‘Nigeria Remains Good Infrastructure Investment Destination’
“With four airports generating 87 percent of total revenue from 22 airports in Nigeria and a record of about eight million air travelers from over 200 million population, Nigeria remains a good infrastructure investment destination if existing opportunities are properly harnessed.”
This was the position of the key players put together in a communiqué that emanated at the recently held breakfast meeting organized by the Aviation Safety Round Table Initiative (ASRTI) on the topic: ‘Financing aviation infrastructure deficit in Nigeria using private capital: challenges and prospects.
The key players while emphasizing the need to develop, maintain and modernize aviation infrastructure to attract air traffic growth and more patronage of air transportation, added that apart from innovations in technology, particularly Air Traffic Management, that there was the need for innovations in processes and applications to achieve success in aviation infrastructure development, maintenance, and service delivery.
The gathering called on the government to provide enabling environment, reflected in enabling institutional, legal, regulatory, monitoring, and evaluation framework for Nigeria’s aviation infrastructure to be developed.
The culture of good corporate governance by all stakeholders was emphasized as a way to tackle the deficit in Nigeria’s aviation infrastructure development.
Participants made case for the interest of aviation infrastructure users and service consumers which they said must be on the front burner during decision makings while they should be consulted by private capital providers and government policy decision-makers on aviation infrastructure development to avoid retrogressive conflicts both in the process and at the completion of such projects.
According to the stakeholders, “Performance reward system for manpower must be in place while training and competence of personnel in aviation infrastructure operations and management should be given priority of place in decision making. Read more
Union Indicts Aviation Ministry Over NG Eagle Crisis
LAGOS – The crisis surrounding the start-up airline, NG Eagle, took a new dimension on Wednesday as the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) accused the Ministry of Aviation of being behind its recent imbroglio.
The union specifically alleged that the Ministry of Aviation was apprehensive that the floating of the new airline by the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) would transmit to a new national carrier for the country, a transformation it insisted Sen. Hadi Sirika, the Minister of Aviation, was not comfortable with.
The union alleged that the Ministry of Aviation intentionally pitched the aviation agencies against the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) and its plan to float a new national carrier, using the debts of Arik Air as an excuse for the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) not to grant the new airline an Air Operators Certificate (AOC), which would enable it to commence scheduled operation.
But Dr. James Odaudu, the Director of Media and Publicity, Ministry of Aviation, in an exclusive interview with Daily Independent, dismissed the allegation of the union, saying that NG Eagle was not a threat to Nigeria Air project.
Odaudu insisted that the government was on the course to float a new national carrier for Nigeria, stressing that the minister encourages more airlines to come onboard in the sector in order to create more jobs for qualified personnel.
Speaking at the NUATE’s secretariat at the Murtala Muhammed Airport(MMA), Lagos, Comrade Ocheme Aba, the General Secretary, NUATE, purported that information available to the unions indicated that the issue of indebtedness of Arik Air to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and NCAA as the major reason for some sections of the industry calling on the regulatory body not to grant NG Eagle AOC was a disguise.
Aba flanked by other executive members, therefore, called on President Muhammadu Buhari, to intervene in the crisis, saying that the two organizations, AMCON and Ministry of Aviation, are agencies of the government.
He emphasized that NG Eagle and Nigeria Air could not operate side by side as both airlines would belong to the Federal Government.
He said, “It is understood that the real issue is the politics of a new national carrier. Indications are that there is the fear on the side of the Minister of Aviation that AMCON has positioned its new airline, NG Eagle, to metamorphose into a national carrier, whereas the Honorable Minister has been laboring for the past six years to create one, which he has named Nigeria Eagle.
“As AMCON and the Ministry are both agencies of the Federal Government, there is clearly no possibility of the two airlines operating side by side as national carriers. The fear is that if NG Eagle succeeds, then the Nigeria Eagle project would be jettisoned. That means one of the airlines must budge. This, we understand, is the crux of the matter.”
He, however, said that the position of the union on the new startup airline did not in any way downplay the significance of Arik’s indebtedness to FAAN and others in the sector and canvassed for a solution to Arik’s heavy pile of debts. Read more
Avantefly Unveils Mobile App Targeting Private Jets, Helicopters
AvanteFly has launched its mobile application with adequate features for private jets, helicopters, luxury car charters, hotels, and executive spaces bookings.
The new exclusive real-time digital platform, AvanteFly mobile app was unveiled with those behind the app promising to ensure its members and clients get the utmost safety, privacy, and luxurious experience.
AvanteFly is a UK and Nigerian corporation, gaining new entry into the African space with the goal of facilitating luxury travel and lifestyle management for corporate executives, high net worth individuals, and individuals seeking a special luxury experience.
