TheNewsGuru

Tag: Aircraft

  • Akwa Ibom acquires three aircraft for take-off of Ibom airline

    As part of the industrialisation policy of the Governor Udom Emmanuel administration, the Akwa Ibom State has taken delivery of three aircraft for the take-off of Ibom Airline.

    Speaking at the inauguration of the aircraft at the Victor Attah International Airport in Uyo yesterday, Emmanuel said the airline was a monumental achievement in the state.

    He said the aircraft, C-FWNK is only six years old with a sitting capacity of about 90 persons and constitutes the newest and modern fleet of the Canadian airbus.

    He said that Akwa Ibom is the only state in the country to run a state-owned airport and run an airline, adding that the government is running Ibom Air as a business.

    He said Ibom Airline will operate routes that would give preference to Akwa Ibom people, and that the government would soon launch one of the best terminal buildings in the country.

    He said the government is focussing on development of the economy on land, air and water, saying so far, the government has constructed over 1,000 kilometers of roads across the state.

    Governor Emmanuel said one other aircraft would arrive on Friday in addition to the already unveiled two, pointing out that the Ibom Deep Seaport will soon commence operations before the expiration of his second term in 2023.

    He said the launching of Ibom Air is a monumental achievement in Akwa Ibom and indeed Africa. The journey to achieve Ibom Airline started in 2016 and today, it is a reality.

    “If we were to search the minds of people, this day would have been frustrated but we give glory to God for making this day a reality.

    “I want to charge my people that we can achieve a lot if we come together. This is the only state across the country that runs and operate an international airport. We are the only state that runs a category two runway.

    “I want to reassure the former governor, Obong Victor Attah that very soon the MRO will be a place that will maintain fleet of aircraft across the country,” he said.

    We are running Ibom Air as a business, paying particular attention to Akwa Ibom people,” he said.

    The Senate President, Bukola Saraki, who was the first passenger that arrived the airport in the new aircraft, unveiled the airplane and commended the leadership qualities of the state governor, noting that he has been able to create an environment viable for development.

     

     

     

  • NAF acquires 22 Aircraft to fight Boko Haram, others

    The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar Wednesday said a total of 22 aircraft were recently added into the inventory of Nigerian Air Force (NAF) to support various on-going military operations across the country, particularly the fight against Boko Haram Terrorists.

    According to Abubakar, as at July 2015, the aircraft serviceability status of the Nigerian Air Force was below 60 percent, but as at date, the aircraft serviceability status has improved beyond 80 percent.

    Abubakar made the remarks while declaring open the NAF Finance Training Workshop with the theme “Strenghtening the NAF Finance Specialty for Efficient Service Delivery in Support of NAF Operations”, at the NAF Headquarters, Abuja.

    The Air Chief who was represented by the Chief of Policy and Plans, Air Vice Marshal M A Mohammed said the NAF has been able to deploy its platforms in support of military operations through prudent management of resources.

    He added that the NAF was not only striving to improve on the present status, but has complied with measures put in place by the present administration of President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure transparency and accountability in governance.

    “In line with the anti-corruption drive of Mr. President, Commander-in-Chief, the Nigerian Air Force has complied with measures put in place by the Federal Government to aide transparency in government’s financial transactions such as the Treasury Single Account, Government Integrated Financial Management Information System, as well as the ongoing biometric data capture for the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System, just to mention a few”, Air Marshal Abubakar stated.

    He further said: “The recent feats achieved by the Service cost a lot of money. For the Government to continue providing the necessary funds to support Nigerian Air Force operations, it behoves on you to continue to maintain high level of integrity as finance personnel in the management of these public funds.

    “It is pertinent to state that despite a decline in governmental allocation, the Nigerian Air Force alongside sister Services have been able to achieve commendable successes in counterinsurgency and the fight against armed banditry plaguing various regions of the Country.

    “The Nigerian Air Force has been able to effectively deploy its platforms to these areas in support of sister Services. This much was achieved through prudent management of resources allocated to the Service and strict compliance with procurement laws”

    In his remarks at the event, the Accountant General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris, said deficit financing of the nation’s budgets over the years have remained a challenge in tackling various commitments of government, stressing that five major countries of the world that topped security and military spending have continued to increase their budgets for security and military because of increasing security challenges.

