Airforce conducts mock exercise at Abuja airport

…FAAN MD alerts airport users

Engr. Saleh Dunoma, FAAN MD

The Management of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria notifies air travelers and the general public that the Nigerian Air Force will be conducting a mock exercise on counter- terrorism simulation at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja. This is according to Yakubu Dati, General Manager, Corporate Affairs of the FAAN.

Alerting airport users, the Managing Director of FAAN, Engr Saleh Dunoma said the exercise is part of strategies to reinforce the safety and security of air transport and the nation's airports, in addition to sustaining international best practice, regulatory policies and world class service delivery.

“FAAN MD explained that the exercise may consist of aerial and land maneuvers which may create some dramatic spectacles and affect vehicular and human movements.

He therefore enjoins air travellers and members of the public to be aware and go about their normal businesses as operations in the airport will not be affected”-said Dati

Dunoma apologises for any inconvenience the exercise may cause and advises air travellers and other airport users to always adhere to laid down rules and procedures for the safety and security of all.

ASKY offers passengers low fare, luggage allowance

ASKY announced the introduction of special fares and additional baggage allowance for its numerous customers on the Lagos to Douala and Lagos to Libreville routes. According to a statement from the airline’s office in Lagos, “the special fare is targeted at offering succor to the Nigerian travel public to these two destinations considering the current economic challenges in the country. Also, additional baggage allowance affords passengers the opportunity to travel with more baggage, thereby allowing them maximize the benefits of air travel.”

Stating the commencement and duration of the fares and baggage offers, the airline said, “With effect from 2nd September 2016, passengers travelling on the airline’s service to Douala and Libreville will be able to book fares either from the airline’s office or from their travel agents, at lower fares, thereby allowing them save more on travel”.

“Also, Economy class passengers will be able to travel with 2 pieces of 23kg per piece, bringing their baggage allowance to 46kg instead of the usual 1 piece at 30kg. Business class passengers however, will have the opportunity of carrying 2 pieces of baggage at 32kg per piece, also bringing their baggage allowance to 64kg instead of the 1 piece at 40kg they usually had.

The special fares and additional baggage allowance will continue till the 31st of October 2016”.

Country Manager, ASKY Airlines Nigeria, Mr. Mobolaji Ogunwumi gave reasons for the double offer. “We are concerned with the present economic phase Nigeria is in and we also empathize with our numerous customers who stuck with us through the years. It is only normal for us to offer them reasons to continue to fly at these trying times and to assure them that we are particularly sensitive to their needs and that we care”.

ASKY is the pan-African airline that was created by regional institutions: the Bank for Investment and Development (EBID), the West African Development Bank (BOAD) and the ECOBANK Group. ASKY is a commercial company under private law and managed by experienced professionals from Africa.

ASKY the Pan African airline currently operates a fleet of 8 New Generation aircrafts. Three (3) Boeing 737-700, One (1) Boeing 737-800 and four (4) Dash Q-400. ASKY now serves twenty-two (22) cities in nineteen (19) countries on the African continent.

We Are Not Folding Up -Firstnation

…To resume operations by September 15

The Firstnation has refuted report on the alleged winding down of the organization. According to Rasheed Yusuff of the Corporate Affairs department of the airline, “Firstnation is not on the verge of folding up. In reality, since the Airline launched service in 2011 we have built a strong followership and rated consistently as market leader on safety and schedule integrity. This reputation was reinforced by Firstnation’s achievement of IOSA certification (the airline industry global benchmark for world class safety standard) in record time of twelve months. The achievement of IOSA certification, within 12 months of application by Firstnation remains unrivalled in West and Central Africa”.

Yusuff further explained that their current fleet is undergoing engine maintenance (global airlines have had cause ground larger aircraft fleet types to enhance safety across the globe in the past). “Safety is paramount to us and if we have to ground again for safety reasons so be it”.

“This is a planned maintenance and orderly arranged with advance notification to passengers and service will be reinstated on or before September 15, 2016. We are working to grow the fleet as well. All our aircraft have recently undergone C-Check and returned.

We currently have no aircraft undergoing C-Check anywhere in the world. Our first fleet of A320 were orderly returned to the Lessor and we maintained good relationship with the Lessor”-said Yusuff

NAHCO Voted into Africa’s top Aviation Body

…. Represents Nigeria on the board of AATO

Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc has been elected into the Council of the Association of African Aviation Training Organisations (AATO). The membership is for a first term of three years.

