Experts Advise Nigerian Airlines To Work Together

 

Mr. Nick Fadugba,Chairman of African Business Aviation Association (AfBAA)

Series of advice came from aviation experts on how Nigerian airlines’ working relationship will help them to muster strength to compete with non-African airlines currently dominating the market. At the League of Airports and Aviation Correspondent (LAAC) 23rd Annual Conference and Award held in Lagos last week.

The first to give the advice was the Chairman of African Business Aviation Association (AfBAA), Mr. Nick Fadugba when he said there is much to gain when African airline work together and compete with non-African carriers.

Many foreign airlines are coming into Nigeria making good profit and yet most Nigerian airlines to the best of my knowledge are not making a lot of money. In fact some are quite poorly financially, so we need to do better. You know the international aviation industry has changed dramatically since the days of Nigerian airways, today no airline can succeed working alone.  And therefore I want to once again appeal to airlines in Nigeria to come together, to work together in operations, training, maintenance, we need to partner. Even if we don’t merge we need to partner with one another.

The average fleet size in Nigeria is about maximum 10 aircraft and yet we are competing with British Airways that has over 400 aircraft. Delta airlines have over 500 aircraft even Ethiopian airlines has a 110 aircraft. So how can small airlines compete? And I am not being disrespectful by the way,  the airlines I am not talking about is fleet size, I am not talking about commitment to the industry  but I want to be realistic, because this industry is cut throat. If you don’t have a critical mass in terms of size, in term of good management, in terms of fleet, in terms of good network, it is very hard to succeed.  So we have the market in Nigeria, we are very fortunate but the fact is that our airlines are at the moment not of the size that can compete effectively against the big airlines coming into Nigeria.

Christ Aligbe, the Managing Director of BeluJane Konsult of his part advised Nigerian airline to join African Airlines Association (AFRAA) in order to participate in the global aeropolitics. He said the earlier they are part of the continental body the better. As it stands, despite how important and vibrant Nigeria market is, none of Nigeria airline is a member of AFRAA.

“Aeropolitics is not played at individual airline level. Nigerian airlines need to be part of what is going on in the African Airlines Association (AFRAA)”, said Aligbe.

NAHCO Appoint Arc Bello Chairman, Olubanwo As Director

…Notifies Stock Exchange

Arc Usman Arabi Bello

A new Chairman has been appointed by the Board of the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc (nahco aviance).  He is Arc Usman Arabi Bello. Bello effectively takes over from the Vice Chairman, Dennis Hasdenteufel, who had been acting in that position since October last year.

In a statement by the Company, Arc Bello emerged Chairman of the foremost Aviation handling Company after a meeting of the board which held on January 12, 2016.

The statement pointed out that the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) had been duly notified of the appointment as required by listing rules.

Before his appointment, Bello was the Chairman of NAHCO Free Trade Zone (NFZ).

A widely-travelled property expert, Bello is also an administrator of repute. His directional managerial responsibilities cover the consultancy consortium Ericon Bello & Associates and its subsidiary, Arabi Bello & Associates, where he is principal partner.

He sits on the boards of quite a number of companies including HNB Security and Protection Company Limited as Chairman; Bello Group of Companies and Zycom Surveillance Inc.

Architect Bello’s professional career in Architecture and other related fields has been purposeful and productive. A long standing member of the Nigeria Institute of Architects and Architects Registration Council of Nigeria, Bello has brought his own signature approach to the design and execution of buildings to enrich the built environment. His works are legion in parts of Nigeria notably Kaduna, Yola, Lagos and Abuja.

Bello is widely expected to give focused guidance to the executive management of the NAHCO.

His appointment followed the resignation of the former Chairman, Mallam Suleiman Yahyah, in October last year on health grounds.

Also appointed to the board of the Company as a non-executive Director is Mr. Femi Olubanwo.

 

Femi Olubanwo

Olubanwo holds a law degree from the University of Lagos after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Law School. His Core Practice Areas are in Intellectual Property, Company and Commercial Law, Investment and Divestment Transactions, Banking and Corporate Finance.

