Thursday, 27 August 2015

Arik Air rated 3-star by Skytrax


…SA, Air Mauritius, Royal Air Maroc, Air Seychelles rated 4-star
…6 Asian and 1 Gulf airlines rated 5-star
Skytrax has released its annual world airline star ratings, ranking airlines by the quality of their front-line product and service standards. Nigeria’s Arik Air  made 3-star ratings  alongside 119 other airlines in the world. Arik Air is the only rated Nigerian airline. According to Skytrax website, “The 3-Star Airline Rating is awarded to airlines delivering a fair Quality performance that conforms to an industry “average” of acceptable product and service standards.
The 3-Star Airline rating signifies a satisfactory standard of core Product for most travel categories (ie. cabin of travel), but it also reflects some inconsistency amongst either standards of front-line Staff Service or Product delivery for the Cabin Service and their home-base Airport environments.”

Other African airlines in the 3-star category are: Air Algerie, Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways, Egypt Air, Air Namibia, LAM Mozambique Airlines, TAAG Angola Airlines.

Meanwhile, four African airlines made the 4-star ratings , South African Airways, Air Mauritius, Royal Air Maroc and Air Seychelles.

The much enviable 5-star ratings has ANA All Nippon Airways(Japan), Asiana Airlines (South Korea), Cathay Pacific Airways(Hong Kong), Garuda Indonesia (Indonesia), Hainan Airlines(China), Qatar Airways and Singapore Airlines in the category.
“The ultimate Quality Approval, this 5-Star Airline rating is awarded to airlines achieving the highest, overall Quality performance.

The 5-Star Airline rating recognises high standards of Airport and Onboard Product, together with consistent and high standards of Staff Service delivery across both the Airport and Cabin service environments. This prestigious 5-Star Airline rating recognizes airlines at the forefront of product and/or service delivery excellence.”-Skytrax

Wednesday, 26 August 2015

Arik Air, Irish Embassy in trade mission partnership move

L/R DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR OF ARIK  - CAPT. ADO SANUSI WITH HIS EXCELLENCY SEAN HOY AND CHAIRMAN OF ARIK AIR - SIR JOSEPH ARUMEMI - IKHIDE DURING THE VISIT OF THE AMBASSADOR OF IRELAND AND ENTERPRISE IRELAND DELEGATION TO ARIK AIR - IN LAGOS


The Irish Embassy in Nigeria and Enterprise Ireland are seeking to partner with Arik Air on the Irish Trade Mission to Nigeria in December 2015. This is according to a statement from the airline.
“This came to light on Thursday, August 20 when the Irish Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Sean Hoy led a team of Enterprise Ireland officials to Arik Aviation Centre at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.”
The statement further said that the Irish Ambassador stated that the trade mission to Nigeria is expected to be one of the largest in recent times and there would be a lot of interest in the aviation sector as there are about 250 aviation companies in Ireland. He stressed that the Irish Embassy in Nigeria is committed to improving trade relations between Nigeria and Ireland.
The Head of Africa Region, Enterprise Ireland, Mr. Fred Klinkenberg who was in the team said Enterprise Ireland is the government organisation responsible for the development and growth of Irish enterprises in markets around the world. The organization work in partnership with Irish enterprises to help them start, grow, innovate and win export sales on global markets.
The Trade Mission Representative in Nigeria, Thessa Brongers Bagu while stressing that Arik Air is the airline of choice disclosed that Arik would be the official carrier to move the trade mission between Accra, Abuja and Lagos.
The Chairman of Arik Air, Sir Joseph Arumemi-Ikhide who led the management team of the airline to receive the visitors disclosed that Arik would be interested in flying the Lagos-Dublin route if there is enough traffic between the two countries.
He said Arik Air has become a strong force in Africa stressing that that the airline has relationship with a number of Irish companies.


Monday, 24 August 2015

FG honours FAAN MD with NPOM Award


Engr. Saleh Dunoma, MD FAAN

The Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Engr. Saleh Dunoma has been honoured with the National Productivity Order of Merit (NPOM) Award on thursday, August 20, 2015 in Abuja.

The presentation was made at the fifteenth National Productivity Day, where Engr. Dunoma and eleven others, including two organisations were presented with certificates.

According to a statement from Mr. Yakubu Dati, General Manager Corporate Communications of FAAN, President Muhammadu Buhari, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Productivity, Clement Iloh, urged all Nigerians to work assiduously towards a new, improved, recharged and productive Nigeria.
Speaking under the theme: “The Role of Productivity in the Change Agenda, he said "Our concern is to build a productivity culture among the citizenry".
“We shall dedicate ourselves to the ideals of resilience, integrity, excellence, standards, goodwill, accountability, good governance, patriotism and productivity,” he said.

