The Nation Newspaper

Tag: routes

  • Arik Air introduces ‘Super Saver’ fare on domestic routes

    Arik Air introduces ‘Super Saver’ fare on domestic routes

    Arik Air has introduced a “super saver” fare, which gives customers the benefit of making massive savings when they book early online to travel to any of the airline’s domestic routes.

    The airline, in a statement yesterday, said to travel to any destination within Nigeria, passenger can buy a one-way ticket from N16,000 provided such booking is made at least seven days before departure at www.arikair.com.

    The super saver fare is aimed at enabling more Nigerians experience air travel and reduce the stress of travelling by road, especially at night.

    It will also enrich family and friends visitation, while giving opportunities for small businesses to take advantage of the massive savings to enhance their businesses in the New Year.

    On the new fare, Arik Air’s Chief Executive Officer, Captain Roy Ilegbodu, said: “We are constantly evolving ways of adding value to our services to be more customer-friendly and responsive to the yearnings of the traveling public. Air travel should not be an exclusive preserve and that is the reason for this low fare of N16,000 aimed at making air travel more affordable.

    “Our promise this year is that there will be something great and of interest for every customer of the airline.”

  • Multiple routes to success

    I am a firm believer in the Yoruba proverb that states that multiple routes lead to the market (Ona kan o wo ja).  I am also very concerned about the huge number of school leavers we churn out each year who are unable to gain admission into the tertiary institution immediately.  The few among them who are born to rich families have no problem.  They are sent abroad without delay.  The majority, who belong to the middle and lower socio-economic classes, do not have it so easy.  For those from middle class homes, they may need to stay at home (for one + years) until they gain admission into a public university.  For those from poorer backgrounds, the task is even more daunting.  Even if they get admission, there may be no money to pay.

    However, I strongly believe these two groups can apply the Yoruba proverb to their lives.  My belief is drawn from the fact that the environment is replete with resources we can use to learn, grow, develop, and excel.  Yes, it is true that those in possession of material resources can easily access them with their wealth.  However, these resources also answer to those who do not have so much financial clout.  For instance, I have noticed that the basic materials young babies need to learn (colours, sand, music, and human contact, etc.) do not need to be bought with money.  As a result, the child born to a downtrodden family, who sits in the sand to play while his mother smokes fish or sells vegetables, would not lag behind the child whose parents can afford expensive sand box toys to develop their fine motor skills.

    So, for young people who find that they are out of school and there seems to be no road ahead, it is time to explore alternative routes.  One of my friends did.  Born and bred in one of the least educationally-developed states in eastern Nigeria, she had to go that route; and she has an amazing story.

    She did not make her O Level results the first time she wrote as an SS3 pupil, which angered her father who vowed not to spend money on another examination.  She had to find the means by herself.  She started out learning to type, and then moved to using the computer when it was still a new phenomenon, and then desktop publishing.  In gaining these skills, she did not enroll in any formal training institution, so did not have to spend any money on training.  She was able to exploit her social capital (friends, family, colleagues and customers) to learn all she needed to learn.  I believe she also succeeded because she was focused on what she wanted to achieve.  She was not distracted from achieving her goal.  By the time she gained all these skills, it opened up greater job opportunities for her and she soon began to earn more money.  After sometime, she decided to continue her formal education.  She wrote the relevant examinations and was admitted into the university.  She graduated with honours and today is a professional who falls back on those early skills she learnt when the journey was far from smooth.

    Despite the difficult terrain in Nigeria, so many opportunities still exist for young people to develop skills, get educated, and start out on a career path before tertiary  education works out.  For instance, a teenager interested in studying Accounting in the university, does not need to wait donkey years to get admission to start it.  With O Level results, he/she can enroll for the Accounting Technical Scheme (ATS) of ICAN, which can be used for Direct Entry.  Taking professional examinations of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) can also serve as an alternative route to tertiary education.

