Arik Air Increases Capacity for Easter(Thisday)

Nigeria’s major carrier, Arik Air, has announced that it has the capacity to cope with the demands of air travellers during the Easter holiday.

Arik Air’s Acting Senior Vice-President Operations/Deputy Managing Director, Captain Ado Sanusi, said the airline has added extra flights to key domestic destinations to enable Nigerians celebrate the festive season with their families and loved ones.

Captain Sanusi also dispelled rumour doing the rounds that the airline has increased fares, saying that the airline fares have remained the same since the beginning of the year and even introduced promo fares to some destinations.

“We have at no time increased our fares to any of our destinations. Instead, we have introduced low fares on all the routes and even lower fares when booking on line.”

He advised passengers not to patronise touts or pay extra money to anyone to buy Arik Air tickets.
He also enjoined passengers to buy their tickets in advance from any airport or Arik Air city ticketing offices or on line at arikair.com.

http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/arik-air-increases-capacity-for-easter/143421/

Aero May Face Difficulties Recovering Licence from NCAA(Thisday)

There are indications that Aero Contractors may not resume operations soon as it might not meet the minimum manpower condition set out by the Civil Aviation Act, following the recent mass sack of its workers.

THISDAY learnt that the airline would have to provide the minimum number of workers required for its operation before it is allowed to resume operations. Without meeting that condition, the regulatory body may not restore its operating licence.

The airline had started a re-evaluation exercise since last week but its attempt to resume flights was stopped by NCAA, which insisted that it must carry out the exercise as stipulated by regulations.

Also, there are fears that if it eventually gets  the licence restored by NCAA, the court may stop it from commencing flights as it was alleged that the management abused the injunction it sought to bar workers from going on strike by sacking over 600 of them without recourse to dialoguing with the labour unions.

Meanwhile, the airline might have lost an estimated N1.2 billion since it stopped operations about two weeks ago.

Also, some the passengers who had obtained tickets but could not fly have taken the airline to court, demanding millions of naira as compensation.

The plan by the airline to outsource part of its manpower as a cost cutting measure sparked disagreement between it and its workers who insisted that the head of the airline’s human resources department must leave the job.

In reaction, the airline sacked more than 600 of the workers, including those manning the crucial technical areas of the airline.

Earlier in the week, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) had called on the management of the airline to recall the sacked workers and accused it of ignoring all industrial relations mechanisms available in the sector to mediate between it and the workers but instead decided to terminal their appointments.

NLC threatened that the Nigerian workers would rise against the airline if its management did not rescind its decision and recall the workers.

The Assistant General Secretary, Airline Operators of Nigeria, Alhaji Mohammed Tukur, said it was high time the government intervened in the labour crisis in Aero through the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Emeka Wogu.

http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/aero-may-face-difficulties-recovering-licence-from-ncaa/143438/

Author: Chinedu Eze

Nigerian airport terminals looking better —Reps(Punch)

The Chairman, House of Representative Committee on Aviation, Mrs. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, has said that remodelled airport terminals in the country are now looking better.

She also said they had met the minimum standard prescribed by the International Civil Aviation Organisation.

A statement by the General Manager, Corporate Communications, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Mr. Yakubu Dati, quoted Onyejiocha as making the remark on Monday during a tour of the facilities at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, by members of the committee.

According to him, the oversight inspection took members of the committee to the domestic terminal 1 of MMA.

The committee also visited the ongoing project aimed at linking the two modules at the terminal.

The committee later inspected work being done at the ‘D’ and ‘E’ wings of the international terminal of the airport where the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, FAAN, Mr. George Uriesi, told members of the committee that, on completion of the expansion project, the terminal would have a total of 24 immigration counters and 20 security screening points, which would enhance passenger facilitation at the terminal.

The new figures had more than doubled the existing immigration counters and screening points at the terminal.

Uriesi told the members that it was expected that revenue derivable from remodelled terminals at the airport at full utilisation, would be triple what is being generated at the moment, adding that the authority had devised better means of collecting debt owed it by its customers.

http://www.punchng.com/business/transport/nigerian-airport-terminals-looking-better-reps/

NCAA to conduct fresh safety audits on Aero(Punch)

Aviation industry regulatory authority, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, is to conduct fresh safety and security audits on Aerocontractors Airlines, following a labour crisis that has left the airline grounded for about two weeks, the Acting Director-General, Mr. Joyce Nwakalemo, has said.

The audits, he said, would include a thorough assessment of the airline’s aircraft, crew, operational procedures and systems as well as the entire workforce of over 1,300.

He said, “Aero has to go through recertification, meaning, its entire system will have to be checked again. The reason is that the airline has been on ground for some time and, as such, they need to be recertified.”

Angry Aero workers had on March 13 staged a protest, expressing their grievances over alleged plans by the management to outsource their employment status to another company without their consent.

The protest, which forced Aero management to ground its entire flight operations a day later, had left the 53-year old domestic carrier on ground since then.

Although the workers had come to resume to work a day after the protest, the management of the airline locked out over 500 workers, giving access to only about 400 workers.

The airline has about 900 workers in Lagos, while its out-stations consist of about 400 employees.

The management was said to have dismissed over 600 workers, who participated in the March 13 protest, for allegedly disobeying a court injunction restraining them from proceeding on strike.

In a statement, however, NCAA said it had intervened in the crisis with a view to resolving it.

Nkemakolam assured aviation union leaders that the agency would not allow any  group of people or corporate organisation to jeopardise the safety record of the authority..

He charged the union leaders to continue with the maturity they had  exhibited in the course of the industrial dispute and to ensure that no anti – safety action was taken until all matters were resolved.

http://www.punchng.com/business/transport/ncaa-to-conduct-fresh-safety-audits-on-aero/

Author:Oyetunji Abioye

‘Private, chartered aircraft to report passengers’ identities’(The Nation)

Private and chartered aircraft operators are to indicate the identity of their passengers before their planes are cleared for take-off.

The Managing Director of Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Nnamdi Udo, stated this in Lagos yesterday when members of the House of Representatives Committee on Aviation visited the agency as part of their oversight function.

He said this became imperative as part of the safety and security measures in the aviation sector, in view of the security challenges facing the country.

He said as a matter of policy, the airspace agency has circulated air navigation notices to the affected operators to be abreast of the identity of persons who are on board aircraft flying in the airspace.

He said the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and NAMA are collaborating to protect the public. He insisted that foreign aircraft must inform the aeronautical agencies of the number of airports it intends to make brief stops, otherwise air traffic controllers would not give such aircraft take-off approvals.

Udo said NAMA has stepped up its revenue drive by providing air traffic services to private airstrips and helipads in the Niger Delta region, adding that a substantial amount of revenue would accrue to the agency from that.

He explained that NAMA has improved its air navigation services by completing the total radio coverage of the airspace to enhance communication between the pilots and traffic controllers.

