Aviation

Announces Closer U.S.-Ethiopian Business Partnerships U.S. Under Secretary of Commerce Gilbert Kaplan led a large delegation of U.S. businesses and officials from across the U.S. government on a visit to Ethiopian Airlines. Under Secretary Kaplan met with Ethiopian Airlines CEO Tewolde Gebremariam, to discuss potential ways for U.S. companies to partner with Ethiopian Airlines to achieve even greater growth, including in the construction and operation of new airports. The rest of the group toured Ethiopian…

Reinforcing its long-haul services to the Americas    Spain’s flag carrier and a founding member of the IAG’s group of airlines, has taken delivery of its first of 16 A350 XWB on order, becoming the 18th airline to operate the world’s newest and most efficient twin engine wide-body.  The aircraft is the first A350-900 to feature the latest performance improvement package including a wing twist, extended winglets and increased maximum take-off weight capability, delivering unrivalled…

The Federal Government has concluded plans to fully implement air safety recommendations released by the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB).  Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika who made the pledge when he received the report of the Safety Recommendation Committee headed by the Commissioner of AIB, Mr. Akin Olateru yesterday in Abuja, said the committee was set up to look into the safety recommendations made since the inception of AIB till date numbering about 130….

Despite delay, Nigeria’s satellite air navigation project is nearing completion. WOLE SHADARE writes of benefits to airlines and the aviation sector Nigeria at the brink Nigeria is at the verge of completing Performance Based Navigation (PBN) in 23 airports across the country, according to the Director-General of Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Captain Usman Muhtar. Although, Nigeria is two years behind the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) requirements for states to ensure full implementation of PBN, the…

Activities at the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA), Lagos was today grounded following the introduction of a new policy by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Lagos Airport Command. The clearing agents also accused the command of tripling charges imposed on them for clearance of consignments at the airport. The clearing agents in their hundreds protested in the open the directive from Mrs. Jayne Shoboiki, the Customs Area Comptroller (CAC), MMA Command that all consignments must as…

It will lead to fare reduction, stability, profit margin for carriers-Aero MD Aside heaving a sigh of relief over last week’s removal of Value Added Taxes (VAT) on air travel, domestic airlines in Nigeria are expected to save over N5 billion annually. Figures made available by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) indicate that domestic carriers raked in N93, 605, 725, 508.60 tickets in 2017.  Local carriers transported no fewer than 10,135, 009 passengers in 2017….

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines will offer a new Economy Class service concept aboard its intercontinental flights.  At the start of an intercontinental flight, Economy Class passengers will receive a bottle of water, a refreshing towel and earphones, which means they can immediately get set for their journey.    After this welcome service, passengers will be offered an extended choice of meals on flights out of Amsterdam. On intercontinental daytime flights out of Amsterdam, the new…

Following fresh terrorism threats in the country, the Federal Government has deployed an Assistant Inspector – General of Police, Mr. Danjuma Muhammad, to take over affairs at the Murtala Muhammed International  Airport Police Command. Muhammad is taking over from Mr Abdullahi Ali, a Commissioner of Police, who retired recently. The command was hitherto headed by a commissioner and the move by the authorities to assign a superior officer might not be unconnected with threats by…

Airbus has published a risk assessment outlining the urgent risks to its business arising from the UK exiting the European Union without a withdrawal agreement. It states that the UK exiting the EU next year without a deal – therefore leaving both the single market and customs union immediately and without any agreed transition – would lead to severe disruption and interruption of UK production.    This scenario would force Airbus to reconsider its investments…