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Tag: Overland

  • Overland, Niger partner on Minna flights

    Overland, Niger partner on Minna flights

    Overland Airways and Niger State Government have entered into a partnership to connect flight services  into  Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport Minna , the state’s capital  State from Lagos and Abuja, effective April 23, 2025.

    The proposed flight service, a statement from the carrier stated will facilitate trade, tourism and economic activities in Niger State and its environs and support the Government of Niger State in its quest to attract more direct investments and improve the livelihood of citizens of the State.

    Overland Airways said the new service  will operate three  weekly flights on the Minna-Lagos-Minna route and three weekly flights on the Minna-Abuja-Minna route.

    Speaking on the development, Chief Executive Officer and Accountable Manager, Overland Airways, Captain Edward Boyo said : “We are excited to commence flight services to Minna from Abuja the Federal Capital and Lagos the Commercial hub of Nigeria. We thank Mohammed Umar Bago, the Executive Governor of the Niger State for his passionate commitment to the growth and development of the State and for making the dream of a connected Niger State come true.”

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    Speaking further Boyo said : ““Known as the Power State, Niger State, the largest state in Nigeria by landmass and host of major hydroelectric power dams and other businesses, requires reliable air services to drive its economic development and Overland Airways is uniquely positioned to meet this need.”

    On its part,  Niger State Ministry of Transport in collaboration with the New Niger Development Project (NNDP), stated, “It has been an uphill journey to bring the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport to fruition—from its construction to its operationalization. Today, we are immensely proud to see this dream become a reality. We are honoured to have Overland Airways as the pioneer airline for this project, setting the foundation for expanded air travel connectivity in Niger State. Mr. Governor is particularly proud of this achievement, which aligns with his vision of modernizing infrastructure and boosting economic development in Niger State.”

    The Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the New Niger Aviation, Alhaji Liman Katamba Kutigi, stated : “This partnership with Overland Airways will ensure regular and robust flight services from Abuja and Lagos to Minna, Niger State. We are thrilled to partner with Overland Airways, which has a reputation for excellent customer service and reliability, and look forward to working together to reposition the aviation sector and economy of Niger State.

    “The New Niger Aviation (NNA) is a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) under the New Niger Development Project (NNDP), established to manage and enhance the aviation sector in Niger State. Led by  Dr. Mohammed Umaru Bago, Governor of Niger State, this initiative aims to improve efficiency, sustainability, and economic viability in air transportation.

     “With the commissioning of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport on 11th March 2024, the New Niger Aviation is created out of the necessity to streamline and coordinate Overland Airways Limited operations, attract investments, and ensure compliance with international best practices.”

  • Overland Airways renews IOSA certification

    Overland Airways renews IOSA certification

    Overland Airways has renewed its International Air Transport Association (IATA) Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) certification for the fifth consecutive time.

    IOSA is the internationally recognized safety benchmark for airlines across the world, and a requirement for African Union airlines. IOSA has over 417 airlines across the world on the registry and has become a global standard for operational safety.

    A statement by the carrier’s spokesperson , Mr Monday Ukoha stated that Overland Airways achieved its IOSA certification in 2015 and has subsequently renewed it in 2017, 2019, 2021, 2022, and again in 2024.

    He said Overland Airways was audited in eight disciplines.

    Speaking on the feat, Accountable Manager and Chief Executive Officer of Overland Airways, Capt. Edward Boyo, said: “The renewal of Overland Airways IOSA certification is an attestation of our commitment to operate according to the best international standards. It is a further validation of Overland Airways’ sustained service promise, over the past 22 years of our existence, to offer our esteemed customers safe, convenient and comfortable flight services across our expanding route network.”

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    Overland Airways service offering, Boyo said has evolved from an all-turboprop fleet to a mixed fleet with the introduction of two brand-new Embraer E175 jets.

     In August 2024, in line with its strategic plan, Overland Airways commenced direct flight services between Lagos and Abuja, relieving the capacity crunch on the route.

    “The rigorous audit process for IOSA certification which positions Overland Airways as one of the leading airlines on the African continent would not have been possible without the commitment of our dedicated staff. We equally extend our appreciation to the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) for their invaluable support,”  said  Capt. Boyo.

  • Overland explores West African market

    TO explore West Africa’s aviation market, through the opportunities provided by the Single African Air Transport Market, Overland Airways has started flights to Cotonou, Republic of Benin and Lome, Togo.

    Speaking last week during the inaugural flight to both countries, Overland Airways Managing Director, Capt Edward Boyo, said the airline planned to boost integration through the flights.

    He described the development as historic and the beginning of an initiative to unite the over 400 million people in West Africa.

    He said: “Overland Airways has come to provide economic integration between Nigeria, Republic of Benin and Togo. We have come to promote trade, which happens when people move from one point to the other. It is possible for prosperity and economic development to come to our lands.

