Hike In Jet A1 Eroding Post COVID-19 Global Aviation Recovery’

Dutch Airline, Air France-KLM, over the weekend, said the gains recorded in the global aviation sector growth, after the Covid-19 pandemic, has been eroded by the hike in Aviation Turbine Kerosene (ATK) also known as Jet A1, occasioned by the Russia-Ukraine war.

Speaking in a press conference to celebrate the 75 years of Flying from Nigeria, the executive vice-president, commercial division, Air France-KLM, Pieter Bootsma, said the airline lost about 70 to 80 percent of its over $19billion revenue to the global pandemic, COVID-19, in the last two years.

Bootsma said the Covid-19 crisis was deep for the aviation sector, saying Africa and indeed, Nigeria has stood strong throughout the crisis.

According to him, Africa has been the best part of the network during the crisis and we are very happy to rebuild our Africa network right now.

He said:  “the crisis has been deep for the airline industry, after Covid-19 has hit the world, it has been an extremely difficult time for us. We have lost 70 to 80 percent of our revenue, we have $19billion in revenue in a year from the passenger side and if one loses 80 percent of that, it’s immense of what is happening.

“Africa has stood strong throughout the crisis. Africa has been the best part of the network during the crisis and we are very happy to rebuild our Africa network right now. We are on our way to recovery and we see bookings coming back luckily we are looking anxiously every day at the number of customers that are booking on our flights worldwide, we see that the level of booking and reservations is now above 2019.”

He, however, stated that the Russia-Ukraine crisis has led to the hike in the cost of Aviation Turbine Kerosene (ATK), saying the gain made through aviation recovery has been eroded by the hike in Jet A1.

“We really see that this is the time for growth recovery. We are not out of the trouble yet, the unfortunate war between Russia and Ukraine, has made oil prices increase and we know about it and this is another hit for the airline industry. Our cost of doing business has increased tremendously in the last few weeks and why we are joyous about the recovery on the revenue side, we get a big hit on the cost side.

“So, 2022 will remain despite the recovery of the industry a very difficult year and we are extremely grateful to the Dutch and French governments who got us through this crisis but, not only the government, but people and customers who will be supporting us, the Nigerian government who have been helping us to rebuild our business we are grateful,”

Also speaking, the country manager, Air France-KLM, Nigeria, Christine Quantin, also corroborated Bootma, saying, in the past months, KLM has seen tremendous demand for air travel increasing as Covid-19 restrictions are lifted in the Netherlands and other EU countries. Read more

Mesfin Tasew Appointed CEO Of Ethiopian Airlines Group

The Board of Management of Ethiopian Airlines Group has announced the appointment of Mr. Mesfin Tasew Bekele, as Chief Executive Officer of Ethiopian Airlines Group, effective March 23, 2022.

Mr. Mesfin has been a successor to the former CEO of the Airline Group, Tewolde GebreMariam whose early retirement request due to health issues has been approved by the board.

Mr. Mesfin has 38 years of experience in airline management and operations in the areas of aircraft maintenance and engineering, procurement, information technology, flight operations, capability development, capacity building, development of corporate strategies, airline operation management, and corporate leadership.

He earned a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) from Open University in the UK, an MSc degree in Electrical Engineering specializing in Communications Engineering from Addis Ababa University, and a BSc degree in Electrical Engineering from Addis Ababa University.

The Board Chairman of the airline, Mr. Girma Wake said, “I would like to congratulate Mr. Mesfin on his new appointment and I am fully confident about his capabilities. We believe that Mr. Mesfin will lead the airline to even greater success, keeping it on the right track that will see it grow through many generations to come. I urge the 17,000 employees of Ethiopian and the board members to stand with the new Group CEO to keep the airline fly high. We are also thankful for the remarkable contributions of the former Group CEO.”

Mr. Mesfin Tassew on his part said, “I am honored and humbled to be appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of Ethiopian Airlines Group which I have been serving for nearly four decades in various positions. My new role gives me the opportunity to carry on with the fast and profitable growth of our beloved airline and take it to the next level. I call on all my colleagues at Ethiopian to join hands and forge ahead for further success.”

In the different capacities he served during his 38 years of service, Mr Mesfin has been a key player responsible for planning and executing of strategies that led the airline to shine in the African skies and beyond. 

He assumed responsibilities including but not limited to overall maintenance of the Ethiopian fleet, capability and capacity development, leading the automation project of the Maintenance and Engineering Division, and managing projects related to aircraft acquisition. Read more

Airlines Plan Withdrawal Over Bandits’ Siege on Kaduna Airport

Local airlines are considering temporary suspension of flight operations to and fro the volatile Kaduna International Airport following the terrorists’ siege at the weekend.

The operators, who are putting safety ahead of business consideration, said uncertainties in the northern axis have made commercial flight operations most risky.

About 200 gunmen on Saturday staged an attack on Kaduna International Airport, Kaduna, killing an official of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) and disrupting flight services for hours.

The invasion, from the runway end of the airport, was repelled by the military, though it threw the airport in disarray and an Azman Air airplane was unable to take off due to sporadic gun battle around the aerodrome.

As of yesterday, Azman has suspended operations into the Kaduna Airport, pending the complete ease of tension in the troubled state.

The Chief Operating Officer of one of the airlines said two carriers managed to escape the attack in the “red zone”.

“That is a sufficient red flag for aviation. The assurance of the authorities that normalcy has been restored is difficult to rely on. Remember that about a year ago, the same bandits attacked staff quarters of aviation agencies at the same Kaduna airport. Now, they (bandits) are more daring with the invasion of the airside. That is a big risk that I don’t think any airline should undertake for now. So, if airlines are pulling out of Kaduna, you cannot blame them. Better be safe than be sorry,” he said.

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) reassured a combined team of anti-banditry military personnel and the crime investigation unit of the FAAN Aviation Security Department to forestall another onslaught on the airport.

Acting General Manager, Corporate Affairs of FAAN, Faithful Hope-Ivbaze, said: “Normalcy has since been restored at the airport. The team also recovered two motorbikes abandoned by the bandits.

“Additionally, a heavy reinforcement team from the Nigerian Defence Academy is on the ground to ensure the safety and security of airport workers and users. The FAAN AVSEC Department has equally released operational vehicles to the team for patrol purposes,” Hope-Ivbaze assured.

Aviation security expert, Group Capt. John Ojikutu (rtd), said the security breach was unfortunate, and it again signposts the volatile nature of aerodromes nationwide, coupled with attendant negligence of regulatory protocol. Read more

Sources: Tribune Online; Guardian Online; Leadership Online