TheNewsGuru

Tag: Domestic Flights

  • BREAKING: Ibom Air pulls out of planned suspension of flight operations by AON

    BREAKING: Ibom Air pulls out of planned suspension of flight operations by AON

    Ibom Air has pulled out of the planned suspension of flight operations by Airlines Operators of Nigeria, AON that as from Monday all flight operations will be suspended in Nigeria.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports this is coming few hours after the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) in a statement calling off the bluff of the airlines operators to suspend operations.

    TNG had reported FCCPC as saying airline operators will not deliberately sell tickets for flights they do not intend to operate, and as such a solution short of a shutdown will emerge accordingly.

    In the statement dated May 7 and signed by Akwa Ibom Air management, the airline said:

    “Ibom Airlines Limited (Ibom Air) has been inundated with inquiries about what will happen on Monday 09 May, 2022, following the public statement issued by the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) Executive, on Friday 06 May, 2022 and it has become necessary for us to make the following clarifications:

    “Ibom Air acknowledges the existential threat that these runaway fuel price increases pose for the air transport industry in Nigeria. We agree that this out-of-control situation is simply unsustainable.

    “However, every airline has its unique business model and pressures. We believe that in spite of the escalating fuel prices, airlines volunteering to stop operations would rather exacerbate an already bad situation.

    “Ibom Air has financial obligations to suppliers, financiers and staff, which depend on uninterrupted flow of revenue to service. More importantly is the fact that having been paid by customers in advance for flight bookings we are bound by contract to deliver the services already paid for, to avoid exposing the airline to the risk of avoidable litigation.

    “Apart from the above factors, Ibom Air is currently the only airline serving Akwa Ibom State directly and as such, any voluntary stoppage of operations would completely cut off access by air into and out of the State. Such action would be directly in conflict with and detrimental to the interest of our shareholder.

    “In view of the foregoing facts, Ibom Air had respectfully disagreed with the decision of AON to suspend flight operations on Monday 09 May 2022. Ibom Air cannot in the circumstance volunteer to stop operating and will continue normal operations on Monday 09 May 2022 and beyond. Ibom Air’s inclusion as “signatory” to the statement released by AON must have derived from its active and committed membership of the AON.

    “The above notwithstanding, we identify very strongly with our AON colleagues and will participate in every effort to resolve this frightening situation as soon as possible in the interest of our business, our customers, our stakeholders and our country.

    “We thank our customers for their continued patronage and we thank the AON for our collective efforts to secure a sustainable fuel pricing regime for the airlines”.

  • Airline operators are bluffing, there’ll be domestic flights on Monday – FCCPC

    Airline operators are bluffing, there’ll be domestic flights on Monday – FCCPC

    The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has described as bluff plans by airline operators to suspend domestic flights, expressing optimism that airline operators cannot suspend domestic flight operations on Monday.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports FCCPC as saying airline operators will not deliberately sell tickets for flights they do not intend to operate, and as such a solution short of a shutdown will emerge accordingly.

    According to the Commission, rising consumer feedback has it that airlines have continued to sell tickets beyond the date announced for the proposed service shutdown.

    In a statement by Babatunde Irukera, Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of FCCPC, the Commission stressed that since airlines have decided and are resolute to suspend domestic flights, it will be egregious exploitation of consumers and a violation of law to purport to sell a service that the service provider knows, it will not, or does not intend to provide or deliver.

    Recall that domestic airline operators under the aegis of Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) had announced plans to shut down operations from Monday, due to the skyrocketing cost of aviation fuel, which has reached an all-time high of N700 per litre.

    The Airline Operators stated this in a letter its President, Alhaji Abdulmunaf Yunusa Sarina, sent to the Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika.

    However, in the statement by FCCPC, the airline operators have continued to sell flight tickets beyond the date proposed for the suspension of flights, which the Commission has described as egregious exploitation of consumers.

    The statement, meanwhile, added that the Commission has been in discussion with the leadership of major fuel marketers to understand the global supply challenges and possible steps to ameliorate same.