Also speaking, Engr. Dunoma thanked President Buhari for the honour, stating that he and his team will continue to give their best.
He also expressed appreciation for being recognized out of over 10,000 nominees for the award.

Engr Saleh Dunoma, is a seasoned and astute administrator with diverse experience, whose humility and managerial skills has endeared him to many as a silent achiever and beacon of hope for his colleagues, friends and staff.

An alumnus of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and a certified Civil Engineer, he had a brief stint in the private sector before embarking on an impresive public carrier.


The other awardees are Uwemedimo Asomgha of the ministry of education; Ajibola Olabode; Marcus Danladi (a police commissioner); Boboye Oyeyemi, Ijioma Azubuike of the fire service; Danliti Isah; Lateef Oyalekan and Anthony Ani.

SAHCOL DONATES NEW AUTOMOBILE TO CARGO AGENTS


The Skyway Aviation Handling Company Limited (SAHCOL) has presented a brand new Toyota Hilux vehicle to the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) to assist in their effective monitoring and enforcement activities within the Cargo terminal.
The vehicle was handed over to ANLCA at the Headquarters of SAHCOL, located at the Cargo Terminal of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos by the General Manager, Cargo Services of SAHCOL, Boma Ukwunna, who represented the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Oluropo Owolabi, at the brief presentation ceremony.
While receiving the vehicle, the Vice Chairman of ANLCA, Murtala Muhammed Airport chapter, Bola Ashiru Balogun, thanked SAHCOL for the gesture, stating that it opens the commencement of a new dawn of excellent working relationship between them and SAHCOL.
 Also present at the occasion were the Management staff of SAHCOL and the Executive members of ANLCA, Murtala Muhammed International Airport branch.
 ANLCA is the body of Clearing and Forwarding practitioners in Nigeria, established with the aim of improving the quality of services rendered by Freight Forwarders and promoting vocational training for its members while working closely with Customs, other Government Agencies, Port Terminal Operators, Cargo Handling Agencies, Inspection Agents, Shipping Agencies, Nigeria Customs,  NAFDAC, amongst others.
SAHCOL is a major gateway to imports and exports within the Nigerian Aviation sector, it is an enterprise which currently runs the best custom bonded warehouse facility in the West African Sub Region, as evidenced by the World Customs Organization's recent recognition award.

SAHCOL,  incorporated as an Aviation Ground Handling Service provider under the Nigerian Companies and Allied Matters Act of 1990, is regarded to be the reference point to the birth of a successful flight within the Nigeria Aviation Sector, providing services in Passenger Handling, Ramp Handling, Cargo Handling and Warehousing, Aviation security, Baggage Reconciliation, Crew bus and Executive Lounge services and other related Ground Handling services in all Nigerian commercial airports.

Sunday, 23 August 2015

RESPONSE TO PROPOSED BAIL OUT FOR DOMESTIC AIRLINE OPERATORS IN NIGERIA By Ariyo Akinfenwa


Since the Senate Leader, Senator Ali Ndume made the statement that the Senate is considering support, in form of bail out for the domestic airline operators in the country; there have been reactions from different quarters in support  and against  the proposition.

“Most airlines certainly do need FG intervention, what was done before was not enough and neither did all airlines benefit equally. FG needs to consider an aviation policy like the fine-tuned policies of other industry sectors, why not for airlines too. Airlines need to be motivated to perform long-term for the good of the country and to entice more travellers by air instead of road, as well as to stimulate commerce in the economy and tourism within the country too. Currently airlines are not profitable enough to invest further in new aircrafts and explore additional routes to connect more cities with the country. Banks need to support airlines more too as they currently shy away from supporting the industry. If airlines were better funded, there would be far less than 146 private jets in the country, and neither would there be a need for a national carrier which will unnecessarily burn up the scarce financial resources of the country. If FG wants to help, then they should first help existing airline operators, otherwise even the threat of a national carrier is enough to depress the aviation sector as it deters further  investment by the main airlines.”
Jacky Hathiramani
MD/CEO
Dana Airlines Ltd

“We need to know what sort of bailout , Could it be a repeat of the AMCON failed previous experiments?
Yes the move is positive but a more wholistic diagnosis of the problem is essential because if the hole is not blocked , funds injected will go same way as in the past.
As regards support for the airlines on several challenges. This forms part of the wholistic approach identified above. Uncontrollable cost elements among others do require deliberate government attention for our airlines survival.”
Olowo .G .O Fnim
President ART

“It's better to cut down cost of operating in our airspace. Landing, parking and navigation charges, including fuel.”
Capt. Daniel Omale

“I believe that the NNPC management should be approached to work towards refining JET A1 at Warri petrochemical plant.
If this is done, a bridge finance can be obtained directly by airlines at less than 2 percent to pay fuel marketer.
This would bring down the direct operating costs for airlines.”
Francis Ayigbe

