Incessant Bird Strikes in Nigeria’s Airspace Worry Airlines
Incidents of bird strikes have become a source of concern to airline operators who fear that if not checked it may result in a major accident.
To this end, the airlines have called on the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to urgently curtail the movement of birds around the airports and flight paths on takeoff.
A bird strike is a collision between an airborne animal (usually birds or bats) and an aircraft.
While airstrikes are categorised as natural phenomenon that could be controlled using environmental techniques, it however becomes worrisome when bird strike occurs frequently, thereby distorting flight schedules and threatening air safety.
For instance, early this week, in less than 48 hours, two aircraft belonging to Aero Contractors and Max Air suffered bird strikes, damaging the engine blades and causing pilots to make an air return. Read More
Airline War: Air Peace, Azman Others Battle Over Passengers’ Loyalty with Ticket Upgrade, Gifts
It is indeed the season of brand wars among airlines in Nigeria, as many of them are attempting to attract both existing and potential patrons with different incentives for choosing their airlines above others for local flights.
While some airlines upgrade the tickets of their patrons from Economy to Business Class, others give surprise gifts like HMO cards to passengers on board. These loyalty programs have been introduced to boost the airlines’ revenues, as one of the survival strategies to surmount the challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Here are some of the freebies that airlines are offering passengers onboard. Read More
Forex Challenges Killing Domestic Airline Operations –Okonkwo, United Nigeria Airline Boss
Access to foreign exchange to purchase aircraft spare parts, import duty waivers, cost of aviation fuel are some of the recurring issues that have continued to stall seamless domestic operations in Nigeria. These problems have been fingered by Nigerian-owned airlines as some of the reasons why air fares have skyrocketed and why aviation business is not as profitable as it should be.
To address this issue, venture capitalist and entrepreneur, Dr. Obiora Okonkwo, the Chief Executive Officer of United Nigeria Airline, the latest domestic operator to begin operations in the country wants the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to give airlines a special window in which they can bid and access forex to buy spare parts and carry out maintenance. Read More
Nigerian Govt. Gives Special Economic Zones Status To Lagos, PH, Kano And Abuja Airports
The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari has approved four Nigerian airports as Special Economic Zones (SEZs). The approved airports are Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos; Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), Kano; Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja and Port Harcourt International Airport (PHIA) Megwa, Rivers state.
The Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, disclosed this via his Twitter handle on Thursday.
“I am very glad to announce that Mr President has approved our four International Airports as Special Economic Zones. These are Lagos, Kano, Abuja & Port Harcourt. Our roadmap working,” he wrote.
Special Economic Zone (SEZ) is a specifically demarcated duty-free enclave and shall be deemed to be foreign territory for the purposes of trade operations and duties and tariffs. In order words, SEZ is a geographical region that has economic laws different from a country’s typical economic laws.
SEZs offer economic advantages such as tax incentives and the opportunity to pay lower tariffs, to businesses.
IATA Applauds Countries Opening Skies To Vaccinated Passengers…Says More Than 20 Countries Have Yielded
…Canada To Adopt EU’s Strategy As It Begins Reopening Talk With US
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) applauded the growing number of countries making data and evidence-driven decisions to open their borders to vaccinated travellers. The global airline body mentioned that latest data collected, including its Timatic service, shows that more than 20 countries have wholly or partially lifted restrictions for vaccinated travellers.
As an advocate of safe reopening, IATA supports unrestricted access to travel for vaccinated travellers. On the other hand IATA said: “In cases where vaccination is not possible, access to quarantine-free travel should be provided through COVID-19 testing strategies based on widely available, free-of-charge tests.”
Citing the example of Germany, IATA said: “Germany is among the latest countries to make quarantine alleviations for vaccinated travelers. Vaccinated travelers are no longer subject to quarantine measures (except in certain high-risk countries). Germany has also removed quarantine requirements for travelers with a negative COVID-19 test result (except certain high-risk countries). Read More
OneWorld Names Qatar Airways Al Baker As New Governing Board Chairman
OneWorld Alliance has announced the appointment by its Governing Board of the oneworld® Alliance of Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker as Chairman.