    The statement reads: “The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has become aware of a public service announcement by Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) regarding the impracticality of continuing operations beyond Monday, May 9th, 2022 under the prevailing circumstances of high and rising cost of jet fuel.

    “The Commission encourages and implores domestic airlines to consider the effect of the proposed shutdown on passengers and the magnitude of difficulties and hardship associated with such an action.

    “The Commission does not trivialise the disruption and potential challenge to business continuity and survivability an inordinately high cost of jet fuel presents to domestic aviation, especially coupled with other rising cost of operations and foreign exchange.

    “Indeed, the Commission has been in discussion with the leadership of major fuel marketers to understand the global supply challenges and possible steps to ameliorate same. Accordingly, the Commission strongly advocates engagement among all stakeholders across the value chain to mitigate the current constraints and develop an acceptable interim arrangement to address problems and costs associated with global supply constraints on account of a war, sanctions associated with the war, and a fragile ongoing post pandemic recovery in aviation.

    ALSO READ || See why domestic airlines will halt operations from Monday

    “The Commission is however concerned with rising consumer feedback that airlines have continued to sell tickets beyond the date announced for the proposed service shutdown. To the extent that this is accurate, and the airlines have decided and are resolute, it will be egregious exploitation of consumers and a violation of law to purport to sell a service that the service provider knows, it will not, or does not intend to provide or deliver. It is misleading and deceptive under 5.123 of the FCCPA to represent a service will be delivered on a certain date when the provider knows the same is false or improbable.

    “The Commission is optimistic that airline operators will not deliberately sell tickets for flights they do not intend to operate, and is as such hopeful that a solution short of a shutdown will emerge accordingly. The Commission continues to monitor this sensitive and evolving situation and remains committed to supporting engagements to provide solutions and stability”.

  • Aviation Minister speaks on full resumption of flights across Nigeria

    Aviation Minister speaks on full resumption of flights across Nigeria

    Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika has said domestic flights would fully resume at Kano, Maiduguri, Benin and other airports across the nation on July 15.

    Sirika, who made this known while addressing newsmen at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano (MAKIAK) on Saturday, however, said that any airport not yet ready would be given enough time to prepare not to risk people’s lives.

    He commended the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) for measures put in place at the airports to curtail spreading of COVID-19.

    The minister led a team of aviation industry stakeholders and the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja to MAKIAK on a simulation exercise with MaxAir Flight.

    He said the two organisations had done extremely well on physical distancing and good hygiene being established and properly followed at the nation`s airports.

    “I am very glad and I think the NCAA with FAAN have done extremely very well under our watch to ensure that everything we put in place on physical distancing and good hygiene is being established and followed.

    “So, we believe this airport is one of those airports that are safe to operate in and out during this COVID-19. I am happy with what I saw and it is good enough for us to go,“ the minister said.

    Sen. smart Adeyemi, Chairman Senate Committee on Aviation, commended the Aviation Ministry for good supervision to ensure right things were done towards safety to ensure COVID -19 was not spread at the airports.

    “Quiet a measure of things have been put in place as far as this airport is concerned to ensure that there is adequate protection and safety for passengers who will be coming in and going out.

    “When you talk about this pandemic, the airport is key to eradicating and minimising the infection. Today we have gone round to see the measures already on ground with the objective of minimising the spread,” he said.

    Adeyemi urged the ministry to ensure adequate water supply in the Kano Airport as it was done in Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

    “I want to suggest that the minister look at the possibilities of extending supply of water to the departure point of this airport. All other things that are needed have been put in place.

    “I also believe that there is still need to be information on the board to direct passengers who will be coming in, especially those who will be coming in newly.

    “When we compare to that of Abuja we discovered that the departure needs few things to be put in place.

    “A lot of campaign still needs to be done within and outside the airport against the spread of COVID-19. With this exception, I know they have done the best that is required of them,“ he said.

  • Photos: Low passenger turn out as airline resume domestic flights in Lagos, Abuja

    Photos: Low passenger turn out as airline resume domestic flights in Lagos, Abuja

    Following the Federal Government’s decision to re-open Lagos and Abuja airports for flight operations as part of the phased ease of the lockdown occasioned by COVID-19, flights have resumed today, Wednesday, at both airports.