For people desiring the exclusivity of private travel, AvanteFly platform is focused on an unparalleled commitment to providing a range of services from flight chartering, to ground transportation, hotels, and other types of executive spaces.
According to the founder and the CEO of AvanteFly, Mrs. Bria Okonkwo, “Our partner network is carefully chosen, meticulously guided and held accountable to global safety and premium standard, aligned with AvanteFly’s service quality.
“AvanteFly mobile app is the first African real-time aviation mobile application that utilizes real-time data, distance, and time to automate private air charter bookings and payments. This eliminates avoidable delays using manual quotes and lack of visibility in booking fees usually experienced in the private aviation industry.”
Speaking at the launching, Okonkwo identified the primary objectives of AvanteFly to include; providing luxury without compromising on privacy, safety, reliability, and convenience, to offer the greatest value and the most memorable experience through their extensive network and brand partners.
“The reveal of the AvanteFly mobile app is focused on providing value to our members without compromising on privacy, safety, reliability, and a luxurious experience. Let’s revolutionize the way you access and experience air travel. It is a world of possibilities. At its core, AvanteFly is a benefit corporation. Launching an exclusive charter and lifestyle management company is timely, especially for the African market.”
AvanteFly, according to its CEO, offers four levels of membership to meet its clients’ needs which she said include; “Garnet, jadeite, blue diamond and black diamond. Members take advantage of all exclusive add-ons such as empty legs, priority boarding on shared flights, access to executive lounges, and others. Also available to members are 14 additional services which include private banking, global mobility (citizenship by investment), family office, luxury goods sourcing, and much more.
While the AvanteFly team provides real-time booking support (24/7) with a dedicated personal lifestyle manager assigned to every member, members earn membership points with each successful booking and can also access promotional discounts available on bookings.
Fate of 982 Former SAHCOL Workers Hang in Balance
Twelve years after the privatization of the formerly owned Skyway Aviation Handling Company Limited (SAHCOL), a subsidiary of the now-defunct Nigeria Airways, the 982 ex-workers of the old company, now rebranded as Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCO), are embroiled in crisis over the nonpayment of their final entitlements amounting to N1.8 billion.
The former workers, through the General Secretary, National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Comrade Ocheme Aba, and the Deputy General Secretary, Air Transport Senior Staff Services Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), Comrade Frances Akinjole, had petitioned the Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, the Senate and House committee on aviation and the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), accusing the ground handling company of failing to pay them off since it took over the company from the government.
In a swift reaction, the management of the privatized SAHCO has exonerated itself from the agitation of the former workers, saying the payment of the former workers of the old ground handling company rested on the Federal Government through the BPE.
According to the Manager, Corporate Communications, SAHCO, Mrs. Vanessa Uansohia, at a meeting held between the Director-General of the BPE and the Chairman of SAHCO, Dr. Taiwo Afolabi, the BPE resolved that the benefits of the ex-staff of SAHCOL are to be borne by the Government, through the BPE and not SAHCO.
The back and forth game being played by the BPE and SAHCO over who pays the redundancy benefits of the former workers is presently raising dust across the sector.
The Ministry of Aviation, the unions said, had on June 29, 2021, in a letter signed by one D.D Muhammed, Director (Human Resource Management) for the Minister, wrote to the BPE on the letter it received on the plight of the ex-SAHCO workers, copying for attention, the Acting Director, Post Transaction Management, Larai Bode and asking for updates on the non-payment of redundancy benefits to the 982 ex-workers of the defunct SAHCOL as agreed by the multi-agency committee constituted by the BPE in November 2019.
The Ministry was said to have demanded modalities and the time frame between when the payment may kick-off and end, while the ministry attributed its position to the need to prevent the former workers and the unions from carrying out their threats to embark on industrial action on SAHCO and other aviation businesses have become agitated.
Similarly, the House Committee on Aviation, reacting to the petition sent to it by the unions, had through its clerk, also informed the SAHCO management that it may be invited to clarify issues stated in the petition.
SAHCO was privatized in 2009 and handed over to the Sifax Group by the Federal Government of Nigeria after privatization in which Sifax Group came first as the preferred bidder with the sum of N5.52 billion.
FAAN Trains 121 Aviation Security Officers
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has completed the training of 121 aviation security officers.
The AvSec officers, drawn from the airports in Abuja, Maiduguri, Yola, Jos, Gombe, Dutse, Sokoto, Zaria, Kaduna, Kebbi, Makurdi, and Katsina were taken through the mandatory six weeks STP 123 Basic Course, which was both intellectual and physical.
Some of the topics taken during the course include; overview of legislation, access control, people & vehicle, airport emergency (basic fire prevention), screening procedures, x-ray image interpretation, effective communication, protection of parked aircraft, cargo and mail security, first aid training, amongst others.