He said the agency is planning to start a multilateration system of air navigation in the Niger Delta region for helicopters that serve the oil and gas industry, which fly at lower altitude.

http://thenationonlineng.net/new/business/private-chartered-aircraft-to-report-passengers-identities/

NLC condemns sacking of 655 Aero Contractors’ workers(Punch)

Nigeria Labour Congress has said the sacking of 655 workers by Aero Contractors is a provocation.

Acting General Secretary of the NLC, Mr. Emma Ugboaja, said in a statement on Sunday,  that the dismissal of the workers on March 13, 2013, came to the NLC as a shock.

According to him, the company did not exploit the opportunity offered by the existence of unions in the aviation sector, the National Union of Air Transport Employees and the Air Transport Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, to settle the dispute.

Ugboaja said the management of Aero Contractors had earlier approached the National Industrial Court to get an injunction to carry out “acts inimical” to the interest of the workers.

He accused the Aero  management of attempts to limit workers right and to introduce casualisation as a policy.

Ugboaja, who called on the company to recall the dismissed workers, said  the NLC would ensure that workers interests were defended at all costs.

He also advised the workers to be resolute in the quest to defend their rights and to join hands with the unions in the sector to prevail on the company to reverse the decision.

He commended the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority for the decision to shut down the operation of the company “because safety could not be guaranteed in an environment of crisis”.

He maintained that the employees had critical roles to play in the safety of airline operations.

The NLC said, “We are surprised that despite huge opportunities provided by the existence of vibrant, well informed, matured and responsible trade unions in the aviation sector, the management of Aero Contractors decided to ignore all available industrial relations mechanisms by dismissing over 655 employees of the company and locked out the entire workforce since 13th March 2013.

“The basic intention of the management is to ultimately circumscribe workers rights to belong to the unions as well as casualise the entire workforce.

“These are totally unacceptable to us and we will do everything possible to defend the rights of the workers.

“While we applaud the steps taken so far by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, which grounded the airline

since safety cannot be guaranteed with an airline that has caused itself avoidable industrial crisis. All employees of airlines all over the world are key to security and safety of flights.”

NLC added, “We call on the management of the airline to recall all those dismissed and reopen their offices immediately.

“While we will not hesitate to take appropriate solidarity actions in defence of the workers should the management refuse to reverse its decisions, we urge the workers to continue to take all necessary actions, together with their unions, until the decisions are reversed.”

http://www.punchng.com/news/nlc-condemns-sacking-of-655-aero-contractors-workers/

Author:Fidelis Soriwei

Nigeria Set to Establish Air Disaster Assistance Scheme(Thisday)

With the adoption of Accident Victims Policy by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), Nigeria is now poised to establish the long talked Air Disaster Assistance scheme which will be backed by an Act from the National Assembly.

Shortly before he was removed as the director general of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Dr. Harold Demuren, disclosed that the regulatory body was working with the Central Bank of Nigeria to establish a scheme which would provide financial support to the relatives of those who may lose their lives in air accidents.

He said that the scheme would be in the form of no fault insurance so that when a passenger buys ticket fare a little amount of money, about N500 would be added to the fare and this will be put in a pool of compensation fund that will be kept with the Central Bank and will be used to assist those who lost their loved ones in accident.

In adopting that policy ICAO has directed its 191 member states to firmly commit to supporting the victims of aviation accidents and their family members.

Demuren had noted that the compensation which the airlines are stipulated to pay by law is too small so the scheme will provide assistance to those who lost their lives or are severely injured in air accidents.

Many countries had established similar bodies, including the US, which has Aviation Disaster Family Assistance Act of 1996, which provides assistance to the victims of major US aviation accidents.
THISDAY gathered that the plan to establish this scheme started after the tragic air accidents involving ADC, Sosoliso and Bellview airlines that killed over 300 people and many Nigerians who lost their relatives in pains, sorrow and in poverty.

A source told THISDAY that a member of House Committee on Aviation had concluded plans to propose the bill to the House of Representatives and after the body is established as no fault insurance scheme it would be passed into law and it will become an Act.

The adoption of the Accident Victims Policy was announced by ICAO on March 4 and while many states have moved to adopt the policy into their own laws, others tended to be slow in doing that but Nigeria is envisaged to be one of the first countries that will adopt the policy as it has already stepped up plans to establish the no fault insurance scheme before the ICAO adoption of the policy.

ICAO also adopted a new Safety Management Annex during its recent Safety Week 2013 as it confirmed 2012 was one of the safest years on record for global aviation. There were 3.2 accidents per million departures in 2012 -- a total of 99 accidents in about 31 million flights -- and 2012 aviation fatalities declined to372 from 414 in 2011.

The new annex, Annex 19, supports ICAO’s global safety strategy, which calls for improved standardisation, increased collaboration among aviation stakeholders, new information-sharing initiatives, and prioritising investments in technical and human resources required to ensure safe operations.

http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/nigeria-set-to-establish-air-disaster-assistance-scheme/142855/

'Economic Regulation Should Determine Right Fares for Airlines'(Thisday)

Acting Senior Vice President Operations and Deputy Managing Director (DMD) Operations of Arik Air, Ado Sanusi, has observed that one of the reasons why Nigerian airlines do not survive for long is that they do not have realistic operational module in terms of determining their fares.

In an interview with THISDAY in Lagos on Tuesday, Sanusi stated the need for the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to regulate the fares introduced by airlines to ensure that their pricing could earn them enough revenue for training of their pilots, aircraft maintenance and offsetting their operational cost. He noted that if an airline introduces promotional fares, the regulatory body should ensure that it has enough funds to carry out these essential expenses because safety is breached when an airline does not maintain aircraft in its fleet according to schedule.

He pointed out that some airlines charge ridiculously low fares to win passengers, but may not generate enough funds for the continued running of their operations and this leads to bankruptcy in the long run and finally the collapse of such airlines.

Sanusi observed that all over the world, airlines are having challenges but that government of various nations introduce deliberate policies to buoy their airlines, knowing that air transport is a catalyst for economic development. He therefore advised Nigerian government to device ways to sustain the operations of domestic carriers.

He said: “Airlines ought to have realistic pricing because low fares help you to accumulate debts and it is better to have bigger airlines than smaller airlines. For example, if you have two aircraft in your fleet and one goes for maintenance, you have only one left and that is 50 per cent of your capacity. Big airlines can absorb having aircraft on maintenance checks, aircraft on ground (AOG), so economic regulation will look at all these and establish the right pricing for airlines.

“Economic regulation will also look at the financial health of each airline, the way the airline is selling its promo tickets and ensure that enough money is generated for operational costs because if you are not making money from your fares, you must be subsidising your cost of operation but you have to show the regulatory body that you are subsidising your operations from resources outside the generated revenue to ensure that you can pay for pilots’ training, aircraft maintenance and for cost of operation.”

