Nigeria’s Aviation News Headlines for Friday August, 26 2016

It has been a great week indeed. Safe takeoffs and Safe landings!

Find the headlines below and click on the links provided to read the stories in full.

 

Stakeholders Allege Diversion of $100m BASA Fund

There are fears that the Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) fund, which accruals had risen to over $100 million (N38.1 billion) may have been diverted to fund projects outside the aviation sector, aviation industry sources have said.

THISDAY investigations revealed that the funds, which are paid by foreign airlines operating into Nigeria, stem from the commercial agreement between Nigeria and host countries of the international carriers may have been depleted without definite projects

executed with the funds.

The fund is domiciled with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) but managed by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), with the Director General as signatory.

In 2014, the then Ministry of Aviation hinted that Nigeria may abolish commercial agreement, an offshoot of BASA, which defines the amount of money an airline should pay for each passenger, but indications show that this was not carried through.

So while there was a belief that Nigeria was transiting to slot allocation, which is an alternative to commercial agreement, the fund has continued to accrue.

An NCAA source hinted that since the funds were utilised for airport remodeling, which was not completed as planned, the fund has continued to accumulate and may have been diverted to fund projects outside the industry.

http://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2016/08/26/stakeholders-allege-diversion-of-100m-basa-fund/

 

From Seaports to Airports: How Nigeria is Losing Businesses to Neighbours

Air travel is a global venture that is not only internationally regulated, but also thrives on connectivity and commercial thinking.

 Leveraging open sky policy and good business sense, Nigeria’s neighbour, Ghana is showing how to reposition its aviation sector for maximum returns.

 But for how long will Nigeria continue to lose businesses to her neighbours?

If global air transport industry were a country, its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of $2.7 trillion would rank it 21st in the world, similar to that of Switzerland or Sweden.

And should the aviation sector in various countries be state entities, some would have good financial rating, some low and others showing records that will not even add up to their input.

http://guardian.ng/business-services/from-seaports-to-airports-how-nigeria-is-losing-businesses-to-neighbours/

Worries in Aviation Sector over AIB, NAAPE Crisis

Aviation  stakeholders have expressed worry  over the lingering impasse between the management of the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB),  and the leadership of the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE).
The bureau and the association in the last few weeks have  engaged in accusations and counter accusations bordering on the proper placement of personnel.
Worried over the development,  the Ministry of Aviation,  it was learnt, has called for probe of the matter.
The resolve of the ministry to intervene,  a source hinted, is predicated on  the deluge of petitions that have flooded anti-graft agencies concerning activities of the bureau and its management. There may be more to the impasse, it was learnt.
The reason for the controversy between AIB and NAAPE may border on alleged plans by officials of the bureau to prepare the ground for the removal of the Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of the agency,  Dr Felix Abali, it was also gathered.
http://thenationonlineng.net/worries-aviation-sector-aib-naape-crisis

Air Travellers to Benefit from New Apartment in Lagos

After a long haul journey, travelers whose final destinations are not their homes, may want to have an environment similar to or better than their homes where they will have not just a bedroom but all they need at their disposal.
Have you thought of bedroom, toilet, bathroom and kitchen where you can cook whatever you want, just to feel at home and relax after long hours on air? This could be more refreshing and comfortable than the usual hotels.
This is exactly what Homes Rez has done with its new facility apartment strategically located few kilometers away from the Local and International Murtala Muhammed Airports in Lagos.

With its secured environment, the facility is built to reduce pressure on people who have to drive long distances the from Lagos airports to the Island and far areas in Lagos.

Manager, Homes Rez, Akinfolurin Sanmi, observed that most of the facility apartments in Lagos are under one year or two-year tenancy but what makes Homes Rez different is that people can pay for one week or one month, depending on how long they are
willing to stay.

http://guardian.ng/business-services/air-travellers-to-benefit-from-new-apartment-in-lagos