With the membership, NAHCO would, in conjunction with other council members, be in a position to make policies that would further the development of Aviation training and development in Africa. This is according to a statement from NAHCO.

“The 2nd General Assembly of the Association of African Aviation Training Organizations which held from August 23 to 25, 2016, brought together experts from the leading African Aviation Training Organizations (ATOs) and Civil Aviation Authorities across the globe. NAHCO has and operates an IATA – certified state – of – the – art Learning and Development centre at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos.”

In a keenly contested election at the 2nd General Assembly of the Association in Kampala, Uganda, nahco aviance, represented by Seyi Adewale, its Chief Commercial Officer was elected to represent the Nigerian State in the 13 – member Council.

The Council has as President, Niger and Vice President, South Africa.

NAHCO which was a panelist on Day 2 of the conference presented a paper on “Taking Aviation Training to the Next Level: Connecting the Dots. No ATO Left Behind.” The panel was required to discuss the concrete steps that ATOs and stakeholders need to take in order to ensure that aviation training and recent innovations are included in the development framework.

Other panelists at the session included the European Aviation Training Association, United ATS, AFCAC (HRDF) and Soroti Flying School, Uganda.

AATO President, Mr Tchagbele Sadamba disclosed at the start of the Conference that, “A special audit carried out on African aviation revealed many inefficiencies that we need to correct because aviation is a very standardised activity.” He therefore urged participants at the conference to come up with concrete steps that needed to be taken to reposition aviation training in the continent.

In her remarks at the Conference, the Ugandan Minister for Works and Transport, Ms Monica Azuba Ntege, said aviation training organisations are crucial in availing the industry the professionals it requires to thrive and grow, which is why regular consultations and interactions are necessary.

The Minister said while growth in the global air traffic is necessary, it presents greater challenges and also confers increased responsibility on aviation personnel and organisations.

AATO is an association under the AU Charter with the aim to standardize and harmonize aviation training in Africa, by designing and developing the criteria and procedures for accreditation of training centers; cross border diploma and certificate recognition; promoting cooperation and value sharing and; being the voice of African Aviation Training Organizations in relation with other industry stakeholders. It is established by a charter of the African Union.

The Association’s vision and mission is to promote the standardization and harmonization of aviation training through cooperation and sharing of expertise and resources for safer African skies.

In this regard it is fundamental that Advocacy is employed as a strategy to influence policy makers when they make laws and regulations, distribute resources, and make other decisions that affect the industry. 

Sirika Visits Aero Contractors, Assures Workers

Sen. Hadi Sirika

The Minister of State, Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika visited Aero Contractors’ headquarters and assured the workers of the airline that none of them would lose their jobs just as he promised to restructure the airlines.

Sirika addressed the workers of the airline who occupied its headquarters in a protest of their "Indefinite Leave" at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

He told the workers that the federal government would make sure that the problems plaguing the airline was solved, noting that it is the responsibility of government to create jobs and therefore would not allow any business concern to die under its watch.

The Minister who identified some of the challenges facing the airline said he would meet with Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) and the management of Aero Contractors and he would get back to the workers on Monday.

“I landed from Riyadh to Lagos and before I left Riyadh I was informed by the people in charge in Aero that things were getting worse and they have only one airplane operational at the moment and I said to myself since I have time between my flight to Lagos and connecting one to Abuja, I decided to come and see Aero and probably discuss a few issues with the managers and possibly see the staff, but unfortunately I came here and saw that there is a protest going on, so I had to stop by, listened, discussed and came to an agreement.

“The primary purpose of government, especially this APC government is to help to promote, nurse, sustain, develop, keep businesses so that they can continue to provide services and employ our people, so it is not the government of APC that will kill jobs and close down shops; our intent is to promote jobs and promote businesses in Nigeria so that businesses will be growing,” the Minister said.

Sirika said the workers had the right to protest because they could not just be relieved of their jobs, so he assured them that government must resolve the issues concerning the airline to have it back on track.

“I think the protest is justifiable and I agree with the issues raised, but we will look into it and come up with a solution that will be mutually beneficial to all of us both the staff, the company and government itself. I have appealed to the staff and they have agreed that we will reconvene here on Monday and listen to each other and also develop a road map and agree on what to do to rejuvenate the airline, being a premier company in this country,” the Minister said.

He also observed that although AMCON which took over the airline because of the toxic loans it owed banks, but noted that the decision of the government agency was not out of place as its mission was to sustain the airline, adding that now that it is under threat, government would ensure that the airline was revived to continue to serve the public and keep its workers.

