An Efficient Operable Nigerian Aviation Industry As Proposed By Nick Fadugba…Aviationages.com
Nigeria aviation has what it takes to function better. This is the optimism perceived in the proposal of the African Business Aviation Association (AfBAA) chairman, Nick Fadugba. Fadugba’s stance was also corroborated recently by the Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Capt. Musa Nuhu.
“From my observation so far, Nigeria has what it takes to make her aviation great. The wealth of expertise available to us is enormous to get this done,” said NCAA DG recently.
FG Warns VIPs, Investigates Yari, Fintiri over Breach of Airport Protocols…Thisday
The federal government has warned very important personalities (VIPs) and unruly passengers against breaching laid down airport protocols on COVID-19, stressing that it has escalated investigation into the unruly conduct and breaches of COVID-19 safety protocols at the airports by the Governor of Adamawa State, Mr. Ahmadu Fintiri and the former Governor of Zamfara State, Mr. Abdulaziz Yari.
Also, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) yesterday said that it has activated 54 testing centres across 30 states of the federation since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country.
Trouble in aviation as VIPs flout protocols…Guardian
This may not be the best of times for the aviation industry, as both sitting and former governors as well as very important persons (VIPs) have been accused of violating, with impunity, the various safety and security protocols in place as airports reopen nationwide, owing to the further easing of the COVID-19 lockdown by the Federal Government.
The Guardian learnt that the gateways, including the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri; Port Harcourt International Airport, Port Harcourt; and Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, are having a hectic time in impressing it on the bigwigs to comply with the basic safety rules.
https://guardian.ng/news/
COVID-19: Calabar, Sokoto, Katsina, Kebbi airports set for inspection – Minister…PremiumTimes
The Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, says four airports are ready for inspection and possible re-opening if they meet the required COVID-19 protocols.
Mr Sirika, at the Daily Briefing of the Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19, on Thursday in Abuja, said the airports at Calabar, Sokoto, Katsina and Kebbi were all ready for inspection on July 17.
Aviation Experts Call for Review of BASA…Thisday
Aviation industry experts have called for the review of Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA), signed between Nigeria and other countries, which many of them believe is lopsided against Nigeria.
They said the coronavirus lockdown period was a good opportunity to review the BASA, which they argued some countries had been benefitting from over the years at the expense of Nigeria.
https://www.thisdaylive.com/
Airlines cancel flights over low patronage, apathy…Guardian
A number of flights were yesterday and Wednesday cancelled over low patronage on some of the recently opened routes.
Following the early success on the Lagos and Abuja corridors, more airports have resumed operations but without the airlines having flights on the routes.
https://guardian.ng/business-
Why FG must rescue, save flag carriers from aeropolitics…Guardian
The Federal Government’s laidback disposition to the plight of Nigerian flag carriers abroad is suffocating investment and efforts of local operators to have a stake in the competitive international airspace. WOLE OYEBADE writes.
Refusal by the United Kingdom’s government to grant Air Peace airlines a landing permit, to evacuate stranded Nigerians in England, has reawakened a row over alleged Federal Government’s failure to protect local operators.
Indeed, international commercial airspace is an aggressive business setting that brooks no privileges. As an operator, you are either at your competitive best or have the government’s backing to muscle a voice and be accorded rights. More often than not, Nigerian local carriers have lacked both.
Evacuation: How Indigenous Carrier Rescued Stranded Nigerians…Thisday
With high cost of airfares charged by foreign airlines, many Nigerians who had depleted their resources due to Coronavirus lockdown would have been trapped overseas without indigenous airline that worked with government to rescue them, writes Chinedu Eze.
Before various countries began to close their borders, both land and air, to stop the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, people were travelling to many destinations for business, for tourism, for medical treatment and for many other reasons.
As Airlines Awaits FG’s Support…Thisday
Domestic airlines have completed the necessary documentation for loan request at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), which the apex bank is offering to the airlines at five per cent interest rate.
The intervention is expected to commence next January.
Some airlines are hoping to benefit from the palliative, which government is expected to offer operators and aviation agencies whose activities have been impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.
https://www.thisdaylive.com/
Cathay Pacific flags $1.3 billion first-half loss as travel demand battered…Reuters
Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd (0293.HK) expects a first-half net loss of HK$9.9 billion ($1.3 billion), including impairment charges on 16 planes, the airline said on Friday, as the coronavirus pandemic crushed travel demand.
Earlier, the airline had flagged a “substantial” first-half loss and that it had burned through cash of HK$2.5 billion to HK$3 billion each month since February.
End of the jumbo: British Airways retires 747 fleet early on coronavirus woes…Reuters
British Airways, the world’s largest operator of Boeing 747s, will retire its entire jumbo jet fleet with immediate effect after the novel coronavirus pandemic sent air travel into freefall.
For over 50-years, Boeing’s (BA.N) “Queen of the Skies” has been the world’s most easily recognised jetliner with its humped fuselage and four engines, but its days had already been numbered before the pandemic struck earlier this year.
JetBlue Airways signs American Airlines partnership…Breaking Travel News
JetBlue Airways has signed a strategic partnership with American Airlines as both carriers seek to overcome the economic consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The pair hope the deal will offer seamless connectivity for travellers in the north-east of the United States, as well as more choice for customers across complementary domestic and international networks.
https://www.