Aviation

The A330neo, Airbus’ newest wide-body aircraft, has embarked on a worldwide tour to demonstrate its readiness for airline operations.    As final step in the aircraft certification phase these function & reliability tests, also known as route proving will include ETOPS missions, landing at diversion airports and testing airport handling services.    After a fly past over Airbus’ European sites, the A330neo will head for 15 major airports worldwide over five continents, aiming at achieving 150 Flight Test Hours in…

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), says about 3.4 million passengers travelled through Nigerian airports during the first quarter of 2018 as against the 2.6 million passengers recorded in 2017 first quarter. FAAN’s First Quarter Report obtained by our correspondent, showed a 28.25 per cent growth from the same quarter in 2017. The report indicated that 2.4 million passengers travelled within the country (domestic passengers), while a total of 950,292 passenger traveled out of…

Airlines sold N505.2 billion tickets in 2017 14.2% up (N82.7 billion) compared to N422.4 billion sold in 2016. The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has concluded plan to review its regulations which would stipulate new conditions for start-up airlines. The new rule would nullify two aircraft airlines and widen the scope to include that new airlines must have more than two airplanes at entry level. This was disclosed by Director-General,  Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Muhtar…

Airbus has inaugurated the fourth Hamburg A320 Family production line. Making use of digital technologies and a more flexible industrial set-up, the innovative state-of-the-art line is a key enabler for ramping up the single aisle programme to 60 aircraft per month by mid-2019. Frank Horch, Hamburg’s Senator of Economy, Transport and Innovation and Thomas Jarzombek, Federal Government Coordinator of German Aerospace Policy, witnessed the milestone together with Guillaume Faury, President Airbus Commercial Aircraft, and 500…

Wole Shadare It is difficult to believe that in the 21st century, with so much emphasis on gender equality in the workplace, women are so vastly under-represented in the aviation and aerospace sectors. While women are very visible in customer service and administrative roles, around two-thirds of ticketing and sales personnel are female. Behind the closed doors of the cockpits, the hangars and the boardrooms, it is a very different story. The number of women…

The benefits of having a national carrier cannot be underestimated. The pay-offs and prestige achieved by Ethiopia, South Africa and others through their airlines are there for all to see. WOLE SHADARE writes Deafening calls In the last few weeks, the call that Nigeria does not need a national airline had been deafening. These calls came from no mean quarters. They are from respected aviation professionals both in Nigeria and outside the country. Just last…

Nigerian carriers’ in dilemma Perennial scarcity worries firms     The rise in the oil price is putting the squeeze on airline costs and is likely to lead to a rise in air fares, industry experts told Woleshadarenews. The oil price, which typically accounts for around 30 percent of an airline’s costs, has risen 52 percent since May this year to around $76 a barrel. Airlines are paying more for fuel, and passengers may soon pay more…

Agency indicted for lax regulation Global airlines to rake in $33.8 billion in 2018      Nigerian carriers and over 290 others International Air Transport Association (IATA) members are to rake in $33.8 billion this year. This year’s forecast will see aviation’s financial foundation stronger than ever, according to the Director-General of IATA, Alexandre de Juniac. He made the remark today while giving report on the air transport industry at the just concluded World Air Transport Summit…

Nigeria’s flag carrier airline, Dana Air has been announced as the latest African airline to be listed on the International Air Transport Association (IATA ) Ground Operations Manual (IGOM) registry. The International Grounds Operations Manual (IGOM) registry is for companies and airlines who have demonstrated full compliance with internationally recognized standards for ground handling processes. The IATA Ground Operational Manual concept which was initiated by IATA, defines ground handling standards for airlines and ground service…

Vigilant Air Peace crew members foiled attempts by two women to traffic a three-month-old baby boy on the airline’s Lagos-Banjul flight. The incident occurred on Monday Sources said the suspected traffickers were exposed mid-flight when the airline’s crew members noticed a baby crying inconsolably. It was learnt that attempts by one of the suspected traffickers, who claimed to be the baby’s mother, to soothe him failed.   When the crew members suggested to the suspected trafficker to…