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Africa is an expensive place for airlines to do business. Having access to finance, market share, good route network, minimising costs and a harmonised regulatory system are all crucial for air transport to develop. WOLE SHADARE writes Airlines on life support The coronavirus pandemic has brought the global aviation industry to its knees, and African carriers are particularly vulnerable as they seek assistance from governments already facing constrained finances. The International Air Transport Association (IATA)…

The little hope of recovery for airlines from COVID-19 crisis may have been lost with the recent unrest that rocked the nation, WOLE SHADARE writes Setback The determination of Nigerian carriers to recover from the COVID-19 outbreak that grounded flights for more than five months was herculean. The nearly one week suspension of flight services by domestic airlines due to #Endsars protests and attendant violence that rocked most parts of the country may have set…

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) was established by Decree 49 of 1999 of the statutory responsibilities of ensuring regulating, monitoring and promotion of the safety, security, economic and reliability of air navigation oversight in line with International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standard and recommended practices. Prior to 1989, the regulations of the aviation industry as well as provision of air traffic services were carried out by the Civil Aviation Department (CAD) of the Federal…

The damage to air travel from COVID-19 extends into the long-term as African air travel is severely impacted with a slow rebound of the continent’s airlines, Wole Shadare writes     Slow measures The commercial aviation industry rebound from COVID-19 is underway, with the number of flights starting to gradually increase, but widespread recovery could take several years. Most governments in Africa have eased lock-down with the lifting of ban on air travel. Domestic air travel…

Fifth freedom flights would allow hubs carriers to consolidate their networks and boost revenues, says Linus Benjamin Bauer, Managing Director at Bauer Aviation Advisory   Airlines have begun to ramp up network connectivity at any cost. For what has felt like an age, the roars of the engines are finally starting to be heard again. With airlines resuming operations, jostling for prime positions in their core markets, they are signalling to the world that they…

Nigerian airlines are in endless wait for bailout many months after government made a promise to them. They needed it in the thick of COVID-19 but it never came. They need it now more than ever to save their companies, WOLE SHADARE writes The wait They have waited for so long but help seems not to be coming their way. They have weathered the storm posed by COVID-19. They have gradually left the pity party…

The bottom-line is that if you pay for something and don’t get it, you should get your money back. Not in vouchers but in the money you paid. Refusal to comply with this simple principle, using Covid-19 as an excuse, is a disgrace, WOLE SHADARE writes Crossroads Travellers by air, who could not make their journey, are having a hectic time getting refund. Travel agents are equally at a cross road as to what they can…

Nigeria showed her might against European carriers last week by excluding them from operating into the country in what it called reciprocity policy as international flights resumed. As good as the action may appear, the question remains the country’s ability to right some age long air pacts skewed against her airlines. WOLE SHADARE writes   Aviation as diplomatic tool Aviation and diplomacy have always been, to some extent, interconnected. Aviation provides the possibility to travel…

The airport was in a total mess. The many years of patched job on the decaying facilities gave way to total overhauling of Enugu airport that is very strategic to the people of South-East and commerce, writes WOLE SHADARE The wait is over             The wait is over. The Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, is ready. Airlines have resumed services to the aerodrome. It is a year since massive construction work started on the very important…