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Tag: AON

  • Airline operators lift lifetime ‘No Fly’ ban slammed Emmanson

    Airline operators lift lifetime ‘No Fly’ ban slammed Emmanson

    The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has lifted the lifetime ‘No Fly’ ban on Comfort Emmanson, an Ibom Air passenger, who allegedly assaulted a crew member and airport security personnel.

    This is contained in a statement signed by the Spokesperson of AON, Prof. Obiora Okonkwo on Thursday in Lagos.

    Emmanson was indefinitely banned from flying with any AON-member on Aug. 12, after an incident onboard an Uyo to Lagos flight Q1 513 on Sunday.

    The passenger was on August 11, remanded in a correctional facility and released on Wednesday after all criminal charges were dropped by the relevant authorities.

    Okonkwo said that the operators reached the decision after the intervention of the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo, SAN.

    According to him, AON considered all the circumstances of the matter, including the exhibition of remorse for her behavior, as reported, the withdrawal of the complaint and consequent striking out of all charges.

    He said: “AON hereby lifted the life ban placed on Emmanson from flying with any AON-member airline for life.

    “Calls on the relevant aviation agencies to immediately commence the sensitisation of the public on the dangers and consequences of unruly behaviour at airport terminals and onboard aircraft.

    “As spelt out in section 85 of the Civil Aviation Act, 2022 and Part 17 of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations, 2023.

    “Believes that incidents of unruly and disruptive behaviour at airport terminals and onboard aircraft will greatly reduce,” he said.

    As a means of enlightenment, Okonkwo further said that unruly behaviour included, but was not limited to, assaulting, intimidating, or threatening any flight or cabin crew member.

    “Using a mobile phone and or other communication or electronic gadget on board aircraft against the instruction of the pilot-in-command or flight crew or cabin crew.

    “Smoking on board aircraft or in a non-smoking area of the terminal building; fighting or other disorderly conduct on board an aircraft or at the terminal building.

    “Any conduct constituting a nuisance to other passengers; disobedience of lawful instruction issued by the pilot-in-command, flight crew, cabin crew, check-in-staff and or security screening staff.

    “Any conduct that endangers the safety of flight operations; tampering with smoke detectors or other aircraft equipment,” said.

    He reiterates the power of the pilot-in-command or an AVSEC officer, as provided in the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations, to restrain and de-board an unruly and disruptive passenger.

    “The pilot-in-charge can take all necessary measures to protect the safety of the aircraft, the terminal building or of persons and property therein.

    “To maintain good order and discipline on board or at the terminal building and to enable him to deliver such a person to competent authorities.

    “Confirms that members shall cooperate with the relevant aviation agencies and participate in the retraining retreats on how to handle cases of unruly and disruptive passengers as proposed by the Minister,” he said.

    Okonkwo reaffirmed airline operators’ zero-tolerance policy towards unruly passenger behaviour, and enjoined aggrieved passengers to follow proper channels in expressing their grievances.

  • Just in: AON places life ban on passenger who assaulted Ibom Air crew

    Just in: AON places life ban on passenger who assaulted Ibom Air crew

    The Airline Operators of Nigeria, AON, has imposed a lifetime ban on Ms Comfort Emmanson for her unruly behaviour while aboard Ibom Air from Uyo to Lagos on Sunday 10th August 2025.

    According to the news monitored on a national tv the imposition of lifetime ban is also in addition to her prosecution by the regulating authorities to serve as a deterrent.

    It will be recalled that Ms Emmanson has been arraigned on Monday 11th August 2025, and remanded in Kirikiri Correctional Centre.

    Details shortly…

  • AON seeks review of helicopter landing fee

    AON seeks review of helicopter landing fee

    A trustee of the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), Capt. Roland Iyayi, has urged the Federal Government to reconsider the $300 landing fee on helicopters.

    Iyayi, also the President of Topbrass Aviation Ltd., spoke with journalists on Thursday in Lagos.

    He noted that helicopter companies have always complied with tax regulations before this new charge was introduced.

    Iyayi joined other aviation stakeholders to oppose the landing fee on helicopters servicing the oil and gas industry.

    He said the fee, collected by NAEBI Dynamic Concept Ltd. for the Federal Government with NAMA’s support, covers aircraft take-off across Nigerian airports.

    Iyayi argued that the $300 fee imposes an additional burden on operators and could negatively affect the aviation sector.

    He stated that NAMA’s involvement in the charge should have both legislative and regulatory backing.

