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It is no longer news that Nigeria did not do well in the recent International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) assessment. The country through the NCAA has an opportunity to close the yawning gaps identified by the ICAO team. The audit has shown where we are as a country, writes, WOLE SHADARE Talking points The recent audit of Nigeria’s aviation industry by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Universal Safety Audit Program Continuous Monitoring Approach (USOAP)- CMA may have…

  The alluring aesthetics and in-built facilities at the new Lagos International Airport Terminal are a good riposte for the long wait and yearnings of modern air travellers. The long wait for the use of the terminal is over but it is one that comes with pain, chaos, and gridlock, as the multi-million dollar facility is put into use, writes, WOLE SHADARE Making of a defective terminal Not a few people were taken aback when…

The Minister of Aviation, Mr. Festus Keyamo is actually racing against time to fix many of the issues he inherited in the aviation industry. His time actually starts now. His tenure would be judged by the level of impact he makes in the next four years. He looks capable of turning the tide to reposition the country’s aviation sector, writes, WOLE SHADARE Reactions The appointment of a lawyer and a human rights activist, Mr. Festus Keyamo…

This aviation colonialism’ fits in well with Ethiopian Airlines’ 15-year strategic plan dubbed “Vision 2025” and its strategic expansion plans, writes, WOLE SHADARE  Success story Africa’s biggest and most profitable airline, Ethiopian Airlines has become the biggest airline brand in Africa. Year-on-year, the carrier keeps posting amazing profits and acquiring some of the best and most sophisticated aircraft, especially from the two biggest aircraft makers, Boeing and Airbus. Ethiopian Airlines has an amazing success story that truly…

In recent times, the airline industry has taken a hit as far as profitability is concerned. With multiple avenues directed toward increasing costs for the industry. Circumstances of the present create a unique environment for lower profit margins, writes, WOLE SHADARE The big question The question on the lips of many is why are businessmen, money bags, and aviation enthusiasts showing a remarkable interest in aviation, particularly the airline business if the profit margin is very…

To create revenue and cost synergies, Nigerian carriers would need to work harder to realise corporate integration, operational harmonisation, and centralised administration and governance, writes, WOLE SHADARE Different scenarios Since 2000, the number of major airlines operating in the United States has shrunk. A series of mergers and acquisitions saw three powerhouse airlines emerge; Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, and American Airlines. Between them, these three airlines now have around half of the overall US domestic…

A comparative analysis of aviation’s contribution to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) pales into insignificance with its selected peers in Africa. It is an indication that despite the slow progress made, the country’s aviation is still way behind Kenya, South Africa, and Egypt among others, writes, WOLE SHADARE Nigeria’s aviation size How big is Nigeria’s aviation industry?  About three years ago, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) recognized that the country’s air transportation sector contributed over $1.7…

In a region where affordable airfares have remained elusive, many potential customers have long been deprived of the opportunity to travel by air. Presently, a one-way ticket from Lagos to Abuja could go for as high as N100,000 or more – which is way too expensive for the average Nigerian, writes WOLE SHADARE Skyrocketing fares Airfares are becoming more expensive on domestic routes. Many factors have been attributed to the adjustments in fares. These factors have…

Jet fuel contamination has led to many unfortunate incidents in the past in many parts of the world including Nigeria. WOLE SHADARE writes that fuel contamination has become a recurring incident in the Nigerian aviation industry Troubling times Several troubling incidents of jet fuel contamination have prompted the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and other industry groups to pay close attention to the danger posed by bad jet fuel. It’s no secret that jet fuel contamination can…

Flying within Africa is more expensive than just about anywhere else in the world. Travellers pay higher ticket prices and more taxes. It is often cheaper to fly to another continent than to another African country according to the BBC in its report. For a quick comparison, flying from the German capital, Berlin, to Turkey’s biggest city, Istanbul, will probably set you back around $150 (£120) for a direct flight taking less than three hours….