“NO, No, Noooo, to any form of bailouts again to Nigerian owned airlines.
The first bailout ended up not been used for aviation purposes.
Secondly, government   have no business giving public money to selected individuals. Government   is not a lending house. They should approach their banks.
These were the people who killed Nigeria Airways with dangerous systemic manipulation so that they may thrive.
They should either merge or straight acquisition be allowed. It is the tendencies of ownership syndrome for ego sake that is deluding them.”
#wesaynotoaviationbailout2015
Solomon Ohioma
 (former ATSSSAN National President)


“As interesting as the debate may be to bail out the airlines,  we must first ask what happened to the initial bailout the airlines got from the government (AMCON), until they are able to show or tell us what they did with the money, we cannot continue to bailout airlines, if so, government should bailout every market man and woman out there struggling and cannot break even.
I think what is needed is not more of bailout but a declaration of infants status on the airlines, so that they can enjoy full economic privileges,  such as waivers,  tax and charges reduction, etc.
Also a major problem with the airlines is the structure of the management, most of them lack corporate governance as well as accountable management system. The managing director is the all and all, you there question why in any matter, you lose your job.”
Roland M. Ahmed
 (Aircraft engineer)


“I am 100% against it. What has been done to forestall the wastage of the last bail out into private pockets? What happened to individuals and corporates who invested these monies outside their airlines?
Government should focus on policies that will make the industry business friendly. Currently we do not have "functional" airports. If we do not have functional airports, your cost of operation goes high. You end up providing for yourself  the same service you have paid the authority for.
What is the 5% TSC by NCAA for? You pay PSC to FAAN, pay Navigation charges to NAMA and regulator is also collecting revenue? How do you regulate and also be a revenue agency? I really do not get it. NCAA have services that airlines and service providers consume and pay for. Why are they into revenue generation while they are still a regulator? NCAA should face their core service and stop the collection of 5% Ticket Sales Charge.
And let it be an opportunity to shut down the Ministry of Aviation and let it be a department in transport. These agencies always claim the ministry is their biggest challenge as all decisions are made there. Imagine the airports in Port Harcourt, Benin and Kano has no convenience at the departure hall? Who approved this design? The Ministry did and overriding the DAAS department of NCAA.
A lot of mess in the system that needs to be curbed to enable the industry move forward. We should stop solving problems with cash but with instruments and policies. These things last but money does not.”

 Anonymous

Thursday, 20 August 2015

ART holds breakfast meeting

Mr. Gbenga Olowo ART President

Aviation Round Table, ART an aviation pressure group will be holding its quarterly breakfast meeting discussing airline business in Nigeria. The theme of this meeting is: Ownership, Funding & Sustainability of Nigerian Airlines.......  Lessons learnt from the past.
According to the President of the group, Mr. Gbenga Olowo who made the announcement said: “ART quarterly breakfast meeting will hold on Wednesday Sept 2nd at GolfView Hotel & Suites, 12 Adeyinka Adebayo Way ,GRA Ikeja @ 0730am. Very seasoned scholars led by Prof Anthony Kila from Cambridge University LON , Bismack Rewane, etc, will be leading the discussion on Ownership, Funding & Sustainability of Nigerian Airlines.......  Lessons learnt from the past.”

The meeting will have in its attendance airline chief executives and other stakeholders.

Thursday, 6 August 2015

STAKEHOLDERS’ RESPONSE TO THE INTENDED NATIONAL CARRIER FOR NIGERIA



Compiled by Ariyo Akinfenwa


“Everyone who has been in, or around, aviation for a while would easily agree that the ill advised liquidation of the defunct national carrier, Nigeria Airways, is the evil wind that has bedeviled the industry till date.

It was not a mere death of an airline. It was the demise of the only know airline superstructure in Nigeria – the best ensemble of airline professionals. It was the demise of Nigeria’s global standard aircraft maintenance system that had already attained B737 check D (highest maintenance procedure) in Nigeria by Nigerians. It was, therefore, the death of Nigeria’s dream to establish and operate an MRO soonest.

The defunct National Carrier was responsible for the production of well trained aviation professionals – in Piloting, Engineering, Marketing, Cabin Crew, Dispatch, and every facet of aircraft operation. Its death also killed this noble endeavour.

And since the forced liquidation of the Nigeria Airways, no Nigerian Carrier has been able to go near its big shoes. None has even started to move in that direction.

It is, therefore, with enthusiastic welcome that one receives the news of the directive of President Buharito the Ministry of Aviation to expedite action on the establishment of a new national carrier which can now spearhead Nigeria’s deserved quest for global reckoning in aviation.