    “When this came up under former Minister Hadi Sirika, we shut it down, as the sector was already burdened with excessive taxes. Such fees are harmful to the industry’s growth and development,” he said.

    He criticised officials justifying the charge, claiming the funds leave aviation and are not reinvested in the sector.

    “In aviation, money earned should go back into aviation development,” Iyayi stressed.

    He claimed aviation revenue in Nigeria is diverted to unrelated purposes rather than developing the sector.

    “With new tax laws, earnings go to the Nigerian Revenue Service first, worsening conditions for aviation,” he warned.

    Iyayi questioned NAEBI Dynamic Concept Ltd., saying the company provides no infrastructure but uses NAMA’s systems to charge $300 per landing.

    He explained that helicopters usually land at facilities owned by their oil and gas clients, not government terminals.

    “These are private terminals. Why should an operator pay to use their own facility?” Iyayi asked.

    He argued the policy was not properly considered, given government joint ventures with oil firms, often through NNPC.

    “In such ventures, the government typically owns about 60 per cent and ends up paying the charges,” he said.

    Iyayi cited NAMA’s directive that oil firms, not operators, should pay the landing fee. He said that ultimately, the government is taxing itself, creating inefficiencies in the system.

    “This could lead to contract cancellations as companies try to stick to their annual budgets,” he explained.

    He added that such cancellations would hurt helicopter operators the most.

    “I don’t believe this was well thought through. Whether oil firms or operators pay, the industry suffers,” he said.

    He suggested reducing taxes and ensuring that earnings are reinvested to match infrastructure needs. Iyayi stressed that NAMA cannot impose new charges without National Assembly approval.

    He added that such moves require regulatory concurrence before implementation.

    “NAMA should assess how any new charge would affect the industry before enforcement,” he said.

    “We condemn the imposition of charges without due diligence or proper impact assessment. There are many things that simply do not add up,” he said.

  • Airline operators deny blacklisting of Nigerian carriers

    Airline operators deny blacklisting of Nigerian carriers

    The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has said that a report alleging blacklisting of some Nigerian carriers by international aircraft lessors for breach  contract, was inaccurate and maligning.

    This is disclosed in a statement by AON  and signed by its spokesperson, Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, on Thursday in Lagos.

    According to Okonkwo, Nigerian airlines have consistently worked very hard to meet their contractual obligations with lessors in spite of a challenging business environment.

    Okonkwo said that two of the airlines  – Air Peace and Azman – mentioned in the report, by a national daily, had incurred losses exceeding three million dollars from lessors.

    “Despite these setbacks, domestic airlines have remained committed to serving the Nigerian public and contributing to national economic development.

    “The first report claimed that 13 airlines, including Aero Contractors, Air Peace, Arik, Azman, Dana, Green Africa, Ibom Air, Max Air, United Nigeria Airline and Valuejet, were blacklisted for refusing to pay lessor fees.

    “The second report claimed that airline operators denied owing lessors even when the newspaper did not officially speak with the managements of the airlines it listed in its earlier report.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, we categorically state that the first report is entirely false, malicious and defamatory,” he noted.

    According to Okonkwo, the national daily, in its second report, concocted information to justify the first report instead of retracting it.

    “We find the publication of such inaccuracies very disheartening. We see it as a calculated attempt to erode confidence and to destroy the aviation industry.

    “We demand  immediate retraction of the report and an apology by the newspaper with the same prominence given to the inaccurate cover stories.

    “In the absence of a satisfactory response, we may be forced to file a complaint with relevant media oversight bodies, take a legal action or both, to protect our reputation,” he said.

    Okonkwo noted that the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo (SAN), had acknowledged the challenges domestic operators faced and had made concerted efforts to create an enabling environment for the operators.

    Air Peace, in a letter dated July 17 and signed by Mr Oroma Azeez on behalf of the airline’s legal representative, Alegeh and Co. Legal Practitioners and Notaries Public, described the publication as defamatory.

    The airline had asked for the publication be retracted within 24 hours.

    The airline  stated in the letter  that it had no existing dry lease contract and had never entered into one with any lessor since the commencement of its operations in 2013.

  • Operators react over suspended helicopter levy

    Operators react over suspended helicopter levy

    Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) on Thursday applauded the federal government’s suspension of the 300 dollars helicopter landing and take-off levy as a step in the right direction.

    The AON made this known in a statement signed by its Spokesperson, Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, in Lagos.

