AFRAA Supports ICAO’s Agreement on International Aviation Emissions

The African Airlines Association (AFRAA) has thrown its weight behind the International Civil Aviation Organisation on the historic agreement reached at the just concluded 39^th Assembly by member states on emission. According to AFRAA, “The Secretary General of the African Airlines Associations, Dr. Elijah Chingosho, welcomed the landmark agreement to control carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from international aviation that was reached at the 39th Assembly of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in Montreal, Canada”.

“We applaud this deal that was struck after tense negotiations during the last few years. The 191 states and the various stakeholders including AFRAA, AFCAC and IATA worked very hard through the ICAO system and managed to find the necessary compromises to establish the first sectorial deal to reduce CO2 at global level. African airlines, the aviation industry, other stakeholders as well as African institutions have been consistently advocating a global solution under ICAO’s leadership for several years”- Chingosho stated.

Commenting further Chingosho said: “This is the world’s first climate deal aimed at reducing global greenhouse gas emissions from international air travel. The deal was overwhelmingly approved on 06 October with 191 countries agreeing to a global market-based measure (GMBM) to control CO2 emissions from aviation.

The Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) would complement a range of mitigation measures the air transport industry was already looking at to cut CO2 emissions which includes improved aircraft technology, efficient infrastructure, operational measures at airports and expanded use of sustainable alternative fuels”.

“The historic agreement is significant because the Paris Agreement, which was reached at last year’s COP21 summit, did not cover aviation and shipping. This is the first worldwide scheme to address emissions in any single sector. The agreement ensures that the aviation industry can meet its economic and social contributions in an environmentally sustainable manner”.

The GMBM will start from 2021 on with a pilot phase until 2023. In the following year, there will be a voluntary first phase until 2026. From 2027 on, the measure will be mandatory for all States, with some exemptions, such as for least developed countries, small island developing states, landlocked developing countries and states with very low levels of international aviation activity which virtually covers almost all African states which advocated differentiated treatment.

“It is heartening to note that those countries that contribute the most to global air transport, including the United States, China, the European Union, Australia and Japan have signed and joining up voluntarily to implement this system”.

Demuren Becomes AfBAA’s Chairman Of The International Committee

Segun Demuren, MD EAN Aviation

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Office of the first fully integrated FBO and Aircraft Maintenance Facility in Nigeria, Segun Demuren is now the African Business Aviation Association’s Chairman of the International Committee.    

According to AfBAA, “The African Business Aviation Association (AfBAA) has confirmed Mr. Segun Demuren, CEO of Nigeria-based EAN, as the association’s Chairman of the International Committee”.

Recognising his contribution to Africa’s business aviation and the association, AfBAA said that, “Segun and EAN has supported AfBAA since its inception by being one of the association's Founding Members and a Director at AfBAA’s Board of Directors. Since AfBAA’s launch Segun has been very active and a strong vocal representative for the organisation. He is frequently present at the AfBAA symposia and at AfBAA Pavilions at EBACE.”

Defining the new responsibility, AFBAA said, “Segun will support AfBAA’s Founding Chairman Tarek Ragheb and AfBAA’s Executive Director Rady Fahmy in building strong bridges with Africa’s Ministries of Transportation and Civil Aviation Authorities, international organizations such as AFCAC and other stakeholders that will be informed about the benefits of business aviation to the economy and profile raising of Africa’s position on the international aviation landscape.

“We are delighted that Segun is taking up this prestigious and extremely important role for AfBAA. He understands the Association, our mission and vision, as well as having first-hand knowledge of the challenges affecting the growth of business aviation on the continent,” said Ragheb.

Pictures:The Day Global Aviation Community Stand For Nigeria

The day Nigeria Celebrated 56th Independence is also the day the country got the support of the whole world in securing a seat in the ICAO Council through historic voting from 152 countries. Global aviation players celebrated with Nigeria in a low-key manner in solidarity to  the challenge the country is going through. The Minister of State (Aviation) Sen. Hadi Sirika thanked aviation community for their support even when the country is going through economic challenge at the just concluded 39th Assembly of ICAO in Montreal Canada.

Delta Airlines to offer Wi-Fi on flights between Africa and the US

Delta Airlines has announced the plan to roll-out of Wi-Fi on its international fleet, enabling all customers flying on its nonstop services from Africa to Atlanta and New York-JFK to stay connected at 30,000 feet.

The final Boeing 777 – one of a number serving South Africa – has now been equipped and is back in service.  It marks a new milestone for the airline with flights from Accra, Dakar, Lagos and Johannesburg– offering on-demand Wi-Fi throughout the aircraft.

“We know that Wi-Fi is an important part of the travel experience, especially for those flying for business,” said Jimmy Eichelgruen, Delta’s Sales Director for Africa, the Middle East and India. “With Wi-Fi available in every cabin, all our customers can stay in touch with events on the ground throughout their journey. We hope our customers will enjoy this enhanced experience the next time they fly Delta.”

Delta’s Wi-Fi is powered by high-speed, Ku-Band satellite technology and provided by Gogo. Laptop passes are available to buy from just US$6.95 for one hour’s usage or a global day pass can be purchased in advance of a flight for US$28. Customers also enjoy free access to the airline’s on-demand entertainment system Delta Studio, which includes in-flight streaming to view movies and TV shows on mobile devices.

