged aircraft parked at our hangar facility at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.

    “The aircraft was not in public service when the unfortunate incident occurred.

    “The fire was put under control by a combined safety team of Overland Airways and the FAAN Fire Service.

    “We are very grateful to God Almighty that there was no injury to any personnel, no loss of life and no third-party damage recorded. Also our ultra-modern aircraft hangar was not damaged.“

     

     

  • 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.

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    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…

     

     

  • Overland Airways gets city ticketing office in Jalingo

    Overland Airways gets city ticketing office in Jalingo

    Overland Airways has launched its City Ticketing Office in Jalingo, Taraba State.

    The office which is located at SBG House, along Barde Way, was inaugurated by the Chief of Staff, Government House, Hon. Rebo Usman. The Commissioner of Works, Dr. Tafarki Eneme Agbadu and Galadima of Muri, District Head of Jalingo, Alhaji Lamido Abba Tukur presented goodwill messages on behalf of stakeholders and the community.

    The Executive Director, Overland Airways, Mrs. Aduke Atiba, said the new office is part of efforts to reach out to all parts of the country .

    The City Ticketing Office,  she said,  will provide easy access for the purchase of Overland Airways tickets and for other enquiries.

    The airline operates thrice-weekly flights between Abuja and Jalingo. With the launch of this City Ticketing Office, the people of Zing, Jalingo can easily avail themselves of Overland Airways’ services without necessarily travelling to the airport.

    According to Capt. Edward Boyo, the Managing Director of Overland Airways: “We commend the government and people of Taraba State for embracing air transport as a key driver of Taraba State’s economic development. This service is for Taraba people. And the present government of Darius Ishaku will be remembered today and by posterity because Overland Airways is here to stay.

    “Development takes such deliberate plans and efforts to be achieved. At a time Nigeria’s economy needs pragmatic diversification from over-dependence on crude oil, states are now required to look inwards to transform their numerous resources. Taraba State is in the frontline of regions to change the trend in Nigeria.

    “ Overland Airways is committed to partner in the realisation of the economic, social, cultural and other potentials of Taraba State, even in harsh economic conditions as we have seen in the past weeks and months.”

    Overland Airways launched the first-ever scheduled commercial airline flights to Jalingo airport last December, thus opening the state to unprecedented economic development in tourism, agribusiness, small- and medium-scale industries.

    According to Mrs. Aanu Benson, Chief Operating Officer of Overland Airways: “We want to get closer to the people and identify with their needs. We want to let them see how air transport can improve their business and economic lives as Overland Airways provides them with safe, comfortable, consistent, reliable and unique air services. The launch of this City Ticketing Office in Jalingo today adds a huge value to Jalingo and Taraba State.

    “As a partner in economic development, Overland Airways is committed to opening up Nigeria’s hinterland economies because we have the best aircraft – the turboprops – for the short flights into Nigeria’s hinterland economies which many Nigerian flyers are excited about.”

  • Aircraft veers off runway at Ilorin airport

    Aircraft veers off runway at Ilorin airport

    An ATR 72 propeller aircraft belonging to Overland Airways on Saturday veered off the runway at the Ilorin International Airport, after it made a normal landing .
    There were 59 passengers and four crew members on board the aircraft .
    Confirming the incident , the General Manager Public Affairs of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority ( NCAA), Mr Fan Ndubuoke said the authority has launched investigations into the cause of the incident .
    He said the 59 passengers were safety evacuated from the aircraft .
    The NCAA said in a statement :” An Overland flight 1186, an ATR 72 aircraft with Registration number 5N-BPG from Abuja airport to Ilorin carrying fifty nine (59) passengers and four (4) crew veered off the runway at low speed after a normal landing at the Ilorin Airport.
    ” The incident which occurred today Saturday 29th November at 4.45pm has no casualty recorded. However, the Accident and Prevention Bureau in conjunction with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority has launched an investigation into the cause of the incident.
    ” The authority wishes to use this medium to reassure Nigerians that safety of the traveling public is still paramount and cannot be compromised.”
    Speaking in a telephone interview,the chief executive officer of landover Aviation Company, Captain Edward Boyo said the airline complied with standard operating procedure .
    He said passengers were safety evacuated from the aircraft after the incident .
    Meanwhile, a source hinted that another domestic operator made an air return yesterday when the aircraft belonging to the said airline returned to the Lagos Airport about five minutes it took off from the runway .

  • Overland resumes flights to Minna

    Overland Airways has resumed scheduled flight services from Minna Airport to Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja and Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos.

