FEATURES

Flight delays are not synonymous with the Nigerian aviation industry. It is fast assuming a very dangerous dimension here in Nigeria, writes, WOLE SHADARE Escalating trend Flight delays and cancellations are continuing to surge in Nigeria. The recent from the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) for the first quarter of 2023 clearly shows that. It is becoming a herculean task to see a flight that is not delayed. Even airlines that pride themselves or use the…

One issue that has dominated national discourse in the past month is Nigeria Air and whether or not Nigeria needs a national airline; the debate that reverberates, write, WOLE SHADARE The big debate The debate for a national carrier for Nigeria will never go away depending on the side or position one takes.  It is a position of naysayers and optimists. It is the most contentious debate that no one will ever win until the Federal…

The crises rocking Arik Air are multi-dimensional and lack a solution. WOLE SHADARE chronicles the problems of the carrier and the futile attempts by its founder, Johnson Arumemi-Ikhide to reclaim his airline A model at inception The crisis rocking the erstwhile biggest airline in West and Central Africa, Arik Air, took another turn this penultimate week following the sale of one of its assets – a CRJ 1000 aircraft with registration number 5N-JEE. Arik at its inception…

Gender diversity continues to be a hot topic and in the aviation industry, it’s a big problem.  According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) which represents 290 airlines, the proportion of women holding C-level roles in the industry is just 3%, writes, WOLE SHADARE Poor numbers Statistics show that only about 13% of jobs in aviation are held by women. Today, the aviation industry is grappling with methods to improve inclusion and diversity. For some…

The airline industry has made huge strides in terms of fuel efficiency. One reason is to reduce costs—fuel is expensive—but sustainability is a factor as well, as concern grows about the industry’s environmental performance, writes, WOLE SHADARE An important landmark was achieved in the early 1970s with the introduction of second-generation jet planes (B747 and DC10) that included engine efficiency improvements as well as the economies of scale benefits of high capacities, in the range of…

  A new administration is in place which beckons fresh hope for the aviation industry. The sector has not failed despite some challenges. The new administration can build on the template of the past administration while reviewing some decisions of fine-tuning or discarding some that are not people-friendly. The new team is equally expected to look at issues bedeviling the nation’s carriers, and importantly, the place of Nigeria Air, writes, WOLE SHADARE New sheriff in town…

When a Nigerian airline thinks it has matured it heads to Accra. When they lose out on the route they eventually collapse. Only a few airlines that lost on the route eventually survived. It’s usually a sign of tough times for the airlines, writes, WOLE SHADARE The big question The question on the lips of many aviation enthusiasts and stakeholders is what makes Accra attractive for Nigerian airlines? Nobody has readily come forward to offer an…

Busy travelers don’t always have time to visit the artistic hotspots in the cities they pass through. But for culture vultures in a hurry, the Murtala Muhammed Airport 2 (MMA2), provides another way to experience quality artwork on the fly, writes, WOLE SHADARE Innovation Hey, what are all those big fancy artworks doing in a corner of the Murtala Muhammed Airport 2 (MMA2)? Never mind,  there is a part of an exhibit to increase passengers’ travel experience…

The International Air Transport Association has boosted its commitment to improving aviation safety not only in Nigeria but Africa.  With United Nigeria Airlines and Ibom getting IATA’s safety ratings recently including four others that are already IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) -certified and more on the line, the sector could witness enhanced safety, WOLE SHADARE writes United Nigeria Airlines, Ibom Air join the fray Two airlines, United Nigeria and Ibom Air are the two carriers that have joined the…

Africa’s richest man Aliko Dangote in 2018 said he needed 38 visas to travel within the continent on his Nigerian passport. Many European nationals, meanwhile, waltz into most African countries visa-free. WOLE SHADARE takes a careful look at why African nations are yet to scrap visa requirements for all African citizens and how visa policy in the continent hurts businesses and the free movement of people Intra-Continental prospect Would an Africa in which Africans require no…