    Malam Idris who was represented by Alhaji Mohammed K Usman said: “It is a known fact that in recent years, our nation is faced with obvious security challenges that, if not because of the tenacity of the Government, the situation would have been so unnerving and overwhelming especially if one weigh in paucity of funds and our other politico-economic challenges.

    “If the situation is juxtaposed against other contending sectors yearning for attention in terms of provision of social services and infrastructure, then the monster in the challenge of security funding cannot be more unveiled. The Nation must therefore deeply think and come up with appropriate funding template that would provide stability towards the delicate balancing of national priorities.

    “Our national Appropriation had been majorly deficit- budgeted for so many years now. This simply means that the revenue projections were lower than the projected expenditure; therefore Government had to depend on borrowings in order to, substantially part-finance the annual Appropriation over the years.“

  • UN aircraft lift over 58,000 passengers in Nigeria in 2018

    UN aircraft lift over 58,000 passengers in Nigeria in 2018

    The United Nations Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) successfully transported over 58,000 passengers by both helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft between January and November 2018 in support of humanitarian efforts in Nigeria.

    The UNHAS fixed-wing service focuses on Borno and Adamawa states, two of the three states most affected by ongoing conflict in the Northeast of Nigeria, linking both state capitals with Abuja, the Federal Capital. The helicopter operation provides the humanitarian community in Northeast Nigeria with access to 11 remote and very challenging locations throughout Borno in order to support the implementation and monitoring of humanitarian interventions and life-saving programmes in conflict-affected locations. Passengers transported include humanitarian workers operating in field locations, visiting donors and high-level delegations from within and outside of Nigeria.

    UNHAS, managed by the UN World Food Programme (WFP), also air-lifted 62 casualties in need of emergency medical treatment from locations throughout Borno to Maiduguri. In addition to critical trauma cases, severely malnourished internally displaced children were also among those transported.

    Within the same period, UNHAS transported over 135,000kg of urgently required cargo as part of the UN’s humanitarian interventions in the hardest-to-reach areas of north east Nigeria.

    “Running an operation of this large scale is extremely complex. We receive on weekly basis hundreds of flight requests coming from more than 56 humanitarian organizations. I’ve watched the operation grow over time since 2015 when we came to set up, and I’m in no doubt that the work we do in UNHAS is saving lives,” says Bruce Walker, Chief Air Transport Officer. “The success of every humanitarian sector, whether it be the delivery of medical services, clean water, logistics or food, depends on the air support we provide. That’s why UNHAS Nigeria is here to support.”

    To sustain its operations, UNHAS urgently requires US$7 million net funding through June 2019. Indeed, UNHAS is fully reliant upon the support of international donors such as Belgium, Canada, the European Union (EU), Germany, the Nigeria Humanitarian Fund (NHF), Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, UNCERF and the United States government (USAID) to continue its operations.

     

  • Nigerian Air Force aircraft neutralises fleeing Boko Haram terrorists

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation Lafiya Dole has successfully neutralised several Boko Haram Terrorists (BHTs) at Bulagalaye and Kwakwa, both in Borno, through successful air strikes.

    Olatokunbo Adesanya, an air vice marshal and NAF’s Director of Public Relations and Information, who confirmed this in a statement on Friday in Abuja, said the operation was conducted on Sunday.

    “The successful air strikes on both locations were as a result of efforts to trail and neutralise fleeing terrorists after Nigerian Army (NA) troops had repelled the attack on their location around Bama.

    “Upon receiving reports of the attack, the ATF scrambled an Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platform and the Alpha Jet aircraft to locate the fleeing terrorists.

    “Consequently, the insurgents, who were seen assembled at a staging area in Bulagalaye, began to disperse upon sighting the attack platforms.

    “However, the NAF fighter aircraft acquired and attacked the fleeing insurgents with bombs and rockets.

    “As a result of the air strikes, the BHTs were neutralised while their vehicles and weapons were destroyed, leading to a thick cloud of black smoke,” he said.

    Mr Adesanya said intelligence reports later revealed that a smaller bunch of the BHTs had re-assembled in a settlement known as Kwakwa.

    He said the ATF then conducted a wave of strikes on the location.

    “Overhead Kwakwa the ISR platform successfully identified the terrorists’ location and vectored the attack platforms to the target area, which was attacked with bombs and rockets,” he said.

