Ibom Air Introduces Reward Scheme for Customers

Akwa Ibom State owned airline, the Ibom Airlines Limited, has promised to reward loyal customers for consistency in their patronage of the airline.

The management of the airline disclosed that with the new initiative, flyers would be entitled to earn miles in an exchangeable loyalty currency called “Gold Stars”.

These earned Gold Stars can be exchanged for Ibom Air flight tickets and class upgrades amongst other benefits.

A statement by the Group Manager, Marketing and Communications, Ibom Airline Limited, Aniekan Essienette, stated that the program was designed to offer distinctive value by delivering unique recognition, rewards and differentiated service levels.

“Ibom Airlines Limited, as part of its promise of world class service to its growing number of customers, has introduced a Customer Loyalty Program- the ‘Ibom Flyer’. For the first time, Ibom Air customers will have the chance to be rewarded for their continuous loyalty to the Ibom Air brand. Read more

COVID-19: How aviation industry disbursed N5bn bailout fund

More details have emerged on how the five billion naira COVID19 bailout funds released by the Federal Government was disbursed to the aviation industry.

However, the disbursement of the funds have become a source of discord within the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) as some airlines which claim to have valid Air operators Certificate (AOC) are alleging that they have been sidelined in the disbursement despite meticulously following the process and submitting their request for the funds.

The Federal government had agreed on palliatives to cushion the effects of the industry being one of the worse hit but on the condition that airlines need to have a functional AOC. Read more

Government to Begin Privatising Airports by 2022, says Civil Aviation Secretary

The Centre will begin privatising airports by 2022 and the Airports Authority of India (AAI) is “examining a possibility” of offloading loss- making airports along with profitable ones.

Civil Aviation ministry secretary Pradeep Kharola on February 4 said the process of award will be for around 10 airports and part of the third phase of airport privatisation, The Economic Times reported.

“AAI is examining giving non-profitable airport and profit-making airports as a package. We could see six to 10 airports being taken up. The airports will be given to the private sector for 50 years,” Kharola said.

Further, Kharola also addressed the issue of Air India’s divestment, saying it was fairly at an “advanced stage”, PTI reported. Read more

Seeing Positive Signs, But Indian Aviation Sector Still In Eye of Storm: Airbus India

Bengaluru: The Indian aviation sector is showing positive signs after being completely shut down during the coronavirus-induced lockdown last year but remains in the “eye of the storm”, Rémi Maillard, President and Managing Director, Airbus India and South Asia has said.

Indian airlines are currently carrying 60 per cent of the total pre-COVID domestic passengers and this is better than most countries in the world, he said in an interview to PTI.

“This is better but this is far from being a sustainable situation. We are not out of the woods yet. We are still in the eye of the storm,” he added.

Airbus has been observing positive signs such as the pent-up demand for leisure travel in India, he noted. Read more

Cash-strapped Airlines Call for Clarity from Ottawa on When Vaccinated Canadians Can Travel Again

OTTAWA — Canada’s two biggest airlines are calling on Ottawa to provide clearer guidelines around when vaccinated Canadians will be able to fly again, warning that prolonged lockdowns threaten to permanently cripple their bottom lines.

In testimony before the House of Commons transport committee Thursday, representatives at WestJet and Air Canada said federal officials ought to expand airport COVID-19 testing to the national level to ensure safety, while also laying out clear criteria for when domestic travel restrictions might be lifted. Read more

Aéroports de Montréal sees $300M loss, hikes fees to mitigate COVID-19 impact

Montreal’s airport operator is warning losses may reach $300 million for a second straight year in 2021 as the pandemic continues to decimate passenger traffic and revenue.

Aéroports de Montréal on Thursday announced a series of rate hikes to mitigate COVID-19’s impact as the airport authority disclosed a $300-million shortfall for 2020. ADM also said it would ask bondholders to release it from its obligations to meet or satisfy certain debt covenants over the next two years. Read more