Showing posts with label Aviation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Aviation. Show all posts

Friday, September 13, 2024

Nigeria Government signs CTC agreement to reduce airline operating cost

The federal government, on Thursday, signed the Cape Town Convention (CTC) Practice Directions in a move to reduce the cost of airline operations in the Nigerian aviation sector.

The agreement was made by the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Terhemba Tsoho, during a stakeholders’ meeting of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

With the signing of the CTC Practice Directions, the Cape Town Convention becomes fully operational in Nigeria, thereby reducing insurance costs for airlines, restoring investor confidence in the nation’s aviation sector, and enabling domestic airline operators to dry lease aircraft, among other benefits.

A statement issued by the Vice President’s spokesman, Stanley Nkwocha, noted that some local operators had previously breached the Cape Town Convention, which regulates aircraft leasing globally. This led to the Aviation Working Group, co-chaired by Airbus and Boeing, warning that Nigeria would be blacklisted until it implements a law to prevent such breaches.

Speaking after the signing, Shettima said the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a pro-business government that is ready “to take all the necessary measures – as painful as some might be – to protect, promote, project, and preserve the interests of the Nigerian nation,” as well as support and advance the nation’s airline industry.

He said, “It is a great day for the Nigerian nation. We had fruitful engagements and were able to exchange ideas across all sectors, leading to robust solutions for the challenges facing the aviation industry.

“I want to take this opportunity to commend Justice John Tsoho, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court. Judges are, by nature, very conservative. For him to address the issue directly and sign the Cape Town Convention (CTC) Practice Directions is truly commendable.”

The Vice President also praised the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, saying, “All the issues concerning airline operators have been addressed by the Minister, and on Monday, they will meet him to further consolidate our gains.”

Shettima assured airline operators in the country that President Tinubu will do everything possible to promote and preserve the Nigerian airline industry.

He added, “And, of course, my brother, Allen Ikechukwu Onyema, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace, and Alhaji Dr. Abdulmunaf Yunusa Sarina, the Chairman of Azman Airlines, I want to assure you that the current administration, headed by His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is a pro-business and pro-Nigeria government that will take all necessary measures to protect, promote, project, and preserve the interests of the Nigerian nation.

“Air Peace has a fleet of 35 aircraft with 26 more on order. Rest assured that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is keenly interested in the promotion and preservation of the Nigerian airline industry. I spoke with him about three days ago, and he was very interested in the outcome of our deliberations today. I will report back to him.”

The Finance Minister, Mr. Edun, promised to meet with airline operators and other stakeholders to finalize issues related to the agreements reached at the meeting with the Vice President.

He stated, “My Lord, the CJ of the Federal High Court, has called it an action to revolutionize the airline industry. PEBEC is all about improving the business environment and reducing costs. What has been signed here will substantially reduce costs in the airline industry, facilitate growth and development, and include further actions that I’m sure will be taken once I meet with the airline industry and also discuss some charges with Customs that they want lowered, and which they believe by law should have been implemented at lower levels.

“So, we’ll discuss that on Monday; it will be a further step toward improving the business environment for airlines. It’s all part of a strategy that has already produced a growing economy, lower inflation, a relatively stable exchange rate, and increased foreign reserves, with a positive balance of trade.”

Speaking on behalf of airline operators in Nigeria, the Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace Limited, Mr. Onyema, expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for bringing about positive change in the aviation sector.

He added that since assuming office, the President has introduced policies that will help improve the lives of Nigerians.

“Today is a historic day for Nigeria. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has once again demonstrated that he is not only a listening President but has gone a long way to make doing business in the aviation industry easier than ever before since the creation of this country called Nigeria.

“We, the airline operators, are extremely happy and commend him for what he has done today. Today is a revolution. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has initiated a positive revolution in the aviation industry by implementing the Cape Town Convention Practice Directions in Nigeria,” Onyema stated.

Special Adviser to the President on the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, noted that the signing of the document will help reduce insurance costs as well as the cost of doing business in the aviation sector.

She said, “Nigerians have recently been seeing high flight ticket prices due to several factors, including foreign exchange issues and other regulatory and bureaucratic challenges. However, because the President is committed to addressing these challenges one by one, this is one of the outcomes of his efforts.

“I just want to thank the President for his attention to easing the business environment and making Nigeria a progressively easier place to start and grow a business.”

