NAMA deploys radar control device to monitor airspace written by Okechukwu Nnodim

The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency on Thursday announced the successful deployment of its surveillance instrument for area radar control of the nation’s entire airspace.


NAMA said the area radar control device, which would allow for optimal flight operations by pilots within the airspace, was deployed from its two control centres in Lagos and Kano.

The General Manager, Public Affairs, NAMA, Mr. Supo Atobatele, said 18 flights operated by foreign airlines, including Air France, British Airways, Lufhansa, Air Portugal, Turkey Airlines, South African Airways, Egypt Air and Saudi Air, took advantage of the new air traffic service that commenced midnight on Thursday.

He said the flights were vectored on radar within the Kano Flight Information Region, adding that the benefits of the new traffic management arrangement included increased airspace capacity, improved safety, reduced fuel consumption, reduced flight time and efficient flow of air traffic within the nation’s airspace.

Area radar control is an air traffic control service provided for airplanes flying within a Flight Information Region.

“This (Thursday) morning’s exercise kicked off simultaneously in Kano and Lagos,” Atobatele said.
http://www.punchng.com/business/business-economy/nama-deploys-radar-control-device-to-monitor-airspace/
culled from Punch

Arik Air Embarks On Manpower Development

As the nation’s aviation industry decries in adequate development of manpower in the industry, Arik Air and Cranfield University, United Kingdom have entered into a partnership aimed at developing human capital in the Nigerian carrier. The partnership will also include exchange programmes between Arik Air and Cranfield University.


As a first step in the partnership, Dr John Frankie O’Connell, an expert in airline management at the Air Transport Department of Cranfield University yesterday started a three-day ‘kick-off’ seminar for Arik Air management staff. The three-day seminar will cover airline industrial trends, commercial and airline strategy, among others.

O’Connell is expected to dwell on general trends in the aviation industry, including aero politics and new regulatory trends facing the airline industry, airline traffic, demand, forecasts and aircraft orders as well as traffic measurements for full service airlines among other topics.

Arik Air Managing Director/Executive Vice President, Mr Chris Ndulue said, “The airline industry is a dynamic one and at Arik Air we believe we have to be in tune with current trends in the sector. This is the essence of this partnership which will set Arik apart from other airlines. It is meant to address the dearth of qualified manpower in the Nigerian aviation sector, and to train world-class managers for the future of Arik Air and the aviation industry in Nigeria”.
On what the partnership will cost the airline, Ndulue said the benefit from the programme far outweighs the cost, adding that manpower development is key to the airline’s success.

He further used the opportunity to clarify issues on the arrest of the airline’s crew member in London for alleged drug trafficking. According to him, Arik Air has adopted several security measures to forestall incidences such as that, adding that fighting drug trafficking is a collective effort.

“We have done so much, but we are appealing to the staff and all concerned that drug trafficking destroys lives and we will continue to be vigiliant”, he added.
http://leadership.ng/news/280513/arik-air-embarks-manpower-development
Culled from Leadership Newspapers

BA aircraft’s technical hitch raises tension at Lagos airport

Massive protests trailed the arrival of a British Airways’ flight from London at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, last night, as passengers aboard the flight could not retrieve their luggage, following the technical problem suffered by the airliner on touchdown.


Vanguard gathered the luggage cabin of the aircraft failed to open after the plane landed at exactly 6:15pm.
Eyewitnesses told Vanguard that what infuriated the aggrieved passengers was the failure of the crew to empathise with them.

Over 300 hundred passengers on board the flight were reportedly stranded for hours, as children cried uncontrollably due to the stuffy nature of the arrival hall, where they were cocooned, waiting for words from the crew.

The crew were said to have left the airport to avoid being manhandled by the passengers, who were getting very restive.

The eyewitness said: “The situation here right now is chaotic. Hundreds of passengers are protesting the shabby treatment of British Airways’ flight crew, who appear helpless to enable the passengers retrieve their luggage.

“The crew members are saying the aircraft suffered technical problem and it was making it impossible for them to open the luggage cabin.”

Passenger’s story

As at 9:05pm last night, the airline crew were said to have abandoned the passengers and left the airport, saying there was nothing they could do to open the luggage cabin.

One of the passengers on board, Mr. Crosby Eribo, confirmed to Vanguard that passengers, who arrived the airport on board the flight were suffering, with none of the airlines’ staff addressing them.

He said: “What is happening here is unfortunate. The airline’s officials have abandoned us here and children are here crying because of the humid nature of the arrival hall.

“Is this how we are going to run our aviation sector?”

He said efforts to get officials of the airport authorities to intervene yielded no results, as they said the problem was strictly a British Airways affair.