    He said some of the terrorists were seen fleeing towards a nearby settlement and further attacked with rockets and then neutralised

    “The Air Task Force will continue to conduct missions in support of the efforts of our troops in the counterinsurgency operations in the Northeast while also providing Close Air Support when requested to do so,” he said.

  • Gospel singer Kirk Franklin lash out on pastor demanding $54m to buy fourth aircraft

    Popular American Gospel Singer and songwriter, Kirk Franklin has frowned at a request by a pastor, Jessie Duplantis for donations to buy his fourth air plane at the cost of $54 million.

    Duplantis is an Evangelical Charismatic Christian Minister based in New Orleans, Louisiana, US, and the founder of Jesse Duplantis Ministries.

    The “Thank you’’ hit maker took to his instagram @kirkfranklin to express his sadness with the picture of 68-year old Duplantis.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BjaRAKGHZLQ/?taken-by=kirkfranklin

    The 48-year old song writer, Choir director and author is known for leading urban contemporary gospel choir such as The Family, God’s Property and One Nation Crew.

    He has won multiple awards including 12 Grammy awards.

    The Texas born artist also featured in movies which include “Joyful Noise’’, “The Gospel’’, “Something to say About’’ and many others.

  • Dapchi Girls’ abduction: NAF denies deploying 100 aircraft to Yobe

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) on Wednesday denied sending 100 aircraft to Yobe State in search of the abducted girls in Dapchi.

    Recall that there were reports in some sections of the media of the deployment of 100 aircraft in an intensified approach to finding the girls.

    This was revealed in a statement signed and sent to TheNewsGuru.com on Wednesday by the Director of Public Relations and Information of the force, AVM Adetokubo Adesanya.

    The statement reads:

    NIGERIAN AIR FORCE DID NOT DEPLOY 100 AIRCRAFT FOR SEARCH OF DAPCHI GIRLS

    The attention of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has been drawn to a statement being circulated to the effect that 100 NAF aircraft had been deployed in search of the missing Dapchi girls. While paying a courtesy call on the Executive Governor of Yobe State, in company of the Chief of the Air Staff, on 27 February 2018, the National Security Adviser, Mohammed Monguno, indeed spoke about the number of sorties so far conducted by NAF aircraft in the course of searching for the missing girls within a stated period. Obviously, the number of sorties does not equate the number of aircraft deployed.

  • NAF takes delivery of additional 5 Super Mushshak aircraft

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) on Sunday took delivery of five Super Mushshak aircraft from Pakistan meant to enhance its training and operational efficiency.

    The Chief of Logistics, NAF headquarters, AVM Garba Bello said while taking delivery of the aircraft in Kaduna that the total Super Mushshak aircraft received from Pakistan now stood at 10.

    “The aircraft acquired is for the training of air force personnel and to improve the service’ air power,” he said.

    Bello, who represented the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadiq Abubakar at the event, said:“This will enhance training of our student pilots who will now complete their training within stipulated the time.

    “This will get them to go to another form of training in time and finally get them to launch into battle field in the North-East and other parts of the country.”

    According to him, the aircraft is modern and has spare parts in the event of repairs and maintenance.

    “In the NAF, we have a very strict maintenance culture, we have instructor pilots and engineers on it.”

    Also speaking, the team leader of Pakistan Air force, Wing Cdr. Zeeshan Ahmed said 10 super Mushshak planes have been supplied to Nigeria from Pakistan.

    He said that the gesture would strengthen existing relationship between the two countries and encourage the two armed forces to upscale their synergy.

     

  • Buhari approves purchase of 20 aircraft for Aviation College

    Buhari approves purchase of 20 aircraft for Aviation College

    The Federal Government is to procure 20 aircraft to make Nigeria College of Aviation Technology (NCAT) Zaria a centre of excellence, Sen. Hadi Sirika, Minister of State for Aviation, has said.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that NCAT took delivery of a brand new Dimond DA24NG.

    The minister, who disclosed this at the launch of the new aircraft in Zaria on said that the new aircraft would improve the training capacity of the college.

    He observed that the current aircraft in use were highly expensive to maintain, adding that the college would now be more competitive and dynamic in the global aviation industry.

    Sirika lauded the efforts of the management of the college especially for introducing courses in line with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

    “I am aware of efforts by NCAT to run National Diploma and Higher National Diploma, be rest assured, you will have our full support and that of the president.”

    The minister charged staff of the college to seek for more knowledge in view of the fact that the world had changed from resource based economy to knowledge based.