“I think what is going on now started some time ago. The reason why AMCON came to rescue Aero Contractors or any other business was due to the wisdom of the government of the past and we respect that wisdom and because AMCON is constitutionally established by the Act of Parliament to take this responsibility, but in doing this job we must look at the fundamentals. So if there is a problem of this nature we must look and find out what is happening. We are aware of the problem of the legacy, we are aware of the management problems and we are aware of where the planes are and we are also aware of what has been going on with maintenance. So we will try to resolve these problems,” Sirika said.

Aero Contractors suspended its schedule operations in the country starting from September 1, 2016.

Alexandre de Juniac takes over as IATA CEO

Alexandre de Juniac 

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced that Alexandre de Juniac has officially taken on the role of Director General and CEO of the organization. He succeeds Tony Tyler, who served as IATA DG and CEO since 2011 and had announced his retirement.

According to a statement from IATA, Juniac said, “I am excited to be taking on this great responsibility. IATA plays a critical role in facilitating safe, efficient and sustainable global air transport. Tony Tyler has raised the bar through his achievements over the last five years. With the guidance of our Board and the support of our membership, my aim is to ensure that IATA continues to deliver the value that our members and partners rely upon,” 

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De Juniac was confirmed by the 72nd IATA Annual General Meeting this past June to be the seventh person to lead IATA. He brings diverse experience to the association, including leadership roles in the airline and aerospace sectors as well as in government.

“IATA touches almost every aspect of the air transport industry and interacts with a wide range of stakeholders—especially governments. I will call on all my experience to ensure that IATA meets the needs of our members and plays a leading role in responding to the challenges that the industry faces. In particular, the accelerating pace of change in the world means that we must be able to move even more rapidly —as an industry and as an association. IATA’s mission is to represent, lead, and serve the airline industry with global standards. For me that means we must use change as a catalyst for innovation to please customers and contribute positively to the business of our members,” said de Juniac.

De Juniac emphasized the need for industry stakeholders, especially governments, to recognize the value that aviation creates. “The numbers are clear. Air transport supports an impressive 63 million jobs and some $2.7 trillion in economic activity. But that’s only a part of the value that aviation creates. Our industry is in the business of freedom. We help people to explore the planet, to do business globally, to bridge cultures with friendships and understanding, and to enjoy better lives through the prosperity that connectivity creates. Aviation changes our world for the better. And as the industry’s global advocate, my mission is to rally our partners to ensure that nothing impedes the business of freedom,” said de Juniac.

Domestic Airlines are not winding down-NCAA

…Firstnation  Resumes in Two Weeks

The Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) Capt. Muhtar Usman has dismissed through a statement sundry claims that some airlines are winding down their operations.

The DG said, “On the contrary, these airlines are merely suspending their operations temporarily to enable them undertake certain operational overhaul and strengthen their overall operational outlay.”

Usman said one of the airlines, Aerocontractors Ltd., at present has only one serviceable aircraft.This in contradiction to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig.CARS) which stipulates that no airline operator shall carry out schedule commercial operation with only one aircraft.The minimum acceptable number is three aircraft.

“In other words, any airline with one aircraft is in contravention of the Authority’s regulations therefore cannot be adjudged to be capable of providing safe operation.The only option available is to suspend your operations temporarily while other aircraft arrive in due course.”

However, NCAA’s Regulations provides a window for such operator to embark on non schedule operations in the interim.

“The First Nation Airlines on its part is in the middle of an Engine Replacement Programme for one of its aircraft.Another aircraft is due for mandatory maintenance as its allowable by the Regulatory Authority.” – said NCAA DG

The Head of Commercial of the airline, Serah Awogbade, said “Firstnation is currently undergoing maintenance on A319 fleet. This maintenance exercise will be completed on or before September 15th, 2016.”

Awogbade further explained that, “the airline planned these maintenance action well ahead, notified passengers and flights are currently loaded online effective September 15th, 2016 – this will ensure that passengers continue to en joy safe and reliable service that the airline is reputed for.  Current foreign exchange constraint, coupled with over 70% devaluation of Naira partly contributed in no small measure to this development. The Airline’s plan remains on track to reinstating service as advised herein.”

“In these circumstances, these airlines clearly cannot continue to undertake schedule operations, hence the inevitable recourse to self-regulatory suspension.

“The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) wishes to reiterate that on no account will it compromise safety and security of airline operations in the airspace.

“Every facet of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig.CARS) and Standard and Recommended Practices (SARPs) must be adhered to with due diligence. In addition, everything has been put in place to continue to ensure compliance.”