Efforts to reach British Airways’ officials proved abortive, as calls pull to their phones failed to sail through.
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/05/ba-aircrafts-technical-hitch-raises-tension-at-lagos-airport/
Culled from Vanguard

Panic, as SAA makes emergency landing over spark

A Lagos-bound South Africa Airways flight Sunday made an emergency return to OR Thambo Airport in Johannesburg after a spark was detected in the aircraft galley.


The galley is the kitchen aboard a vessel, usually laid out in an efficient, typical style with longitudinal units and overhead cabinets.

Media consultant to the airline, Tope Awe, confirmed that the aircraft, A340-600, “made an air return after a spark from a kettle in the galley,” adding that as a safety-conscious airline, the crew had to make an air return to base.

International best practice stipulates that a captain and his crew make an air return to base or the nearest airport in the event of technical problem with an aircraft in flight.

One of the passengers, Chuks Nwanne, who called The Guardian from Johannesburg, South Africa, narrated that the airplane took off at 2 p.m. Nigerian time. According to him, “less than an hour after take-off, the pilot announced that they had detected fire, and that he was going to jettison fuel to prevent any danger.

“He called the control tower and the airport to prepare the aircraft for emergency landing in OR Thambo after hovering for so long.”

Nwanne disclosed that the airport quickly responded as fire-fighting vehicles and other response equipment were immediately stationed in case of any eventuality, stressing that they were really ready for the aircraft.

The airplane, he said, eventually landed at the airport at about 3.30 p.m., just as he noted that about 300 passengers onboard the plane panicked.

“People jumped up in prayer, thanked God as the plane made a return to the airport,” he added. “After that, a team of engineers came to inspect the aircraft to rectify the problem before the airplane was certified to fly again.”

The aircraft was, however, rescheduled for 6 p.m. yesterday and was expected in Lagos at about 11.30 p.m. Sunday. Among dignitaries onboard were TuFace Idibia with his band, and Mrs. Josephine Anenih.
http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=122249:panic-as-saa-makes-emergency-landing-over-spark
Culled from The Guardian

19 years on, Nigeria, Brazil to restore direct air link

                         

Nineteen years after Brazil’s defunct national airline, Viação Aérea Rio-Grandense (VARIG), ceased operations in Nigeria, Nigeria and Brazil are set to restore direct air links between them.


Consequently, Arik Air, the Nigerian carrier designated on the route, has commenced the process that would enable it start direct flights into the Brazilian commercial nerve centre, São Paulo, and has applied for traffic rights and slot allocation from the Brazilian National Civil Aviation Agency (Agency National De Aviacao Civil) and the Department of Air Transport.

The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Nigeria to Brazil, Mr. Vincent A. Okoedion, who welcomed a delegation of Arik Air officials in Brasilia, said the commencement of direct flights into Brazil would open up a window of investment opportunities for both countries in several areas, including agriculture, aviation, power, education and culture.

“Brazil is the hub of the economies of South America, just as Nigeria is the hub of the economies of West and Central Africa,” he said. “Both countries have always had that desire to see the two economies of West Africa and South America linked by direct flights.

“Today, Brazil is the sixth largest economy in the world and Nigeria is the fastest growing economy in Africa and the two countries are able to draw all the economies in their respective regions.

“So, once you have direct flight, this flight is not only connecting the two countries but the two regions, that is in Nigeria, the whole of West Africa and in Brazil, the whole of South America.

“You can imagine the size of these two regions, that is, the size of their economies, and the way it will boost trade. In fact, it will boost the business of the airline that is able to establish this connection.”
The current move by Arik Air, according to its Deputy Managing Director, Captain Ado Sanusi, was a follow-up to the meeting in February this year between President Goodluck Jonathan and President Dilma Rousseff for the restoration of air link between both countries to boost trade, commerce and cultural ties.

Sanusi said that direct air link between them as regional leaders in Africa and South America respectively would boost economic relationship, which would be accelerated with direct flights into major cities, including Lagos and São Paulo.
According to him, Arik was working round the clock to ensure that within three months, all arrangements would be concluded for the commencement of flights into Brazil, even as the airline plans to take delivery of more wide body aircraft to boost its long haul and international operations.

Sanusi further disclosed that the carrier intends to secure traffic rights to enable it start service before the Nigerian/Brazilian Bi-Commission conference scheduled for August 2013.