    There are similar qualifications in other fields as well.  In the field of Technical and Vocational Education, there are so many programmes that lead to internationally-recognised certifications in maritime, welding, etc. The same is true for the hospitality, baking, aviation, name it.

    With the advent of technology, self development has even gotten easier.  Many experts have canvassed for the development of Open and Distance Learning (ODL) mode of education in Nigeria to enable many more people access education than physical facilities can allow.  I had reported it for years.  I knew about the Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC), which allows learners from all over the world to take free courses offered by various institutions. Some of these courses come with certificates of completion, some of which could add up college credits for the beneficiary.  But it was but it was only last month that I tried participating in one and I found that there is so much one can do in terms of self development online.   The programme was a journalism course on Mathematics anchored by the Knight Center for Journalism at the University of Texas, Austin.  I had to watch videos, read articles, participate in the discussion forums, and take quizzes.  It was not easy, but I enjoyed it and plan to do it again.

    Young people should learn to take advantage of the positive aspects of technology to learn about useful things that can enhance their lives.  Rather than spend hours chatting on social media platforms, they should invest time in gaining new skills that would boost their employability.  These are some of the many routes to the ‘market’ that I know.  Readers are welcome to share more routes with us.

  • Prospective airlines may crash fares on domestic routes

    Prospective airlines may crash fares on domestic routes

    Fares on the domestic route may crash soon. New airlines are planning to enter to enter the market. These airlines are grappling to scale the hurdles of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) in securing the Air Operators’ Certificate (AOC), a major requirement for airlines.

    According to a source, NCAA has been inundated with requests from many operators and investors interested in coming into the industry.

    Investigations revealed that the NCAA may soon grant approval to at least 10 airlines.

    Active domestic for now are Arik Air, Aero Airlines, Dana Air, Medview Airlines, Chanchangi Airlines, IRS Airlines, and Overland Airways. First Nation Airways, Associated Aviation and Air Nigeria have suspended their operations.

    It was learnt that some operators are concerned that should the NCAA open the floodgate for more players in the sector, air fares may likely drop, as the new entrants are said to be working hard to secure the environment-friendly aircraft that would be economical to operate.

    Since the NCAA certified Dana Air to return for operations, with the issuance of its new air operators’ certificate in line with the revised Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (NCAR), fares on the domestic route have fallen.

    The reduction in air fares on major trunk routes, including, Lagos -Abuja, Lagos-Port Harcourt, which operators describe as the golden triangle, have led to serious competition, among airlines, with flexible booking offers.

    Apart from Dana Air’s return, the addition of Medview Airlines as well as the return of Chanchangi Airlines have led to reduced fares on the Lagos-Abuja routes, where some carriers had near monopoly status.

    Investigations by The Nation revealed that online booking for airlines has offers a range of fares between N14,000 and N20,000 on the Lagos – Abuja routes in the following airlines, Medview, Dana Air, Aero and IRS Airlines last week, as opposed to the over N25,000 and N30,000, some carriers were offering last year.

    Observers claimed that the higher fare regime last year was predicated on the limited number of airlines in operations at the time.

    Investigations also revealed that evening fares were relatively lower than early morning fares on the Lagos-Abuja route.

    A source hinted that the probable return of First Nation Airways, Associated Aviation, and Air Nigeria, may lead to more competition among players, with fare reduction, as the selling point of the airlines.

    It was learnt that some domestic airlines are concluding business discussions with Brazilian aircraft manufacturer – Embraer, to acquire regional jets, which are fuel efficient and environment friendly to reduce operating costs.

    The decision to acquire Embraer jets, it was learnt, comes on the heels of plans by the manufacturer to set up a maintenance facility in Nigeria, which will reduce the cost of aircraft maintenance, to enable the airlines to charge lower fares and operate efficiently.

    Airlines that are working in this direction, it was gathered, include Associated Aviation, which is set to return soon with lower air fares.

    The NCAA, it was learnt, is excited over the plan.