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, who was represented by the Aviation Ministry’s Director of Human Resources, Dr. Anastasia Gbem, said the signing of the document aligns with the Ministry’s goal of enhancing the capacity of local airlines.

She added that the signing of the document will reassure the international community that investing in Nigeria is safe.

“Investors can bring their aircraft into Nigeria, and if there is any problem, such aircraft would be recovered within the 10-day period provided by Nigeria and the Cape Town Convention. This is an unprecedented achievement and will boost Nigerian airlines and the entire aviation industry,” said the Minister.

On his part, the Chief Executive Officer of the National Insurance Commission of Nigeria, Mr. Olusegun Omoseye, said the signing of the document marks significant progress for Nigeria’s aviation sector and the economy in general.

Leon Usigbe, Nigerian Tribune 

Friday, August 30, 2024

Nigeria signs aircraft maintenance and safety deal with Boeing

Nigeria on Thursday announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding with Boeing that will enhance Nigerian airlines' ability to lease new aircraft and get maintenance and technical support.

Boeing, which supplies 60 airlines with 500 airplanes throughout Africa, projects the continent will need 1,170 airplanes over the next two decades.

The MOU signed in Seattle on Wednesday by Nigerian aviation minister Festus Keyamo and Boeing executives will see the manufacturer provide planning workshops, training, technical support and assessments to Nigerian airline operators.

Under the terms of the MOU, Boeing Airports Engineering team will provide consultation to open or expand airport capabilities across Nigeria and offer advisory services on the development of local aircraft maintenance facilities.

"This partnership with Boeing represents a significant milestone in our efforts to modernise and enhance the capabilities of Nigerian airlines," Keyamo said.

Boeing vice president of Commercial Sales for Africa Anbessie Yitbarek said the agreement is an important step in establishing a sustainable civil aviation ecosystem in Nigeria.

By Isaac Anyaogu, Reuters

Related stories: President Tinubu Heads for France in Newly Acquired Aircraft

 

Tuesday, August 20, 2024

President Tinubu Heads for France in Newly Acquired Aircraft

Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu traveled to France on Monday for a “work stay” on a newly acquired private jet, sparking criticism as the West African nation endures a cost-of-living crisis.

The Airbus A330 business jet, now registered to the Nigerian Air Force, left the capital Abuja for Nice, according to FlightRadar24. The model, typically used as a twin-aisle passenger jet, was purchased last month for $100 million, according to Premium Times, a local online newspaper. It had been advertised on Aircraft24, a platform to buy and sell aircraft.

“The new plane, bought far below the market price, saves Nigeria huge maintenance and fuel costs, running into millions of dollars yearly,” Bayo Onanuga, a spokesman for the presidency said in an emailed statement. It replaces a 19-year-old Boeing 737-700, Onanuga said.

The latest addition to Nigeria’s presidential fleet prompted an outcry on social media, coming amid a cost-of-living crisis that’s triggered unrest in Africa’s most populous nation. At least 21 people died in Aug. 1 protests after security forces cracked down, according to Amnesty International. Nearly half of the people in Nigeria live in extreme poverty.

The decision to buy a presidential jet while people “are going through a horrifying economic hardship shows the insensitivity of this administration,” Peter Obi, the second runner-up to Tinubu in the 2023 presidential election, said in a post on X. “It has also exposed multiple dimensions to our leadership failure and our insensitivity to the plight of the growing poor class in our midst.”

Inflation accelerated to a 28-year high of 34.2% in June in Nigeria before slowing in July to 33.4%. Pump prices have more than doubled after Tinubu cut gasoline subsidies, while the local currency has depreciated by 70% since June last year.

The A330 was acquired from AMAC Aerospace, according to data on tracking website planespotters.net. The aircraft was previously owned by Midroc Aviation.

By Anthony Osae-Brown and Siddharth Philip, Bloomberg 

 

Tuesday, August 13, 2024

Nigerian Government Threatens British Airways

Nigeria may force British Airways (BA) and Virgin Atlantic (VS) to land at remote sites if Air Peace (P4) is not permitted to land at London Heathrow Airport (LHR).

Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has written to his British counterpart about rejecting P4’s request for slots at LHR.

Due to LHR’s slot system, Nigeria’s flag carrier, P4, operates scheduled flights to London Gatwick (LGW). The airline is forced to use this airport as it cannot obtain slots at LHR.