The Arik team also visited officials of the Brazilian National Development Bank (BNDB), where they explored opportunities of securing multilateral funding for aircraft acquisition, as well as Brazilian aircraft manufacturer, Embraer, to explore business relationships with the company with regard to the acquisition of regional jets to boost its operations.
http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=121570:19-years-on-nigeria-brazil-to-restore-direct-air-link
Culled from The Guardian

Nigeria, a burgeoning market for business aviation

AS other countries witnessed their general aviation sectors shrink during the economic downturn, Nigeria’s has thrived.

According to experts, the industry is expected to grow by 3.5 per cent this year. This follows a 2.5 per cent increase year over year in 2012 and a 2.5 per cent increase in 2011.

This growth has come from all sectors of the general aviation industry especially from business aviation, according to experts who spoke at the Nigeria Business Aviation Conference, with theme, “The Emerging Market In Business Aviation”, held in Lagos on Tuesday.
Business aviation is a specialised form of aviation catering for business travel, charter services and private jets ownership.

Meanwhile, the total private jets in Nigeria has been valued at $3.75 billion, just as stakeholders put the total entire private jets in the country at 150.
On the average, each jet costs $25 million, which carries both local and international registrations.

The total number of private jets in the country has made Nigeria the continent’s largest market of private jets.

Across the nation’s airports and private hangars are state-of-the-art Gulfstream (300. 450, 550, 650); Bombardier Challenger (604, 605) Global Express; Embraer Legacy; Dassault Falcon; and Hawker Siddeley (125 - 800, 900XP), with supply countries such as the United States, Canada, Brazil and South Africa.

Acquisition cost goes from $10 million to $65 million; excluding other associated costs like registration and legal; remuneration of pilot and crew; fueling and maintenance; insurance, landing, parking and overflying.
Depending on the jet usage and size, the associated costs can be $250,000 to $1,000,000 per year, according to experts, just as 70 per cent of jet purchases are made with cash according to industry sources.

South Africa is, unsurprisingly, the business aviation leader in the region, but that is not to say there aren’t other contenders moving up in the ranks.   Data shows that Nigeria and Ghana are quickly emerging as the second and third strongest markets in the region.

Nigeria and South Africa are the two largest economies in Africa. With over 160 million people, Nigeria is the biggest market for private jet operators and other investments, after South Africa .
The country is home to close to 150 corporate aircraft, a number which is expected to rise as Nigeria’s economy continues to flourish.

It’s no secret that sub-Saharan Africa is one of the next big growth markets for business aviation. With an emerging class of high net worth individuals (HNWI) and growing political stability it’s no wonder that companies around the world are looking at the region as a budding business aviation hotspot.
Bolstered by poor ground transportation infrastructure and a lack of commercial airline connections, business aviation has found a welcoming home in Nigeria.

However, even private aviation has problems to overcome before business can really flourish.
Among the largest issues facing operators in sub-Saharan Africa today are the lack of an established regulatory environment leading to a variation of regulations from country to country, poor infrastructure, a lack of maintenance facilities and safety requirements, and a general shortage of experienced aviation personnel.

Within the region, South Africa is by far the strongest business aviation market, accounting for 18 per cent in the region.

The growing markets of Nigeria and Ghana, however, are beginning to make an impact with the former accounting for nine per cent of regional searches and the latter accounting for eight per cent.
For this sector to continue to thrive, the banks would need to play crucial roles. But how much role have the banks played to ensure that the business thrives? Their supports have been enormous.

It is ironical that while these finance houses shied away from supporting general aviation, this newfound business is receiving huge financial backing because of the low risks involved.
The description of aviation in Nigeria as high-risk industry has negatively hampered financing of aircraft by local banks.

While in the U.S., Europe, Middle East and some parts of South America, financial institutions are willing and ready to finance aircraft acquisition.

It is also the reason airlines like Emirates, British Airways, Air France, Ethiopian Airways, KLM and many other strong carriers can make over 30 aircraft orders in one fell swoop.

In these climes, interests on loans are single digit based, repaid over a long period of time, mostly between 10 and 20 years.

The reverse is the case in Nigeria where interest rates range between 25 and 34 per cent with short term repayable arrangement.

Also, because of the classification as a high risk nation in aviation, insurance premiums are very high for aircraft operated in Nigeria.

The Managing Director of Guarantee Trust Bank, Mr. Segun Agbaje, in his presentation at the forum, which brought together aircraft manufacturers like Embraer, Bombardier, Dassault Falcon, Gulfstream, aviation service providers among others, disclosed that the global private jet industry had experienced a resurgence since the downturn in the market between 2008 and 2009 occasioned by the global financial crisis.

His words: “About 150 private jets currently operating/owned in Nigeria; at an average cost of $25 million per aircraft, the market size is estimated at about $3.75 billion, making it Africa’s largest private jet market.