    An industry expert, who pleaded not to be named, has urged the minister of aviation to distribute the 30 aircraft to be facilitated by government to domestic airlines that are seeking revaluation of their AOC, from the NCAA, insisting that such option is more feasible than setting up a national carrier.

    The expert hinted that giving such aircraft to smaller airlines that operate into secondary airports, as feeder carriers will assist to checkmate the dominance to the big players, thereby bringing about reduction in airfares.

    He affirmed that giving the aircraft to such carriers after due diligence on their managers based on industry knowledge and business plan, will achieve more result than starting afresh a national carrier, which survival remains uncertain.

     

  • Prospective airlines may crash fares on domestic routes

    Prospective airlines may crash fares on domestic routes

    Fares on the domestic route may crash soon. New airlines are planning to enter to enter the market. These airlines are grappling to scale the hurdles of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) in securing the Air Operators’ Certificate (AOC), a major requirement for airlines.

    According to a source, NCAA has been inundated with requests from many operators and investors interested in coming into the industry.

    Investigations revealed that the NCAA may soon grant approval to at least 10 airlines.

    Active domestic for now are Arik Air, Aero Airlines, Dana Air, Medview Airlines, Chanchangi Airlines, IRS Airlines, and Overland Airways. First Nation Airways, Associated Aviation and Air Nigeria have suspended their operations.

    It was learnt that some operators are concerned that should the NCAA open the floodgate for more players in the sector, air fares may likely drop, as the new entrants are said to be working hard to secure the environment-friendly aircraft that would be economical to operate.

    Since the NCAA certified Dana Air to return for operations, with the issuance of its new air operators’ certificate in line with the revised Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (NCAR), fares on the domestic route have fallen.

    The reduction in air fares on major trunk routes, including, Lagos -Abuja, Lagos-Port Harcourt, which operators describe as the golden triangle, have led to serious competition, among airlines, with flexible booking offers.

    Apart from Dana Air’s return, the addition of Medview Airlines as well as the return of Chanchangi Airlines have led to reduced fares on the Lagos-Abuja routes, where some carriers had near monopoly status.

    Investigations by The Nation revealed that online booking for airlines has offers a range of fares between N14,000 and N20,000 on the Lagos – Abuja routes in the following airlines, Medview, Dana Air, Aero and IRS Airlines last week, as opposed to the over N25,000 and N30,000, some carriers were offering last year.

    Observers claimed that the higher fare regime last year was predicated on the limited number of airlines in operations at the time.

    Investigations also revealed that evening fares were relatively lower than early morning fares on the Lagos-Abuja route.

    A source hinted that the probable return of First Nation Airways, Associated Aviation, and Air Nigeria, may lead to more competition among players, with fare reduction, as the selling point of the airlines.

    It was learnt that some domestic airlines are concluding business discussions with Brazilian aircraft manufacturer – Embraer, to acquire regional jets, which are fuel efficient and environment friendly to reduce operating costs.

    The decision to acquire Embraer jets, it was learnt, comes on the heels of plans by the manufacturer to set up a maintenance facility in Nigeria, which will reduce the cost of aircraft maintenance, to enable the airlines to charge lower fares and operate efficiently.

    Airlines that are working in this direction, it was gathered, include Associated Aviation, which is set to return soon with lower air fares.

    The NCAA, it was learnt, is excited over the plan.

    An industry expert, who pleaded not to be named, has urged the minister of aviation to distribute the 30 aircraft to be facilitated by government to domestic airlines that are seeking revaluation of their AOC, from the NCAA, insisting that such option is more feasible than setting up a national carrier.

    The expert hinted that giving such aircraft to smaller airlines that operate into secondary airports, as feeder carriers will assist to checkmate the dominance to the big players, thereby bringing about reduction in airfares.

    He affirmed that giving the aircraft to such carriers after due diligence on their managers based on industry knowledge and business plan, will achieve more result than starting afresh a national carrier, which survival remains uncertain.