    Earlier, the Rector of the college, Capt. Abdussalami Mohammed said currently there were 29 trainer aircraft in the college.

    “These aircraft used for ab-initio training TB9, Trinidad TB20GT and Beech Baron 58 are old, the earliest being purchased 15 years ago and quite expensive to fuel and maintain,’’ he said.

    The rector said the new trainer aircraft would significantly improve the flight training experience and reduce operating cost.

    He added that the newly acquired aircraft was equipped with glass cockpit and garmin 1000, which would make it easier for graduating pilots to transit to new generation commercial aircraft.

     

     

    NAN

  • Air Peace expands fleet, receives 12th aircraft

    In a bid to serve its customers better, Nigeria’s domestic carrier, Air Peace, has taken delivery of its 12th aircraft, a 114-capacity Boeing 737-500.

    This was revealed by the Chief Operating Officer of Air Peace, Mrs Oluwatoyin Olajide on Wednesday in an interview with newsmen in Lagos. told newsmen on Wednesday in Lagos that the aircraft landed at Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos at about 2.15pm on Tuesday.

    Olajide said the aircraft landed at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos at about 2.15pm on Tuesday.

    She said the arrival of the aircraft would greatly boost the airline’s expansion drive especially as it had commenced its daily Lagos-Accra-Lagos flight operations on February 16.

    Olajide said the airline had earlier entered the Lagos-Benin-Lagos, Abuja-Benin-Abuja and the Lagos-Uyo-Lagos routes.

    According to her, Air Peace is also planning to start flight operations to Sokoto in a few days’ time.

    In her words: “Our customers are our greatest asset. Their support and loyalty have ensured our rapid growth, expansion and choice as Nigeria’s preferred airline.

    “At a time the aviation industry is facing a lot of challenges, we have continued to show strength and maintain very high standards. Our banks and other creditors have also been very supportive because of our integrity.”

    Olajide explained that the airline was uncompromising in the maintenance of its aircraft to guarantee the safety of its customers.

    “Two of our aircraft are also arriving from C-check. We insisted on the regulatory heavy maintenance in accordance with Boeing requirements.

    “We insist on very high safety standards because we greatly value the lives of our esteemed customers”, she said.

    Olajide disclosed that the airline was planning on hitting more regional and international destinations, including Abidjan, Douala, Niamey, Dakar, Johannesburg, South Africa, Dubai, Mumbai, Guangzhou-China, Atlanta and London.

    “We will also be covering more local destinations in a matter of days. Already, we are set to commence flight operations into Sokoto.

    “So we are getting more aircraft and doing heavy maintenance of our fleet to sustain the high safety standards we have been known for since we started commercial flight operations,” she said.

     

    NAN

  • Arik Air refutes allegations of poorly maintained aircraft

    Arik Air refutes allegations of poorly maintained aircraft

    Following barrage of social messages on allegations of poor management of airplanes in its fleet, the management of Arik Air on Thursday refutes the claims while stating in unequivocal terms the airline’s commitment to international safety and operational standards.

    The airline gave the assurance in a statement signed by its Communications Manager, Mr Ola Adebanji.

    It appealed to Arik Air’s guests to ignore any message alleging that the airline’s aircraft were not well maintained.

    It said it was the handiwork of mischief makers and one of the airline’s staff whose appointment was terminated on Dec. 13 for misconduct and fraud.

    According to the statement, Arik Air has been leading the resurgence of Nigerian civil aviation and has been using modern and well-maintained aircraft for operations.

    The statement reads in part: “This is evident in the airline achieving the stringent IOSA (IATA Operational Safety Audit) four consecutive times, with the last two audits cleared successfully without any findings.

    “This achievement has also earned Arik Air, EIOSA (Enhanced IATA Operational Safety Audit) making it the only airline in West and Central Africa to have such certification.”

    The statement added that the airline operates the youngest fleet in West Africa, with an average hull age of 7.8 years.

    The statement further explained that Arik Air it has an existing contract with world renowned maintenance providers such as Lufthansa Technik and Lufthansa Cityline under full “turnkey” maintenance service contracts and other leading maintenance service providers.

    “Arik Air also maintains a well-stocked spare parts store with a market value of over $250 million.

    Arik Air has in its 10 years of operation, safely transported about 20 million passengers across its network of 19 domestic, 10 regional and three international destinations,” the statement concluded.