January 2018 - Aviation metric

First A321LR takes to the skies

Posted on January 31, 2018 by Wole Shadare

A321 Long Range flight-test programme now underway Up to 240 passengers and 4,000 nm range The first A321LR (Long Range) has taken off on its maiden flightfrom Hamburg Germany at 11:06 hrs local time, commencing its flight test programme. The aircraft, MSN7877, is powered by CFM LEAP-1A engines. The aircraft’s crew comprised: Experimental Test Pilots Yann Beaufils and Peter Lofts as well as Flight Test Engineers Frank Hohmeister, Jim Fawcett, Cedric Favrichon and Cabin Specialist Alexander…

Air freight demand up 9%,strongest growth since 2010

Posted on January 31, 2018 by Wole Shadare

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released full-year 2017 data for global air freight markets showing that demand, measured in freight tonne kilometers (FTKs) grew by 9.0%. This was more than double the 3.6% annual growth recorded in 2016. Freight capacity, measured in available freight tonne kilometers (AFTKs), rose by 3.0% in 2017. This was the slowest annual capacity growth seen since 2012. Demand growth outpaced capacity growth by a factor of three. …

Unlocking Africa’s potential via single air transport market

Posted on January 30, 2018 by Wole Shadare

The wait is finally over as Nigeria, alongside others, ratify Africa’s Open Skies pact. WOLE SHADARE looks at the huge impact it would have on the continent’s aviation sector. Difficult air connectivity Flying from London to Athens is not generally considered a massive undertaking. It’s a given that the journey will be direct, take three-and-a-half hours, and Europeans will not require a visa. The biggest decision is likely to be which meal to select in-flight….

Why Nigerian airlines can’t compete, by Medview CEO

Posted on January 29, 2018 by Wole Shadare

Shut down Dubai route Nigeria’s flag carrier, Medview Airlines has shut down its Dubai operations less than two months it started services to the city. The airline attributed its decision to suspend the lucrative route to issues it has with its European partners, Euro Atlantic over aircraft it leased from them. The Managing Director of the airline, Alhaji Muneer Bankole at a press briefing at the airline’s headquarters in Lagos stated that the aircraft has…

Medview Airlines suspends Dubai route till March 25, 2018.

Posted on January 29, 2018January 29, 2018 by Wole Shadare

Medview Airlines suspends Dubai route till March 25, 2018 to sort out issues with its partners Euro Atlantic as regards aircraft. Managing Director of Medview Alhaji Muneer Bankole disclosed this now at an ongoing media briefing. Medview began Dubai route December 7, 2017. Details later.

Security: FAAN to evacuate 13 disused airplanes on Lagos airport airside

Posted on January 29, 2018 by Wole Shadare

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has commenced evacuation of abandoned aircraft at the airside of the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA), Lagos. Plans have also reached an advanced stage for the agency to install Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras at the strategic locations within the airside in order to forestall aircraft poaching and other incidences. At least, 13 aircraft belonging to different airlines have been abandoned at the airside of the airport for several…

Air treaty: Nigeria, 22 others to double GDP by $300bn

Posted on January 29, 2018 by Wole Shadare

Nation’s carrier pleads for time As Nigeria and 23 other African nations converged on Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, last weekend, to ratify the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), there are indications that the policy could exponentially increase the countries’ Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by $300 billion, Woleshadarenews has learnt. Besides, the policy is expected to lead to catalytic benefits to every other sector such as increased choice of carriers, convenience and ease of travel, better connectivity…

Olateru: There’s no reason for aircraft accident probe delay beyond 1 year

Posted on January 29, 2018 by Wole Shadare

Akin Olateru is Nigerian, United Kingdom and United States licensed aircraft maintenance engineer. In this interview with WOLE SHADARE, he speaks on factors that have elongated the release of accident reports, plan by his agency to release six more crash reports before the end of February and the turn around of AIB to meet challenges of modern accident investigations among others. Excerpts: The recently concluded accident investigation report writing course is an eye opener and critical aspect…

Foreign airlines’ ticket sales rise by N200B

Posted on January 28, 2018 by Wole Shadare

Why Nigerian carriers can’t compete-NANTA President Despite the tough economic situation in the country last year that affected the purchasing power of many, Nigerians still embraced air travel as ticket sold by foreign airlines in 2017 was more than N200 billion higher than in 2016. In 2017, air travel still recorded ticket sales of N511 b ($1.4) from January to October 2017. The 2016 tickets sold as released by Nigerian Civil Authority (NCAA) put earnings of…

IATA Welcomes Single African Air Transport Market but Says Effective Implementation is Key

Posted on January 28, 2018 by Wole Shadare

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) says it welcomes the launch of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) initiative by the African Union (AU) to open up Africa’s skies and improve intra-African air connectivity. The Association in a statement today, said enhanced connectivity will stimulate demand, improve the competitiveness of the African airline industry, and make air travel more accessible, adding that In turn, this will enable higher volumes of trade, expanded tourism and…