    Okonkwo commended the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo (SAN) on the suspension, saying it would support growth and sustainability of operators in the industry.

    He said that AON and other stakeholders’ stance on the matter was not ignored, as the minister listened and acted appropriately.

    According to him, the controversial landing and take-off fee to be collected by Messrs. Naebi Dynamic Concepts Limited, started in 2018, with the company demanding the levies to be paid in dollars, contrary to the provision of section 15 of the CBN Act.

    The fees were to be paid for helicopter landings and take-offs on and from oil rig platforms and private helipads, among others.

    Okonkwo said that the company had proposed to the former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, who wrote to the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), for comments.

    He said that the NCAA, however, said there was no legal justification for the introduction of the levy.

    Okonkwo said that the NCAA had stated that aside certification of helipads, most of which are privately-owned, and for which it charged certification fee, it did not provide any service to helicopter operators that would justify the imposition of such fee.

    The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) which manages airports also had neither legal framework nor justification to impose such a charge, other than at its airports, which helicopter operators pay just like other aircraft operators in Nigeria.

    According to him, the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has as one of its functions, under its Act, provision of navigation services necessary for the operation of aircraft taking off or landing, and to integrating them into the overall air traffic within the Nigerian airspace.

    He said that NAMA did not charge helicopter landing and take-off fee on or from oil rig platforms, Field Support Programme Officers (FSPOs) and private helipads, because it did not provide any service in respect thereto, to the operators.

    He said that Section 7(1) (r) of the NAMA Act which was in force at the time was clear that NAMA should charge fees only for the services provided by the Agency, and helicopter operators pay the air navigation charges as generated on monthly basis just like every other aircraft operator in Nigeria.

    Okonkwo said that AON rejected the imposition of the suspended Helicopter Landing and Take-off Fee for several reasons.

    He said that NAMA does not provide any additional service to helicopter operators to justify the imposition of the fee at all helipads, oil rig platforms, FSPOs, FSOs among others.

    Okonkwo said that when no service is provided at those locations to the helicopter operators by NAMA, such levy is contrary to the provision of section 7 (1) (r) of the then applicable NAMA Act as well as to section 1, paragraph 2 (1) of ICAO Document 9082 for such impositions.

    He said that NAMA did not adhere to the policies, principles and guidelines contained in ICAO Documents 9082 (ICAO’s Policies on Charges for Airports and Air Navigation Services) and 9161 (Manual on Air Navigation Services Economics).

    Before imposing the Helicopter Landing and Take-off Fee. Part 18, section 18.8.1.1 (e) of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations requires NAMA to adhere to the policies, principles and guidelines contained in those documents.

    He said NAMA did not obtain the approval of NCAA before imposing the new charge.

    Part 18, section 18.8.1.1 (b) of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations require NAMA to obtain the approval of NCAA before imposing any new charges and fees for its services.

    NCAA has the statutory power to regulate the charges that may be made in respect of air traffic control and for the use of aerodromes and for services provided at such aerodromes.

    He said that NAMA did not consult the helicopter operators and other stakeholders before imposing the Helicopter Landing and Take-off Fee.

    Okonkwo said Part 18, section 18.8.1.1 (d) of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations requires NAMA to adhere to the principles and procedures of consultation with users, cost-relatedness, non-discrimination and transparency in the application of charges and fees.

    He noted that contrary to the Ministry’s Press Release of May 13, neither NCAA nor FAAN was a party to the MoU between NAMA and Naebi Dynamic Concepts Limited.

  • FG threatens to invoke NCAA Act on airline operators over delayed, cancelled flights

    FG threatens to invoke NCAA Act on airline operators over delayed, cancelled flights

    The federal government has revealed intentions to invoke provisions of the Act establishing the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to compel airline operators in the country to start paying compensation for delayed and cancelled flights.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN) made the disclosure on Monday while stressing that the FG would compel airlines to pay compensation for delayed and cancelled flights not caused by nature.

    “You have blamed the government and a few things we do. But I also want to say that it is not all the time that it is government. At times, you say you were waiting for passengers to finish passing through the screening machine.

    “At times, they have finished passing through screening machines. They wait in the lounge for five hours and you cancel your flight. So, you see, after some time, we will start implementing the provisions of the NCAA Act. You know, Nigerians don’t know there is compensation for delay.

    “If it is an act of God, you cannot pay. But if it is human fault, the NCAA Act says you will pay. So, for all airline operators, while I have praised and supported you, I will also support Nigerians. You will pay them. After some time, I will put my feet on the ground. Pay them when you delay, cancel their flight,” Keyamo said.