Air Peace operates a fleet of 19 aircraft, including six Boeing 737s, four 737 NGs, four Boeing 777s, and 12 Embraer jets, according to airfleets.net.
 

Denial of Slots

In an official letter (dated August 1, 2024), addressed to Louise Haigh, the UK’s secretary of state for transportation, Keyamo threatened to reciprocate the treatment its airline is afforded in the UK. He said Nigeria would deny BA and VS their slots at Lagos (LOS) and Abuja (ABV) airports if P4 were not awarded space at LHR.

A few weeks prior, the Minister had stated that Nigeria’s Federal Government would write to the United Kingdom to request permission for Nigerian carriers, specifically P4, to operate scheduled flights into and out of LHR.

In accordance with the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA), the Minister stated at the League of Airports and Aviation Correspondents (LAAC) seminar in LOS that Nigeria would no longer tolerate a situation in which its airlines are denied access to tier-one airports abroad.
 

Operating out of Gatwick

The Nigerian national carrier has not successfully obtained slots at LHR, which is closer to the center of London. Hence, it is forced to operate from and out of LGW airport, which is not a primary airport.

That said, some international airlines, including Air Mauritius, have shifted their operations to LGW as it offers added convenience for passengers traveling into London, compared to LHR.

By Lorne Philpot, Airways

Related story: Arik Air of Nigeria grounded on court order over $2.5mn debt

Wednesday, July 31, 2024

Arik Air of Nigeria grounded on court order over $2.5mn debt

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has confirmed the grounding of Arik Air (W3, Lagos) aircraft based on a Federal Supreme Court order regarding a USD2.5 million debt the airline owes to Atlas Petroleum International, the country's largest privately owned petroleum exploration and production company.


"Based on the order of court over debt issues, their aircraft have been grounded," Michael Achimugu, NCAA director for consumer protection and public affairs, confirmed to ch-aviation.

The authority stated it was "well aware of the grounding of Arik Air aircraft over legal issues" and that it was monitoring the situation and engaging with Arik Air on its plans for affected passengers.

In a statement shared with ch-aviation, the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) said it had grounded Arik Air's aircraft following the Supreme Court order.

Arik Air has been under receivership of the federal state-run Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) since 2017. On June 25, the Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the sale of Arik Air's assets, including three aircraft and hangars, to recoup the money owed to Atlas Petroleum International. According to the NAMA, on July 19, the enforcement department of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) implemented the order, notifying the agency and aviation minister Festus Keyama.

As ch-aviation reported previously, the order specifically mandated the sale of the following aircraft:

one company-owned 149-seater 16.75-year-old B737-700, 5N-MJF (msn 34762);
one company-owned 146-seater 14.79-year-old B737-800, 5N-MJQ (msn 38971); and
one company-owned 70-seater 10.11-year-old DHC-8-Q400, 5N-BKX (msn 4470).

According to the NAMA, Arik Arik obtained an ex parte to stop further execution of the order, although it had not been formally served. The agency explained that since the aircraft have already been attached, further execution by sale could be paused while the parties resolved the issues in court. To comply with the Supreme Court order and protect the aircraft from being removed or tampered with, the NAMA decided to ground them to ensure they remain under the court's jurisdiction.

According to the ch-aviation fleets module, Arik Air's fleet totals five B737-700s, three B737-800s, three Dash-8-Q400s, and three CRJ900s.

ch-aviation has contacted AMCON for comment.

By Hilka Birns, ch-aviation 

Related story: Emirates set to resume flights to Nigeria after a two-year hiatus

Tuesday, July 30, 2024

Spending on jet fuel importation in Nigeria falls 87% to N31bn

Nigeria’s spending on kerosene type jet fuel importation fell quarter-on-quarter (QoQ) by 87 percent to N31 billion in the first quarter of 2024 (Q1’24) from N239.18 billion in Q4’23.

Meanwhile, according to a report on ‘Foreign Trade in Goods Statistics’ by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) for Q1’24, also indicated that the product was among the top traded in West Africa during the period.

Jet A-1 is a kerosene-type fuel compatible with most jet aircraft, both civil and military, helicopter turbine engines, turboprops and compression-ignition piston engines.