    In Lagos, at the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two (MMA 2) re-opened for domestic flights amid poor passenger turn out.

    Few passengers filed through security and health checks, with the departure hall looking scanty.

    However, an official of the Federal Airports Authority (FAAN), explained said the poor turn out is expected being the first time of operating after months of closure.

    Passengers were seen boarding the first commercial flight out of Lagos by Arik Air after the COVID-19 lockdown on Wednesday at the domestic wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.

    Arik Air is one of five domestic airlines initially granted permission to fly.

    Other airlines that operated from Lagos to Abuja include; Air Peace, Ibom Air and Max Air.

    Port Harcourt will be added to the schedule from Saturday, July 11, 2020.

    Flight operations were suspended in March following the escalation of coronavirus pandemic in Nigeria.

  • COVID-19: Domestic flights resume at Lagos Airport

    COVID-19: Domestic flights resume at Lagos Airport

    Some domestic airlines on Wednesday resumed operations following three months of COVID-19 lockdown.

    A News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent who monitored resumption of the airlines at both GAT Alpha and MM2 terminals in Lagos, reports that few passengers were seen boarding, while social distancing and other precautionary measures were observed.

    NAN recalls that the Federal Government had directed the resumption of domestic flights on July 8, after the March 30 lockdown of the airlines.

    As at 6.30 a.m. on Wednesday, Arik Air passengers had started boarding for the first flight from Lagos to Abuja, scheduled to depart at 7 a.m.

    NAN also observed that passengers complied with the COVID-19 preventive screening measures before boarding, but stores within the airport were all locked.

    A check by NAN revealed that there had been a significant increase in airfares, as some airlines resumed operations (today) Wednesday.

    The airlines raised their fares in all classes of tickets for one-hour flights from Lagos to Abuja.

    Air Peace sold its Economy-Flexi Domestic plan for N33,001 for a one way Lagos-Abuja trip, while the business class ticket was sold for N80,000.

    Arik Air’s economy plan was sold for N29,189, while the business class was N78,532 for a one-way Lagos to Abuja trip.

    However, one of the airline official, who preferred anonymity, told NAN that prices of the tickets were driven by extra costs factored into the base fare.

    The source said that taxes and other fares increased by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) was also responsible for the hike in fares.

    Mr Adebanji Ola, the Public Relations and Communications Manager of Arik Air, commended government agencies for putting adequate measures in place for airlines to commence operations.

    Ola said that Arik Air commenced three daily flight operations from Lagos to Abuja, in the first phase of the aviation restart.

    According to him, it is a new beginning in the aviation sector and prays that the COVID-19 pandemic will be fully addressed in Nigeria.

    He said that “for us in Arik Air, protection of passengers and cabin crew remain paramount and we have put effective measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

    “We commend government at all levels in ensuring effective synergy and support for the aviation sector toward combating the pandemic.”

    Some of the passengers who spoke to NAN commended the measures put in place by government at the airport to prevent the infection of COVID-19.

    Mr Kola Balogun, the Chairman of Momas Electricity Meters Manufacturing Company Limited, who was boarding to fly with Arik Air, commended the managment of FAAN on the preventive measures put in place at the aiport.

    He said “I am highly impressed with the level of compliance and processes I am seeing here today.

    “I commend FAAN for making lives more comfortable and sticking to the social distancing methodology.

    “I urge the Federal Government to support the airlines’ operations through interventions for them to bounce back in business.”

    Mr Tayo Ojulari, an aviation stakeholder, said that he did not subscribe to leaving the centre seats in the aircraft as directed by government.

    “The cost of operations and FOREX is affecting airlines, reducing passengers capacity to 50 per cent, which is another economic implication for the airlines,” he said.

    The Director of Aviation Security of the Federal Airports Authority of a Nigeria (FAAN), Retired Group Capt. Usman Sadiq, said that adequte security measures had been put in place at the airport.

    Sadiq said government had also increased the security manpower at the aiport for effective measures.