On the allegation that Arik Air hiked its prices because other airlines grounded their operations, Sanusi explained that, “Arik Air has not increased her prices. We have maintained our prices right from the beginning of the year. In fact, what we have done is to introduce prices that are very, very good; we call them promotional fares whereby if you a return ticket you save up to 15 per cent and in some routes if you even book online you will get a very, very low fare. So we have not increased our prices and I will like to make it very clear.”

The DMD argued that the airline does not just increase their prices because it has a booking and reservation system “where it will take a minimum of 14 days to actually file those prices and this booking system is monitored and is being handled by Emirates Airlines. So prices don’t just come in like that; we need time to file these prices and for these prices to be accepted in the system.”

He warned that touts may be inflating airlines’ prices especially at the airports in Abuja and Lagos and advised passengers to ensure that they go to Arik’s counters or use the airline’s website and do the booking themselves “because I am very sure that it is because of touting that these prices are being increased but we have never increased our prices because of the situation in the industry.”

Although it is believed that limited capacity in terms of the number of operating airlines and the limited number of aircraft in their fleet that is driving up the fares, Sanusi said that Arik has deployed only 60 per cent of its capacity in the market.

“If you look at it, Arik Air flies average of eight hours a day but our competitors outside the country fly the same airplanes for 16 hours; some even push it to 18 hours, so we have not deployed the full potential and the full capacity of Arik Air. We are looking at probably less than 60 per cent that we have deployed. So the capacity of Arik Air has never been stretched and we are capable of increasing capacity if the demand is there.”

Sanusi stated that healthy competition was necessary in any market for the growth of that market, adding that “Arik likes competition and encourages it as it would set a high standard for the development of commercial airline operation in the country”.

“As I said earlier, we have not been stretched to any limit because we have the capacity. Talking from experience it is not good to stretch any airline to its limit because it will affect safety. So the airline should recognise the capacity that it has. In Arik we have huge room for increasing our capacity”, he stressed.

Sanusi, who was former Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) said although there are developments in the aviation industry, but that a lot still needs to be done to make it better.

“We need to have a deliberate policy from the government and a way forward where the airlines can have a very good environment so that they can grow without having a lot of challenges. Of course airlines are having challenges all over the world but it is left to the host government to make sure that they make the growth of the industry paramount because it has been said several times that aviation is the catalyst of economic growth. So we should also make sure that some deliberate policies are geared towards its growth and expansion”, he said.

http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/economic-regulation-should-determine-right-fares-for-airlines/142845/

Author:Chinedu Eze

NCAA Temporarily Grounds Aero Contractors(Thisday)

Following a week of suspended flights brought on by a labour dispute, Aero Contractors’ attempt to resume operations yesterday was aborted by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

However, the spokesman of NCAA, Fan Ndubuoke, told THISDAY that the regulatory body did not ground the operations of the airline as speculated, but had in line with aviation sector rules, instructed Aero Contractors to carry out a re-evaluation exercise of its aircraft before resumption of flights.

Ndubuoke explained that when an airline stops flights even for a day, the rules stipulate that whenever it wants to resume operations, its aircraft must be re-evaluated. 

“NCAA did not ground Aero Contractors. Aero wrote to NCAA saying that it was suspending operations because of the labour dispute with its workers. But before Aero resumes, re-evaluation must be carried out.

“That is what NCAA is insisting on doing, so I am sure it knows what it has to do and I think the re-evaluation is ongoing now,” Ndubuoke explained.

He said that as soon as Aero completed the exercise, the airline would be given the all clear to resume operations and that could be as soon as today, “since the airline would be meeting with the management of NCAA this morning.”

Aero suspended all its domestic and regional flights on March 13 after its workers protested the company’s plan to outsource some of their jobs.
The protest led to the sack of about 600 workers and has cost Aero Contractors an estimated N800 million in revenue.

The workers had demanded the sack of the company’s Head of Human Resources, Tope Fagbemi, alleging that he was responsible for what they described as the draconian policy introduced by the airline to outsource some of the jobs in the organisation.

By the close of business yesterday, the workers were still protesting at the domestic terminal of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, demanding that the airline’s management should rescind the sack and withdraw their termination letters.

The aviation sector’s labour unions on Tuesday also wrote an open letter to NCAA, alleging that if Aero Contractors resumed flights, it might compromise on safety, as the airline did not have sufficient workers to effectively carry out safe operations.

Meanwhile, sources in the industry told THISDAY last night that the current acting managing director of the airline, Mr. Obaro Ibru will soon be replaced as the  Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) is shopping for new managing director.

They said that AMCON had come to the realisation that Ibru lacked the capacity to effectively run an airline the size of Aero Contractors, and was on the lookout for a replacement in the next few weeks.

But when contacted, an official of AMCON denied moves to replace Ibru, stating that it shall work with the current management till further notice.

http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/ncaa-temporarily-grounds-aero-contractors/142767/

Sacked Aero workers thwart resumption plans(The Nation)

Sacked workers of Aero Airlines yesterday staged a carnival at the headquarters of the airline to stall the management’s plan to resume operations.

The workers blocked the main entrance gates into the airline premises, there by preventing some staff not affected by the strike from resuming work. The sacked workers erected barricades on the road leading to the offices, as they danced to solidarity songs that emanated from speakers mounted on cars.

While the strike lasted, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), said yesterday that Aero Airlines operations must be recertified before resumption of operations.

The acting Director-General, NCAA, Mr Joyce Nkemakolam, said before the airline starts operation, it has to go through recertification process by the regulatory authority. ‘‘NCAA will inspect the airline as soon as the organisation puts their house in order.’’

Nkemakolam confirmed that NCAA has not grounded Aero Contractors airlines, saying the airline grounded itself due to the strike embarked upon by the workers.

One of the workers who spoke on conditions of anonymity, said that the workers came to thwart the planned resumption of the airline because most of the workers got wind of the information that some of its personnel had been recalled. He added that the management was planning to outsource all its workers to another company against the union’s wish.

‘‘What is happening is that the management wants to contract all the staff out to another body so that they will reduce their salaries and benefits. But the union stood against it.’’

‘‘Along the line today, (yesterday), we heard that they want to start a skeletal work. We decided to come here to prevent anybody from entering or leaving the premises. So as you can see, the National Unions have come here since morning to do solidarity with us.”

Meanwhile, Nkemakolam met with the leadership of the Air transport services senior staff association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), National union of air transport employees (NUATE), and National association of aircraft pilots and engineers (NAAPE), yesterday with a view to resolving the crisis.

The General Manager, Public Affairs of NCAA, Mr Fan Ndubuoke, said Nkemakolam convened a meeting with the leadership of the unions to find a lasting solution to the impasse. He told the union leaders that he conveyed the meeting to specifically thank them for the manner in which they have comported themselves in the industrial dispute, applauding them for employing legal means to resolve the matter.

He lauded the unions for considering NCAA as an arbitrator in the matter and asked them to table their grievances and seek a way forward for resolving them.

