Nigeria’s Aviation News Headlines for Friday September 2, 2016

 

 

It has been a great week. Two domestic airlines officially suspended scheduled flight services this week!  Against all odds, I remain optimistic the Aviation Industry in Nigeria will bounce back if Government comes up with the right policies.
Find the headlines below and follow the links to read the stories in full.

First Nation Confirms Suspension of Operations





As workers occupy Aero office NCAA clarifies suspension of operations by airlines
First Nation Airways has reacted to the report that it has stopped operations, explaining that it is currently undergoing maintenance on its A319 fleet.

The airland said the maintenance exercise would be completed by mid September.
In a statement signed by the airline’s commercial manager, Sarah Awogbade, the airland said the airline planned this maintenance action well ahead and it would resume operation later in the month.
“This will ensure that passengers continue to enjoy safe and reliable service that the airline is reputed for. Current foreign exchange constraint, coupled with over 70 per cent devaluation of the naira, partly contributed in no small measure to this development. The airline’s plan remains on track to reinstating service as advised herein,” the airline said.
The airline said it is an International Airlines Transport Association (IATA) Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) certified airline and operates a fleet of Airbus A319.
“The airline is aware of a press release by NCAA and the authority was formally informed by ourselves. At First Nation, safety is our priority and we look forward to reinstating service shortly upon completion of current maintenance upgrade,” the airline said.


NCAA: Why Airlines ‘re Suspending Operations



•First Nation blames 70% naira devaluation for woes
•Aero workers protest
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) yesterday said domestic airlines are not folding up but merely suspending their operations.
The suspension, the airline industry regulator said, was to enable the carriers undertake operational overhaul and strengthen their overall operational outlay.
Its Director-General,  Captain Muhtar Usman in a statement said Aero Contractors, at present has only one serviceable aircraft, adding that this in contradiction to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig.CARS) which stipulates that no airline shall carry out scheduled commercial operation with only one aircraft, adding that the minimum acceptable number is three.
He said :”In other words, any airline with one aircraft is in contravention of the Authority’s regulations therefore cannot be adjudged to be capable of providing safe operation. The only option available is to suspend your operations temporarily while other aircraft arrive in due course.”
He however, stated that NCAA’s regulations provides a window for such operator to embark on non schedule operations in the interim.
 

http://punchng.com/aviation-crisis-deepens-another-airline-suspends-operations


FG Shops For N2.4bn To Pay Off Aero Contractors Workers 

…NCAA: Aero, First Nation Airways not folding up
…Workers protest over unpaid salaries
The Federal Government is shopping for N2.4 billion as severance benefits of workers of Aero Contractors Airlines that had been asked to go on ‘indefinite’ leave.
There are, however, two possibilities here. Paying off the workers suggests that the airline may not come back if the government is already shopping for cash to pay off the over 1,200 workers who barricaded the airline’s headquarters at the Murtala MuhammedAirport, Lagos to ask for their severance benefits.


 

Recession: Domestic Airlines Face Bleak Future

Fola Akinkuotu
Fola Akinkuotu, Chief Executive Officer Aero Contractors
Industry experts have projected that by the end of 2017 only three Nigerian airlines will be operating scheduled passenger service, which means that two more airlines may stop operation after Aero Contractors.
Domestic carriers are facing hard times owing to high cost of aviation fuel and a slumping Naira because almost everything used for airline operation is imported with foreign exchange.
With high cost of overseas maintenance, depleting passenger traffic due to economic recession and high cost of spares, many Nigerian airlines may not survive the next 16 months, industry insiders have predicted.
While announcing the discontinuation of scheduled service on Wednesday, the CEO of Aero Contractors, Captain Fola Akinkuotu said: “Unfortunately, the operating environment within and outside the airline have hindered any possible progress especially in the last six months when the Naira depreciated against the dollar, thus making it impossible for the airline to achieve its operational targets.
“The impact of the external environment has been very harsh on our operational performance, hence management decision to suspend scheduled services operations indefinitely effective September 1, 2016 pending when the external opportunities and a robust sustainable and viable plan is in place for Aero Contractors to recommence its scheduled services.”
Travel expert Ikechi Uko said Nigerian airlines over the years go through boom and bust; that this is the last part of the bust period and if there is no intervention of any kind, most of the airlines may not survive it.