He is a member of various law and business related professional bodies including: Nigerian Bar Association, Nigerian Maritime Law Association, World Trade Centre of Nigeria and International Trademark Association. He is also a member of the Solid Minerals Sector Steering Committee of BPE, member, Presidential Technical Committee on Development of Coal and Chairman, Committee to Create Code of Governance/Ethics for Capital Markets Regulators.

Olubanwo founded and practiced as Femi Banwo & Co, Associate, Chris O. Okunowo & Co and established Banwo & Ighodalo, in partnership. He is on the Board of many companies, covering communications, education and commerce.

Madagascar Joins Ethiopian Airlines' Intra-African Network

Africa’s largest airline group, Ethiopian Airlines, is pleased to announce that it will add Antananarivo, Madagascar to its network as of 28 March 2017. Madagascar will join the ever expanding Ethiopian network of 95 worldwide destinations.

Antananarivo is the capital and the largest city of Madagascar. The island nation is known as a “biodiversity hot-spot” as over 90% of its wildlife is found nowhere else on earth.  Madagascar is home to lush rainforests and is famous for its curious lemurs.

Ethiopian’s new nonstop flight will operate three times weekly to and from Ethiopian’s hub at Addis Ababa, where passengers can connect to and from cities throughout the world, including Washington, London, Frankfurt, Paris, Rome, Beirut, Jeddah, Cairo, Dubai, Delhi, Mumbai, Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Beijing.

Group CEO Ethiopian Airlines, Mr. Tewolde GebreMariam, said: “Ethiopian, as a flagship carrier of Africa, is pleased to add Madagascar to its wide route network. Having started serving Africa seven decades ago with our motto “Bringing Africa Closer”, we are now continually enhancing our services and working to “Connect Africa to the World”. As air connectivity is an essential cause and driver of a nation’s socio-economic integration, our new service will certainly contribute for a growing business and bilateral cooperation with other sisterly African cities. Moreover, travelers from Madagascar will be seamlessly connected with Ethiopian ever-expanding network across five continents. I would like to thank all who made this route possible.”

Ethiopian is a truly indigenous Pan-African global carrier that operates the youngest and the most modern fleet in the continent with an average aircraft age of less than 5 years. 

Embraer Signs Order With Widerøe Up To 15 E2 Aircraft

Embraer has signed a contract with Widerøe, the largest regional airline in Scandinavia, for up to 15 E2 family jets. The contract consists of three firm orders for the E190-E2 and purchase rights for 12 further E2 family aircraft. This flexible mix of purchase rights for E175-E2, E190-E2, and E195-E2 will give Widerøe the ability to grow their fleet with a family of aircraft from 80 to 130+ seats, to right size capacity to meet market requirements.

The order has a potential list price value of up to US$873million, if all orders are converted. The three firm orders for E190-E2s were included in Embraer’s fourth quarter 2016 backlog.   

“It’s always an important moment for Embraer when we add a new airline to our family of operators. It’s even better to be part of a step change in that customer’s operations - our next generation E190-E2s will also be the first jets in Widerøe’s fleet. The opportunities for both Embraer and Widerøe as the airline seeks to expand and move beyond only turboprop operations, present an exciting future. A great way to start 2017”, said Arjan Meijer, Chief Commercial Officer, Embraer Commercial Aviation.

Widerøe will configure the E190-E2s in a comfortable single-class layout with 114 seats. Deliveries are scheduled for 2018. This deal brings the E-Jets E2 backlog to 275 firm orders plus Letters of Intent, options and purchase rights covering another 415 aircraft giving a total of 690 commitments from airlines and leasing companies.

