Aviation

66% African routes not connected, seeks more flight rights Seeks removal of travel barriers   With a population of 1.2 billion Africa represents only less than three percent of the global air passenger traffic. The passenger traffic on intra-Africa routes is thin. Air connectivity is underdeveloped. Passengers from Africa to travel to another African country may have to transit in European cities. In the face of this, governments within the region are restricting flight rights;…

Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom has said that the state government spent over N1.2 billion to train the second batch of engineers and pilots from the state with aircraft manufacturers Airbus in a renewed move to reposition and increase the capacity of the state-owned airline, Ibom Air. Emmanuel, who made this known Tuesday during an interaction with journalists in Uyo, the state capital, said already the first batch of trainees were already undertaking the…

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has renewed the Air Transport Licence (ATL) of Azman Air. The renewal of the carrier’s ATL allows it to recommence flight operations after the aviation regulatory body had on Thursday grounded the carrier for also failure to submit security clearance for the renewal of its ATL, which expired in April 2021. The NCAA in a press release by its Director-General, Capt. Musa Nuhu on Friday said, “Consequent upon the…

Agency grounds carrier The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has suspended the Air Transport Licence (ATL) of Azman Air for its failure to remit N1. 2 billion funds were collected from air travelers on its behalf to its coffers. This is as Capt. Musa Nuhu, the Director-General, NCAA said that the airline also failed to submit security clearance for the renewal of its ATL, which expired in April 2021.   Speaking with journalists on Thursday, …

The African Airlines Association (AFRAA) and Flight Safety Foundation (FSF) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to establish a framework of cooperation and facilitate collaboration between the two organisations on actions to enhance air transport safety in Africa. Under the MoU, AFRAA, and FSF will cooperate closely and consult each other on matters and/or activities of mutual interest aimed at the improvement of the safety of the air transport industry in Africa such as…

  Unions protest, lament anti-labour law   Aviation workers made good their threat as they shut the Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), Kano over a dispute between the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and Nigerian Airspace. Many were left stranded in and out of the airport as they could not immediately fly out of the aerodrome. Flight operations however resumed a few hours later after a dispute between the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria…

Chides carriers for deploying social media to press for demands    The Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika has accused foreign airlines of blocking local travel agencies from accessing their websites for transactions, adding that intelligence reports indicated that some of the airlines are refusing Naira and charging their ticket fares in dollars in violation of the nation’s laws. He vowed to sanction international airlines that it said are now refusing to sell tickets in naira….

Operators of Murtala Muhammed Airport 2 (MMA2), Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL) have identified the intruder who was seen inside a parked United Nigeria Airlines.  Head of Media, BASL, Oluwatosin Onalaja disclosed that Rasheed Muftau, a 14-year-old stowaway was found unconscious inside one of the aircraft of United Nigeria is safe in the custody of the airport authority where he is being held for further investigation.  Onalaja further disclosed that the boy told investigators that…

Based on the rainfall distribution and rainfall amounts recorded in the country during the month of August 2022, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has warned of possible flooding in some states that have experienced a high amount of rainfall in July and August this year. According to NiMet, “The saturated state of the soil moisture across the country in the month of July and heavy rainfall recorded in August may put most places to experience…

Carriers to do on-the-spot payment before clearance to fly Operators’ body ask charges carriers to liquidate debts, chides agency     Many aviation agencies are in a serious dilemma over how to recoup the several billion of debts owed by defunct airlines. Many of the nation’s defunct carriers like Chanchangi, Bellview, Sahara Airlines, ADC, Afrijet, Air Mid West, Air Nigeria, Albarka, and Associated among others are said to be owing the various agencies including other…