Author: Wole Shadare

*NEMA, IOM in race to evacuate trapped victims   *Dabiri-Erewa seeks tough sanctions for traffickers It was gnashing of teeth for the 171 Nigerians that returned to the country amid the ordeal they went through in Libya. Emotions ran high as some of them broke down in tears as they recounted what they went through. The number of 171 returnees brings to 332 the number of Nigerians who were brought back to the country in the…

Nigerian airlines’ problems are multifaceted. Virtually all the airlines lack proper corporate governance, which has led to their demise, WOLE SHADARE writes   The Nigerian airline industry defies any known solution. The problems are huge with no hope in sight of rescuing the airlines. They keep on going under years after showing some element of promise. The take-over of Arik penultimate week by the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) shows that until airline managers…

*Operators lament Airline operators have raised concern that their operations are been stifled by manipulation, feasting and pushing of their finances through multiple taxes, charges and levies to the extent that they have come under pressure and could go bankrupt. These taxes, they alleged, are up by between 35 and 40 per cent. The operators under the aegis of Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) also disclosed that Nigerian airlines pay over N10 billion on taxes…

Emirates, has appointed Afzal Parambil, as its Regional Manager for West Africa.   Prior to taking up his new appointment, Mr. Parambil served in a number of commercial roles within Emirates, the most recent being the Country Manager for Ethiopia.    Congratulating Mr. Parambil on his new position, Orhan Abbas, Emirates Senior Vice President Commercial Operations for Africa, said: “Nigeria is a very important market for Emirates and we are delighted that Mr. Parambil will serve as the…

Stellwagen Group (‘the Group’) have confirmed that Stellwagen Finance Limited (‘Stellwagen Finance’) were awarded two top industry awards ‘Aircraft Finance Innovator of the Year 2016’ and ‘Aircraft Debt Deal of the Year – Africa -2016’ at the Global Transport Finance Awards ceremony in London recently.    The Global Transport Finance Awards are the annual prestigious awards for leading transport finance bankers, leasing companies and law firms.  The Awards are presented to the best deals in the…

The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has set up a committee to commence the immediate review of the nation’s Aeronautical Information Procedure (AIP).   The Nigerian AIP is a state document that contains all aeronautical information that relates to the services, procedures, facilities and personnel at all Nigerian airports or within the Nigerian airspace.   The Managing Director of NAMA, Capt. stated that the AIP review became necessary following the ongoing certification of Nigerian international…

*Expert faults NCAA’s N715.9B figure There are indications that the Federal Government generated over N1 trillion in revenue from the 2015 and 2016 international and domestic passenger traffic according to Aviation consultant and Chief Executive Officer of Centurion Aviation Security, Group Capt. John Ojikutu (rtd).   Ojikutu told Woleshadare.net that if each passenger of the eight million domestic passengers and three million international passengers traffic presented by Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) paid an average of N15, 000…

*Succeeds Fekih who retires after 30 years   Airbus has appointed Mikail Houari, as President for Africa and the Middle East region.   Houari, 50, who previously served as Deputy President for Africa and the Middle East, brings to the position more than 25 years of experience within the industry at a global level. In his new role, he will lead the team to drive operations and future business across the region.   Houari began…

The Kaduna airport which is undergoing total rehabilitation is safe and ready for operations, Chairman, Coordinating Committee on Abuja relocation, Capt. Mohammed Joji and Director, Safety Electronics and Engineering Services (DSEES) of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, Alhaji Farouk Ahmed Umar have said. The duo said the airport has been re-branded with modern equipment in line with international standard. Umar told Woleshadare.net that brand new Instrument Landing Systems (ILSs) and other safety related equipment have been installed for safe flight…