The unions lamented the illegal dismissal of the workers without recourse to due process, a development they said was against the industrial law of engagement of services of any Nigerian worker. They accused Aero of plans to do away with their old workforce for reasons best known to them and bring in new workers.

They added that the over 600 workforce sacked are still with their On-duty cards, stressing that the development poses security threat to the aviation industry.

http://thenationonlineng.net/new/business/sacked-aero-workers-thwart-resumption-plans/

Passengers stranded as Virgin Atlantic develops faults (The Guardian)

AN in-bound Virgin Atlantic A340-600 aircraft to Lagos from London Heathrow Airport made an emergency landing at Gatwick Airport Monday following technical fault.

Captain of the aircraft took a decision to return to base over an hour into the flight. However, it was not clear why the crew decided to land at Gatwick and not the original point of take-off, which was London Heathrow Airport.

The passengers, who were expected in Lagos at 6 a.m. Tuesday, were however, taken to a four-star hotel in line with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) stipulation.

One of the passengers, Godson Okoroafor, told The Guardian from London that they departed Heathrow on Sunday night but made a return to Gatwick after the aircraft developed fault way into the flight. They eventually left London at 3 p.m.  and arrived Lagos at about 8.30 p.m.

He wondered why the captain did not make an emergency landing in the nearest airport since by that time, he was sure the aircraft would have left the British airspace.

Meanwhile, Virgin Atlantic spokesperson, Kudirat Scott-Igbene, confirmed that VS651 returned to Gatwick on March 18 due to a technical issue, adding that engineers attended to it and the problem was rectified.
http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=116693:passengers-stranded-as-virgin-atlantic-develops-faults
Author: Wole Shadare

We Have Not Increased Fares – Arik(Leadership)

Arik Air yesterday said it has not increased fares across its network as being widely reported in the media, even as the airline has warned travellers to be wary of touts who might cash in on the current reduced capacity in the domestic airline industry to dupe them of their cash.

The airline’s associate vice president, Public and Government Affairs, Mr Lanre Bamgbose, said the airline’s fare remained as it was at the beginning of the year.

This is coming on the heels of  an allegation by some travellers that the airline had yesterday increased its fares due to the temporary suspension of the services of Aero and Dana Air over the weekend.

Bamgbose said: “Our fares still remain competitive in the industry. We have special low fares to all destinations as well as lower fares when you book on line . Further discounts are available when you are booking a return domestic flight.”

He called on the travelling public to beware of activities of touts who are cashing in on inadequate capacity currently experienced in the domestic market to dupe unsuspecting passengers.

“Touting thrives when passengers are desperate. This is why we always advise our guests to buy their tickets on time and directly from our sales desk at the airports or sales outlets across the country and duly accredited travel agents,” he further said.
http://www.leadership.ng/nga/articles/50479/2013/03/20/we_have_not_increased_fares_arik.html

Author:NKEM OSUAGWU

FG Confirms Suspension of Dana Airline’s Flights(Thisday)

Aero issues sack letters to workers

The Federal Government Sunday confirmed the suspension of operations of Dana Air in line with the demand by the National Assembly over the shoddy handling of the compensation claims to victims of the airline’s crash, which resulted in the death of over 160 people on board the plane and on the ground, in June last year.

The suspension of Dana’s operations coincided with the decision by the management of Aero Contractors to issue sack letters to its workers who had embarked on a strike last week.

This is the second time in nine months that the Dana Air's operating licence has been suspended by the Federal Government. In the wake of the crash its licence was suspended.

However, amidst complaints from the families of the victims, the Federal Government in January restored the airline's operating licence, which allowed it to resume its domestic flights, an action that was vehemently opposed by the National Assembly.

Confirming the story on the phone yesterday night, the Special Assistant, Media to the Minister of Aviation, Joe Obi, said the airline “has been asked to suspend operations,” as against reports in some quarters that their operating licence was revoked.

“The action was intended to enable proper sorting out of all the issues surrounding the June 3rd crash, including the compensation to the victims' families,” Obi said.

Concerns mounted by the families of the victims ever since the restoration of the airline's licence and the report of the joint ad-hoc committee on the investigation into the Dana crash resulted in the National Assembly recommending the removal of the former Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) boss Harold Demuren and the revocation of Dana Air's operating licence.

However, there were concerns at the weekend that the airline’s operations might have been grounded by the NCAA over safety concerns in respect to one its flights.

THISDAY gathered that the Aviation Minister, Ms Stella Oduah, was angry with the airline and NCAA when the pilot of one of Dana Air flights told passengers while airborne that the battery in the aircraft was losing power.

On learning that the airline might have had a problem with one of its batteries, the minister was incensed and attributed the carelessness to poor supervision by NCAA.

She subsequently ordered that the airline should not operate until after the regulatory body had carried out a comprehensive inspection of the aircraft in Dana Air's fleet and was assured of their airworthiness.

The minister, who also directed that a full report on the inspection should be made available to her, was said to have given the directive as a pre-emptive measure to ensure that there is no safety breach in the airline’s operations.

In line with the directive, the airline cancelled its flights by Sunday, although it operated up till Saturday night to airlift its many passengers to their various destinations.

Dana Air, in a statement signed by its Head of Communication, Tony Usidamen said, “We regret to announce the temporary suspension of our flight operations following a directive from the Ministry of Aviation through the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) on Saturday, 16th March, 2013. No specific reason was given for the action.

“A meeting is, however, scheduled between the management of Dana Air, the Ministry of Aviation and the NCAA on Monday 18th March and we will update you as we get more information.

“We thank you for your patience and understanding, and we look forward to having the pleasure of welcoming you on board again shortly.”

In a related development, another major carrier, Aero Contractors, started issuing sack letters to some of its workers who had embarked on a strike last week.

Although this was not confirmed by the airline, THISDAY learnt from authoritative sources that some of the workers received their sack letters last weekend, and those being sacked were said to be members of the labour unions in the sector.

The airline had obtained a court injunction against the workers embarking on the strike, with a source saying that the acting Managing Director, Obaro Ibru, was reported to have sworn to an affidavit that there were suspected terrorists among the airline’s workers.

THISDAY learnt that the plan by the airline is to brow beat the workers psychologically so that when it resumes operations there would be very little resistance on their part.

The airline is estimated to have lost over N200 million since it suspended flights last Wednesday, with industry critics blaming the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) for instituting an inefficient management since its takeover of the airline. They contend that Aero was in a bad financial state and needed an experienced and knowledgeable chief executive officer to manage its operations.

Last Wednesday, Aero Contractors’ worker carried out their threat and downed tools demanding the sack of the company’s Head of Human Resources, Tope Fagbemi.

The grouse of the workers was that Fagbemi was allegedly responsible for what they described as draconian policies introduced by the airline to outsource some of the jobs in the organisation.

