Aviation

Multiple routes designation to foreign airlines has been one of the headaches of domestic airlines. The truth is that Nigerian airlines are so small, fragmented and not ready for competition. WOLE SHADARE writes   It first started as a subtle protest, but later assumed a wider dimension as airlines, particularly Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) and a few others sympathetic to the precarious situation of Nigerian carriers, have pleaded with the Federal Government to review…

 The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has conducted a random alcohol and drug tests on licensed aviation personnel in the industry. However, out of the 87 personnel tested, only one crew member tested positive to psychoactive substance, Tetrahydro – Cannabinol (Marijuana) and was immediately suspended by the authority from carrying out further flight operations.   Further investigations were later carried out to ascertain the quantity of the substance in the urine sample of the crew…

Many refer to Captain Dele Ore as an encyclopaedia on aviation matters in Nigeria having being around the sector for 54 years. He rose through the ranks, first as a graduate from Britain Air University (AST), Perth Scotland, Oxford Air Training School, Mannin University, U.K. culminating in the attainment of a commercial pilot licence with instrument rating, multi-engine rating. This early training set up Ore, described as one of the best pilots Nigeria ever had…

Air Peace has given its plan to launch itself on the international route a big push with the training of four of its pilots in the handling of Boeing 777 aircraft. The training which took place at the Boeing Training Centre in the United Kingdom was the first by any Nigerian airline. The carrier’s Chief Pilot, Captain Victor Egonu, Capt. Victor Iwo Brown, Senior First Officer Ahmad Abdullahi and First Officer Emmanuel Iwhiwhu participated in…

Airline operators have faulted the prevalent of fifth freedom right granted some airlines and have called for a review. Chairman, Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), Capt. Noggie Meggison, said the right was damaging airlines in the continent, describing it as a rip-off on other carriers. Large European, American and Gulf carriers, by virtue of the Fifth Freedom, are able to operate flights directly from their respective bases into Accra and then fly into a neighbouring…

Former Aviation Minister, Professor Babalola Borisade is dead. According to family sources, Borisade died in the early hours of Wednesday in the United Kingdom (UK). He was aged 71. He was initially rushed to Reddington Hospital in Lagos, last week from where he was taken to London. The cause of death was lung and heart –related.Borishade was born in Usi- Ekiti on March 7, 1946 into the Ebi Ilotin family. He served as a minister…

Pupils and students of Glisten International College, Abuja have been left stranded in Ataturk International Airport, Istanbul, Turkey over the inability of Turkish Airlines to airlift them back to Nigeria as scheduled.    The students between the ages of 11and 14 were made to sleep at the resting area of the airport terminal over night with just blankets provided them by the management of the airline, rather than hotel accommodation.   The team, which had…

Airline operators and pilots have been cautioned over the prevalence of thunderstorm and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has issued a weather alert cautioning them and Air Traffic Controllers on the inherent danger associated with severe thunderstorms.   A statement by the aviation regulatory body signed by its spokesman, Sam Adurogboye stated that these hazards include severe turbulence, microburst, low level wind shears and hail events that could affect the safety of flight operations….

 Dr. Stefan Kreuzpaintner has been appointed Vice President Sales EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa) Lufthansa Group Airlines. In this position, Kreuzpaintner will be responsible for all sales and commercial activities in the EMEA region including Nigeria – altogether comprising 74 markets in Europe (except for the airlines’ home markets Austria, Germany and Switzerland), the Middle East as well as Africa. Stefan Kreuzpaintner will be based in Frankfurt and manage the recently merged areas of Europe…

Government lived up to its word by delivering on the Abuja airport runway rehabilitation. The same speed should be applied to fix the rot in the aviation industry, WOLE SHADARE writes. A hard sell It is no longer news that the Abuja airport runway rehabilitation was completed in record time. If for nothing, it shows that with cooperation, the aviation industry can really develop beyond what it is at present. It was a hard sell…