He takes over from Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce, who had served in the role since September 2018.
As Chairman of the Oneworld Governing Board, H.E. Mr. Al Baker will oversee the alliance’s governance, chair OneWorld’s Governing Board meetings, and work closely with Oneworld CEO Rob Gurney and the alliance’s management team.
“Having led Qatar Airways since its launch in 1997, H.E. Mr. Al Baker is the longest-serving CEO of a Oneworld member airline. Under his leadership, Qatar Airways has grown into one of the world’s most highly-awarded airlines with an extensive global network, with plans to serve over 140 destinations by end of July 2021. Qatar Airways became a member of Oneworld in October 2013,” said Oneworld via a statement. “An influential figure in the global aviation industry, H.E. Mr. Al Baker served as Chairman of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Board of Governors from June 2018 to June 2019. He has served on IATA’s Board of Governors since 2012. He is also a member of the Executive Committee of the Arab Air Carriers Organisation and a non-executive Director of Heathrow Airport Holdings. In addition, he serves as Secretary-General of Qatar National Tourism Council.” Read More
Aviation Act to Check Illegal Operators, Breaches in Industry
72 out of 95 private aircraft in Nigeria registered overseas
Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has assured aviation practitioners that the pending Civil Aviation Act will address irregularities in the sector, especially sharp practices by private jet operators.
Director-General of the NCAA, Capt. Musa Nuhu, said they were aware of irregularities and complaints about the general aviation, and were making moves to check all excesses.
Nuhu, who was the guest at African Business Aviation Association (AfBAA) Speaker Webinar series on Wednesday, said business aircraft in the country are 95, out of which 72 are still not registered in Nigeria, in violation of the extant rules.
Recall that the illegal incursion of private jet operators into commercial scheduled services and airlift of passengers for reward has been a dominant complaint lately.
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations 2015, Part 18.2.3,1 stated that Air Transport License (ATL) holders and Airline Operating Permit (AOP) holders with valid Air Operators Certificate (AOC) are the only ones authorised to carry out charter operations in the country as no person shall use aircraft in Nigeria for hire and reward without the above requirements. Read More
Green Africa to Connect Seven Cities
Green Africa has announced its launch route network ahead of entry into service. With plans to commence operations from its Lagos base at the General Aviation Terminal (GAT), Green Africa will launch flight operations to connect seven cities after completing its ongoing Air Operator Certificate (AOC), currently at advanced stages at the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
Plans are already underway to establish two more operational bases outside Lagos to stimulate air travel and provide more options to customers.
To facilitate increased economic and trade activities within Nigeria, Green Africa will offer new direct connections from the commercial hub of Lagos (LOS) into Akure, Ilorin, Abuja, Enugu, Owerri and Port Harcourt.
Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Green Africa, Babawande Afolabi, said they are crafting a network plan that will allow more customers to pursue their economic interest or simply spend more time with family and friends.
Green Africa recently received its first aircraft with the second and third aircraft expected to arrive soon. Facilities and infrastructures are now in place to support commercial flight, and airport operations.
Green Africa recently took delivery of two ATR 72-600 aircraft in preparation for the commencement of demonstration flights. The aircraft, with registration, marks 5N-GAA and 5N-GAE, are two of the 15 expected by the airline.
Flights: Concerns Over Bird Strikes As Reps Probe Incidents
There are growing concerns over frequent bird strikes on domestic flights in Nigeria just as the House of Representatives has launched a probe into the incidents.
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has also summoned airline operators to examine the current challenge and take proactive measures towards safeguarding the airspace.
On Monday, an Aero Contractor Flight NIG382 heading to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport encountered a bird strike on take-off at the Port Harcourt International Airport (PHIA), Rivers State.
Also on Tuesday, another aircraft conveying the Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero, and other passengers similarly encountered the same incident on take-off forcing the pilot to make an air return. Also on March 21, 2021, a Kano- Lagos Aero Contractors flight also returned to Kano after one of the engines suffered a bird strike during take-off with many passengers stranded at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport. Read More