The outsourcing plan is said to have been a cost-cutting measure aimed at resurrecting the airline that was known to maximise its fleet operations, using fewer aircraft to fly on its domestic and sub-regional routes.

Aero Contractors’ workers strike is believed to have forced the airline to temporarily suspend flights last week until a resolution of the crisis.

With Aero Contractors temporarily suspending flights and the withdrawal of Dana Air’s licence, this would leave passengers with the limited choice of Arik Air, Med View Airlines and IRS Airlines. However, it is only Arik that has capacity out of the three airlines.

This will give rise to scramble for tickets and higher fares, which had fallen when Dana Air resumed flights a few months ago.

http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/fg-confirms-suspension-of-dana-airline-s-flights/142476/

Arik partners NAWOJ on skill training (The Nation)

Members of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) have completed a week-long training in London designed to broaden their horizons and hone their skills.

Arik Air had partnered the association by facilitating their trip to and fro the United Kingdom (UK) with a 50 per cent rebate on tickets to all the journalists who attended the training.

The airline’s spokesman, Mr Banji Ola, said Arik is a progressive airline that is always ready to assist workers to build their capacities.

Held at the Goldsmith International Business School in London, the training had to do with writing for the web and effective news gathering from the web.It was organised by NAWOJ Lagos State Chapter. Classes were facilitated by several veteran journalists, including Audrey Laurencelle, Sala Kamkosi Banda and Ladi Tokosi.

Participants took time off classes to visit the Nigerian High Commissioner to the UK, Dr Dalhatu Tafida, who commended NAWOJ for seeking to improve the abilities of its members.
He said:“Most of the time, when you see Nigerians here, they are sponsored, but you sponsored yourselves to London, the home of journalism.’’

Led by Chair of NAWOJ, Lagos State Chapter, Dupe Olaoye-Osinkolu of The Nation, the 28-woman team included members from both the print and electronic media.
http://thenationonlineng.net/new/business/labour/arik-partners-nawoj-on-skill-training/

 

Jonathan picks Akinkuotu as NCAA boss (The Nation)

President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday nominated Capt. Fola Akinkuotu as the new Director- General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
This was contained in a letter from the President read by Senate President David Mark at a plenary in Abuja.

The President in the letter entitled: “Request for the confirmation of appointment of a new Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA),” said the former of DG of NCAA, Dr. Harold Demuren was sacked due to perceived poor internal audit and quality assurance in the agency.

The letter reads in part: “Following concerns expressed by aviation stakeholders on perceived poor internal audit and quality assurance within the Nigerian civil aviation authority (NCAA), the Federal Government is in the process of restructuring the authority for better and more efficient service delivery.

“Consequently, Dr. Harold Olusegun Demuren has been relieved of his appointment, as the Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, in line with the provisions of Sections 8(3) (a) and (c) of the Civil Aviation Act of 2006.

“I hereby present the nomination of Capt. Fola C. Akinkuotu, from the same geopolitical zone as Dr. Demuren, as the Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority for the confirmation of the Senate.”

Meanwhile, the Senate on Thursday confirmed the reappointment of Suleiman Barau as the Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

The lawmakers spoke glowingly of Barau when the Chairman Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions, Senator Bassey Otu, presented the report of his screening.
Barau was nominated for reappointment following the expiration of his first term as CBN’s Deputy Governor by the President.

Also, Jonathan has forwarded a Bill to the National Assembly for an Act to establish the Nigeria Police Academy.
http://thenationonlineng.net/new/news-update/jonathan-picks-akinkuotu-as-ncaa-boss/

Arik Air, Emirate Touch Aviation Services Sign Lease Agreement written by Kingsley Alu (Leadership)

Arik Air, West and Central Africa’s largest airline and Emirate Touch Aviation Services Limited have signed a lease agreement for the airline’s two Boeing 737-300 aircraft.

The Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance and Insurance (ACMI) agreement was signed in Lagos on Wednesday by the chairman of Arik Air, Sir Joseph Arumemi-Ikhide, and the  Director-General of Emirate Touch Aviation Services, Prince Isa Bayero.

Under the terms of the agreement, Arik Air is leasing its two B737-300 aircraft (5N-MJA and 5N-MJB) to Emirate Aviation Services for cargo operations.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Arik Air Chairman, Sir Arumemi-Ikhide, said the event was significant because it marked the first time the airline was going into such an agreement with a Nigerian company.

“We are pleased with this lease agreement with Emirate Touch Aviation Services represented by our revered Kano Prince, Bayero. As a world- class airline, our mission is to build alliances and partnerships and thereby increase capacity in the industry,” he said.

Bayero said he was elated to be going into the partnership arrangement  and hoped this would  help increase capacity in the industry as envisioned by the founders of Arik Air.

“This is a landmark agreement that will stimulate the growth of cargo operations in Nigeria and points beyond,” Prince Bayero stressed.
http://www.leadership.ng/nga/articles/50140/2013/03/15/arik_air_emirate_touch_aviation_services_sign_lease_agreement.html

Arik Air to rebuild hangar(The Nation)

                                   

Chairman of Arik Air, Sir Arumemi Ikhide, has said the airline plans to rebuild its an aircraft maintenance hangar in Lagos in partnership with Lufthansa Technik, the Boeing Company and Bombardier, the Canafian aircraft manufacturer.

Ikhide explained that this month, Arik Air will sign an agreement with Lufthansa on the deal.
He explained that when completed, the hangar will not only carry out major repairs of Arik Air aircraft, but other new generation aircraft in the fleet of other domestic airlines in the country.

Speaking in an interview, after receiving the President/Chief Executive Officer of Canadian aircraft manufacturer, Bombardier, Mr Pierre Beaudoin, who visited the airline in a facility tour, Ikhide explained that the relation between Arik Air and the company could best be described as the greatest assistance from multiple lateral organisations.

He explained further that at inception, Arik Air got the first set of Bombardier Aircraft the CRJ from the company, which is the best regional aircraft that Nigerian passengers are excited over.
He spoke of plans to consolidate the relationship between the airline and Bombardier to involve other areas of airline operations, not limited to aircraft acquisition.

He said very soon, when the number of aircraft type manufactured by Bombardier increases In the fleet of the airline, discussions on maintenance facility could be explored .

Ikhide called on the Federal Government consider as priority acquiring the Bombardier aircraft type for domestic operators, in the window of purchase it is facilitating, as the aircraft type of better for the Nigerian environment in terms of cost, and other factors.

The Arik Air boss expressed gratitude to the Bombardier President for his support to the airline, affirming that the robust engagement with the airline has accelerated its growth and development despite the inherent challenges of the Nigerian environment.

Ikhide said that the utilisation of Bombardier aircraft, has assisted Arik Air in the development of new routes, even as he said the aircraft type is loved by many Nigerians.

