U.S. aviation team arrives, to re-certify NCAA, CAT 1

A TEAM from the United States (U.S.) Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) arrived the country at the weekend to begin the process of re-certifying the Nigerian aviation industry, which it started in 2010.
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and other aviation agencies said yesterday that they were ready for the audit. According to a release by the acting NCAA Director General, Benedict Adeyileka, the four-man team will assess NCAA’s compliance with applicable sections of ICAO standards contained in Annexes 1, 6 and 8.
Adeyileka said the team would use the current International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) checklist and ICAO guideline for the exercise. The eight critical elements are primary aviation legislation, specific operating regulations, state civil aviation system and safety oversight functions and technical personnel qualification and training.
Others are technical guidance and tools, licensing and certification obligations, surveillance obligations and resolution of safety concerns. FAA awarded Nigeria Category One safety status in 2010 after the country met the IASA standards and four years later, the body decided to re-audit Nigeria in response to critical reports about the aviation industry, according to its letter to NCAA to announce the re-certification.
culled from The Guardian

International body urges Govt on unruly travellers

INTERNATIONAL Air Transport Association (IATA) has called on governments of its member countries to close legal loopholes that allow unruly passengers to escape law enforcement for serious offences committed on board aircraft.
As a result, governments would gather for a diplomatic conference at the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in Montreal to discuss revisions to the Tokyo Convention.
The revisions, IATA stated would enhance the ability of law enforcement and other authorities to prosecute the small minority of passengers who are violent, disruptive, abusive, or acting in a manner, which might endanger safety.
The Tokyo Convention, which was negotiated in 1963 and gives jurisdiction over offenses committed onboard aircraft to the state of registration of the aircraft. With modern leasing arrangements, the state of aircraft registry is often neither the state in which the aircraft lands nor the state of the operator, said the body.
According to IATA, this limits the practicality of enforcement and consequently the options available to mitigate disruptive behaviors. For this reason, the airline industry supports proposals for jurisdiction to be extended to both the state in which the aircraft lands and the state in which the operator is located.
The Director General, IATA, Tony Tyler said: “Airlines are doing all they can to prevent and manage unruly passenger incidents, but this needs to be backed up with effective law enforcement. Reports of unruly behavior are on the rise. The Tokyo Convention was not originally designed to address unruly behavior and there is a great deal of uncertainty amongst carriers as to what actions crew can take to manage incidents in the air. And if the aircraft lands in a state other than where the aircraft was registered, local authorities are not always able to prosecute”. “Passengers expect to enjoy their journey incident-free. And aircrews have the right to perform their duties without harassment. In addition, the inconvenience to other travelers of a forced diversion is significant.
“At the moment there are too many examples of people getting away with serious breaches of social norms that jeopardize the safety of flights because local law enforcement authorities do not have the power to take action. IATA applauds the work of ICAO and supports the proposed revisions to the Tokyo Convention. Closing these legal loopholes will better deter such behavior and make passengers think twice before acting in ways that may put the safety of many at risk,” Tyler added.
culled from The Guardian

Arik Air makes history on US flight

Arik Air has achieved another milestone in aviation, with the operation of its first Nigerian registered commercial aircraft to the United States in two decades.
Before now, Arik Air was operating a wet leased aircraft with foreign registration into the US.
Arik Air Senior Vice President (Operations)/Deputy Managing Director, Captain Ado Sanusi described the feat as a major achievement, not only for Arik Air, but also for the industry.
“Arik Air is proud of this achievement and appreciates the support from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and all other stakeholders in the industry,” Captain Ado added.
Last week, the airline operated its scheduled Lagos-New York flight using an A330-200 aircraft with registration number 5N-JID. The feat by Arik Air is outstanding because the operations of the flight was staffed by Nigerians.
The airline’s latest milestone was the result of almost three years of preparation, during which the airline received the Part 129 approval from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and was also awarded the Extended Range Twin Operations (ETOPS) approval.
Arik Air started direct flight operations from Lagos to New York in November 2009, using its foreign registered A340-500 aircraft operated by Hi-fly of Portugal and it was the first direct flight between Nigeria and the United States to be operated by a Nigerian airline in the last decade.
Culled from The Nation