Recall that in March 2024, a statement by the Director of Public Relations and Information, AVM. Edward Gabkwet, noted that the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, decried the high costs of fuel prices as well as the introduction of surcharges, while pleading with the National Assembly to permit the Air Force to import Jet A-1 fuel to sustain ongoing air operations.

According to Abubakar, the cost of Jet A-1 was about N1,200 per litre as against the N360 per litre the service budgeted for adding that this issue was affecting the effectiveness of the NAF.

This comes at the backdrop of a shipment of jet fuel to Europe by Dangote Refinery, with stakeholders expecting that in-country distribution would have addressed the issue of high cost of the product in Nigeria.

The inaugural shipment, loaded onto the “Doric Breeze” vessel, departed from the Lekki Free Zone in Lagos on May 27th and is currently en route to Rotterdam, Netherlands, according to S&P Global Commodities at Sea data.

The cargo, containing 45,000 metric tons of jet fuel, was awarded to BP as part of a 120,000-metric-ton tender offered by the refinery. Spanish refiner Cepsa also secured a portion of the tender.

By Elizabeth Adegbesan, Vanguard

Friday, June 28, 2024

Ethiopian Airlines Joint Venture Plans In Nigeria Fall Through

Ethiopian Airlines’ ongoing talks to establish a joint venture (JV) airline in Nigeria have come to an end.

However, the airline is continuing to develop its multi-hub strategy in Africa.

“The Nigerian government has lost interest in partnering with a foreign airline,” Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Mesfin Tasew said recently in Dubai. The plan for the proposed airline, to be known as Nigeria Air, was for Nigerian investors to take a 46% stake, with the government holding 5%.

However, Tasew said this setback will not stop the Star Alliance member from developing JVs to establish sister airlines in Africa where Ethiopian Airlines has an equity stake.

“We have been approached by several airlines in Africa for support, and we are evaluating them,” Tasew said. Countries include the Democratic Republic of Congo as well as Equatorial Guinea.

Meanwhile, Togo-based ASKY, in which Ethiopian holds a 40% share, and Malawi Airlines, which was Ethiopian’s first JV, continue to do well. Zambia Airways—in which Ethiopian Airlines holds a 45% share—is also continuing to develop.

Closer to home, at its hub in Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, Tasew said Ethiopian Airlines is investing in expanding the airport’s international terminal, as well as aircraft parking and other infrastructure. The expansion, however, is now reaching the limit of available airport space. “We have a plan to build a new airport, 40 km [25 mi.] south of Addis. A consultancy, who will design the airport and supervise the construction work, has been selected,” Tasew said. The location of the new airport has been identified.

“We are hiring and training our aviation professionals including pilots and technicians to support the continued growth of the airline,” Tasew said. “We see opportunities, and we are on track with our growth plan Vision 2035.”

Besides a shortage of aircraft, spare parts and constrained capacity, traffic right restrictions are also an issue for the airline, not only within Africa but in other countries, including Europe.

“We want to fly to Munich as well as to Amsterdam, but traffic rights and available slots are an issue,” Ethiopian Airlines Regional Manager in Austria and Eastern Europe Saba Kassaye said.

In June, the carrier added services to Freetown, Sierra Leone, and Maun, Botswana, as well as a route to Warsaw. “The preparation work to launch Warsaw and to set up everything necessary took almost one year,” Kassaye said regarding the route development.

Vienna, which launched 10 years ago in Ethiopian’s network, became the connector to Eastern Europe. The logical step now would be to operate double daily services from Addis to Vienna during peak season in the summer and winter. “This could be a reality in maybe two years,” Kassaye said.

Starting in October, the current aircraft on the Addis Ababa-Vienna route will be upgraded from a Boeing 777-200LR and 787-9 to an Airbus A350-900. The aircraft continues from Vienna to Copenhagen four times, as well as to Warsaw three times a week.

Ethiopian Airlines—Africa’s largest carrier—carried 13.9 million passengers in 2023. The airline expects to carry 18 million passengers in 2024.