    “We are adding more value. Economic integration has no end; it only has a beginning. We are going to intensify the relationship between Nigeria, a very large economy in West Africa, and the rest of the 400 million people in West Africa, because we are not doing enough trade. Our people must trade with one another. This is what the Economic Community of West African States is all about.”

    He said ECOWAS had made it possible for people within the region to move from one place to another without visas, hence the need to provide the needed air transportation.

    Togo Civil Aviation Authority Director-General, Dokisime Latta, stated that the arrival of Overland was a good thing just as SAATM was a noble idea.

    According to him, Overland is the 14th airline to start flights to the country, and will be supported by the government and people of Togo.

    Nigeria’s Ambassador to the Republic of Benin, Kayode Oguntuase, said the arrival of Overland signaled the beginning of exploring the regional markets in West Africa, adding that it would facilitate trade between the countries involved.

    “Overland is coming at a very good time because there is a gap in air transportation. The roads are so bad that people avoid going by road. With this development, we can make 25 minutes journey from Nigeria to Cotonou and vice-versa. We are encouraged that Overland is here and we assure the airline that this land will be a rewarding one,” he said.

  • Overland plans regional operations in 2017

    Overland Airways will begin flight operations into the West African Coast in the first quarter of next year, its Chief Executive Officer, Captain Edward Boyo, has said.

    He said Overland has added Asaba-Abuja route to its network.

    The twice weekly flight from Asaba to Abuja and Abuja to Asaba is operated by its ATR turboprop aircraft with superior design for unmatched performance on short-distance flights in terms of economic reliability, safety and comfort.

    According to Boyo, the accelerated development of Delta State economy is strategic to various regions, including the Southeast and Southsouth, which makes air transport an important element in the efforts to develop the state.

    He said:  “Delta State is endowed with great human and other resources which should be carefully harnessed by relentless efforts of both the government and the private sector. Overland Airways is dedicated to creating new high-value for the indigenes and visitors to Delta State by providing our trademark excellent, reliable, safe and comfortable air services to Asaba.

    “With routes, such as Lagos, Asaba, Abuja, Dutse, Minna, Bauchi, Jalingo, Akure, Overland Airways looks to begin regional flights in West African in the first quarter of 2017.’’

  • AON pledges to pay NCAA all unremitted funds in full

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

  • Overland chief advises private jet licencees on honesty

    Overland chief advises private jet licencees on honesty

    The Chief Executive Officer,  Overland Airways, Capt Edward Boyo, has said airline operators must not only obey regulations, but also ensure  that its licences and certificates are used the purposes they were approved for.

    Boyo’s warning is coming on the heels of the running battle between the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and 22 private jet owners, who were given Airline Operator’s Certificates (AOCs) to carry out private operations, but instead were allegedly running revenue operations.

    Aviation business, he said, is a major contributor to economic growth and should be given adequate political support to thrive. Policy and regulations, he said, should be reviewed and implemented to develop the sector.

    Boyo said there was need to enhance the processing of flight permits and related documentation and that stakeholders should improve funding, insurance and other support for business aviation in Nigeria.

    He said to boost safe flying, capacity development and safety management systems, should be emphasised by operators.

    The NCAA, he said, should beef up its technical capacity to strengthen its regulatory oversight, providing for adequate capacity,while security regulation should be shored up in the face of emerging threats.

    He also said  the Federal Government should strengthen the enforcement of regulations and policies to ensure fair play in aviation busines, adding that operators should contribute to the development of local capacity.

    Also, Boyo said periodically, aviation business policies should be reviewed in line with global practices, adding that there is need for adequate security.

    He said the effectiveness of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (NCARs) are dependent on NCAA’s capacity, as well as the willingness of operators to comply with the agency’s regulations.

    He, however, pointed out that one major area of difficulty and resistance to NCAA’s regulation is the use of licences and certificates for illegal operations, such as using licences for private operations to carry out commercial operations.

    This, Boyo added, has prompted the NCAA to warn operators to regularise their licences and certificates and streamline their operations.

  • 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.”

  • Overland begins online booking

    Overland Airways has announced the introduction of online ticket booking and payment for her customers’ convenience.

    According to a statement, customers can book and pay for flight tickets to any of their desired Overland Airways destinations.

    With the introduction of is option, customers now have the opportunity to make reservation and pay for their flight tickets from any part of the country using any of the following debit cards: Interswitch Verve, VISA, Mastercard and E-tranzact.

    The Chief Operating Officer Mrs. Aanu Benson, said: “The introduction of the online ticket reservation and payment will create convenience for our customers as they can book and pay for their tickets online from the comfort of their homes, offices and any other location they find themselves.

    “After the payment passengers will receive their electronic ticket with their unique booking reference number or Passenger Name Record (PNR) via their email addressesfor presentation at the check in counter.”

    “This is part of our commitment to our customers, to continuously innovate to improve their flying experience. From the booking and payment of tickets, to our seamless check-in process and to flying onboard our modern aircraft, Overland customers are assured of a unique travel experience.”