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Tag: Aviation

  • FG moves to prevent job losses in Aviation sector

    FG moves to prevent job losses in Aviation sector

    The Federal Government has called for social dialogue between the employers and the employees in the Aviation industry to prevent job losses.

    Senator Chris Ngige, Minister of Labour and Employment made the call in a statement signed by Mr Charles Akpan, Deputy Director, Press and Public Relations in the ministry on Friday in Abuja.

    Ngige made the call during a conciliatory meeting with airline operators and the trade unions in the aviation industry to discuss contentious issues, especially pay cut and laying off of workers.

    The Minister appealed to them to join hands to make sure there were no job losses in that industry.

    According to him, the cardinal principle of this administration is to prevent job losses.

    “The government on its part will honour its obligation to the industry by providing palliatives in the form of tax reduction, tax exemption, and elimination of custom duties on aircraft spares and logistics.

    “The Central Bank of Nigeria will also provide stimulus package to encourage the operators in the industry ” he said.

    Ngige, therefore commended the efforts of the airline operators, especially Air Peace and Bristow Helicopters, in keeping faith and paying the salaries and allowances of their staff, when necessary, for the period of the COVID-19 epidemic.

    He urged the operators to allow their employees exercise their right to unionisation as Section 40 of Nigerian Constitution guaranteed that.

    “We encourage the airline operators to allow members of staff who desire to go into unions to do so, as belonging to unions is a voluntary thing.

    “Obstructing them from doing so, is to curtail their fundamental rights as enshrined in our Constitution,”he said.

    Ngige, however noted that the management of Air Peace, the Minister of Aviation and the trade unions had already agreed that Air Peace would dialogue with their workers on the re-absorption of some of the sacked pilots and engineers.

    He also added that those who had already got employment elsewhere would be allowed to go peacefully with their entitlement.

    Ngige further directed the unions in Turkish Airlines to forward in writing their complaints about victimisation of officers in the unions to the Minister of Aviation, and copy the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment.

    The minister also said that on Bristow Helicopters, 90 – 95 per cent of the issues had already been solved through social dialoguing.

    “We understand the plight of the employers, being that the volume of work in that organisation has dwindled, from 50 aircraft business to an all-time low of 12 aircraft.

    “We appeal to both management and workers to dialogue with human face in order to save jobs,” he said.

    He therefore, said that the thrust of the social dialogues was to save jobs, so that even the management could also consider reduction in the number of people slated for redundancy.

    He also noted that even if redundancy must occur, it should be done under the ambit of Nigerian law on redundancy.

    On the unilateral pay cut by Arik Air, as well as the disagreement on terminal benefit for workers, Ngige directed the management of the airline to engage the employees on social dialogue and come up with a mutually agreed remuneration.

    Mr Ayuba Wabba, President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), commended the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting the Aviation industry through the provision of palliatives.

  • FG orders enforcement of screening at airports

    The Federal Government on Tuesday ordered airlines and agencies at airports that are presently in operation to enforce the screening of all passengers who use facilities at the airports.

    According to the Federal Ministry of Aviation, the order was issued to airline operators and agencies in order to control the spread of the deadly coronavirus.

    The ministry further stated that all airline operators had been directed to deploy some additional measures in order to protect passengers and the general public against the further spread of Covid-19.

    It said, “All persons, without exception, entering any airport terminal (domestic and international) must undergo temperature check and hand cleaning with sanitisers.

    “All passengers, no matter their status, must undergo temperature check and hand sanitisation before being allowed to board any aircraft. All airplanes must be disinfected before boarding by passengers.”

    It said the orders had been conveyed to all airline operators by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, adding that the Federal Government would not take any disregard kindly.

    On the recent announcement of restriction of international flights into Nigeria as announced by NCAA, the ministry explained that flights considered essential for which permissions for landing may be sought and granted include aircraft in a state of emergency.

    It said such aircraft would have to do with flights and operations related to humanitarian services, medical and relief services.

     

  • Air disaster averted as FAAN security arrests man climbing moving plane at Lagos airport

    ***saves 171 passengers, 6 crew aboard

    An air disaster was averted when a 25 years old man was apprehended around the air field by Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) Aviation Security (AVSEC) personnel manning the Charlie One (C1) link/holding area of the domestic terminal (GHQ) in Lagos.

    According to reports, the intruder was apprehended at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos when he attempted to access an Air Peace aircraft heading to Owerri.

    In a swift response, the AVSEC personnel on static guard duties at the area rushed to stop his further movement to a taxiing aircraft (CS-TQU) and a struggle ensued. All efforts to stop the intruder by the unarmed AVSEC personnel failed as the intruder continued to resist arrest.