Eviction: Retirees Slam N10.02b On Aviation Agencies

Aviation


Some retirees of the agencies under Federal Ministry of Aviation, have slammed a N10.2 billion fundamental rights enforcement suit on the agencies before the Federal High Court in Lagos over their alleged illegal and forceful eviction from their quarters.
The retirees are also seeking an order of perpetual injunction restraining the agencies from arresting, intimidating, harassing, humiliating, detaining, evicting or disturbing them in any manner whatsoever.
The applicants in the suit are: Oni Babatunde, MoshoodJimoh, TemitopeTubi, NwokeOgbonna, and BryankKaduru, and 35 others, who are former employees of Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).


http://leadership.ng/business/548946/eviction-retirees-slam-n10-02b-on-aviation-agencies
 

 

FAAN’s 100% toll gate increase not effective in Lagos On September 2, 20168:15 amIn NewsComments By Bartholomew Madukwe LAGOS — Despite the notice of 100 percent increase in toll fares placed on vehicles entering or leaving the airport by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, motorists in Lagos State, yesterday, paid the old toll. FAAN-fares Human rights activist and veteran journalist, Mr. Richard Akinola, confirmed to Vanguard that the toll gate attendants collected the old toll. He said: “I decided to drive through the Lagos airport toll gate today (yesterday) to find out things for myself over the notice of increase in toll fares by FAAN.

Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/09/faans-100-toll-gate-increase-not-effective-lagos/
FAAN’s 100% toll gate increase not effective in Lagos On September 2, 20168:15 amIn NewsComments By Bartholomew Madukwe LAGOS — Despite the notice of 100 percent increase in toll fares placed on vehicles entering or leaving the airport by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, motorists in Lagos State, yesterday, paid the old toll. FAAN-fares Human rights activist and veteran journalist, Mr. Richard Akinola, confirmed to Vanguard that the toll gate attendants collected the old toll. He said: “I decided to drive through the Lagos airport toll gate today (yesterday) to find out things for myself over the notice of increase in toll fares by FAAN.

Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/09/faans-100-toll-gate-increase-not-effective-lagos/

AN’s 100% toll gate increase not effective in Lagos On September 2, 20168:15 amIn NewsComments By Bartholomew Madukwe LAGOS — Despite the notice of 100 percent increase in toll fares placed on vehicles entering or leaving the airport by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, motorists in Lagos State, yesterday, paid the old toll. FAAN-fares Human rights activist and veteran journalist, Mr. Richard Akinola, confirmed to Vanguard that the toll gate attendants collected the old toll. He said: “I decided to drive through the Lagos airport toll gate today (yesterday) to find out things for myself over the notice of increase in toll fares by FAAN. “The attendants at the toll gate said the 100 percent increase does not affect the Lagos toll gate but the Abuja airport access gate. I paid the old toll of N300 for SUVs.”

Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/09/faans-100-toll-gate-increase-not-effective-l

FAAN’s 100% Toll Gate Increase not Effective in Lagos

Despite the notice of 100 percent increase in toll fares placed on vehicles entering or leaving the airport by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, motorists in Lagos State, yesterday, paid the old toll. FAAN-fares Human rights activist and veteran journalist, Mr. Richard Akinola, confirmed to Vanguard that the toll gate attendants collected the old toll. He said: “I decided to drive through the Lagos airport toll gate today (yesterday) to find out things for myself over the notice of increase in toll fares by FAAN.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/09/faans-100-toll-gate-increase-not-effective-lagos





FAAN Boosts Revenue through Concessions
Despite the recent decision of the federal government to concession airport facilities, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has since adopted the system of partnering the private sector, a strategy that has gained traction about four years ago when
the number of international airlines that operate into the country doubled.



SAHCOL, Air France/KLM Sign Pact to Boost Export Services
Apparently to improve export in the country, the Skyway Aviation Handling Company Limited (SAHCOL) has struck a partnering with Air France/KLM cargo arms of the foreign airlines.
The collaboration, which was disclosed at a recent customers’ forum in Lagos, will enhance the freight of locally made goods, especially tonnes of farm produce to Europe and America.
Country Manager of Air France/ KLM cargo, Gabriel Lalande, said their partnership with SAHCOL was a huge boost for Nigeria’s drive for export, being part of the efforts to diversify the economy.