By Kurt Hofmann, Aviation Week 

Related story: Ethiopian Airlines Announced As Partner For Nigeria Air

Thursday, May 23, 2024

Emirates set to resume flights to Nigeria after a two-year hiatus

Emirates is set to resume its services to Nigeria this October, after having suspended them back in October 2022. The airline will be operating a daily service between Lagos and Dubai from 1 October 2024, operated using a Boeing 777-300ER. Each day, flight EK783, will depart from Dubai 0945 and arrive in Lagos at 1520 local time, while flight EK784 will depart from Lagos at 1730 and arrive in Dubai at 0510 local time the next day. Each flight will have eight First class suites, 42 Business class seats, and 304 Economy class seats available, and among its in-flight dining and entertainment offerings, passengers will be able to enjoy at least 23 Nigerian movies on offer. Tickets are already available for booking now.

Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ deputy president and chief commercial officer, said, “We are excited to resume our services to Nigeria. The Lagos-Dubai service has traditionally been popular with customers in Nigeria, and we hope to reconnect leisure and business travellers to Dubai and onwards to our network of over 140 destinations. We thank the Nigerian government for their partnership and support in re-establishing this route and we look forward to welcoming passengers back onboard.”

Including the resumption of this flight route, Emirates will now serve 19 gateways in Africa, encompassing a total of 157 per week from Dubai plus an additional 130 through its codeshare and interline partnerships with South African Airways, Airlink, Royal Air Maroc, Tunis Air, among others.

As a major economic hub in Africa, Nigeria and the UAE have built strong bilateral trade relations over the years, headlined by Lagos as the nation’s commercial centre. With the resumption of daily passenger flights, the airline’s cargo arm, Emirates SkyCargo, will further bolster the trade relationship by offering more than 300 tonnes of bellyhold cargo capacity, in and out of Lagos every week. The latter will support Nigerian businesses by exporting their goods via its state-of-the-art hub in Dubai, into key markets such as the UAE, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Bahrain, among others with key anticipated commodities such as Kola Nuts, food and beverages, and urgent courier material. Meanwhile, Emirates SkyCargo will also import vital goods such as pharmaceuticals and electronics as well as general cargo from key markets such as the UAE, India and Hong Kong, with the aim of keeping trade flowing seamlessly.

By Yi-Hwa Hanna, Business Traveller

Related story: Ban lifted on Nigerian Travelers to UAE After president Tinubu’s Visit

 

Friday, April 26, 2024

Fire breaks out at Airport in Lagos, Nigeria - Flights diverted

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has diverted all flight operations from the E wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) following a fire outbreak at the terminal.

According to a statement by FAAN’s Director of Public Affairs, Obiageli Orah, the smoke was noticed on Thursday morning at about 05:29.

“At 05:29 hrs, smoke was detected billowing from the T54 Bridge, leading electrical engineers to immediately cut off power to the entire E Wing.


“The Airport Rescue and Firefighting Services (ARFFS) team was quick to respond, arriving at the scene by 5:30 hrs,” the statement read.

Mrs Orah stated that initial suspicions pointed to sparks from an electrical unit as the cause, but that a thorough investigation was ongoing to ascertain the cause of the fire.

She disclosed that the incident, which escalated into a fire, was later brought under control by 06:41 hrs.

Mrs Orah said efforts to ventilate the smoke from the building were in progress, adding that all flight operations in Terminal 1 of MMA had been diverted to the D Wing in the meantime.

By Oluwakemi Adelagun, Premium Times

Related story: Former aviation minister of Nigeria arrested for money laundering

 



Former aviation minister of Nigeria arrested for money laundering

Nigeria's former aviation minister, Hadi Sirika, is expected to be arraigned in an Abuja court next week after being arrested earlier this week by the country's corruption watchdog in connection with fraud and money laundering allegations involving NGN8 billion naira (USD6.4 million). He was reportedly also questioned about the controversial Nigeria Air (NWB, Lagos) project.


According to local news reports, Sirika was detained on April 23 and remained in custody while being questioned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Abuja, which was preparing charges against him.

As first reported by the newspaper The Punch, the investigation focuses on contracts Sirika allegedly approved during his tenure as aviation minister for Engirios Nigeria Limited, owned by his brother Abubakar Sirika, also a deputy director at the Federal Ministry of Water Resources.

The contracts included the construction of a terminal building at Katsina Airport in August 2022 for NGN1.35 billion (USD1.1 million); a fire-truck maintenance centre at the same airport in November 2022 for NGN3.8 billion (USD3.1 million); the procurement of lifts and other equipment for the Abuja office of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) in February 2023 for NGN615 million (USD498,000); and procurement of Magnus Aircraft for pilot training and a simulator for the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology in the city of Zaria in May 2023 for NGN2.2 billion (USD1.8 million).