Category One Safety Status: Aviation Ministry Expresses Readiness to Meet FAA Next Week

With barely five days to the arrival of the United States Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) inspection team in the country, the supervising Minister of Aviation, Mr. Samuel Ortom, yesterday promised that government was ready to open its doors for the international aviation inspection team to come in.

Underscoring its readiness, he said all the necessary requirements towards making sure that Nigeria surpasses the Category One Safety status had been put in place.

The Category One status was awarded to Nigeria in 2010 after the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) audit certified its airspace worthiness.

Making the disclosure in an interview with THISDAY in Abuja, Ortom said between 2010 and now, “you would agree with me that government has invested so much resources and energy in transforming our airports across the country.”

According to him, the transformation that is currently ongoing in the sector was being acknowledged by all.

He said: “The retention of the Category One status is very important to us at this particular point. Since assumption as the supervising Minister some weeks back, I have been preoccupied with all the agencies, in particular the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), in making sure that no stone is left unturned in our preparedness.

“To the best of my knowledge, we are on top of the situation.” he said.
While allaying fears of stakeholders, the minister said: “My expectation is besides being certified, we shall even move a step further because of what has been put in place since 2010 when we got it.”

While reassuring stakeholders of Nigeria’s preparedness, he added: “We have put all the necessary logistics together to make sure that we pass the test. Everything is in place, and areas where we need augmentation and adjustment are currently being put in place. All our engineering team are in place to make sure that we meet the international standards of the FAA and we are making sure that there is no gap.”

Continuing, Ortom said: “I want to assure all stakeholders that there is no cause for alarm in the aviation section. I want to assure you that we must add value to what we have met.

“My predecessor did well and I think we can build on that and no matter how short my administration is going to be, I’m going to make sure that that everybody is carried along.

“What I’m doing right is putting all the stakeholders together by making sure that we work as a team. Everybody must carry out their roles to make sure we meet with international standards by making sure that aviation becomes the best means of transportation in the country.”

On the security challenge in the country, he assured: “I’m aware that the ministry is not operating alone, the entire security agencies are working in consonance with us in securing the airport and also we have deployed sophisticated technology across the country to secure the airports.
“We are on top of the situation as we speak. Any step that we take now we must make sure that the right thing is done.”

culled from Thisday

Missing plane: China spots ‘ suspicious objects’

A Chinese plane hunting for the missing Malaysia Airlines plane has spotted “suspicious” objects, state media say, as more nations joined the search.
Searchers saw two “relatively big” objects with “many white smaller ones scattered within a radius of several kilometres”, Xinhua news agency said.
Australia said it had been informed and would try to locate the objects.
Flight MH370 disappeared on 8 March while en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing, with 239 people on board.
Ten planes were due to scour the southern Indian Ocean area on Monday for possible debris picked up earlier by radar echoes and satellite imagery.
Two Chinese military planes flew out to the search area, around 2,500 km (1,550 miles) south-west of Australian city Perth, on Monday morning, while two Japanese P-3 Orion aircraft were to set off later in the day.
They joined six other planes, including US and Australian military planes, in searching a 68,500 sq km (26,000 sq miles) area in the ocean.
An Australian navy ship is already in the area, while several Chinese ships are also on their way, reports the BBC.
The latest objects were spotted by the crew of a Chinese IL-76 plane. The crew had informed the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) of the co-ordinates, Xinhua said, as well as China’s ice-breaker Xue Long, which was heading to the area.
In a statement, AMSA said it “was advised about the reported objects sighted by a Chinese aircraft.
“The reported objects are within today’s search area and attempts will be made to relocate them.”
Earlier on Monday, AMSA – which is co-ordinating search efforts – warned that conditions in the search area were expected to deteriorate.
http://newtelegraphonline.com