    “There is effective synergy between the various security agencies across airports in the country to tackle the numerous security breach incidents.

    “All security agencies are on ground to ensure law and order at the airports, and today, we can see that Nigerians are well behaved from what was demonstrated,” he said.

    He also expressed gratitude to the management team of FAAN for their support in carrying out their responsibilities.

    He added that “I am excited to add that the highest level of the authority’s management, an enviable leadership, commitment and support, has been displayed again and again in an unequivocal manner.

    “For this, we are grateful and rededicated to achieving the core mission of developing and profitably managing customer-oriented airport facilities for safe, secure and efficient carriage of passengers and goods at world- class standards of quality,” Sadiq said.

    However, security personnel at the MM2 terminal refused NAN correspondent into the terminal, claiming it was a management directive.

  • FG announces new dates for resumption of domestic flights in Lagos, Abuja, others

    FG announces new dates for resumption of domestic flights in Lagos, Abuja, others

    The Federal Government on Wednesday announced that Lagos and Abuja airports will resume domestic operations from July 8, 2020.

    Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika disclosed this on his twitter handle.

    According to him, Kano, Port Harcourt, Owerri and Maiduguri would resume domestic operations on the 11th of July.

    He added that other airports would resume domestic operations on 15th July.

    The minister said the date for resumption of international operations would be announced in due course.

    “I am glad to announce that Abuja & Lagos airports will resume domestic operations on the 8th of July, 2020. Kano, Port Harcourt, Owerri & Maiduguri to resume on the 11th.

    “Other airports on the 15th. Date for international to be announced in due course. Bear with us, please,” he twitted.

  • FG Makes U-Turn, Says Domestic Flights Can’t Resume June 21

    FG Makes U-Turn, Says Domestic Flights Can’t Resume June 21

    The Federal Government says the June 21 date for the restart of domestic flights in the country is not feasible.

    The Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, made this known at a Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 briefing in Abuja on Thursday.

    Recall that we had earlier reported that the PTF said aviation authorities will determine the resumption of flight operations.

    PTF coordinator, Sani Aliyu, had on June 1 requested the aviation industry to develop protocols for the resumption of domestic flights anytime from June 21.

    But Sirika, who was represented by the Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Capt Musa Nuhu, at the briefing on Thursday, said, “June 21st is not a feasible date to resume domestic operations.

    “The civil aviation authority, despite pressures coming from all quarters, will not approve the start any day until we are sure and we confirm that we are ready to start in a safe, secure, organised and efficient manner. To do otherwise is disastrous for all of us.

    “If we open the industry when we are not ready, and we are guilty of spreading coronavirus, God forbid we have any incident, I believe the government will come hard on us and it is going to be counterproductive and disastrous for the industry.

    “We are not too far, we are close but there is a need for timing to ensure that we are ready, positively, absolutely ready to start work.”

    The NCAA boss said the Authority has been holding talks with airlines, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, and other stakeholders, adding that feedbacks have been received and concerns are being addressed.

    He stressed that inputs are also being received from the International Civil Aviation Organisation, the United Nations agency in charge of civil aviation as well as standard and recommended practices for the sector.

    Nuhu noted tDomestic flights, Nigeriahat recommendations are also being gotten from the World Health Organisation, the International Air Transport Association, the Airport Council International, and the African Civil Aviation Commission.

    “We have to adopt all these, it’s not easy; it’s a very complex process. What I can assure is that, the civil aviation authority will only give a go-ahead when we are ready, nothing further.

    “We are looking towards the end of this month. Hopefully, by the end of next week, we will submit a report through the Ministry of Aviation to the Presidential Task Force for review. We know the industry is anxious but to do otherwise will be a great disservice and neglect of our statutory mandate from the government of Nigeria,” he added.

  • Aviation Minister announces date for resumption of domestic flights nationwide

    The Minister of Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika on Monday announced that domestic flights will resume nationwide June 21.

    Recall that the flights were suspended since March due to the outbreak of coronavirus in the country.

    Sirika announced the flight resumption at the briefing of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19.

    He said the resumption of flights will be based strictly on the implementation of the approved protocols for safe operations of the airlines.