He said :” We are very happy that the president of Bombardier is visiting Arik Air, the company are the initiator of Arik Air, they gave us the opportunity to bring in the first set of brand new airplanes into the Nigerian airspace after almost 25 years by any domestic airline,.

The hangar is going to be rebuilt, and it will take care of major repairs of aircraft, manned by Lufthansa personnel for the repairs of new generation aircraft of all airlines.
This will be affordable for everybody.”

In his comments, the Bombardier , President said :” This is a good visit to Arik Air, we started the partnership from the very beginning, and we helped to realise the vision of Arik Air of providing aircraft for safe flying in Africa.

The airline has done very well, and we are very proud of Arik Air to partner with them.
The African market is very interesting for us, what we see, is the need for Arik Air to lead other airlines to develop the regional network. In Africa there exists the challenge of regional connection, we are convinced that Arik Air as a regional leader, it could do much more.
I am very impressed with the quality of work st Arik Air, the safety procedures , this is key to our partnership.”
http://thenationonlineng.net/new/business/aviation/arik-air-to-rebuild-hangar/

‘Western-built jets recorded lowest accident rate in 2012’(The Nation)

The 2012 global accident rate for Western-built jets was the lowest in aviation history, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has revealed.
According to IATA Director-General, Mr Tony Tyler, about 100,000 flights arrived daily at their destinations.
He said the industry’s record safety performance in 2012 was the best in history.
The increasing safety rate for commercial jets was attributed to team work by many stakeholders in the global aviation sector.
He said: “Airlines, airports, air navigation service providers, manufacturers and safety regulators must work together to ensure every flight is as safe as possible. Their dedication and cooperation has made air travel remarkably safe. Nevertheless, there is still work to do. Every accident is one too many and each fatality is a human tragedy.
“Africa is a continent divided on performance. Airlines on the IOSA registry are performing at or above industry average rates. But the continent’s overall performance is far from satisfactory. It should be as safe to travel by air in Africa as it is in any other part of the world,” said Tyler.
In May last year, IATA, with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and other organisations agreed to be committed to an Africa Strategic Improvement Action Plan aimed at addressing safety deficiencies and strengthening regulatory oversight in the region by 2015.
The plan was endorsed as part of the ‘Abuja Declaration’ by the Ministerial meeting on Aviation Safety and Security of the African Union in July and endorsed at the Assembly of the African Union in January this year.
http://thenationonlineng.net/new/business/aviation/western-built-jets-recorded-lowest-accident-rate-in-2012/

Passengers stranded as Aero Airlines workers embark on strike (The Nation)

Hundreds of passengers were on Wednesday stranded at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, Lagos as the Aero Airlines  workers embarked on strike.

Some of the passengers are contemplating taking legal action against Aero Airlines for making them miss their flights without any notice .

They described the action by the airline as grossly unpatriotic, even as they alleged that the airline only notified them  that the flights were rescheduled to a later time.

As early as 5.00 am, some passengers that arrived the MMA 2, Ikeja, Lagos were disappointed that the airline was not operating any flight, yet did not give any notice of the industrial action embarked on by the staff.

Some of the passengers that besieged the head office of the airline, expressed disenchantment over the  attitude of Aero Airlines staff, who did not inform  them of the development, forcing them to miss very important business appointments.

At the new domestic terminal, scores of passengers sat on the floor , in apparent frustration of how to get to their destination, even as they expressed sadness over failure by the airline to effect refund of their air fare to enable them fly other airlines.

In the early hours of yesterday in Lagos, the counters of the airline were empty as as passengers waited to get explanation from the airline personnel on when flights will be available.

They  berated the airline for its failure to carry passengers along , forcing most of them to be stranded at the airport.

According to one of the passengers who identified herself as Dr Caro Iwuoha , the passengers will institute a class action against the airline for the breach of passengers’ rights , which she said is unacceptable in other parts of the world.

Another passenger, who identified himself as Ibezito Ogbona, said the dislocation occasioned by the workers strike has altered his travel plans, forcing him to fly through Abuja, if he could readily get another flight to Sokoto.

Also speaking, another passenger a catholic priest, who declined to give his name, said it was wrong for the airline to threat it’s passengers shabbily affirming that the only information , he was given about the development, was the announcement from the public address system at MM A 2, Ikeja, Lagos.

To checkmate any break down of law and order, scores of armed policemen from the Airport Police Command, were on hand to provide security, as they mounted a barricade at the entrance into Aero Airlines, at the domestic wing of the Lagos Airport.

Meanwhile, Aero Airlines has apologised in a statement. :” Management wishes to apologise for the inconvenience suffered by our highly esteemed customers due to an abrupt industrial action by our staff which has led to grounding of all our scheduled operations.

“We are engaging with the Unions to find a quick and amicable resolution. Further details will be given in due course. Thank you for your understanding.”

http://thenationonlineng.net/new/news-update/passengers-stranded-as-aero-airlines-workers-embark-on-strike/

NASS To Review BASA Agreements In Aviation (Author: IKENNA UGWU,Leadership)

The senate committee on aviation said it was working towards the review of all Bilateral Air Services

Agreement (BASA) Nigeria has signed with other countries to make them favourable to the nation.

This is coming following  efforts by the aviation ministry to review some sections of the 2006 Civil Aviation

Act  to ensure effective and efficient regulation of the aviation industry in line with global aviation standards.

The chairman senate committee on aviation, Senator Hope Uzodinma disclosed this to aviation

correspondents at the commissioning of the remodelled Benin Airport Terminal Building at the weekend in

Benin.

Uzodinma explained that in due course the Senate will come out with what will protect the national interest in

line with what is obtainable in other parts of the world.

 “I agree that given the evolution of things and how the sector is moving fast we must begin to review our

policies and laws with a view to properly bring out efficient regulation which is expected of us and every

responsible government,”  Uzodinma said.

On the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA), which is skewed in favour of foreign carriers, the senate

committee on aviation chairman lamented that all the BASA agreements signed by Nigeria were not done in

the interest of Nigeria.

He added that as these agreements stands today Nigeria has little or no capacity to reciprocate, adding that

as a result of that the Senate will make a deliberate policy to ensure that Nigeria’s economy is not destroyed

by western world or other parts of the world.

He said, “I can tell you that we are looking into the entire system of Bilateral Air Service Agreement

(BASA), where royalties are being paid or where Open Skies Agreements have been signed and look at

how it will benefit Nigeria and in due course we are coming out with what will be beneficial to our country

and what will protect our national interest. The most important thing you will agree with me is that in this

industry as it has to do with what is obtainable in other parts of the world, we have little or no capacity for

reciprocity .So we must make a deliberate policy that will also make our economy not wrecked by western

world or other parts of  the world”.

Experts over the years have been calling for a review of all the BAASA agreements entered into by Nigeria

as they are tilted in favour of international airlines.

The agreements allow foreign airlines multiple designations into different airports in the country at the

detriment of local airlines, whose passenger traffic are reducing by the day.