Insurgency: Turkish Airlines linked to arms importation

SSS, DMI begin probe

Airline: We follow international law in ammunition supplies

Did Turkish Airlines ship weapons to unknown groups in Nigeria? If yes, were the weapons given to fundamentalists in the North-East who are killing security agents and civilians almost on a daily basis? Who are the arms smugglers, the financiers and the middlemen? These were questions security agents in Nigeria and Turkey tried to find answers to yesterday as the airline battled to defend its integrity in the arms shipment scandal.
On Tuesday, an Assistant Executive of the airline, Mehmet Karatas, alleged that the airline shipped arms to Nigeria. He told Mustafa Varank, an Adviser to Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, that he felt guilty over the arms shipment. He said: “I do not know whether these (weapons) will kill Muslims or Christians.
I feel sinful.” A top Nigerian government official revealed yesterday that the Presidency has mandated the State Security Service (SSS) and the Directorate of Military Intelligence (DMI) to liaise with their counterparts in Turkey to unravel the truth behind the revelation.
“Aside cross-border banditry and some mercenaries who are believed to be fighting alongside Boko Haram members in the North-East, government is worried about the way these people get the sophisticated weapons they are using.
There are many things that the government cannot tell Nigerians now but it is alarming how these guys get the sophisticated weapons they use to kill our people. “SSS and DMI have been mandated to investigate this matter. It is a matter that will not be swept under the carpet,” he said. Turkish Airlines is the national flag carrier airline of Turkey, headquartered at the Turkish Airlines General Management Building on the grounds of Atatürk Airport in Yeilköy, Bakırköy, Istanbul. With 240 aircraft, it operates scheduled services to 41 domestic and 203 international airports in Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas. With 244 destinations, the airline is the fourthlargest carrier in the world by number of destinations. With Istanbul Atatürk Airport being the main base, the Turkish carrier has secondary hubs at Esenboa International Airport, Sabiha Gökçen International Airport, and Adnan Menderes Airport. It joined the Star Alliance network on April 1, 2008. With an operational fleet of nine cargo aircraft, the airline’s cargo division serves 47 destinations.
The SSS and the DMI are investigating if one of the cargo aircraft landed in Nigeria with the arms. The airline flies to Lagos every day and to Kano Monday, Friday and Sunday. Meanwhile, the airline defended its integrity yesterday.
The management of the carrier, in a statement to the media, stated that the news from social media and press relating the carriage of arms by Turkish Airlines were causing false valuation on the public opinion. It disclosed that the carriage of arms and military supplies by Turkish Airlines are being made on cargo in the framework of the relevant international law and the International Air Transport Association (AITA) transportation rules, in strict conformity with the official procedures.
According to the carrier, “On the carriage of arms, the forwarders and addressees can send their cargo with Turkish Airlines Cargo through the representative they have designated, after accomplishing the necessary official approval procedure from the relevant state authorities.
Turkish Airlines Cargo effectuates such shipment again in strict conformity with the law and rules of the forwarders’ and addressees’ countries and by taking necessary security measures as are doing the other air carriers.”
“According to our corporate policy, Turkish Airlines is not effectuating the carriage of arms to/from the countries that United Nations Security Council has imposed an arms ban, lacking authority and/or under conflict.” This is also the case for the country mentioned on the news, Turkish Airlines has not effectuated any carriage of arms to that country from Turkey nor from any country.
Source: newtelegraphonline.com

Arik savours African achievers’ award

Arik Air, West and Central Africa’s largest airline, says its best is yet to come as the airline relishes the “Organisation of the Year” award bestowed on it by the African Achievers Award in Accra, Ghana.

The awards ceremony held at the Presidential Banquet Hall, State House, Accra, Ghana on February 28 was attended by African diplomats and State Governors from Nigeria.

