Author: Wole Shadare

Qantas Airways Ltd and Southwest Airlines Co are stepping up checks for structural cracks on Boeing Co (BA.N) 737 NGs after discovering problems with planes that did not require urgent inspections, airline sources said. The cracks are on what is known as the “pickle fork” – a part that attaches the plane’s fuselage, or body, to the wing structure. Repairing the cracks requires grounding the airplane, with remedial work costing an estimated $275,000 per aircraft,…

Just last week, President Muhamadu Buhari approved the appointment of Capt. Musa Nuhu as the new Director-General of Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). The appointment of Nuhu put paid to hope of a former DG, Capt. Muhtar Usman, retaining his seat for another five years. Usman had completed his first five year tenure as DG of NCAA. Immediately his tenure ended, there were allegations of strong lobby for a second term. At the end of…

The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has gone ahead to install Cat 3 ILS for three airports for a start. The irony is that no Nigerian carrier with the exception of Arik, private/business jet operators has airplane that is compliant with this modern landing tool, WOLE SHADARE writes Breaking the jinx It was long overdue. The acquisition of multi-million dollar category three Instrument Landing System (ILS) will no doubt shape flight operations in the country and ensure…

Given the strategic and critical role the aviation sector plays in the development of the economy of any nation, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), Mr Ahmed Lawan Kuru has called on the 9th National Assembly to reform the aviation sector, which would help local airline grow and attract many other investors that are eying Nigeria’s huge aviation business opportunity.   Kuru also asked the Federal Government as a matter of urgency…

    Airport users across the country have been reminded of the need to make judicious use of facilities at airport terminals with a view to preserving them The Director of Airport Operations of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) Capt Muktar Yusuf Muye who gave this charge at the Malam Aminu International Airport, Kano MAKIA while fielding questions from newsmen said passengers have a great role to play in order to ensure durability…

  Nobody can steal luggage on moving plane-Shin-Abba There are indications that the Federal Government through the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the Lagos State Government may have reached an agreement to recover lands belonging to the authority but which have been taken over by people without documentation. The taken over of land belonging to the aviation agency has undermined security at the Lagos airport and one that has raised a lot of…

  United Airlines today further strengthened its reputation as an aviation industry leader in environmental sustainability by committing $40 million toward a new investment vehicle focused on accelerating the development of sustainable aviation fuels and other decarbonization technologies.  The carrier, which earlier this year agreed to purchase  up to 10 million gallons of sustainable aviation fuel over the next two years, will look to collaborate with other environmentally conscious partners on this extraordinary initiative.  Among all airlines around…

  South Africa’s state-run airports management company said on Thursday it had suspended Zimbabwe’s debt-strapped national airline from using the country’s airports over unpaid landing and parking fees. Air Zimbabwe owes foreign and domestic creditors more than $300 million. The Zimabwe government put the airline under administration last year and later invited bids from potential investors as it seeks to privatise it, reports Reuters. The airline’s sole aircraft in operation was grounded by Airports Company…

The Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency NAMA, Capt Fola Akinkuotu says the agency has concluded plans to employ more Air Traffic Controllers to reduce the stress being encountered by ATC in the discharge of their duties. Speaking at the 48th Annual General meeting of NATCA in Kano, Capt Akinkuotu who was represented by the director of operations Mr Patrick Lawrence Pwajok explained that the agency was working tirelessly to improve the welfare…

Why we may not invest in Nigeria’s aviation-Musa Unless Nigeria addresses the massive gridlock on the Murtala Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA), Lagos and the inability to connect the domestic terminal by rail, African Development Bank (AfDB) said it may not invest in the aviation sector at least for now. The Bank stated that with Nigeria’s God given natural and human resources, and a solid leapfrogging plan and strategy, the country should be aiming for a…