Aviation

*Operators lament Airline operators have raised concern that their operations are been stifled by manipulation, feasting and pushing of their finances through multiple taxes, charges and levies to the extent that they have come under pressure and could go bankrupt. These taxes, they alleged, are up by between 35 and 40 per cent. The operators under the aegis of Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) also disclosed that Nigerian airlines pay over N10 billion on taxes…

Emirates, has appointed Afzal Parambil, as its Regional Manager for West Africa.   Prior to taking up his new appointment, Mr. Parambil served in a number of commercial roles within Emirates, the most recent being the Country Manager for Ethiopia.    Congratulating Mr. Parambil on his new position, Orhan Abbas, Emirates Senior Vice President Commercial Operations for Africa, said: “Nigeria is a very important market for Emirates and we are delighted that Mr. Parambil will serve as the…

Stellwagen Group (‘the Group’) have confirmed that Stellwagen Finance Limited (‘Stellwagen Finance’) were awarded two top industry awards ‘Aircraft Finance Innovator of the Year 2016’ and ‘Aircraft Debt Deal of the Year – Africa -2016’ at the Global Transport Finance Awards ceremony in London recently.    The Global Transport Finance Awards are the annual prestigious awards for leading transport finance bankers, leasing companies and law firms.  The Awards are presented to the best deals in the…

The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has set up a committee to commence the immediate review of the nation’s Aeronautical Information Procedure (AIP).   The Nigerian AIP is a state document that contains all aeronautical information that relates to the services, procedures, facilities and personnel at all Nigerian airports or within the Nigerian airspace.   The Managing Director of NAMA, Capt. stated that the AIP review became necessary following the ongoing certification of Nigerian international…

*Expert faults NCAA’s N715.9B figure There are indications that the Federal Government generated over N1 trillion in revenue from the 2015 and 2016 international and domestic passenger traffic according to Aviation consultant and Chief Executive Officer of Centurion Aviation Security, Group Capt. John Ojikutu (rtd).   Ojikutu told Woleshadare.net that if each passenger of the eight million domestic passengers and three million international passengers traffic presented by Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) paid an average of N15, 000…

*Succeeds Fekih who retires after 30 years   Airbus has appointed Mikail Houari, as President for Africa and the Middle East region.   Houari, 50, who previously served as Deputy President for Africa and the Middle East, brings to the position more than 25 years of experience within the industry at a global level. In his new role, he will lead the team to drive operations and future business across the region.   Houari began…

The Kaduna airport which is undergoing total rehabilitation is safe and ready for operations, Chairman, Coordinating Committee on Abuja relocation, Capt. Mohammed Joji and Director, Safety Electronics and Engineering Services (DSEES) of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, Alhaji Farouk Ahmed Umar have said. The duo said the airport has been re-branded with modern equipment in line with international standard. Umar told Woleshadare.net that brand new Instrument Landing Systems (ILSs) and other safety related equipment have been installed for safe flight…

  ·         Europe to provide propulsion, life support to astronauts ·         First crewed mission planned for 2021  Airbus Defence and Space, the world’s second largest space company, has signed a new contract with the European Space Agency (ESA) for the construction of the second European Service Module (ESM) for NASA’s Orion spacecraft. The contract is worth around 200 million euros.   The ESM is a key element of Orion, the next-generation spacecraft that will take astronauts…

  *Re-aligns operations     Arik Air has suspended flight operations to London and Johannesburg, two prime international routes.   The airline said in a statement made available to Woleshadare.net said the idea was to enable them find permanent solution facing their passengers as it would enable us to carry out a thorough assessment of the situation.   It said the strategic business decision was meant to realign their operations and refocus on satisfying their…

Odengene Air-Shuttle Services Limited (OAS) has been taken over by Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON). The development is coming barely five days after it intervened in Arik Air that is bedeviled by debts. A source, who said AMCON officials pasting their seal of takeover, said the takeover followed a court order. AMCON seal reads, “POSSESSION TAKEN TODAY 14/2/17 BY AMCON BY COURT ORDER ON SUIT NO. FHC/4CS/1139/2016.” It is still very unclear why the company was taken…