It is alleged that at least NGN3.2 billion (USD2.6 million) was paid to Engirios Nigeria Limited, which then transferred the funds to various entities.

The EFCC started investigating Sirika in February 2024 concerning allegations of conspiracy, abuse of office, diversion of public funds, and contract inflation during his time in office between August 22, 2019 and May 29, 2023. The Punch revealed that Abubakar Sirika was arrested on February 4 and has been assisting the commission in its probe.

An unnamed source close to the investigation told the newspaper that Hadi Sirika was also being questioned about the controversial Nigeria Air project but gave no further insight. The EFCC is probing the proposed joint venture between a consortium led by Ethiopian Airlines and the previous government of Muhammadu Buhari. The consortium won a tender process run by the state-owned Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC). However, Nigeria Air's certification process was suspended in November 2022 after private airlines under the mantle of the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) lobby group won an interim court interdict against its further establishment, followed by legal to-and-fros about the jurisdiction of the case.

Sirika in particular came under public fire after he approved a publicity charter flight operated by Ethiopian Airlines bearing Nigeria Air branding shortly before the government left office. After taking office in August 2023, new Aviation and Aerospace Development Minister Festus Keyamo suspended the Nigeria Air venture pending the outcome of the EFCC investigation.

By Hilka Birns, chi-aviation 

Monday, April 22, 2024

Video - Domestic airlines in Nigeria struggle to stay afloat as price of aviation fuel soars



According to industry research, aviation fuel constitutes nearly 60 percent of operational costs for domestic airlines. The price has soared by 109 percent over the past two years, jeopardizing the survival of many of Nigeria's domestic air carriers.

CGTN 

Related story: Nigeria suspends permit of 3 private jet operators

 

 

 

Tuesday, April 16, 2024

Nigeria suspends permit of 3 private jet operators

Nigeria's Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has taken action against private jet operators flouting regulations by suspending the Permit for Non-Commercial Flights (PNCF) of three operators caught conducting commercial flights.

This crackdown follows warnings issued in March 2024.

Acting Director General Capt. Chris Najomo stated that increased surveillance at Nigerian airports led to the grounding of three operators found violating their PNCF terms. Specifically, they breached annexure provisions and Part 9114 of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations 2023.

In response, the NCAA announced a thorough re-evaluation of all PNCF holders to ensure compliance with regulations, to be completed by April 19th, 2024. PNCF holders have been instructed to submit necessary documents within 72 hours to expedite the process. Najomo emphasized these actions highlight the NCAA's commitment to enhancing safety in Nigerian airspace.

Furthermore, the NCAA warned the public against using charter operators without a valid Air Operators Certificate and urged legitimate industry players to report any suspicious activities promptly.

This crackdown comes after the NCAA's stern warning in March against PNCF holders engaging in commercial operations.

Africa News

Wednesday, February 21, 2024

E-gates to be installed at all international airports in Nigeria

Nigeria’s Ministry of Interior has announced that biometric e-gates are currently being installed at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja and at the e-border data and control center at the Nigeria Immigration Service headquarters.


Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, honorable minister of interior, said e-gates will be installed across all five of Nigeria’s international airports, providing Nigerians with streamlined arrival while the e-border system will enhance national security.


As of February 19, four out of the planned 10 gates have been installed at the airport. It is expected that the remaining six gates will be operational before the end of the month.

Dr Tunji-Ojo said the new gates will reduce waiting times for arriving passengers. “With an impressive clearance time of just 30 seconds per individual, the gates are set to establish a new standard for efficiency in airport processing, comparable to global benchmarks.”

They are also designed to enhance national security by providing an additional layer of scrutiny for inbound travelers. “Through advanced biometric scanning and automated flagging systems, the gates will swiftly identify individuals of interest or those on watchlists, bolstering the efforts of the Nigeria Immigration Service to safeguard the nation’s borders,” the minister said.

In total, the nationwide project aims to deliver a total of 40 e-verification gates across multiple airports by the end of the first quarter. These installations will include 10 gates in Abuja, 17 in Lagos, five in Kano and four each in Enugu and Port Harcourt.

