Aviation

   The Nigerian Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) has enjoined Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to fast track the implementation of the regulatory framework guiding the operations of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) within the Nigerian airspace in line with international best practices.   The group stated this today in a communique signed by NATCA President, Victor Eyaru and General Secretary, Banji Olawode at its 46th Annual General Meeting held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. The…

The first A350 operator in the Indian Ocean   Air Mauritius has taken delivery of its first Airbus A350-900 aircraft, opening a new chapter for the Indian Ocean carrier. The aircraft, leased from AerCap, was delivered during a ceremony held in Mauritius.   The Mauritian airline based airline has chosen a very comfortable two class layout with a total of 326 seats comprising 28 in Business Class and 298 in Economy Class.   The A350-900…

  The first of three A330neo Family development aircraft to fly – MSN1795, an A330-900 variant – has landed at Toulouse-Blagnac, France. The aircraft landed at 14:10 hrs local time after successfully completing its first flight which lasted 4 hours and 13 minutes.   The aircraft was powered by the latest technology Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 turbofans.   The crew in the cockpit on board this flight comprised: Experimental Test Pilots Thierry BOURGES, Thomas WILHELM and Test-Flight Engineer…

Migrants crossing Mediterranean declined to 128,863 in 2017 Migration Enlightenment Project Nigeria (MEPN) has advised Nigerian migrants wishing to go to Libya to steer clear of the country. It stated that in view of the foregoing, migrants leaving for Libya now would be toying with their lives. The group disclosed policies aimed at reducing the number of migrants arriving in Europe across the Mediterranean Sea from North Africa, especially Libya, are trapping refugees in the…

More than one month after President Muhammadu Buhari approved N45b as severance package for over 2, 000 ex workers of Nigeria Airways, no fewer than seven ex-employees of the defunct airlines have died without reaping the fruits of their labour. Mr Godwin Jibodu Chairman, Nigerian Airways Elders Forum disclosed this to newsmen in Lagos on Wednesday. Jibodu lamented that the pensioners were wallowing in abject poverty despite serving the nation exceptionally during their time in…

  British Airways, international flag carrier in the United Kingdom, this week launched cheaper fares for travellers in Nigeria.   The fantastic offering that can be accessed via multiple promotions promises to see most of their customers enjoying great fares to different destinations; London, Europe, The Unites States and even Canada.   British Airways First class customers will enjoy fares starting from $8000 to London while World Traveller plus customers will have fares starting from…

  Airbus and Bombardier Inc. (TSX: BBD.B) are to become partners on the C Series aircraft programme. A corresponding agreement has signed.     The agreement brings together Airbus’ global reach and scale with Bombardier’s newest, state-of-the-art jet aircraft family, positioning both partners to fully unlock the value of the C Series platform and create significant new value for customers, suppliers, employees and shareholders.   Under the agreement, Airbus will provide procurement, sales and marketing,…

  Delta Air Lines has added automatic check-in to the Fly Delta app to streamline the check-in experience for customers and take the guesswork out of accessing a boarding pass.   The new functionality, available on the latest version of the app, automatically checks in eligible customers 24 hours prior to their scheduled departure. Customers receive an alert via email or push notification, open the app, acknowledge the federal government mandate for restricted items, and…

 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…