Aviation Authority Warns Pilots, Airlines over Hazardous Weather
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority has advised pilots and airline operators to exercise caution with hazardous aviation weather in the rainy season.
This circular came on the heels of the advent of the Seasonal Climate Prediction released for the year 2022 by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency.
This caution was contained in an advisory circular with reference no AC: NCAA-AEROMET – 33 initiated by the Directorate of Aerodrome and Airspace Standards, and addressed to all pilots and airline operators.
The document was signed by the Director-General, NCAA, Captain Musa Nuhu.
NIMET had predicted early/late March as the commencement of the rainy season across the southern states while April/May and June, 2022 is the onset of the rainy season in the central and northern parts of Nigeria.
The NCAA in its address advised that “Flight crews/operators and ATCs shall ensure strict adherence to aerodrome operating minima.
“Pilots shall exercise maximum restraint whenever adverse weather is observed or forecast by NIMET.”
It added, “Pilots /flight crew members shall obtain adequate departure, en-route and destination weather information and briefing from NIMET aerodrome meteorological stations prior to flight operations.”
The regulatory authority urged all stakeholders to ensure strict compliance to safety regulations as violations would be viewed seriously while passengers were advised to exercise patience and understanding as their safety is of utmost importance.
Dangote, Port Harcourt Refineries’ll Prevent Aviation Fuel Scarcity – Sirika
The Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, says the scarcity of jet A1 and its high cost will persist in the nation until the Dangote and Port Harcourt refineries begin operation.
According to him, the issues surrounding aviation fuel will only be resolved sustainably after these refineries come online. He disclosed this while addressing State House correspondents on Tuesday.
He said, “The scarcity and high cost of Jet A1 in civil aviation, is not peculiar to Nigeria. It is a global phenomenon driven by many factors. Some of them include even low capacity to refine the product.
“It is also in high demand around the world, it has increased activity and increased the number of airplanes out there and users of this jet A1. Plus, also the Ukraine crisis and many more.
“It is a time when crude itself is so expensive today, it is in the hundreds of dollars per barrel and only the high cost of Jet A1 product in Nigeria. Also, the peculiarity of the fact that we’re not refining the product, so to speak.
“And I did address the press a couple of days ago, saying that, by the grace of God, perhaps once the Dangote refinery is online or if the government fixes the Port Harcourt refinery, which is now ongoing, we will begin to refine this product and sell it.”
According to him, local airlines under the aegis of the Airline Operators of Nigeria have agreed to nominate a member or another major oil marketer to be allowed to import the product to manage the situation.
Sirika added, “Then also get the necessary foreign exchange for that purpose. And that will increase more supply and perhaps drive down the cost. We hope that this is a temporary thing, and hope that Jet A1 will be very available everywhere and at a very good price.”
Meanwhile, the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), said more investments would be deployed to the provision of infrastructure and facilities for safe, secure, environmentally friendly, and sustainable civil aviation.
He said this when he received the Secretary-General of the International Civil Aviation Organisation, Mr Juan Salazar, at the State House, Abuja on Tuesday.
A statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, quoted Buhari as saying that Nigeria would support the ideals and aspirations of ICAO and achievement of its strategic objectives, in collaboration with the other Member States of the Organisation.
In the statement titled, ‘President Buhari assures ICAO that Nigeria will sustain investments in aviation safety, security,’ Buhari stated that the Nigerian Government had established independent agencies in order to enhance aviation safety and security and is open to working with other member states to enhance global collaboration. Read more
London Heathrow is World’s Busiest Airport for May, But Dubai is Within Touching Distance
Dubai: London Heathrow was the world’s busiest airport with 3.38 million ‘seats’ in May, but not by as much as Dubai International placed a close second with around 3.3 million seats.
This is first time since 2019 that London Heathrow has reclaimed the title, as UK ushered in the full return of international travel, according to data from OAG.
Hong Kong, which was the world’s second-largest international airport in May 2019, stood in 84th place with only 12 per cent of historic capacity being operated. This is despite Cathay Pacific announcing the relaunch of a daily London Heathrow service in June. Similarly, Seoul Incheon – which used to be in the fifth position – sits in 50th place with a near 80 per cent decline in international airline capacity.