    TNG reports domestic airlines under the aegis of Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), on Monday, demanded that the FG should allow airline operators in the country to procure the requisite licence for the importation and distribution of aviation fuel, popularly called Jet A1.

    AON also asked the government to provide a dedicated support line for domestic airlines to access foreign exchange from the Central Bank of Nigeria in order to enable the carriers to meet their obligations to air travellers.

    They made the call during a courtesy visit on the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development at his office in Abuja.

    The President, AON, Abdulmunaf Yunusa, said the purpose of the visit was to brief the minister about the challenges in the sector and proffer solutions, as well as congratulate him on his recent appointment as minister.

    He said, “There is an urgent need to facilitate the liberalisation, procurement and distribution of JetA1 nationwide and allow AON to procure requisite licence for product importation and distribution and also immediate review of all industry taxes, fees and charges to determine applicability in line with cost recovery model.”

    “We call on the Federal Government to establish and provide a dedicated support line for domestic airline operators to have unfettered access of foreign exchange through the Central Bank of Nigeria at the official I & E window in support of local and international transactions,” he stated.

    Responding, Keyamo said the challenge of forex had been lingering, but promised his guests that “the ministry will liaise with the CBN to see how operators can get forex at a single-digit interest rate of 1.5 to two per cent as requested.”

  • Airline operators react over Max Air aircraft landing incident

    Airline operators react over Max Air aircraft landing incident

    Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has reacted after an aircraft belonging to Max Air had a tyre burst during landing at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

    The reaction is contained in a statement by its Vice President, Mr Allen Onyema, who confirmed that the aircraft took off from Yola Airport and had a tyre burst on landing at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

    According to AON, no passenger or crew was hurt in the incident as all passengers and crew were safely evacuated.

    “We thank God Almighty for His protection of all on board that aircraft. We, in AON, decry the penchant for sensational reporting anytime such incident occurs.

    “Tyre bursts occur now and then in the industry and has nothing to do with the airline’s safety standards.

    “Such reports only tend to create unnecessary fears in the minds of the unsuspecting flying public and, as such, counterproductive, “ AON said.

    AON stated that Max Air was one of the safest airlines in the world and should not be ridiculed because of the incident.

    According to AON, tyre burst can happen to any airline in the world.

    “We plead with the flying public to be mindful of the consequences of sensationalising such occurrences in aviation as it may be used by outsiders to affect the county’s rating.

    “All Nigerian airlines are under a very strict oversight by the NCAA, hence no room for unsafe practices by any Nigerian airline.

    “This Tyre burst incident does not, and will never detract from Max Air’s well known safety standards, “ AON said.

  • Airline operators urge FAAN to increase check-in counters

    Airline operators urge FAAN to increase check-in counters

    The Airlines Operators of Nigeria (AON) has urged the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to increase the number of check-in counters to reduce flight delays experienced by passengers at the airports.

    The Vice President of the association, Chief Allen Onyema made this known at a book launch: ‘Air Transportation In Nigeria: The Lingering Expectations,’ in Lagos on Friday.

    Newsmen reports that the two veteran aviation journalists, Olusegun Koiki and Chinedu Eze are the two authors of the book on air transportation in Nigeria.

    Onyema, who is also the Air Peace Chairman, said airlines were experiencing inadequate counters to check-in thousands of passengers especially during the yuletide period where there would be increase in passengers traffic.

    The vice president decried that ten airlines were cramped into one small space to execute their flights service to different parts of the country.

    He said: “Flight delays and probably cancellations may be a topic for discussion this yuletide if nothing is done about the current inadequate counters for domestic airlines to check-in passengers especially at the Abuja Airport.

    “Most airlines have brought in new aircraft from two to ten to augment their operations during the yuletide but the challenge is beyond fleet size.

    “This is especially if facilitation is slowed as a result of lack of capacity of the airport to handle flights from Abuja to destinations like Port Harcourt, Lagos, Kano, Uyo, Asaba etc, all at once.

    “Even in international operations, domestic airlines are left with three counters to operate.
    “However, an expanse of space is given to foreign airlines which is a disservice to Nigerians who are trying to get it right under harsh environment.”

    Onyema noted that the issue of delays were not solely airlines’ responsibilities as those supposed to provide infrastructure and support the airlines were not given Nigerian airlines adequate infrastructure to support their business.