    “The three-week period between now and the resumption date is to enable the operators adhere to all the necessary industry regulations, without which they cannot take to the skies after being dormant for some time.

    “This is because aviation, unlike other sectors, is a highly regulated one,” he said.

    The minister added that consultations had been on between the ministry and the industry’s stakeholders on the best ways to operate profitably, while, at the same time, ensuring safety of travelers upon resumption.

    Sirika cautioned owners of private aircraft, who, he said, were in the habit of asking for permits to fly within the country despite the restrictions in place, to desist, as the restrictions were still in place.

    He said only flights on essential services, which have been clearly defined will be allowed.

    He said that since approval for flights on essential services was not being paid for, it would take little or no time to grant it.

    Sirika warned against people allowing themselves to be scammed by those outside the approving authorities.

    He pointed out that the sector, under his watch, had zero tolerance for corrupt practices since his assumption of office as minister.

    The minister also expressed gratitude to the stakeholders in the aviation sector for their cooperation, in spite of their unquantifiable losses, occasioned by the lockdown since March.

    He assured that everything humanly possible would be done to ensure speedy recovery of the sector.

  • Covid-19: FG announces date for resumption of domestic flights, says schools to remain closed

    Covid-19: FG announces date for resumption of domestic flights, says schools to remain closed

    The Federal Government has asked the aviation sector to begin to develop protocols that will lead to the resumption of domestic flights any time from June 21.

    The National Coordinator of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, Sani Aliyu, stated this on Monday during a briefing Abuja.

    He said, “The aviation industry is requested to start developing protocols to allow for domestic flights to resume anytime from the 21st of June onwards.

    “Airlines must ensure physical distancing by reducing passenger capacity and ensure the provision of sanitisers and personal protective equipment as well as carrying out temperature checks at the point of entry and departure and ensuring that airports are not congested by either travellers or airports staff.”

    While giving an update on the PTF announcement, the Personal Assistant on New Media to @MBuhari, Bashir Ahmad, tweeted, “For now, all the schools are to remain closed, the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 announces the directive.

  • Lockdown: Gov. Ayade sees catastrophe, wants ban on domestic flights lifted

    Lockdown: Gov. Ayade sees catastrophe, wants ban on domestic flights lifted

    Gov. Ben Ayade of Cross River has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to lift the ban on domestic flights as Nigerians grappled with the impact of COVID-19 on the economy.

    Ayade made the appeal on Sunday while inspecting ongoing asphalting of the dualised Odukpani-Calabar highway in the state.

    He said the continued closure of Nigeria’s domestic airspace was impacting negatively on the aviation, hospitality and tourism sectors of the economy.

    He, however, warned that the adverse effects of another four weeks closure of the airspace could be catastrophic.

    “The suspension of domestic flights has affected most hotels leading to their closure.

    “It is so bad that most hotels including the 5-star hotels are shutting down because they cannot even sustain the cost of diesel for their generating sets and as that happens, they start laying off workers.

    “So you have a lot of workers, young people who used to work in the hotels and tourism industry out of jobs. And the big question is, how long can this continue?

    He said the closure of the country’s domestic airspace was also having negative spiral effect on small businesses and service providers, thus further worsening the economic situation of that category of Nigerians.

    “The caterers who supply food to the hotels are all out of business. All the suppliers are out of business.

    “So, as we continue to lock the domestic airports for another four weeks, what we are going to have in terms of economic loss, and in terms of social delinquency, the associated moral and social tension that will come with it will be just too huge for the country to bear,” he noted.

    Ayade said rather than ban domestic flights, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC ) should devise strict guidelines to enable the airlines sector to continue to operate without escalating the number of COVID-19 cases in the country.

    “We can still be safe while allowing the internals of Nigeria to run. We can do so by allowing the domestic airlines to start flying.

    “As they fly, NCDC should spell out certain conditions like making sure aircrafts are properly disinfected, ensuring temperature tests are carried out before passengers get on board and of course, ensuring that all passengers wear proper masks.

    “The airlines can have their own masks that they can give to passengers,” he said.