News

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has issued an Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) to Elin Group Limited after the carrier met all the requirements to commence charter operations. The aviation regulatory body, at a ceremony in its office in Lagos, presented Elin Group’s Operational Specifications and Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) to its Chief Operating Officer/Accountable Manager, Mr. Enyi Omoke. Speaking at the event, the representative of NCAA’s Director General, who is also the Director of…

Based on the undertaking by the authorities of the United Arabs Emirates (UAE) the Nigerian government has agreed to lift the ban placed on Emirates Airlines from operating into and out of the country. According to the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, the commencement of the airline’s operations would however depend on the commencement of visa issuance by the UAE.   “UAE has written to state that they agree to issue visas to Nigerians, consequently…

Downgrades traffic forecast after dismal summer   The International Air Transport Association (IATA) downgraded its traffic forecast for 2020 to reflect a weaker-than-expected recovery, as evidenced by a dismal end to the summer travel season in the Northern Hemisphere. Meanwhile, African airlines’ traffic sank 90.1% in August, slightly improved over a 94.6% decline in July. Capacity contracted 78.4%, and load factor fell 41.0 percentage points to 34.6%, which was the lowest among regions. IATA now…

Airline operators under the aegis of Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) have disassociated themselves from the planned industrial action by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and other organized labour to protest hike in price of petroleum and electricity tariff. The President of the Airline Operators of AON, Dr. Abdulmunaf Yunusa Sarina, in a statement said that the association completely dissociates itself from the planned indefinite strike action called by Labour over the issues of Government’s…

Says Nigeria entitled to operate flights to Paris   The French Civil Aviation Authority has explained that it never imposed restrictive measures on international to or from France but only on the passengers being allowed to disembark in France. It stated that such passenger restrictions apply to the vast majority of countries and apply to both foreign and French airlines without any discrimination. In a letter written to the Director-General of Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority…

The House of Representatives Committee on Aviation led by Nnolim Nnaji has stepped into the brewing labour crisis over the planned concession of four international airports across the country by the Federal Government. At a meeting with representatives of the unions at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja on Tuesday, the committee assured the workers that the concerns they hold against the concession would be critically examined and ensured that Nigerians are not in any way…

Airline faults  proficiency findings, presents NCAA exemption to carriers, crew      A new twist has been uncovered in the Bell 206B helicopter which crashed on August 28, 2020 in Opebi area of Lagos, killing all passengers on board. The Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) initial findings released in its preliminary report said the helicopter operated by Quorum Aviation Limited revealed that there was no fuel left in the tanks of Bell 206B 111 helicopter. The…

NCAA seeks Act on economic regulation Some airline operators whose all important Air Operators’ Certificates (AOC) had expired are in race to renew them with a sole purpose of benefiting from the over the N27b bailout funds that are about to be released to airlines that have valid certificates. The Federal Government had given conditions that must be met for the disbursement  of palliatives. This could help  strengthen domestic airline operations and allow them to…

Arik Air has apologised to stranded passengers who were not allowed to travel because of disruption of flights by unions who shut down the carrier’s operations over labour related issues. The airline in a statement by its spokesman, Mr. Banji Ola described the picketing as ‘illegal’ and had no backing  of the aviation unions whose leadership have embraced dialogue by attending mediatory meetings called for Tuesday, September 15, 2020 by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority…