Aviation

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) presented new analysis showing that the airline industry cannot slash costs sufficiently to neutralize severe cash burn to avoid bankruptcies and preserve jobs in 2021. IATA reiterated its call for government relief measures to sustain airlines financially and avoid massive employment terminations. IATA also called for pre-flight COVID-19 testing to open borders and enable travel without quarantine. Total industry revenues in 2021 are expected to be down 46% compared…

African travellers, including Nigerians, have now got the opportunity to travel from Africa through Dubai to Jordan as Emirates has concluded plans to provide more options and choices for its customers with the introduction of scheduled Airbus A380 services to Amman as part of its expanded schedule of 10 weekly services.. The expanded flight schedule between Dubai and Amman demonstrates the airline’s commitment to safely connect customers to and through Dubai to Africa, America, Europe,…

The harsh economic reality occasioned by COVID-19 could see many more airlines in Africa go into extinction just as many Nigerian carriers are already showing signs of insolvency. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) had forecast that a full return to 2019 levels is not expected until late 2023. The anticipated bailout from the Federal Government is looking like a mirage. Airlines are operating less than 50 per cent of their capacity because of near…

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) welcomed the recent over-flight agreement between the Kingdom of Jordan and State of Israel that allows for flights to cross over both countries’ airspace. The agreement paves the way for commercial airlines to be able to fly through the Israel-Jordan corridor—which will shorten flight times, reducing fuel burn and CO2 emissions. Airlines have historically flown around Israel when flying east / west operating over Middle East airspace. The direct…

BA to operate, Delta, AWA, Arik, Kenya, shelve flights *More domestic airlines to downtools The curfew imposed by the Lagos State Government has begun to take a toll on air travel as international airlines have suspended flights into Lagos and Abuja because of unrest in many parts of the country. This is coming as Nigeria’s flag carrier airline, Arik Air in a statement said it had cancelled all its flight operations for tomorrow October 21,…

Operates 19 weekly flights from South Africa    Qatar Airways has signed an interline agreement with Airlink, further expanding its presence in Southern Africa as the largest carrier to operate from the region. The agreement with Airlink will provide passengers seamless connectivity via Cape Town, and Johannesburg to more than 20 regional destinations in Southern Africa including; Gaborone, Maun, Tete, Port Elizabeth, Lusaka, Harare and Victoria Falls. Qatar Airways’ passengers will benefit from access to…

Project to be delivered Feb. 2021- Sirika   The Federal Government in its effort to keep focusing on safety critical element in and around airports in the country has begun reconstruction of an abandoned Taxiway Bravo (Taxiway B) at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos. The Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika who was in Lagos to inspect the commencement of works on the taxiway B confirmed through his twitter handle: @hadisirika, that reconstruction has commenced…

Workers denied remuneration, gets haphazard salaries After they failed to reach a resolution with the management of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), aviation unions yesterday embarked on a warning strike over labour related matters. This is coming as the workers condemned the concession plan of four of the most lucrative airport terminals. They said that if the concession plan is allowed to go on as planned, it would be detrimental on the over 12,500…

Facility aims to raise airport’s capacity to reach 20 million passengers by 2025 The Sharjah Airport Authority (SAA) has cut the ribbon on the East Expansion project, which extends over an area of 4,000 square meters and includes new passenger, duty free, F&B and security facilities. The project cost 40 million dirhams ($11m) and will raise the airport’s capacity from around 13 million to 20 million passengers a year by 2025. In addition to new…

Surprise move sees Aer Lingus CEO Sean Doyle step in to replace Cruz Alex Cruz will step down as British Airways’ CEO with immediate effect to be replaced by Aer Lingus CEO Sean Doyle, parent group IAG announced today. IAG chief executive Luis Gallego, who recently took over from Willie Walsh, made the reshuffle and appointed Aer Lingus’ chief corporate affairs officer, Donal Moriarty, as BA’s interim CEO.   “We’re navigating the worst crisis faced…