It is expected that the new carrier will strive for mega carrier status which can compete at the global stage. It is also expected that a full scale MRO will be part of the deal for the new carrier.

It is however important to sound this note of caution. Any idea of engaging a foreign airline, or foreign MRO as technical partner should be banished. This is because no sane business person will encourage a viable competitor. Nor will such partners agree to terms that will grant advantage to the new carrier overtheir already vested interests in their home airlines.

It is sincerely hoped that the Ministry of Aviation will be open and transparent in the process of setting up the new national carrier, and would allow participation by genuine industry stakeholders.

I and my organization, NAAPE, welcome this development enthusiastically, and we urge all industry stakeholders to support it with all sense of responsibility.”

Balami Isaac David
President, NAAPE

“With no concrete information from the Government, we are unable to make any comment yet although we feel that the Government should create an enabling environment rather than actually running an airline.”
Obi Mbanuzuo | Chief Commercial Officer (Acting Accountable Manager)
Dana Airlines

“It is a bad idea”

Anonymous airline CEO

“Before this decision/directive, have we done a thorough autopsy on the reasons that led to the death of Nigeria Airways?

National Carrier is going out of fashion in this industry as it has been demonstrated in many quarters.
National carriers succeed in countries were corruption is tightly managed as shown in the case of ET.

When government starts appointing Directors and those start awarding elephant/juicy contracts, the airline will gasp for breath and die.

Running is high cost and any cost that should be avoided has to be avoided. But with National Carrier in an environment like ours, I do not see this happening.
We can only have a competitive National Carrier if and only if;
·         We make our airports efficient and effective. This will make transit facilitation a good experience.
·         Government involvement must not be beyond 25% share.
·         Technical partner owing about 15%
·         Institutional investors take the remaining.

I am not optimistic but you never know.”

Kingsley Chima
Aviation Analyst

“Very simple, until there is a fundamental attitudinal change towards what belongs to government whatever is set up as a Nigerian government airline, therefore Nigeria Airways, will go the same way of the old airline. As long as I'm yet to see any concrete effort towards that change, I will advise President Muhammadu Buhari not to rush into it. In his last interview on Nigeria Television Authority, he admitted that the stealing of the nation's crude oil was still going on under his administration.

Nigeria of his old time as Head of State in 1983/85 is not Nigeria of 2015 where an airline can be conjured and it is established. He needs to reach out to former President Olusegun Obasanjo and ask him why Nigeria Airways was liquidated; he needs to reach out to former President Goodluck Jonathan and ask him why his government was unable to set up a national airline. There are a lot of booby traps on that path that will hurt his administration more than he can imagine if he decides to plunge into it. 

Though, we need a national airline, at what cost at this point in time, when the Naira is counting at over N220 to $1? There are more fundamental needs for the Nigerian people than the government taking up a humongous project of setting up again a national airline at this time or the next four years of President Buhari.

We need to do more roads and connect remote villages and upcoming towns that will create jobs for people; we need to increase our revenue generation opportunities to improve our per capita income; we need to address the the current policing of the country by decentralizing the police force as presently constituted to a stronger regional force supported by modern techniques of securing such a verse area and population to have a safer environment; we need to reevaluate our educational system to make it more productive than mere academic exercise thereby establishing a stronger base for a better, enduring and endearing Nigeria; and to improve on electricity supplies. These will make better impact on the lives of Nigerians than a national airline that will take as much as the same fund to achieve these improvement in the lives of the Nigerian people in the next four years.

The present airlines that operate international routes can be devotedly encouraged by ensuring that government officials only travel Nigerian airlines, especially where the journey terminates in the countries where the airlines operate to. A pronouncement by government will will have a huge effect and impact.”
DEBA Uwadiae
Editor-In-Chief
Business Travel Publication



Wednesday, 5 August 2015

FAAN orders removal of unused aircraft


The Management of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria has called on all owners of abandoned aircraft at the graveyard of the Murtala Muhammed Airport to evacuate such within the next seven days, as the Authority is ready to dispose of such aircraft, in line with the provisions of the International Civil Aviation Organization.

The Director of Airport Operations, Capt Henry Omeogu, who disclosed this recently, while on a safety inspection at the Murtala Muhammed Airport Domestic Terminal 1, noted that the action had become necessary due to recurring operational hitches that have been posing serious safety concerns to aircraft and some infrastructure at the terminal.

He appealed to the owners of the aircraft, some of which had been parked at the graveyard since 2005, to immediately remove them, to forestall situations, where unscrupulous elements would use abandoned aircraft as hiding places to perpetuate criminal activities.

Stressing that the Authority would continue to do everything possible to ensure the safety and security of all travellers and other airport users, in line with its mission statement, he enjoined all stakeholders to partner with the Authority to ensure safer and more secure airports.