    While the struggle was ongoing, the AVSEC personnel called for reinforcement and alerted the pilot of CS-TQU of the intrusion, and to delay the aircraft to allow for a successful apprehension of the intruder.

    The intruder was eventually apprehended by the AVSEC personnel with the support of the reinforcement and was taken into custody for investigations.

    The aircraft was also advised to return to base for necessary safety/security inspections in line with standard procedure. Subsequently, the aircraft departed Lagos at 10:16hrs with 171 passengers and 6 crew members.

    The Managing Director of FAAN, Captain Rabiu Hamisu in company of the Directors of Aviation Security Services, Grp. Capt USA Sadiq (rtd) and Airport Operations, Capt Mukhtar Muye, the Regional General Manager (SW), Mrs. Victoria Shina-Aba and the Airport Chief of Security (MMA), Mr. S.M Mamman inspected the site of the incident and discussed with the Captain of the aircraft.

    It was disaster averted , and the Captain CS-TQU who spoke with FAAN Management team, commended the action of the Aviation Security team. According to him, it was a timely and professional action that protected the flight as he was not even aware of any intrusion until they alerted him.

    Speaking on the incident, Air Peace spokesman, Stanley Olisa who confirmed the development said while the man was attempting to access the aircraft, there was another private jet behind. It was the pilot-in-command of the private jet that informed the Air Peace’s pilot-in-command that a young man was trying to force his way into the aircraft.

    They therefore alerted the Aviation Security arm of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), who stopped the man and whisked him away.

  • Enugu Airport Closure: Reps to Meet Aviation Minister, Six Heads of Agencies

    Enugu Airport Closure: Reps to Meet Aviation Minister, Six Heads of Agencies

    From Jonas Ike, Abuja

    Perturbed by the hardship faced by passengers that use the Akanu Ibiam Int’l Airport Enugu that was recently closed down by the federal authorities,the House of Representatives Committee on Aviation has scheduled a meeting with the Minister of Aviation. Sen. Hadi Sirika on Friday October 11 2019.
    Chairman if the House Committee Hon. Nnoli Nnaji gave the hint at the inaugural meeting of the committee on Thursday at the House of Representatives wing National Assembly Abuja.
    The lawmaker who expressed his appreciation to the Speaker of the House Hon. Femi Gbajabimilla for appointing him to lead the key committee noted that other committee members are also experienced in the aviation sector.
    He told other lawmakers present that Nigerians and south-easterners who have chosen to use air transport for travelling due to dilapidated road infrastructure in parts of the country are suffering untold hardship owing to the continued closure of the Int’l Airport at Enugu.
    He however noted that the federal authorities are doing their own part to ensure that the rehabilitation work at the airport is being fast tracked for easy of movement of people.
    Before they agreed to and fixed a meeting date with the Minister of Aviation on the matter, he said that Ministry is expected to forward to the Committee, a yearly Aviation Development Master Plan which would form its policy framework.
    Other Chief executive of agencies expected to appear alongside the Minister are: the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, (FAAN), Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), the Nigeria Metrological Agency (NIMET), Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) and the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAA).
    The Committee helsman while calling for collaboration with the Senate counterpart, said that the regulatory authorities are supposed to ensure that fancial audits are conducted before licences are issued to intending local airlines to stem their regular exit from the industry.

  • Airport Terminals: Aviation minister seeks Senate’s approval for $461.8 loan variation

    …Speaks on FG’s determination to resuscitate national carrier

    The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved a loan variation of $461,795,551.02 for building new airport terminals in the country.

    Minister of State Aviation, Hadi Sirika, stated this on Monday when he appeared before the Senate Committee on Aviation to defend his ministry’s 2019 budget proposals.

    The $461.8 million variation, he said, is required in addition to the $500 million loan already received from the China Exim Bank.

    The minister explained that the variation became necessary to deal with some challenges in the building of the terminals.

    According to him: “there are challenges with the new terminals being built with the $500 million loan from the China Exim Bank.”

    He listed some of the challenges to include change in the structural design of the airports, foundation footing and escalators.

    Sirika also listed the need to make provisions for the biggest modern aircraft, change in departure and arrival floors to rhyme with railway station, provision of adequate power supply and relocation of control tower and fire service station, as other challenges.

    He said: “The challenges have resulted in the need for variation and additional works to the tune of $461,795, 551.02, which has been approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC).”

    The minister told the committee that the China Exim Bank had indicated willingness to consider funding additional works.

    He said he had written to the Ministry of Budget and National Planning to provide for the sum of $73.9 million as counterpart fund in 2019 outside the ministry’s proposed budget.