IATA, Egyptian Authorities Move to Address Airline Blocked Funds
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) and Egyptian authorities are working together to find a practical solution to release, for repatriation foreign exchange funds due international airlines operating to Egypt.
Since March, airlines have been unable to repatriate the full amount due them under international conventions, as a result of restrictions imposed by the Government of Egypt. The current value of funds blocked in Egypt stands at US$275 million.


 






FAAN’s 100% toll gate increase not effective in Lagos On September 2, 20168:15 amIn NewsComments By Bartholomew Madukwe LAGOS — Despite the notice of 100 percent increase in toll fares placed on vehicles entering or leaving the airport by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, motorists in Lagos State, yesterday, paid the old toll. FAAN-fares Human rights activist and veteran journalist, Mr. Richard Akinola, confirmed to Vanguard that the toll gate attendants collected the old toll. He said: “I decided to drive through the Lagos airport toll gate today (yesterday) to find out things for myself over the notice of increase in toll fares by FAAN.

Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/09/faans-100-toll-gate-increase-not-effective-lagos/
FAAN’s 100% toll gate increase not effective in Lagos On September 2, 20168:15 amIn NewsComments By Bartholomew Madukwe LAGOS — Despite the notice of 100 percent increase in toll fares placed on vehicles entering or leaving the airport by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, motorists in Lagos State, yesterday, paid the old toll. FAAN-fares Human rights activist and veteran journalist, Mr. Richard Akinola, confirmed to Vanguard that the toll gate attendants collected the old toll. He said: “I decided to drive through the Lagos airport toll gate today (yesterday) to find out things for myself over the notice of increase in toll fares by FAAN. “The attendants at the toll gate said the 100 percent increase does not affect the Lagos toll gate but the Abuja airport access gate. I paid the old toll of N300 for SUVs.”

Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/09/faans-100-toll-gate-increase-not-effective-lagos/


FAAN’s 100% toll gate increase not effective in Lagos On September 2, 20168:15 amIn NewsComments By Bartholomew Madukwe LAGOS — Despite the notice of 100 percent increase in toll fares placed on vehicles entering or leaving the airport by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, motorists in Lagos State, yesterday, paid the old toll. FAAN-fares Human rights activist and veteran journalist, Mr. Richard Akinola, confirmed to Vanguard that the toll gate attendants collected the old toll. He said: “I decided to drive through the Lagos airport toll gate today (yesterday) to find out things for myself over the notice of increase in toll fares by FAAN. “The attendants at the toll gate said the 100 percent increase does not affect the Lagos toll gate but the Abuja airport access gate. I paid the old toll of N300 for SUVs.”

Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/09/faans-100-toll-gate-increase-not-effective-lagos/


FAAN’s 100% toll gate increase not effective in Lagos On September 2, 20168:15 amIn NewsComments By Bartholomew Madukwe LAGOS — Despite the notice of 100 percent increase in toll fares placed on vehicles entering or leaving the airport by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, motorists in Lagos State, yesterday, paid the old toll. FAAN-fares Human rights activist and veteran journalist, Mr. Richard Akinola, confirmed to Vanguard that the toll gate attendants collected the old toll. He said: “I decided to drive through the Lagos airport toll gate today (yesterday) to find out things for myself over the notice of increase in toll fares by FAAN. “The attendants at the toll gate said the 100 percent increase does not affect the Lagos toll gate but the Abuja airport access gate. I paid the old toll of N300 for SUVs.”

Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/09/faans-100-toll-gate-increase-not-effective-lagos/





Comments

  1. Government 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.
    Visit for more info: india visa for irish citizens

    ReplyDelete
  2. What is electronic Indian Visa (India e-Visa)?
    Government 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.
    for more info visit: For more info visit: インドのビザ

    ReplyDelete
  3. Top 5 Best Garden Rakes In 2020 review
    Are you overwhelmed by the many choices of garden rakes out there?? If so, do not waste your time and money looking for the best garden rakes when we can provide you with the best equipment.
    For more info visit: best garden rakes review

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Healthy diet for the rainy season

Aviation Sectors Groans Under Rising Cost of Operations

When fibroid co-exists with pregnancy