According to Chris Ndulue, managing director of Arik Air, the Award is a true testimony of the rare and unique people-centric leadership qualities which the airline has displayed so far in the aviation sector across the globe as noted by the organisers.

“This award further confirms the place of Arik Air as not just West Africa’s premier airline but also the pride of Africa. Though Arik Air is a recipient of several national and international awards, every award reminds us of our commitment to continue to provide safe and comfortable air-travel experience for our teeming guests within Africa and across the globe,” Ndulue noted.

He stressed that Arik Air will continue to strive to ensure that it transforms air transportation not only in Nigeria but the whole of the African continent. “This was the reason why we decided to change the old order in 2006 by operating brand new aircraft thus becoming the first operator of new aircraft in Nigeria in almost two decades.

“The African Achievers’ Award is a call to do more and we at Arik Air will continue to improve on those qualities that have earned us this recognition because we believe that our best is yet to come.

“In the months ahead, we are going to be launching new routes as we strive to consolidate our position as the first choice for air travel within Nigeria and other destinations we serve in Africa, Europe and America,” he added.

http://businessdayonline.com/2014/03/arik-savours-african-achievers-award

 

Arik partners African Muzik Magazine Awards

Foremost Nigerian airline, Arik Air, has signed on as presenting sponsor of the African Muzik Magazine Awards (AFRIMMA), which will make debut at the Eisemann Center, Richardson, Texas, United States on July 26, this year.

Founder/CEO of Big A Entertainment, organisers of the award show, Mr. Anderson Obiagwu said his company’s partnership with the airline has come a long way, and there is no doubt, its alliance on AFRIMMA will be another success story.

Boasting on the pedigree of the aviation company, Obiagwu said Arik has become the preferred travel source for domestic, regional and international travel, currently servicing several countries in West African, the United States and other notable destinations.

“In keeping with our mission of ‘crossing boundaries’, our collaboration with Arik Airline is a perfect union that further supports the mission of African Muzik Magazine and the artistes that we are honouring through this event,” said Obiagwu.

According to the AFRIMMA creator, Arik shares a lot in the passion of the award, as a show that celebrates the beauty of African music and artistry. He said the show would honour some of the world’s top African celebrity musical artistes, managers, producers, Disc Jockeys, and cultural influences from the United States and over 17 African countries.

“We are positioning the event as the sole award ceremony in the Diaspora that caters for all musical genres, including Afrobeat, Assiko, Bongo, Decale, Funana, Genge, Highlife, Hiplife, Kwaito, Lingala and Soukous.”

To be hosted by celebrity comedian Basketmouth and Ghanaian actress Juliet Ibrahim, organisers said the event would feature exclusive performances from some most sought-after musicians, dancers and artistes from Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, South Africa, among others.

The Eisemann Centre venue, at 2351 Performance Dr, Richardson, TX 75082, according to the AFRIMMA boss, boasts an impressive track record of high profile events, theatre productions, concerts, and others.

Obiagwu said red carpet is at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m., with an impressive line up of African acts like Inyaya, 2face,Stanley Enow, Flavour, Wyre, Fally Ipupa, Davido, Kcee, Timaya, Navio, Diamond Platinumz, Fuse ODG, Bracket, and Ice prince.

Music categories to be covered by the award include Best Male West Africa; Best Female West Africa; Best Male East Africa; Best Female East Africa; Best Male Central Africa; Best Female Central Africa; Best Male Southern Africa; Best Female Southern Africa; Best African Group; Best Male Diaspora; Best Female Diaspora; Best Gospel Artist; Best Male Traditional; Best Female Traditional; Best Newcomer; Best Video Director; Best DJ Africa; Best DJ Diaspora; Leadership in Muzik Award; Legendary Award; Best Video of the Year; Music producer of the Year; Best Dance Group; Best Rap Act, and Best Collabo.

Culled from The Nation