On the allegation in some quarters that the Senate often time harass agencies in the aviation industry,

Uzodinma denied harassing anybody, adding that senate committee on aviation has the right to carry out its

over sight function as provided for by the constitution.

Speaking further, the Senator, pointed out that over sight function of the committee is about asking questions

and making sure that things are done properly and in accordance with the law, wondering if those accusing t

he committee of harassment do not want the body to do its job.

“What do you mean by harassment? What is the threat?  We have constitutional role as legislators in Nigeria

empowered by the constitution of Nigeria to oversight the activities and the entire economy of the country.

When we carry out our own responsibility and as provided for by the constitution of Nigeria, does that

amount to harassment? Tell those people coming from that school of thought that on the contrary the

National Assembly is doing its best to ensure that things are done according to the dictates  of the law as

provided by the constitution and that we want to ensure that we don’t do things different from what is

obtainable in other parts of the world,” he said.

http://www.leadership.ng/nga/articles/49756/2013/03/11/nass_review_basa_agreements_aviation.html

Global passenger demand up 2.7% in January 2013 written by Sade Williams (Businessday)

International airlines passenger traffic grew by 2.7 percent in January 2012 against 2.2 percent in the same

month last year, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has said.

IATA represents some 240 airlines comprising 84 percent of global air traffic. Tony Tyler, IATA director

general said in the January statistics released that “while overall demand was up, load factors stood at 77.1

percent.”

Strong demand for air travel driven by the Chinese New Year also distorted the January figures according to

IATA. The Chinese New Year fell in January 2012 and in February this year.

The comparisons to such a strong month (January 2012) made January 2013 demand look weaker than the

underlying trend would indicate.

After adjusting for such seasonal factors, IATA estimates that the actual growth would have been 3.5

percent.

This growth rate is still lower than the 5.3 percent 2012 average, however, air travel growth slowed sharply

through the year and the results of the past few months represent an acceleration of demand.

“Passenger travel is growing in line with business confidence levels. Recent months have seen some positive

economic signs emerge in both the US and China, and the Euro zone crisis seems to have stabilised. Of

course risks remain; the impact of the US budget cuts has yet to play out and fuel prices are still high. But

even with those headwinds—real and potential—we still see underlying support for continued and potentially

even, strengthened growth,” Tyler said.

According to the statistics, international markets outperformed the global industry average in January with a

3.7 percent increase in demand against a 2.7 percent capacity expansion; leading to load factors of 77.6

percent.

The figures show that Asia-Pacific airlines have captured over half of the growth in demand between

October 2012 and January 2013.

After adjusting for seasonal factors, January saw demand growth in the region of 3.0 percent for Asia-

Pacific airlines compared to a year ago while load factors for the region’s airlines stood at 77.8 percent.

Middle East airlines posted the strongest growth rates for January with a 14.3 percent increase in demand

which was nearly evenly matched by a 14.4 percent growth in capacity, while load factors for the region

were above the global average at 78.6 percent.

IATA said the region’s carriers have successfully tapped into demand from emerging markets with the

strength of their network structures and efficient hubs. On the other hand, African airlines posted 9.4 percent

growth ahead of a 5.8 percent capacity expansion. Despite this, the region’s airlines recorded the weakest

load factors at 67.9 percent.

“Economic growth rates in many African nations are strong, particularly those in resource-rich West Africa.

This is providing the demand for a sustained market expansion,” Tyler said.

European airlines were among the weaker performers, with 2.1 percent demand growth on 0.4 percent

capacity expansion.

http://businessdayonline.com/NG/index.php/markets/companies-and-market/52739-global-passenger-demand-up-27-in-january-2013

Bombardier partners Arik on routes expansion written by Wole Shadare

• Airline plans to build maintenance facility

NIGERIA’S flag carrier airline, Arik has concluded plans to partner Canadian aircraft maker, Bombardier

with a view to acquiring more state-of-the-art airplanes for its ambitious route expansion programme.

In the same vein, the nation’s biggest airline disclosed its readiness to build aircraft Maintenance Repair and

Overhaul (MRO) in Lagos.

The airline unfolded these plans recently when the President of Bombardier, Perre Beaudoin, took a tour of

the airline’s facilities in Lagos.

He said that the firm intended to sell more of its aircraft in Nigeria by utilising the good partnership it had

with Arik Air, which started scheduled commercial operation with new Bombardier aircraft, CRJ 900 in

2006.

The Bombardier president also said that the aircraft manufacturing company also had other partners in the

country who operated private Bombardier jets.

According to him: “We have a lot of partners in Nigeria, first of all, private aeroplane operators, but most

importantly Arik Air; we are beginning to find out that it is extraordinary airline and I promised Mr. Joseph

(Arumemi –Ikhide, chairman, Arik Air) we shall visit and that is what I’m doing today.”

He stated that Bombardier manufactures regional aircraft, which could be of immense benefit for inter-city

destinations in various parts of Africa and because of the aircraft’s fuel economy and comfort, airline like

Arik could maximise its domestic and regional operations with Bombardier regional jets.

“With the feedback I get from our customer, Arik Air, people love CRJ 900. It is a very quiet airplane, very

comfortable; it flies very smoothly through turbulence. The feedback I get both for CRJ 900 and Q400 is

very appreciated by the customers. I think we are on the way; of course others may have brand recognition

but with time as we are adding airplanes in this country and most importantly we are making regional

connections, I think people will love the fact that they are making very short flights and getting to your

destinations without having to connect to other flights.

The Chairman of Arik Air, Joseph Arumemi–Ikhide disclosed during the facility tour that on the airline would

sign an agreement with Lufthansa for the building of MRO facility in Nigeria where Nigerian airlines and

others would carry out maintenance checks on their aircraft.

“Right now, on March 19 we will be at Hamburg (Germany) to sign agreement with Lufthansa on the

construction of maintenance hangar. Bombardier is buying into it and also Boeing. This hangar you see (at

Arik Air headquarters) is going to be rebuilt and it is going to be manned by Lufthansa and it will be for C

Check, not only for Arik, but for all the airlines. It will provide service for modern aircraft.”

On the visit of Bombardier president to Nigeria he said that the management of Arik Air was happy to

receive Beaudoin, noting that his visit was an indication that Arik Air and Bombardier had strong

partnership, which would continue to grow stronger as the two companies deepen their business.

“We are very happy that Bombardier is here. They were the initiator of Arikå Air. They were here at the

beginning. They gave us the opportunity of bringing new airplane in Nigeria after over 25 years we had had

new aircraft. So it is good for the president of Bombardier to come and see what he helped to create in

Africa. This is a better assistance from the people of Canada which they gave to Nigeria through

Bombardier.”

Arumemi–Ikhide said that Arik Air would buy more Bombardier CRJ 900, Q400 and C series as it

expanded and added more local and regional routes.