Stein Nilsen, Chief Executive Officer of Widerøe, said, "Our decision to choose the Embraer family of next generation E2 aircraft for our move into jet operations is based on the need for a high quality passenger experience, ease and flexibility of operations, and lowest through life costs. The result of our evaluation determined the E2 family of aircraft, coupled with Embraer's world class customer support, as the best solution for our airline. We're excited at the prospect of being among the first operators of Embraer's next generation of aircraft, which feature significant environmental improvements in both noise and fuel efficiency while still improving performance. The flexibility offered by Embraer's family of same type rated E2 aircraft will enable us to build a right sized fleet, as a supplement to our existing fleet, in accordance with market requirements."

Embraer is the world’s leading manufacturer of commercial jets with up to 130+ seats. The Company has 100 customers from all over the world operating the ERJ and the E-Jet families of aircraft. For the E-Jets program alone, Embraer has logged more than 1,700 orders and over 1,300 deliveries, redefining the traditional concept of regional aircraft by operating across a range of business applications.

Sirika Harps On Concession, As He Receives Singaporean Trade Delegation

Sen. Hadi Sirika

Minister of State for Aviation Hadi Sirika has said the quest to concession the maintenance of airport infrastructure and the

building of new ones across the country is to maintain high standard and efficiency in the running of airport operations in tandem with global standards.

The minister who disclosed this when he received a delegation from the International Enterprise Singapore led by its Director, Middle East and Africa Group, Ian Lee, said government is strongly committed to providing an enabling environment for investors to thrive in the aviation sector with rules and regulations to make the industry economically attractive.

He added that the government has also made concerted efforts on the improvement of security in the country with the virtual defeat of the Boko Haram insurgents that had terrorized the nation in the immediate past, and also confirmed that the procurement processes for the Concession and the National Carrier had reached advanced stages as government would soon appoint Transaction Advisers.

While reiterating the position of Nigeria in the African sub region, especially in the aviation sector and considering its size and geographical location as it concerns investments, he added that these factors guarantee more than adequate returns on investments overtime.

He expressed delight at the interest shown by International Enterprise Singapore and other Singaporean firms in Nigeria’s aviation industry and assured them of the federal government’s openness and preparedness to work with all serious minded and sincere investors who have the know-how to contribute to the nation’s development.

Sirika also used the visit to explain the rationale behind the decision to temporarily shut down operations at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja for repair works on the airport runway, saying it was purely based on safety considerations He also explained that while the whole renovation work would last for six months, the six-week closure would enable the restoration of the runway to a usable state.

Earlier, the leader of the delegation and Director of the Middle East and Africa Group of International Enterprise Singapore, Ian Lee said they were in the country to establish their interest in building business relationships with Nigeria and Nigerian companies, especially in the Aviation Sector where they have identified the on-going Airport Infrastructure Concession and the proposed National Carrier as areas of high interest.

He told the Minister that the main purpose of IE Singapore is to drive Singapore's external economy, by growing Globally Competitive Companies and promoting international trade to ensure Singapore's growth in a globalized world.

He further disclosed that with 39 offices in over 20 countries, in addition to being based in Singapore, IE Singapore offers services to help enterprises export, develop business capabilities, find overseas markets and to enter new markets, through its Global Company Partnership and Market Readiness Assistance frameworks.

According to him, Nigeria represents the future of the African continent going by its political and economic stature which has placed it in the leadership position it now occupies. This, he said has made the country highly attractive to prospective investors, especially from Singapore and expressed his country’s desire to forge a better and mutually beneficial economic relationship with Nigeria.

Olateru Commends Abali As He takes Over AIB

L-R: Outgone CEO/Commissioner, Accident Investigation Bureau, (AIB), Dr. Felix Abali  and New Chief Executive Officer/Commissioner, Accident Investigation Bureau, (AIB), Engr. Akin Olateru during the handing over ceremony yesterday at Air Safety House, Murtala Mohammed Airport, Ikeja, Lagos

The new Commissioner of Nigeria’s  Accident Investigation Bureau, AIB, Engr. Akin Olateru has taken over the management of the agency from Dr. Felix Abali who is the immediate past helmsman.

Olateru commended  Dr. Felix Abali for improving the parastatal from where he met it and keeping it together over the years despite the “missiles”.