    The Minister said that the airports where work took place already wearing new looks befitting of modern airports.

    He also told the committee that two of the new terminals, in Port Harcourt and Abuja have already been commissioned, while Lagos and Kano will soon be completed.

    Sirika noted that adequate provision had also been made to complete the new terminal buildings in at Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu.

    He sought the support of the National Assembly and other stakeholders to ensure needed equipment for safety and security were provided to meet the Standard and Recommended Practices (SARPs) as outlined by regulatory aviation bodies.

    The minister noted that more bilateral and multilateral air service agreements would be signed for the benefits of or travellers.

    On the 2019 budget, the minister said the sum of N47.5 billion was proposed for Capital Expenditure at the headquarters.

    The amount, he said, would be used to sustain infrastructural renewal at the airports especially re-modeling of projects to upgrade of air navigational equipment, safety and security infrastructure.

    On the implementation of the 2018 budget, the minister said that N26.9 billion was budgeted for the Aviation sub-sector out of which the sum of N3.12 billion representing 11.6 per cent was released to the sector.

    He said that N2.99 billion representing 96 per cent had been expended as at March 15.

    According to him, the sum of N508.8 million was appropriated for overhead expenditure for the whole Ministry of Transport, which includes Aviation, Marine and Land sectors.

    He said that N296.8 million, representing 58.3 per cent was released, while N296.8 million representing 99.9 per cent was expended as at December 2018.

    The minister said the ministry was funded from national budget, while agencies like Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET), Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Nigeria College of Aviation Technology(NCAT) and Accident Investigation Bureau were also funded from Internally Generated Revenue(IGR).

    Meanwhile, the minister also revealed that plans were underway by the Federal Government to revisit the national carrier project.

    He said that the ministry only suspended the project to put adequate measures in place, promising that the project would be delivered soon.

    He said the project, which was President Muhammadu Buhari’s brainchild would not be allowed to die.

    He expressed concern that despite being a huge aviation market, Nigeria could not boast of a national carrier.

    He said ”We have to suspend the earlier plans for the national carrier for strategic reasons. The move was not killed.

    ”Provisions have to be made to continue to fund activities of advisers and so on, to ensure that it is delivered.

    ”The carrier will be delivered within the life of this administration, this I can assure you.

    ”It is not forgotten by government. It will continue and we are doing everything we can to deliver it,” he said.

  • NASA advances toward major milestone in aviation

    NASA advances toward major milestone in aviation

    The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has successfully tested an advanced air-to-air photographic technology in flight, capturing the first-ever images of the interaction of shockwaves from two supersonic aircraft in flight.

    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports NASA, established in 1958, is an independent agency of the United States Federal Government responsible for the civilian space program, as well as aeronautics and aerospace research.

    The study of how shockwaves interact with each other, as well as with the exhaust plume of an aircraft, has been a topic of interest among researchers.

    When aircraft fly faster than the speed of sound, shockwaves travel away from the vehicle, and are heard on the ground as a sonic boom.

    NASA captured the images of the interaction of shockwaves from two supersonic aircraft in flight during the fourth phase of Air-to-Air Background Oriented Schlieren flights, or AirBOS, which took place at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California.

    The flight series saw successful testing of an upgraded imaging system capable of capturing high-quality images of shockwaves, rapid pressure changes which are produced when an aircraft flies faster than the speed of sound, or supersonic.

    Shockwaves produced by aircraft merge together as they travel through the atmosphere and are responsible for what is heard on the ground as a sonic boom.

    The system will be used to capture data crucial to confirming the design of the agency’s X-59 Quiet SuperSonic Technology X-plane, or X-59 QueSST, which will fly supersonic, but will produce shockwaves in such a way that, instead of a loud sonic boom, only a quiet rumble may be heard.

    The ability to fly supersonic without a sonic boom may one day result in lifting current restrictions on supersonic flight over land.

    The images were captured from a NASA B-200 King Air, using an upgraded camera system to increase image quality.

    In order to capture these images, the King Air, flying a pattern around 30,000 feet, had to arrive in a precise position as the pair of T-38s passed at supersonic speeds approximately 2,000 feet below.

    Meanwhile, the cameras, able to record for a total of three seconds, had to begin recording at the exact moment the supersonic T-38s came into frame.

    The data from the AirBOS flights will continue to undergo analysis, helping NASA refine the techniques for these tests to improve data further, with future flights potentially taking place at higher altitudes.

    These efforts will help advance knowledge of the characteristics of shockwaves as NASA progresses toward quiet supersonic research flights with the X-59, and closer toward a major milestone in aviation.