“Market grew 650 per cent from 20 jets in 2007 to 150 jets in 2012, making it one of the fastest growing private jet markets in the world with foreign and locally registered aircraft (though predominantly foreign).   Current private jet owners include HNIs, operating companies, special purpose vehicles, clergymen, government, and charter operators”.
http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=121227:nigeria-a-burgeoning-market-for-business-aviation&catid=32:business-travel&Itemid=563
culled from The Guardian

Victim of 2012 plane crash shuts Dana office

                                  

Business activities at the Allen Avenue office of Dana Airlines came to a halt on Wednesday after the owner of the two-storey building destroyed in the plane crash, Pastor Daniel Omowunmi, locked the main gate of the office and blocked the entrance with his Toyota Sports Utility Vehicle.

Omowunmi, who arrived Dana office at 5.30am, brought with him three iron chains and padlock which he used to lock out all employees of the company.

The ill-fated Dana flight 992 killed over 153 people on board, as well as approximately 10 other persons and caused injuries to many people on the ground.

The plane also crashed into Daniel’s house and factory and destroyed his property, which he said, was worth N500m.

Omowunmi told our correspondent that he decided to lock up the place because all attempts to get compensation from Dana had proved abortive.

He said, “In some weeks’ time, it will be a year that the plane crash occurred. I have not been working up till now. They destroyed my properties and rendered me jobless since June 3, 2012. Dana has commenced operation but it has not said anything meaningful about my case.

“Officials of the company have been going on air with all sorts of propaganda claiming that they have settled all those affected. That is why I have come here so that they can come out to tell me the kind of arrangements they have made, the amount they paid and who they gave it to.”

The pastor said the N500m he lost to the crash represented the value of his warehouse, publishing house, fish ponds and other businesses.

He said so far, only $30,000 (N4.8m) had been given to him by the company.

He said, “My properties are four plots of land with a detached six-bedroom building, two standard warehouses, a bungalow at the back of the warehouses and four fish ponds. Everything was destroyed, including my second jeep parked on the premises. My furniture, six container loads of books and five container loads of kitchen utensils all destroyed.

“Up till today, they have not said anything tangible and yet they are flying. If they think they will carry on with business like that and it is going to be easy, they must be joking.

“The claim I put before them is about N500m and up till now, the only thing they have made available to me after much pressure was $30,000 dollars to rent a house. After that, they have not been forthcoming. My lawyer actually persuaded me to collect the money.”

The area was tense as over 20 employees of the company waited outside the company and in the rain, which started around 4am.

Some of the employees, including an Indian, appealed to the pastor to open the gate and seek alternative means of pressing home his point but he refused.

Around 9am however, a team of policemen stormed the vicinity and one of the policemen, Corporal Giwa Mohammed, dragged the pastor into a Rapid Response Squad patrol vehicle with registration number 195LA.

A few minutes later, senior officers attached to Area F Command arrived at the scene and appealed to Omowunmi to unlock the gate.

Omowunmi, while fighting back tears, said life had become unbearable for him and he had been pushed to the wall.

He said, “I have not been able to meet my obligations to my family. I have three children. For the first time in my life, I had to get money from people to pay my children’s school fees last week.”

After much persuasion, however, the pastor unlocked the gate and followed the policemen to Area F.

It was learnt that the area commander, Tunde Adagunduro, had written a letter to the management of Dana, inviting them to a meeting with the pastor to prevent another episode.

When contacted on the telephone, the spokesperson for the airline, Tony Usidamen, said he was aware of the protest but could not confirm if Omowunmi’s claims were true since it was the insurance company that was in charge of compensation and not Dana.

He said, “I know some people have been compensated and I know that he (Omowunmi) was given some money. I however do not know the level of compensation because Dana does not handle compensation rather; the insurance company does.

“I will find out tomorrow to know how far with his payments. Our duty is to pay premium to insurance company and we just follow up to know the level of compensation.”

Police assault PUNCHman

As our correspondent was taking pictures of the drama at Dana office, a police corporal,  Giwa Mohammed, dragged him by the shirt and seized his telephone.

He further threatened to kill our correspondent.

Mohammed said, “Who gave journalists the right to take pictures here? You should have taken permission before taking pictures. I received a distress call to come here and I am doing my job.”

Mohammed then ordered our correspondent to delete all previously taken pictures from his telephone.

The corporal, along with his colleagues, attempted to intimidate our correspondent and hurled insults at him.

It took the intervention of senior police officers to call the overzealous policemen to order.

http://www.punchng.com/news/victim-of-2012-plane-crash-shuts-dana-office/

Culled from Punch