Author: Wole Shadare

Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Group will contribute $251 million in cash towards a $1 billion rescue package for stricken UK airline Virgin Atlantic, saving thousands of jobs. The rest of the money will be provided by investors and creditors while part of the value of the deal includes waivers and deferrals on liabilities. While the investment plan still requires formal approval, an announcement is expected imminently. Branson has repeatedly had his request for a government…

  ***Boeing’s best-selling jet for operators’ favour   Sixty cancellations of Boeing’s 737 Max last month mean the plane maker has now lost 355 orders for its troubled jet in the first half of 2020. Boeing confirmed on Tuesday that June’s cancellations had come from a number of aircraft lessors, including Aviation Capital, Avolon and BOC Aviation. European airline Blue Air and two other unidentified customers also cancelled Max orders. Only two weeks ago Boeing…

      Delta Air Lines has reported financial results for the June quarter 2020 and outlined its continued response to the COVID-19 global pandemic. Detailed June quarter 2020 results, including both GAAP and adjusted metrics, are on page four and are incorporated here. Delta’s chief executive officer, Ed Bastian said, “A $3.9 billion adjusted pre-tax loss for the June quarter on a more than $11 billion decline in revenue over last year, illustrates the truly staggering…

Virgin Atlantic has reached a major milestone towards securing its future by announcing plans for a private-only solvent recapitalisation of the airline, following the severe impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the global economy, the nation and the travel and aviation industry.   A Solvent Recapitalisation of Virgin Atlantic Virgin Atlantic has taken a big step forward in securing its future, by launching a court backed process as part of a solvent recapitalisation of the…

Etihad Airways said it is collaborating with Mediclinic Middle East to offer its UAE-based travellers Covid-19 PCR testing at their home prior to their travel. The carrier said some destinations may require a negative Covid-19 PCR test result before departure and Etihad has advised travellers to check for specific destination requirements. Guests travelling to all Etihad Airways destinations can also make use of the Mediclinic service, as well as those crossing the Abu Dhabi border…

    ***More Than 260 Pilots Have Fake Pilot Certificates Pakistan recently grounded pilots after finding many had falsified their qualifications US aviation regulators, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have downgraded Pakistan’s air safety rating over concerns about pilot certifications. An official notice posted on the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) shows that Pakistan now has a Category 2 rating and does not meet international standards. Pakistan has a chequered past and a disproportionally high number…

    No doubt, year 2020, for the aviation industry, will be remembered as the worst year, not only in Nigeria, but globally. WOLE SHADARE focuses on depressing events in the country’s aviation sector in the first half of the year   A year like no other   As the aviation industry in Nigeria projected at the start of year 2020, a sense of change was in the air even as familiar challenges continue to demand attention….

    The Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika has reviewed the arrival time for domestic air travel from three hours to one and a half hours. Sirika said in his verified twitter handle that, “My colleagues & I have reviewed passenger facilitation at our airports, consequently I am happy to announce that, henceforth travelers are to arrive one hour and a half before their departure time for domestic flights. “Travelers are advised to check in…

  The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has called on interested investors to partner it in turning around its multi-billion-naira property – Hajj Camp at Akowonjo in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State. This is as the Lagos State Government has proposed to rebrand the dilapidated hajj camp into an international Islamic school for the state. Alhaji Dhikrulahi Kunle Hassan, the National Chairman, NAHCON, said in Lagos during the inspection of the facility…

  The Federal Government has explained why one of the safety protocols to curb the spread of COVID-19 may not be observed in the aircraft. According to the government, the cabin is safer than any hospital theatre because of procedures air circulated in the cabin goes through. Also, contrary to what passengers thought prior to resumption of domestic flights, the government also explained that the non-adherence to physical distancing was responsible for the ‘affordable’ ticket…