Author: Wole Shadare

Pact will strengthen Nigeria-US bond American Envoy In a move that could reshape the country’s airline industry, Nigeria’s flag carrier airline, Air Peace has into strategic partnership with world’s biggest aircraft maker, Boeing for ten new Boeing 737 MAX valued at $1.19 billion (N406.8 billion). Each of the planes costs $113 million. The airline announced the deal during a signing ceremony. Present at the events were United States Consul-General, Mr. John Bray and Boeing’s Sales…

Resolves contractual dispute with radar makers over spares Amid panic over lack of spares for the €67 million radar system otherwise known as Total Radar Coverage of Nigeria (TRACON), the Federal Government has assured on the state of the nation’s airspace system, declaring that it is absolutely safe for round the clock operations. “It stressed that concerns over spare parts and maintenance issues were “unfounded”. Managing Director of Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Capt. Folayele Akinkuotu said…

  Emirates to test run facilities with A380 Consolidates hub status   The construction of a third terminal to serve passengers at Ghana’s only International Airport, Kotoka, has been completed and opens on Saturday. Emirates’ iconic A380 aircraft will operate a one-off flight to Kotoka International Airport (ACC), Accra, as the airline joins Ghanaians in celebrating the opening of the Kotoka International Airport’s new Terminal 3. The airline’s flagship double-decker will become the first-ever scheduled…

The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has declared that the Total Radar Coverage of Nigeria (TRACON), project is working optimally. NAMA also said that spare parts for the facility are regularly sourced from the manufacturer, Thales of France whenever required. A statement by Mr. Khalid Emele, the General Manager, Public Affairs, NAMA said that the Director of Safety Electronics and Engineering Services, Engr. Farouk Umar was quoted out of context during his presentation at the…

Iyayi raises alarm over Ministry’s culpability There are indications that the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) with top officials of the Ministry of Transportation has concluded plans to ‘forcefully’ return two aircraft on lease by Top Brass Aviation Limited. Aside that, the top officials are said to be interested in the acquisition of the two airplanes, Bombardier Dash 8 Q315 with registration number 5N-TBB MSN 613 and 5N-TBC MSN 614. The aircraft under dispute had…

Agency installs CAT 3 ILS at Lagos, Abuja airports 15 others get attention  Except the Federal Government urgently comes to the aid of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), the 64 million Euros airspace surveillance system otherwise known as Total Radar Coverage of Nigeria (TRACON) may collapse due to lack of spare parts.  The Managing Director of NAMA, Capt. Folayele Akinkuotu made the startling revelation at aviation stakeholders’ interactive forum held in Lagos. He however…

Over 50 African countries continue to dabble in the airline industry despite the continent’s poor track record, mainly because a national carrier is believed to be a source of patriotic pride and economic status – both of which are seldom borne out in reality. WOLE SHADARE writes Sing song The sing song in Africa for now is national carrier. Governments may need to ask if there’s still value to having a national carrier other than patriotism or…

Mull next partners with domestic carriers Dana Air today made good its promise as the carrier introduced a Boeing 738-700 airplane to its fleet. The carrier is gradually phasing out its MD-83 airplanes which had served it very well in the last ten years. The introduction of the aircraft to its fleet would assist it to operate flights between Lagos and Abuja is part of partnership between it and ASKY. Speaking to journalists shortly before…

Airlines to divert flights  If the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) makes good its threat, many aerodromes and airstrips owned by private firms and state governments may come under closure over humongous debts in excess of N4 billion incurred over the years.  Woleshadarenews learnt that most of the aerodromes are hugely indebted to NAMA just as paucity of funds has stretched the finances of the airspace agency as many airlines, airports and airstrips operators have reneged…