Olateru  at the handing-over ceremony at the agency’s headquarters at Murtala Muhammed Airport, MMA has said that his vision at the agency is to make it the biggest in the nation’s aviation industry.

This is as he appealed to management and the entire staff to cooperate with him in order to propel the agency forward.

He promised to make training a priority for all staff, stressing that through this, their technical know-how would improve.

He said: “I thank you for keeping this place together despite the missiles. I have heard a lot about AIB. I know it is the smallest in the ministry, but, before the end of my tenure, I will ensure that the agency becomes the biggest of all. That’s my mission.

“However, for that to happen, I will require the maximum cooperation of all staff. I can’t do it alone, but we are here to make it happen. It is for the benefit of all staff of AIB if we can make this organisation to work. It’s not about size sometimes, but about efficiency and effectiveness.

“This is a new dawn and I am begging everyone to give this new administration a chance. Whatever that has happened in the past, let it be in the past. Aviation is highly technical, very expensive and the most regulated in the world. At the end of the day, we are all going to be happy because everyone will go on training and more opportunities would be given to people.”

Earlier, Abali commended the entire staff for their support towards him as the Commissioner of the agency and called on them to support the new administration.

Abali, however, appealed to some of the disgruntled elements in the system to sheath their sword for the growth of the organisation.

“I thank the management and staff for their supports for me through thick and thin. And for those who were bent on destroying the agency, I don’t know what else to tell them to change their minds. I’ve spoken with them, but all to no avail,” he said.

Nigeria Airlines Association Gets Exco

…Lauds Minister on Appointment of Aviation Chiefs

The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) now has a new Executive Council in place to pilot the activities of the association for the next two years.

Sir Nogie Meggison, the Chief Executive Officer of Jedidiah Air Limited (JedAir) returned as Chairman for a second term in office having served the association in this capacity on an initial first term. Alhaji Abdulmunaf Yunusa Sarina, Chairman of Azman Airlines was unanimously elected as Vice Chairman, while Capt. Chimara Imediegwu, Director of Flight Operations with First Nation Airways was returned as the Financial Controller of the Association.

The new Exco will be expected to forge greater and robust advocacy for and on behalf of the association, continuously engage government constructively on critical operational and industry issues as well as drive unity and oneness among member airlines in an effort to promote their individual and collective interests.

While delivering his report of stewardship, Sir Nogie Meggison said: “In the last few years, AON has made rapid progress by speaking with one voice. Our Strength is in our number and staying together, as we have grown to be a strong force that we should be in the aviation sector. I would therefore like to appreciate you all for giving me the mandate to lead in the last three years and I thank you all for the support you have given to me during this time.”

Under the erstwhile and current Chairman’s first term in office, AON was able to make a number of milestone and unprecedented achievements. These include successfully engaging government and getting the implementation of zero duty on aircraft and spare parts, securing forex allocation and getting aviation on the priority list, a functional Secretariat and Board Room, better and more cordial engagement with the Minister of State on Aviation on quarterly basis, a functional website as well as more respect and interaction with Labour Unions among others.

In another development, the Chairman of AON thanked the Federal Government and the Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, for appointing two of its members to serve as Chief Executive Officers of two very important parastatals. They include Capt. Fola Akinkuotu for the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) and Mr. Akin Olateru as Commissioner of the Accident Investigation Bureau. Sir Meggison noted that their appointment was quite encouraging and a display of government’s confidence in the ability and experience of these fine gentlemen to take the agencies to greater heights,

“I would like to also use this opportunity to congratulate two of our members that were recently appointed by the Federal Government to head two of the aviation parastatals. We congratulate them and wish them the very best,” he remarked.

Offering his acceptance speech to members, after emerging as Chairman for a second term; Sir Meggison said: “It has been a privilege serving AON and I am very grateful for your support. I would like to use this opportunity to thank all the airlines that have been very active in facilitating our work at the Secretariat. May God Almighty continue to reward you all for your sacrifice.