     

  • Light aircraft crashes in Kenya killing 5

    Light aircraft crashes in Kenya killing 5

    A light aircraft crashed in Kenya’s Kericho County on Wednesday, killing five people, Officials said.

    The aircraft was flying from Keekorok, about 250 kilometres South-West of the capital Nairobi, to Lodwar in the country’s North-West, the Kenyan Civil Aviation Authority said.

    The authority is now investigating the cause of the accident.

  • We didn’t spend $600,000 on suspended Nigeria Air – Aviation Minister

    The Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika, says the Nigeria Air project followed due process and is currently at procurement stage awaiting approval of the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

    Mr Sirika also discredited claims that the government spent $600,000 on the design of the logo after the carrier was unveiled at the Farnborough Airshow in London in July.

    The minister spoke in Abuja on Thursday at the 5th Aviation Stakeholders’ Forum.

    Mr Sirika said, “In recent months, misinformation, factual errors, insinuations and fabrications have been peddled in both social and print media on the Nigeria Air project.

    ‘‘These include desirability, inadequate planning, non-consultation with stakeholders, lack of transparency and publications of fictitious amounts allegedly spent by the government on the project, amongst others.’’

    He declared that the federal government was determined to clarify these issues and set the record straight.

    He explained that the current effort to establish the National Carrier predated the composition of the present FEC and his appointment as a minister.

    ‘‘Mr President directed the then Ministry of Aviation to commence the process for the establishment of a National Carrier during the Ministerial briefing on the Aviation Sector.

    ‘‘The ministry set up a committee which came up with the modalities for the establishment of a National Carrier.

    ‘‘The Committee in its report submitted in September 2015 recommended a private sector-led national carrier with 10 per cent government ownership and non-involvement of government in the management of the airline, but the provision of enabling environment for its operation,’’ he said.

    The minister said following approval by the FEC, a consortium of Transaction Advisers (TAs), comprising Airline Management Group Ltd., Avia Solutions Ltd and Tianaero FZE, were appointed in line with best practices.

    He said the TAs completed the Outline Business Case (OBC) Report, which was reviewed by the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), which subsequently issued the OBC Certificate of Compliance.

    According to him, the report has been presented to FEC for consideration to move to the procurement phase and then Full Business Case (FBC), where it will be opened for bidding by investors including ordinary Nigerians.

    The minister explained that the estimated funding requirement for the establishment of the project was $300 million up to 2020.

    He added that the expected initial start–up capital of 55 million dollars was made up of 25 million dollars for deposit for new aircraft and 30 million dollars for working capital from June to December 2018.

    According to him, the estimated working capital for 2019 is 100 million dollars and 145 million dollars for 2020 to be provided by the Strategic Equity Partners who are expected to manage the project.

    ‘‘Certain media publications that 8.8 million dollars was expended at the Farnborough Air show are unfounded, malicious, misleading, mischievous and baseless.

    ‘‘The TAs for national carrier coordinated the campaign and provided the additional services that included the development of the brand strategy and the media activities relating to the unveiling of the airline.

    ‘‘Due process was followed in the branding, which included obtaining ‘‘No Objection’’ Certificate with Ref. No. BPP/RPT/18/VOL.1/075 from the Bureau of Public Procurement for payment of N50.8 million for these services is yet to be made.

    ‘‘No foreign company was paid $600,000 for the design of the logo as speculated,’’ he said.

    Mr Sirika said the Nigeria Air project was not lacking investors, stressing that institutions and airlines such as the African Development Bank (AfDB), AFREXIM, US-EXIM, Standard Chartered Bank, Boeing, Airbus and China-Exim Bank, were some of the interested partners.

    He said the desirability of the national carrier was occasioned by the fact that no domestic airline had evolved to fill the vacuum left by Nigeria Airways since it ceased to operate more than 15 years ago.

    According to him, only 28 out of Nigeria’s Bilateral Air Services Agreements (BASAs) with 83 countries are active and the carrier will give impetus to the emergence of Nigeria as hub for the West and Central Africa.

    Mr Sirika said it would promote reliable air transport services and support the growth of the aviation industry and domestic airlines through infrastructure expansion, traffic/routes expansion and manpower development associated with the national carrier.

    He added that it would create employment as well as compete with foreign airlines for a share of international routes through competitive pricing thereby reducing capital flight.

    The Acting Director-General of ICRC, Chidi Izuwah, said the nation’s aviation sector had the capacity to contribute more than the current 0.6 per cent to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

    Mr Izuwah noted that in 2017, Emirates Airlines generated 25.8 billion dollars as revenue, while the total revenue generated by Nigeria through its crude oil sales was 20.4 billion dollars.

