Nigeria’s Aviation News Headlines for Monday August 22, 2016
Happy Monday,
it's going to be a great week! Find the headlines of topical issues in
Nigeria's Aviation Industry and follow the links provided to read the stories
in full.
AON Cautions Service Providers on Debt Collection Drive
The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has warned aviation agencies not
to jeorpardise the airlines in their bid to collect old debts owed by the
operators.
The operators said the debt collection drive may run the airlines out of
business as was the case in the past from ridiculous billings that were
arbitrarily put together against the operators.
The Chairman of AON, Captain Nogie Meggison, who gave the warning, said:
“We strongly decry the on-going action by the various government agencies in
the aviation sector whereby they threaten to deny airlines services for their
operations or completely
ground them, which is likely to force airlines out of business. Because
of the economic hard times of today airlines have become a soft target and are
seen as a cash cow for everyone else to prey on easily.
AMCON: Aero crisis worsens, may sack workers
Aero Contractors, one of Nigeria’s
largest domestic airlines, is set to lay off some of its workers as its
financial crisis becomes worsened.
Already, the airline is in talks with aviation unions on how to cut down on the number of workers in its employ.
It was gathered on Sunday that the
airline, which met with officials of the Air Transport Services Senior
Staff Association of Nigeria last Thursday on the issue, would continue
with the meeting this week.
Our correspondent also learnt that the
carrier was facing stiff operational challenges, a development that led
to the closure of some of its stations.
While officials of the carrier debunked
claims that Aero was at the verge of shutting down completely, it was,
however, gathered that the airline had not been able to bring in some of
its airplanes that were sent out for routine maintenance due to foreign
exchange constraints.
Officials of ATSSSAN and the Airline
Operators of Nigeria told our correspondent on Sunday that the
challenges were not peculiar to Aero alone.
They stressed that virtually all
domestic airlines in Nigeria were being confronted with problems,
ranging from double taxation by government agencies in the sector,
scarcity of aviation fuel, popularly known as Jet A1 and difficulty in
accessing forex.
Dearth of skilled manpower compounds aviation woes
For the past nine years, a major obstacle in Africa’s inability to meet its safety oversight functions is the lack of requisite competent manpower. President, Nigerian Aviation Safety Initiative (NASI), Capt. Dung Pam, quoting the World Bank, said tertiary enrolment for developing countries stood at 10 per cent of the population compared to 56 per cent for Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries.
He noted that it is evident that Africa will find it challenging to produce the number of development professionals needed to sustain economic growth in the aviation sector without a serious change in her educational and labour policies.
https://newtelegraphonline.com/dearth-skilled-manpower-compounds-aviation-woes/
Airlines Going under over Harsh Forex Regime
The Attahs, a family of six from Akwa-Ibom state, were in Lagos for a
wedding ceremony and due to return 3pm Sunday.
Flying into Lagos from Uyo was hitch-free but the return trip was a
different story.
After waiting among scores of other passengers at the General Aviation
Terminal (GAT) of the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA), Lagos, a message reached
them that their flight has been cancelled.
There was no aviation fuel to fly them back to Uyo, five hours after
they had arrived GAT.
On the international wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, where fuel
shortage is not much of a problem, especially for foreign carriers, traveling
is not without its own difficulties.
Aviation fuel: Foreign Airlines turn to Accra
Ghana, Nigeria’s neighbouring country, is fast becoming operational for
foreign airlines in West Africa following high foreign exchange and scarcity as
well as high cost of aviation fuel.
Already, some airlines now refuel from Accra, the Ghanaian capital,
where aviation fuel is relatively cheap with a “less cumbersome” exchange rate
system.
Airline operators in Nigeria have been groaning over the high cost of
aviation fuel which jumped from N105 in March to N200 in Lagos and about N240
outside Lagos State which is the operational hub of all the airlines.
It was learnt that aviation fuel is sold at between N110 and N120 in
Ghana. Sources said many foreign airlines in Nigeria are feeling the heat
prompting them to consider re-fueling from Accra and deserting Abuja, the
nation’s capital.
http://www.dailytrust.com.ng/news/business/aviation-fuel-foreign-airlines-turn-to-accra/159786.html IGP hails Air Peace chair over donation of building
Ibrahim Idris
Speaking during the commissioning of the project at the weekend, the IGP urged other Nigerians to emulate Onyema’s gesture aimed at ensuring security and peace in the country through his Foundation for Ethnic Harmony in Nigeria (FEHN).
Onyema said he constructed the station outside his Mbosi community because he was convinced that all Nigerians must support the Federal Government’s effort to ensure efficient policing
Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr. Sam Okaula, who represented the IGP at the event, said: “Security is everybody’s business. We need to collaborate so that we can create enabling environment for peace to reign. Government cannot do it alone. Those God has blessed should contribute to the establishment of the right environment for providing security. And that is exactly what Onyema has done. I am overwhelmed that this is happening.
What is electronic Indian Visa (India e-Visa)?
ReplyDeleteGovernment of India has launched electronic travel authorisation or eTA for India which allows citizens of 180 countries to travel to India without requiring a physical stamping on the passport. This new type of authorisation is called an eVisa India (or electronic India Visa). It is this electronic India Visa Online that allows foreign visitors to visit India for five major purposes, tourism / recreation short term courses, business, medical visit or conferences. There are further number of sub-categories under each visa type. All foreign travellers are required to hold an India eVisa (India Visa Online application process) or a regular/paper Visa prior to entry into the country as per Indian Government Immigration Authorities.
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