Aviation

Emirates airline has said it was unrealistic to establish social distancing on aircraft by leaving seats empty to curb the spread of coronavirus, as the cost would be too high to bear. The Middle East’s largest carrier, which operates a fleet of 270 wide-bodied aircraft, halted operations in late March as part of global shutdowns to help contain the virus. Emirates resumed operations two weeks later on a limited network and plans to fly to…

  Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific has warned shareholders to expect a $1.3 billion (HK$10 billion) loss for the first half of 2020 after the carrier flew almost 100% fewer passengers in June compared to the same month last year. Cathay Pacific’s warning comes just days after shareholders approved a HK$39 billion bailout plan to save the company. The airline’s record half-year projected loss compares to a HK$1.3 billion ($167 million) profit in the first six months…

**Dares authority to provide video evidence The alleged violation of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 protocols at the Port Harcourt airport on Tuesday by the Adamawa State Governor Alhaji Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has been described as a calculated political campaign to smear the person of the Governor because of his position as the Vice Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP campaign committee for the forthcoming…

**Lauds Minister   Worried by the flagrant disobedience to laid down guidelines by some state governors, the Senate has called for blacklisting of VIPs, others who flouts covid-19 protocols from Nigerian airports The apex legislative body urged that any Nigerian who deliberately failed to all measures as directed should not be allowed entry into the any Nigerian airport. for at least four months irrespective of his decision may be to travel privately by road. Furthermore,…

The Chairman House Committee on Aviation, Nnolim Nnaji has condemned  the fragrant abuse of the safety protocols put in place by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, (FAAN and, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, (NCAA) in line with the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control, (NCDC) for the reopening of air transport services. Nnaji who was reacting to the reports of some highly placed Nigerians who refused to subject themselves to the health protocols instituted at…

   ***Unnamed newspaper publisher indicted  The Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika has vowed the alleged breach of airport protocols by some dignitaries will be investigated. The Minister said if the individuals were found guilty, they are likely to be imprisoned for not less than two months. According to Sirika, so far, three dignitaries have been alleged to have flouted airport protocols. They are Adamawa Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, ex- Zamfara Governor Abdulaziz Yari and a newspaper…

  Jetex could become the first company to welcome supersonic jet passengers into its terminals since Concorde was retired in 2003, after the company struck a deal with US planemaker Aerion Supersonic. Jetex’s private jet terminals have been selected as the preferred arrival and departure points for Aerion, which is currently manufacturing AS2, the world’s first supersonic business jet. “Since the retirement of the Concorde in 2003, the world has been eagerly waiting to return to…

    **Nation seeks viable, sustainable, competitive carrier   The South African Government has concluded plans to support and source for funding for a business rescue plan for South African Airways (SAA) which will result in the emergence of a new viable, sustainable, competitive national airline. In a statement issued by the country’s Department of Public Enterprises on July 16, 2020 says it welcomes the commitment by the National Treasury for government’s rescue of the loss…

***Govs, VIPs pose threat to COVID-19 fight at airports ***Live up to public expectation, FAAN MD tells Govs, others Few days after former Governor of Zamfara state, Alhaji AbdulAziz Yari was carpeted for flouting Federal Government’s guidelines on COVID-19 at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), Adamawa Governor, Alhaji Umaru Fintiri has come under condemnation by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) what it termed serious violation of airport security rules and that…