DXB, which had re-opened in full after the COVID-19 strike in mid-2020, forecasts a passenger turnout of 58.3 million this year after a sharp increase in traffic in recent weeks, and particularly during the Eid break earlier this month. The earlier estimates for 2022 were for 55.1 million passengers.
Eid travel and more
“DXB’s performance over the past successive quarters is nothing short of impressive and is a direct outcome of Dubai’s clear strategy and efforts to restore international air connectivity and mobility,” said Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports.
Despite high oil prices, UAE’s airlines could become profitable way ahead of some of their industry peers as they benefit from pent-up travel demand.
In its latest earnings report, Emirates airline said it expects to enter positive territory in 2022-23. This was after the airline narrowed its full year 2021 loss to Dh3.8 billion compared to a loss of Dh22.1 billion a year earlier.
Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways, which was in the midst of a turnaround, had a profitable first quarter for the first time in its 18-year history. “This is still a work in progress, but what we have seen is a market that’s come back like a fire hydrant going off,” said CEO Tony Douglas during an industry event last week. “Yield is still good in terms of ticket pricing.”
The budget airlines are already in blue with flydubai posting a profit of Dh841 million in 2021. Sharjah-based Air Arabia reported a 756 per cent surge in its first quarter profit amid a recovery in global air travel demand.
The three large US carriers – American, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines — expect to report full-year profits this year amidst higher offtake in travel. Meanwhile, IAG, the parent company of British Airways, has predicted a return to profitability in the second quarter of 2022. Read more
Qatar Airways Announces International Expansion for Summer 2022
LONDON – Leading Middle Eastern carrier Qatar Airways has announced today that it will be expanding its services across leading leisure destinations ahead of the busy summer season forecasted by the carrier.
As the borders across the globe are opening post-pandemic havoc which resulted in a sheer downfall in the travel and air transportation industry, Qatar Airways once again aims to capture a sizable market share with its leisure travelers.
With flights being offered to tranquil beach destinations, city breaks, adventure destinations, nature retreats, or simply family and friends escape, Qatar has given wide choices to its customers for this summer season.
Speaking on this announcement, Qatar Airways in its statement said, “Whether passengers are seeking summer vacations including tranquil beach gateways, energetic city breaks, bold adventure destinations, or incredible family and friend escapes, there is something for everyone.”
Qatar Airways has once started its services to the magnificent beach destinations in Bali and Phuket for customers to indulge in nature, culture, cuisine, and luxury at various beach resort offerings at these destinations.
With flight options to Prague and Santorini, Qatar passengers can look forward to their getaway to the European destinations indulging in the culture, nature, and beaches.
Flights to Rome, Barcelona, and Paris can offer guests to witness a true European holiday panorama with services designed to attract main cities and leisure travelers.
With flights being offered to destinations like Cape Town, Kilimanjaro, and Nairobi on the African continent, Qatar has walked the extra mile in crafting the perfect flight strategy for its guests as the options to indulge in nature safaris and extravagant beach and sea spots destinations offered.
The leading carrier Qatar Airways is once again on the path to capturing its previous place in world aviation as it is determined to offer more services and options for its leisure travelers with a prime focus across renowned cities and places across the globe.
The carrier, at present, is providing connectivity across 140 destinations worldwide and adding more to its route map with a target audience of leisure travelers.
Speaking on the upcoming summer season and traffic forecast, Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, H.E. Akbar Al Baker said:
“I am confident that leisure travel will see a major comeback this summer, and I am inviting travelers to make Qatar Airways part of their journey and enjoy our 5-star hospitality on board.”
“The past two years have been frustrating for anyone wanting to travel the world, as well as challenging for the travel sector. However, the easing of travel restrictions in many parts of the world will aid in its fast and positive recovery.”
With this new exciting announcement by Qatar Airways, it is clear that the airline is looking to offer more to its customers over the upcoming well-deserved summer season as the world is once again looking to shade off the Pandemic blues and head into a positive and exciting-filled decade.
Sources: The Punch Online, Gulf News, Aviation Source News