    The service, according to Overland Airways, started last week.

    Overland Chief Executive Officer Capt. Edward Boyo said: ”The resumption of flight services on the Minna-Abuja, Minna-Lagos and Minna-Ilorin routes is part of our objective of improving interconnectivity and facilitating social and economic ties across Nigeria.”

    “Overland Airways has also introduced additional morning flights from Abuja to Ilorin and afternoon flight from Lagos to Ilorin.”

    He said passengers could check-in online.

    According to Capt. Boyo, “Minna is an important city in the Northcentral zone and by linking it with Abuja, Lagos and Ilorin, Overland Airways will bring comfort and pleasure to the people of Niger State and the neighbouring states of Kaduna, Kebbi, Kogi and Kwara.

    “Overland’s resumption of service to Minna will support the development drives of these states and other private initiatives geared at improving the socio-economic lives of the peoples.

    “We, particularly, would like to thank the Chief Servant of Niger State, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu and his Executive Council for their hospitality. We assure air travelers in Niger State that they will be treated to Overland’s exceptional flight experience and courteous service.”

  • Airline operator calls for low interest rate

    THE Federal Government should offer low cost loans to airlines to keep them afloat, an operator has advised.

    In an interview in Lagos, the Chief Executive Officer of Overland Airways,Captain Edward Boyo, said some governments abroad took such initiative to save airlines from collapse.

    He said: ”But the quickest reform the government can make is to provide low cost capital for the airlines. And it is nothing new; governments in other countries have done it.

    “Every government must protect the economy for the benefit of their people, not opening the economy for foreigners to come and take advantage of them. Due to the high cost of capital in Nigeria, you have a situation where European, American and other foreign companies are coming to drop their aircraft in the Nigeria market. And it is because they have access to cheaper capital

    “The problem that operators have is high financing of aircraft. This is a problem in Nigeria and Africa, generally. We have lower financing costs in Europe and more advanced countries. An aircraft is measured by its airworthiness, not by the age.

    ”The last intervention fund had a good intention from the government, but many airlines did not get the cash. The banks that were generous in funding the airlines got into trouble. Even despite the intervention, to show you how deep airlines were in the negative, the intervention fund was not sufficient.

    “The Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) had to bail out some of the airlines so that they can survive. That is the job of government. The government has come to the assistance of the airlines. Since the last intervention fund never turned the fortunes of the airlines for better, government felt it needed to improve air transportation system in the country.”

    Boyo listed the problems of domestic airline operators to include low capacity of funding institutions, which hampers aircraft acquisition, high lending rate to airlines that has become a major challenge for many operators and increasing lease rates.

    Others, according to Boyo, are prohibitive maintenance costs, which have made domestic airline operators to fake aircraft abroad for major checks, such as C and D, high import duties and taxes on aircraft parts, which add to operators’spiralling cost.

    On how to attract funding and patronage to domestic airlines, Boyo said safety drives patronage and funding. He added that though the International Air Transport Association (IATA) reported recently that Africa’s accident record remarkably improved by 58 per cent in 2011 over 2010 record, it is still well below world average.

  • Overland Airways aquires aircraft

    Overland Airways has taken delivery of the first of its six ATR 72 aircraft. The aircraft with Registration Number 5N-BPE, according to a ,arrived Nigeria in October from the manufacturer’s facility in Toulouse, France.

    The Overland ATR 72 aircraft, with a significantly reduced noise level, is configured to carry 70 passengers in its Business Flyer seats and offers easy aisle access to every seat.

    The Chief Executive Officer of Overland Airways Limited, Capt. Edward Boyo, said: “The addition of the ATR 72 to our fleet enables Overland Airways to provide a high level of on-board comfort to our customers. It increases our seat capacity while ensuring that we can extend our services to new locations in Nigeria. We are proud to be the first airline in Nigeria to operate this modern aircraft type.”

    “The delivery of the ATR 72 marks another milestone for Overland Airways as we celebrate our 10 years of offering excellent air services in Nigeria. It shows our commitment to continuously upgrade our fleet in line with the expectations of our discerning customers and satisfy our growing market. This new addition to our ATR family of aircraft will further our leadership and presence in the Nigerian airline industry,” the statement added.

    Overland Airways, according to the statement, plans to provide air transport services to every state in Nigeria through continuous development and delivery of aviation products and services to meet the needs of air travelers in the country.

    Overland Airways is a responsive airline committed to the revival and sustenance of hitherto perceived unviable routes in the country thereby supporting the growth of the air transport industry in Nigeria and enhancing business and cultural ties in the communities it serves.