“Yes, we will buy more CRJ 900 as you know the aircraft is loved by our countrymen. It has helped us to

develop routes. We go to new routes like Gombe, Katsina and Ibadan. We always use the CRJ as the

forerunner, even in Asaba; it has been very successful. It is very stable in the weather; very comfortable. We

are looking forward to discussing about getting more, the CRJ 1000 and of course more of the Q400 and in

future we think of getting the C series. Bombardier products are very good. That’s why we said that rather

than go the other way, government should look at Bombardier rather than other products.”
http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=115447:bombardier-partners-arik-on-routes-expansion&catid

We want to expand our partnership with Nigeria-Bombardier president written by Sade Williams(Businessday)

Interest in Nigeria

We have a lot of partners in Nigeria, first of all, private aeroplane operators, but most importantly Arik Air;

we are beginning to find out that it is an extraordinary airline and I promised Mr. Joseph Arumemi–Ikhide,

chairman, Arik Air that  we shall visit and that is what I’m doing today.

Developing commercial aircraft for the Nigerian market

Arik Air operates CRJ 900 and Q400 and this is a relationship we would continue to expand because this is

a perfect aircraft to develop a regional airline which is being done very well today but with a limited amount

of airplanes, so we want to expand that in our relationship.

Maintenance facility

I visited the maintenance facility of Arik Air and I think it was very impressive; there should be more to be

done in the sense that they cannot rely on us to do everything but they are doing things in a very professional

way, world standard; and they are going to continue to do that. I am very excited because it is being done

step by step.

Attracting Nigerian operators to Bombardier

With the feedback I get from our customer, Arik Air, people love CRJ 900. It is a very quiet airplane, very

comfortable; it flies very smoothly through turbulence. The feedback I get both for CRJ 900 and Q400 is

very appreciated by the customers. I think we are on the way; of course others may have brand recognition

but with time as we are adding airplanes in this country and most importantly, we are making regional connections, I think people will love the fact that they are making a very short flight and get to their

destination without having to connect to other flights.

We started a partnership at the very beginning with Arik Air and we were involved with the CRJ 900; then

we brought the Q400 with a vision to provide safe flying with Nigerian connecting the regions, and that is

what Arik is doing very well. We are very proud to be their partner and we want to do more in the future.

African travel market and Bombadier equipment

I think it is a very interesting market for us because of what I see in Nigeria where Arik Air is in the front of

the market, developing the regional network, but I see that in Africa in general, there is not enough

connection and Bombardier is world leader in regional airplanes, so for me, I am very excited because I can provide the tool that people in Africa are looking for to connect key cities together and avoid the long, long flights to go to very short distances. I am very impressed with Arik Air, with what they have done; the quality they put into the work and quality on safety and everything else they do. So this is a partner for Bombardier that is very important and that’s why we want to expand it.

http://www.businessdayonline.com/NG/index.php/aviation/52679-we-want-to-expand-our-partnership-with-nigeria-bombardier-president

Boom for Nigerian aviation fuel sellers as scarcity hits Ghana written byWole Shadare (The Guardian)

FOREIGN carriers have fallen back on Nigeria following the shortage of aviation fuel, otherwise known as

Jet A1, in Ghana.

Most of the carriers were those from Europe and the United States (U.S.), as they now stop over to refuel

in the country despite its huge cost.

Although the Ghanaian government is trying to offer explanation for the shortage of aviation fuel in the

country, airlines have had to depend on supplies from Togo, Cote d’Ivoire and Nigeria, according to a

Ghana web report.    According to the report, the situation has taken a heavy toll on some domestic

travellers in Ghana whose flights have been cancelled.

This is because domestic airlines have had to surcharge GH¢15 on each ticket in order to make up for extra

costs incurred from the shortage crisis.

Currently, the product is transported into the country by road from Togo, Cote d’Ivoire and Nigeria, the

Ghana web reported.

Nigerian aviation experts said the situation usually occurred from time to time, adding that Nigerian airlines

had also depended on Ghana in the past whenever there was shortage in the country.

Aviation expert and Managing Director, Belujane Konzult, Mr. Chris Aligbe, said the current development

would benefit Nigerian oil marketers only, noting that the situation would ease out in ‘few days’

The development is however biting hard on domestic travellers in Ghana.

Some travellers, who arrived in Ghana from the sub-region, realised that their luggage had been left behind

when they got to the Kotoka International Airport, according to Ghana web.

Instead of packing the luggage onto the aircraft, the airlines decided to fill the aircraft’s fuel tank above the

required limit in order to ward off a shortage.

In the process, luggage are transported later in the day delaying the passengers at the airport by close to five

hours.

A Ghanaian aviation analyst has condemned the situation, saying it could push airline operators to short-

change passengers.

He added that operators could adopt common pricing under the current circumstances. According to him,

competition is key in the industry.

As a result of the situation, many international airlines operating in Ghana have had to make alternative

arrangements to lift fuel from neighbouring countries.
http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=115254:boom-for-nigerian-aviation-fuel-sellers-as-scarcity-hits-ghana

Arik Air receives merit award for supporting Nigeria/Sierra Leone relations (NigerianAviationNews)

 

 

 

Arik Air, West and Central Africa’s largest airline, has secured yet another award in recognition of its

 

commitment to developing Nigeria/Sierra Leone relations. On Saturday, February 23, the Nigeria High

 

Commission in Sierra Leone presented the airline with a merit award for its outstanding contribution to the

 

development of the Nigerian community and the relationship between the two countries in 2012.

 

Speaking at the award ceremony in Freetown, Sierra Leone, the Nigeria High Commissioner to Sierra

 

Leone, Mr. Eyo Asuquo, said Arik Air has worked tirelessly to strengthen the relations between Nigeria and

 

Sierra Leone. He stated that the award ceremony was established in line with the directive of the Ministry of

 

Foreign Affairs.

 

Receiving the merit award from the Sierra Leone High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Henry Macauley, Arik

 

Air’s Freetown Manager, Mr. Femi Asun, said the honour would spur the airline to do even more to

 

promote relations between Nigeria and Sierra Leone.

 

Arik Air started operations toFreetown in June 2009 following the demand from both communities for direct

 

air links between Sierra Leone and Nigeria ending years of limited access between the two countries. The

 

airline now operates three weekly flights between Lagos, Nigeria and Freetown, Sierra Leone on Sundays,

 

Wednesdays and Fridays.

 

Arik Air’s Executive Vice President/Managing Director, Mr. Chris Ndulue said of the new award:

 

“We are extremely pleased with this merit award by the Nigeria High Commission in Sierra Leone. It is

 

recognition of our effort to stimulate travel, ease the movement of goods and personnel, and provide

 

affordable air travel between Nigeria and Sierra Leone is appreciated by the government and by the people

 

of the two nations.”

http://nigerianaviationnews.blogspot.com/2013/02/arik-air-receives-merit-award-for.html#!/2013/02/arik-air-receives-merit-award-for.html