Business

Despite low infection, vaccination rate in Africa stands at 24.6% The African Airlines Association (AFRAA) has stated that the COVID-19 infection rate in Africa is low despite the low vaccination rate of a paltry 24.6 percent compared to the global average of 68.5%. The continent’s airlines’ representative body disclosed that worldwide, the number of cases has reached 630 million and 12.6 million in Africa, stressing that the recovery rate is 99.98% worldwide compared to 98.01%…

Decries region’s poor connectivity Airlines to pay extra $222 billion for fuel this year bemoans Africa’s 1.9% passenger, cargo traffic despite over 1 billion population   The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has expressed the concern that despite Africa’s burgeoning population of over 1 billion people, the continent accounts for just 1.9% of global passenger and cargo traffic. This is coming as the clearing house for over 200 global airlines attributed the bane of the continent’s aviation…

IATA develops contactless biometric-enabled processes   The Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, has said that the implementation of a roadmap to chart a path for the aviation sector in Nigeria has led to a number of record-breaking achievements in the nation’s aviation industry, which he admitted had been variously acknowledged and applauded by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). The roadmap was developed to serve as a catalyst for a comprehensive overhaul of the aviation…

Nigeria and Seychelles have signed a Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA). The pact would allow flight services between the two nations. This came as the Ministry has also had discussions on how to further implement the open skies Agreement, signed 30 years ago, with the United States of America. The approval by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) of the Memorandum, signing, and ratification of the Air Service agreement between the two nations was formally ratified….

Reps appeal to IATA for understanding   The Vice-President for Africa and Middle East of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), Mr. Kamil  Ala Wadhi has disclosed that international airlines’ funds in Nigeria have risen to $500 million while the total trapped fund of airlines in Africa stands at $1.1 billion. Alawahdi who paid the Chairman of the Aviation committee on Aviation, Nnolim Nnaji a courtesy call in his office on Tuesday acknowledged the interest…

Nigeria’s second largest US export destination sub-Sahara Africa Delta Airlines marks 15 years operations to Lagos   In what serves as an exemption to the rule, the ‘Open Skies’ agreement between Nigeria and the United States of America which has a clause on ticket sales rules allows American carriers to charge fares in whatever currencies they choose to. Delta Airlines has taken advantage of that clause to offer fares in the United States dollars which…

The president of Nigeria Unmanned Systems and Robotics Association (NUSA), Air Vice Marshal Olufemi  Idowu (Rtd) said, the body would continue to liaise with appropriate Nigeria licensing authorities to ensure that safety is not compromised while operating drones. Not a few are of the view that the right legislation and regulations regarding the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are  a step in the right direction for aircraft accident investigation  Drones may be the source…

Aero re-launches flights Dec 5 Plans regional operations   The Managing Director of Aero Contractors, Capt. Ado Sanusi has highlighted the precarious nature of the airline business in Nigeria, disclosing that no airline in the country has posted a profit in the past 30 years. Sanusi who spoke at the re-launch of Aero Contractors Airlines on Thursday at the carrier’s hangar at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos said most airlines in the country are challenged by…

Rush for aircraft for Yuletide heightens   Several planes hitherto used by South African Airways have ended up in Nigeria and other places and other places with Air Peace leasing one of the Airbus aircraft recently as part of the two aircraft leased for a short period as a result of the dearth of airplanes in its fleet. Airlines in various parts of the world are resuming an ever-growing number of routes that were suspended…

National carrier Kenya Airways has announced the introduction of a new service between Accra and Dakar effective December 11, 2022. Kenya Airways will become the only carrier to offer this connection and is expected to tap into the travel demand from corporate travelers, traders as well as leisure travelers between Ghana and Senegal. According to the East African carrier, the bigger picture was to support the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) and the African…