    The vice president said he had written to FAAN, the Ministry of Aviation on the issue of the Abuja check-in counters, saying that it was not encouraging for nine or ten airlines to be assigned in one small space.
    He said: “However, a few days ago, the Managing Director of FAAN spoke to me on phone and assured me they are going to do something about it.

    “What we are asking for is expansion. The old international terminal (Abuja) is lying fallow, if some of us (airlines) should go there, we will have enough counters for check in.

    “Not when they give you two counters and you are checking in thousands of people, delays will surely come and I tell the flying public to stop blaming the airlines for delays.”

    Newsmen recalls that there are plans to reserve the old international Airport terminal in Abuja for the proposed national carrier, Nigeria Air, currently mired in controversy and awaiting its day in court.

    However, domestic airlines already operating are still finding it difficult to handle their growing passengers in the constricted space allocated to them.

    Earlier in his welcome address, Koiki, who is the Chairman of Association of League of Airport and Aviation Correspondents (LAAC) said the book focused on several burning issues and topics in the sector.

    He said the book also x-rayed the aviation industry, its history, milestones and critically reviewed policies, regulations and actions taken by government and its agencies in the sector over the years.

    Newsmen reports that Onyema, who is the Chairman of the occasion while unveiling the book donated the sum of N10 million.

  • Airlines decry FG’s ‘criminalisation’ tag over alleged N19bn debt

    Airlines decry FG’s ‘criminalisation’ tag over alleged N19bn debt

    The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) have decried the alleged ‘criminalisation’ of all domestic airlines over the outstanding N19 billion debt it was alleged to owe some Federal Government’s aviation agencies.

    The Vice-President (V-P) of AON, Mr Allen Onyema, said this in a statement issued in Lagos on Wednesday.

    According to Onyema, who is also the Chairman of Air Peace Airline, owing of debts does not amount to fraud.

    He said that it was pertinent to clear the air that some of these debts were owed by some airlines that had since become moribund.

    “Our attention has been drawn to the news making the rounds that the Director -General (D-G) of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Musa Nuhu, is accusing airlines of defrauding government’s aviation agencies.

    “The agencies he mentioned as being defrauded are: the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the Nigerian Civil Aviation Agency (NCAA) and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) of over N19 billion while converting same to ‘personal use’.

    “The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) wishes to express its very strong reservations to such accusations and we decry very strongly that our members are defrauding government’s agencies of the said amount or any amount for that matter.

    “Airline Operations, worldwide, are not cash-and carry-businesses. Every airline in the world owes debts which are settled as their operations go on. Nigeria is not an exception.

    “It is true that some of our members have very bad debts but not all our members owe such debts.

    “The owing of debts in itself does not amount to fraud. We frown very strongly at the ‘criminalization’ of all Nigerian airlines as a result of the said debts,” he said.

    Onyema said that the various parties were present at a stakeholders’ meeting and the D-G of NCAA did not at any time use such words to describe Nigerian airlines there.

    He, rather, said that the meeting ended with the understanding that everyone agreeed to work together to address the debt issue.

    Onyema, however, advised their members with such bad debts to engage the agencies and put forward repayment plans.

    The V-P said that the airlines in the country were operating under a very harsh environment and needed the support of the stakeholders to stay in business.

  • We are in a major crisis – Airline operators lament

    We are in a major crisis – Airline operators lament

    The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has said the aviation sector of the Nigerian economy has been hit by a major crisis with the acute scarcity of aviation fuel otherwise known as Jet-A1.

    The airline operators disclosed that for this reason, there will be major disruptions in scheduled flight operations including cancellations and unnecessary delays across all airports in the country.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, AON’s Spokesman, who made this known in a statement on Friday, also disclosed that this was a foreseen but unintended consequence of the aviation fuel scarcity in the country.

    While pleading for the understanding of the travelling public, Okonkwo said efforts were being made to address the development and restore normal flight operations.

    The statement reads: “This is to notify the members of the public especially, consumers of air transport services in the country, that the aviation sector has been hit by a major crisis with the acute scarcity of aviation fuel otherwise known as Jet-A1.

    “For this reason, there will be major disruptions in scheduled flight operations including cancellations and unnecessary delays across all airports in the country.

    “This is a foreseen but unintended consequence of the aviation fuel scarcity in the country.

    “We, therefore, plead for the understanding of the travelling public to bear with our members as efforts are currently being made to address the development and restore normal flight operations.

    “AON is committed to rendering seamless and uninterrupted air transport service across the country”.