Author: Wole Shadare

 Requires $800b for infrastructure         A total of $4.4billion accrued to Nigeria in air transport sector in 2016 from Foreign Direct Investment (FDI); 7.49 per cent of $59.4 billion that came to Africa. Chief Executive Officer RTC Advisory Services Limited, a leading strategy and business advisory firm in Lagos, Mr. Opeyemi Agbaje at the Nigeriatravelsmart.com second colloquium in Lagos said the amount is also 0.25 per cent of $1.7trillion that accrued globally, just as the…

Manpower development in the aviation industry has reached a critical level, with stakeholders calling on the Federal Government to assist the sector get out of the doldrums, particularly with the engagement of Nigerians to man critical sections of the industry. A former Assistant Secretary General of Airlines Operators of Nigeria (AON), Mohammed Tukur, told Woleshadare that many young people had dreamt of becoming pilots in the future, only for their parents to change their minds…

Getting an airline business off the ground has become a lot more treacherous due to impediments that have caused failure for once burgeoning carriers. WOLE SHADARE reports Deep pocket not solution One can conveniently say that the only harder thing to start up than an airline is a nuclear plant. The reason you are able to raise capital is that financial markets love the idea of investing in an airline. When it works out, you…

Corporate Angel Network (CAN) and the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) has announced the organizations’ charity event raised $435,000 for CAN’s mission to transport cancer patients to treatment centers.   The successful and well-attended Fund an Angel Cocktail Reception was held at the Wynn on Oct. 11, in conjunction with NBAA’s 2017 Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE). “We’re so grateful to the business aviation community, gathered in Las Vegas this week, for their generosity,…

A former Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mr. Richard Aisubeogun, has said that mergers and acquisitions are the panacea for the survival of the country’s airlines. The fragmented and microscopic nature of Nigeria’s domestic aviation market are majorly responsible for why the nation’s carriers are not competitive. He stressed that “domestic airlines should consider mergers and acquisitions, which will enable them to spread risks, sustain their operations, provide better access…

 The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has been commended for its excellence in delivering expeditious air navigation services within the nation’s airspace.    In a letter of commendation addressed to the Managing Director, Capt. Fola Akinkuotu, the Airport Manager of Virgin Atlantic Airways Ltd, Justin Bell said the airline appreciates NAMA’s efficiency in ensuring seamless, smooth and timely movement of aircraft across the Nigerian airspace.   He added that the flight control team in the…

The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Aireon LLC of USA on exploring the deployment of space-based Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) system in Nigeria.   The Managing Director of NAMA Capt. Fola Akinkuotu in a statement said the ADS-B solution which is a recognized next-generation  standard for surveillance and air traffic management is a critical requirement in preparation for the implementation of the relevant elements of Aviation System…

Nigeria aviation mkt, huge potential over 50 years The hurdles deliberately set by foreign airlines to frustrate Nigerian airlines from reciprocating Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) came to the fore yesterday as United Arab Emirates prevented a diplomatic spat between it and the Nigerian Government. The UAE had recently prevented Nigeria’s flag carrier airline, Medview Airline from operating to Dubai Terminal One Airport citing slot allocation or ‘lack of space’ at the Emirates Airline’s hub…

 The third H160 prototype (PT3) performed its maiden flight at the company’s headquarters this afternoon. PT3, with its cabin interior configuration similar to that of a serial aircraft, will contribute to certification activities and flight testing to ensure the aircraft’s level of maturity ahead of entry into service in 2019. “The third prototype incorporates a significant amount of modifications based on feedback resulting from the first two years of testing by development, production and support teams”…

Lauds CBN over trapped funds There are indications that Emirates may restore its second daily frequency to Lagos. The carrier stopped its second flight to Lagos at the height of over $600 million of international airlines trapped in the country, coupled with recession that affected airline business in the country. Emirates Regional Manager-West Africa Commercial Operations, Afzal Parambil at a media chat with journalists today in Lagos said the carrier stopped its second flight to…