Delta began installing Wi-Fi on U.S. domestic mainline aircraft in 2008.  With international satellite-based Wi-Fi now installed on Delta’s wide-body fleet comprising Boeing 767s, 747s, 777s Airbus A330 and transoceanic Boeing 757s, the airline operates the world’s largest Wi-Fi equipped fleet, giving customers more options to stay connected in-flight.

ICAO 39th Assembly: More African states get Council Seat

L-R: Justus Wariya of NCAA, DG NCAA Capt. Muhtar Usman and Capt. Musa Nuhu, Nig. Rep. to ICAO at the on-going ICAO 39th Assembly in Montreal Canada

Kenya, Tanzania, Cape Verde, Congo and Algeria  have been elected into International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Council.  With Nigeria, South Africa and Egypt’s victory to secure the Council seat in Part II category, the numbers are up to 8.

According to Nigerian Representative in ICAO, Capt. Musa Nuhu, “ICAO Council Part III of regional representation elections were concluded and 5 African States were elected. Kenya,Tanzania, Cape Verde, Congo and Algeria. Africa has a total 8 out of 36 members on ICAO Council including the 3 countries as Part II members”.

“The trio: Nigeria, South Africa and Egypt  that were elected on Saturday October 1st. African members have been very active on the ICAO Council.”.

Nuhu  assured that the African representatives on the Council will continue working together to ensure the safe, secure, sustainable and environmentally friendly growth of the continent's Air Transportation industry.

Dana Air Partners NESG On 22nd Nigerian Economic Summit

Dana Air has announced that it is partnering the Nigerian Economic Summit Group on the forthcoming Nigerian Economic Summit (NES#22), scheduled to hold from 10th to 12th October, 2016, at Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.

 In line with this year’s theme, the Nigerian Economic Summit 22, will provide the platform to facilitate stakeholders’ discussions / agreements on practical issues, opportunities, policies and regulations needed to make ‘’Made in Nigeria’’ a success in the country. It will also seek to work out strategies to achieve self-sufficiency and value –addition capacities for several products and services in the shortest possible time.

According to the Accountable Manager of Dana Air, Mr Obi Mbanuzuo, ‘’we have been a consistent supporter of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group not because we are a wholly Nigerian brand, but because the theme ‘’Made in Nigeria resonates with us as a proudly Nigerian brand, contrary to the wrong perception people have. We believe our country can achieve its full potential, if only we put everything into supporting our own. At Dana Air, we are proud of our contents and we are always happy to contribute in our little way to the economic development of our dear country, Nigeria.’’

‘Only recently, we supported the Made in Nigeria Festival in Lagos which also underscores our desire for increased consumption of made in Nigeria goods and services and as airline partner of NES#22, we are providing complimentary air tickets to facilitate the transportation of the organizers and special guests to the Summit. We are also offering all delegates a special discount on air tickets during the Summit’’, Obi added

Reputed for its world-class in-flight services and on-time performance, Dana Air is one Nigeria’s leading airlines with over 27 daily flights from Lagos to Abuja, Port Harcourt, Uyo, and Owerri. The airline is the only domestic carrier to have undergone an operational audit conducted by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), and its foreign partners The Flight Safety Group.

Nigeria secures ICAO Council seat with historic votes

Sen. Hadi Sirika casting his vote with the presence other member of delegate 

…ICAO President, AFCAC Sec. Gen. congratulate Nigeria

For the first time, exactly 152 International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) member states vote for Nigeria to secure Council seat in the Part II category at the on-going 39^th Assembly of the world aviation regulatory body. This means that Nigeria will be a member of the Council for the next three years before another election.

Expressing his elation, the Minister of State (Aviation) Sen. Hadi Sirika said, “I feel great, I feel that Nigeria has taken its rightful place. We are being elected into Part II yet again. Nigeria has been in this council since 1962. We have been contributing our quota and aviation has taken the centre stage now in the world especially post 9/11. Security has come to centre stage without diminishing safety”.

After the election, the ICAO President, Dr. O.B. Aliu paid a visit to the Nigeria office in the ICAO headquarters to congratulate Sen. Hadi Sirika, the Permanent Secretary and aviation chief executives present on the success of the election. Also, the Secretary-General of African Civil Aviation Commission, AFCAC Ms. I yabo Sosina congratulate Nigeria, urging the country to put effort in the development of aviation.

Sirika with ICAO President

According to ICAO, “Each Member State is entitled to one vote on matters before the Assembly, and decisions at these Sessions are taken by a majority of the votes cast – except where otherwise provided for in the Convention”.

In his words of appreciation to Africa and other countries that voted Nigeria into the council for another three years, Sirika said:  “I thank them very much and I thank the entire nations that voted Nigeria. Most importantly I thank the Commander-In-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari who in the first place allowed and approved that Nigeria stand for the election. He gave us all the necessary support and has yielded good result”.

Sirika with AFCAC Sec. Gen. Iyabo Sosina

Assuring the country’s role in the sub-region Sirika said, “Nigeria has long ago endorsed the “No Country Left Behind” initiative of ICAO. Nigeria has been supporting aviation industry in the sub-region. We have Banjul Accord and BAGASSO domiciled in Nigeria and headquartered in Nigeria and being funded largely by Nigeria. Nigeria will continue to play the key role in leading aviation in the West and Central Africa”.