    He said ICRC, as the agency with the responsibility of ensuring transparency in the concession processes, would continue to support the government in its plan to transform aviation infrastructure through Public Private Partnership.

  • Nigeria @ 58: Stakeholders demand aviation infrastructure upgrade

    Nigeria @ 58: Stakeholders demand aviation infrastructure upgrade

    Stakeholders in the aviation industry on Monday called for upgrade of airport facilities across the country in order to boost the contribution of the sector to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
    The stakeholders made the appeal in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos while appraising the performance of the industry as Nigeria marks her 58th Independence Anniversary.
    Mr Ikechi Uko, a travel and tourism expert, said aviation remains an integral part of the economy that should be harnessed for the development of the country.
    He said: “For me, I want to look at the performance of aviation on two fronts. The first is how our domestic airlines are doing which I can said is very good for now.
    “At present, a single Nigeria carrier (Air Peace) has more aircraft than even more than five or six West African carriers which is very good for our industry and it means we are beginning to get it right.
    “However, in terms of infrastructure, we are still far behind compared to even countries like Ghana, Senegal and Togo.
    “We need to upgrade our airports and equip them with modern facilities that would improve passenger facilitation and experience like our contemporaries are doing,’’ Uko, the promoter of the Akwaaba African Travel and Tourism, market said.
    Also, the Chairman of Air Peace, Mr Allen Onyema, said aviation had the capacity to create jobs for the teeming unemployed Nigerian youths, adding that Air Peace has employed over 3,000 workers in less than four years of operation.
    Onyema urged the Federal Government to continue to support Nigerian carriers and prioritise their interests and survival above foreign airlines operating in the country.
    Onyema said: “This present administration of President Muhammadu Buhari has been supportive of domestic airlines and has put in place policies like removal of Value Added Tax and waiver on importation of aircraft spares.
    “We also believe a lot can still be done to encourage the industry especially in the area of airport infrastructure.
    “Airlines don’t create hubs, infrastructure does. People want to pass through your airport because of the facilities that are readily available and Ghana and other some African countries are making their airports hubs and are leaving Nigeria behind.”
    According to him, the best option for bridging the aviation infrastructure gap is to urgently concession the airports to Nigerian investors who are ready to invest in the sector.
    Similarly, Mr Frances Akinjole, the Deputy General Secretary, Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), said addressing the infrastructural deficit would help to secure the industry’s future.
    “The government should strengthen safety and security infrastructure at the terminal and upgrading of runway facilities should be addressed for safe landing of aircraft at the major international airports, starting with Abuja, Lagos, Kano and Port Harcourt.
    “The government needs to fund the maintenance and upgrading of airfield equipment, including navigational aids, airfield lighting, approach facilities, communications and radar equipment.
    “These are basic infrastructure needed for safe flight operations,” Akinjole noted.
    He added that there was also need to upgrade meteorological equipment and research laboratories because weather report was very critical for safe flight operation.
    On his part, Mr Olayinka Abioye, General Secretary, National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), said aviation was the face of any economy in the world.
    Abioye said: “It will be recalled that the Minister of State for Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika, had a road map and if they can be implemented then the aviation industry will be in a better position.
    “The major road map include the establishment of maintenance, repair and overhaul facility, establishment of a national carrier which had been started but strategically suspended now and the establishment of an aircraft leasing company.
    “If these three things alone are followed thoroughly, transparently and inclusively then the Nigeria aviation industry will ever be the same again.
    “But by and large we have not done badly because the Lagos and Abuja airports recently got their certifications and we also got recertification of our airports by the Federal Airport Administration (FAA) of the United States.”
    He also advised government to improve in the area of security at the airports which was in consonance with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Annex 17.

  • Aviation minister reveals Nigeria to receive first set of planes for national carrier

    Aviation minister reveals Nigeria to receive first set of planes for national carrier

    Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika, has revealed that the December take-off date for Nigeria’s national carrier is achievable, as the country is expected to receive the first set of airplanes on December 19.

    On his Twitter handle, Sirika posted a copy of the Outline Business Case Certificate of Compliance for the National Carrier project from Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission and wrote, “the December kick-off date of the project is slowly becoming reality.”

    The Personal Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Social Media, Bashir Ahmad, on Monday on his verified Twitter handle revealed that the name, logo, colour scheme, structure, and types of airplane of Nigeria’s national carrier will be unveiled at Farnborough International Public Airshow on July 18th, 2018 in London.

    Ahmad added that Sirika also confirmed that “Nigeria will receive the first set of five airplanes for the airliner on 19 December. And Federal Government intends to get a 30 aircraft market in five years.”