In accordance with the requirements of the National Civil Aviation Security Training Programme (NCASTP), the trainees all attained the 70 percent pass mark before graduating.
Ethiopian Airlines Never Engaged In Weapons Transportation — GM
Africa’s foremost carrier, Ethiopian Airlines has again re-emphasized its strict compliance with all national, regional, and international aviation-related regulations.
The airline, which is a member of the global clearinghouse for airlines, said none of the aircraft in its fleet had ever transported any war armament on any of the routes it operates to around the world.
The airline’s latest declaration came after an earlier report that it used one of its aircraft to transport war armament while it was foodstuffs and refill that was transported.
According to the General Manager of the airline in Nigeria, Shimeles Arage, “To the best of our knowledge and our records, Ethiopian airlines has not transported any war armament in any of its routes by any of its aircraft. The mentioned air waybills clearly show that the nature of goods transported on the alleged flights was “foodstuff and refill” as declared on the document as per IATA standards. The alleged pictures are not known to Ethiopian Airlines.
“We would also like to confirm that we don’t have any employees suspended or terminated due to their ethnic background. There is no employee in Ethiopian Airlines suspended or terminated from our payroll due to their ethnic background. This can be verified from our Human Resources records.
“On top of the four-fold (4X) growth registered in all parameters in the last decade, which repositioned our airline as the leading airline in the continent of Africa, Ethiopian Airlines demonstrated unique and top of the line level of creativity, agility, resilience, and speed of decision making in managing the devastating global pandemic crisis.
“Thus, we would like to assure all our passengers and the public that Ethiopian Airlines strictly complies with all international aviation-related regulations and standards, doesn’t deviate from any civil aviation regulations in all its operations, it has never been engaged in any weapons transportation.
Virgin Atlantic Targets 2026, 2030, 2040 to Achieve Significant Reductions in CO2 Emissions
The British flag carrier, Virgin Atlantic has announced ambitious carbon targets, even as it renewed its mission to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
Reinforcing its commitment to embed sustainability through innovation, transparency, and accountability to do more for the protection of the planet, the airline’s new targets set a clear pathway to net-zero by 2050, to achieve a 15 percent gross reduction in CO2/RTK by 2026 through continued fleet transformation and operational efficiency.
Its target by 2030 also includes a 15 percent net reduction in total CO2 emissions, including 10 percent of fuel sourced from sustainable aviation fuel while it sets 2040 as the year to achieve 40 percent net reduction in total CO2 emissions.
The British carrier, while saying it has a 15-year strong history as a sustainability leader, declared, “Today, the airline operates one of the youngest and cleanest twin-engine fleets in the skies, with an average aircraft age of just under seven years, following a multi-billion-dollar investment in fleet transformation over the last decade, which has so far delivered a 20 percent reduction in fleet carbon emissions.”
On its innovation leadership position, the carrier said beyond fleet transformation, it was committed to working with new technology innovators saying, “To seed, support and adopt the breakthrough technologies capable of delivering change. As a long-standing advocate for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), Virgin Atlantic has been partnering with LanzaTech since 2011, flying the world’s first commercial flight operated on sustainable fuels in 2018 and supporting efforts to build the first UK SAF plant by 2025. It also continues to support new technology innovation, most recently working with partners, Storegga Geotechnologies and Carbon Engineering, to accelerate the use of direct air capture of CO2.”
As a founding member of Sustainable Aviation and the UK’s Jet Zero Council and through the Clean Skies for Tomorrow coalition, Virgin Atlantic said it continued to play an active role in bringing industry and government together to accelerate SAF development at scale. Read more
20 Years After, NCAT Repossesses Encroached Land
After over two decades of struggles to retrieve part of its landed property encroached into by its local neighbors, the management of Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria has finally reclaimed the encroached land.
The management of the aviation college, however, appreciated specifically the entire management of the Kaduna State Urban Planning and Development Agency (KASUPDA) and the Kaduna State Government, “for their efforts and assistance in helping us to reclaim our encroached land that has been trespassed into for over two decades. After the exercise, 160 houses were affected.
“We also wish to express our gratitude to the Executive Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasiru El-Rufa’i, the Kaduna State Commissioner of Police, and all the security agencies that contributed in one way or the other in ensuring the recovery of our encroached land.”
According to the college’s management, the development will help in providing a better atmosphere for aviation training in line with its determination to be the best in the area of giving adequate aviation training.
“As you may be aware, the College of Aviation Technology, Zaria has been awarded the Regional Training Center of Excellence by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The college intends to expand the size of its runway to accommodate bigger aircraft in the nearest future. This can be used for not just training but even commercial purposes, which will, in turn, provide job opportunities to the aviation industry and the nation at large.
“This will improve safety to the neighboring communities and also help the college in securing its premises against external security threat”, the school management said.
Sources: Tribune Newspaper, Daily Independent