By Kylie Bielby, Passenger Terminal Today 

Related story: Video - Aviation sector sees record growth in Nigeria

Tuesday, September 12, 2023

Ban lifted on Nigerian Travelers to UAE After president Tinubu’s Visit

The United Arab Emirates will lift a visa ban placed on Nigerian travelers almost a year ago following an agreement with President Bola Tinubu, who is on a visit to the Middle Eastern nation.

As part of the agreement with UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Etihad Airways and Emirates Airline will resume flights to and from the West African nation, said Ajuri Ngelale, spokesman for Nigeria’s president, in an emailed statement on Monday.

“This immediate restoration of flight activity, through these two airlines and between the two countries, does not involve any immediate payment by the Nigerian government,” he said.

Emirates suspended flights to Nigeria last year over challenges in repatriating funds from the West African nation and Etihad at the start of the pandemic.

Separately, Nigeria was among 20 African countries that the UAE placed visa restrictions on in October without giving a reason.

The deal comes as Tinubu, who was sworn in as president on May 29, has initiated several reforms to attract investment including ending costly gasoline subsidies and easing foreign-exchange controls that led to dollar shortages.

The two nations also agreed to a foreign exchange liquidity program that will be announced in the coming weeks and a framework that will result “in billions of US dollars worth of new investments into the Nigerian economy across multiple sectors,” Ngelale said.

By Ruth Olurounbi, Reuters

Friday, August 25, 2023

President Tinubu orders immediate resolution to disagreement with Emirates Airline

Nigeria's president, Bola Tinubu, has ordered an immediate resolution to disagreements with Emirates Airline (EMIRA.UL) and visa issuance by the United Arab Emirates, the president's spokesman said on Thursday.

The UAE stopped issuing visas to Nigerians last year after Dubai's Emirates suspended flights due to an inability to repatriate funds from Africa's biggest economy.

Tinubu's office said in a statement on Thursday that he met with the UAE's ambassador to Nigeria, Salem Saeed Al-Shamsi, and that Tinubu is prepared to "personally" intervene in the dispute.

"We must work together. We need to agree on core aviation and immigration issues," Tinubu said in the statement.

Al-Shamsi was quoted in the same statement as saying; "We are getting somewhere. These are small issues, all within a family, and they will be resolved."

Emirates Airline said in March it has "substantial" revenue trapped in Nigeria and has made slow progress in repatriating the blocked funds.


Nigeria has withheld at least $743 million in revenue earned by international carriers operating in the country, global airline industry association IATA said in March.

Nigeria, Africa's top oil producer, faces shortages of foreign currency despite some reforms.

The dollar shortages have made it difficult for some foreign

airlines that sold tickets in the Nigerian naira currency to get their money out of the country.

By Felix Onuah, Reuters

Friday, August 11, 2023

Video - Nigeria Air to be operational fourth quarter of 2023



After much delay, Nigeria Air is expected to begin operations later this year. The new air carrier is partnering with Ethiopian Airlines, which predicts Nigeria Air will help grow Nigeria’s GDP, expand the hospitality and tourist sectors, and add jobs.

CGTN

Friday, July 14, 2023

Video - Aviation sector sees record growth in Nigeria



A report by the International Air Transport Association shows that air travel traffic in the West African country soared by nearly 60 percent in the first quarter of the year compared to figures recorded in 2019.

CGTN

Friday, June 2, 2023

Video - New national carrier, Nigeria Air launched



The Nigerian government has unveiled the long-awaited national carrier, Nigeria Air, in a major step for the country's aviation sector. Authorities said the Nigerian flag carrier will re-position Africa's most populous nation as a prominent player in the global aviation market.

CGTN

Thursday, May 25, 2023

Video - Travelers upset over rising cost of flying in Nigeria



Travelers in Nigeria are dealing with the increasing cost of international airfares after the operators raised the rate of exchange three times between the months of March and May 2023. This trend has been linked to the piled-up unrepatriated funds belonging to foreign airlines operating in Nigeria.

CGTN

Thursday, April 20, 2023

Video - International airlines struggle to repatriate $800 million from Nigeria



The International Air Transport Association says the amount of trapped funds belonging to foreign airlines operating in Nigeria to repatriate is close to 800 million U.S. dollars. Nigeria is facing a severe shortage of foreign currency, and the issue makes it difficult for airlines to convert local currency to repatriate revenues earned from ticket sales.

CGTN