TheNewsGuru

Tag: flights

  • Curfew: Sierra Leone reschedules flights for departing airlines

    Curfew: Sierra Leone reschedules flights for departing airlines

    The Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority (SLCAA) has imposed a rescheduling of flights for departing airlines.

    In a statement on Sunday by the Management of SLCAA, the authority said the rescheduling of the flights is in view of the nationwide curfew imposed by the government.

    “SLCAA is aware that passengers intending to depart from and arrive at the Freetown International Airport (FNA) on flights scheduled for today, Sunday Nov. 26, 2023 are affected by the nationwide curfew declared by the state and currently in force,” the authority said.

    SLCAA urged all airlines to reschedule departing passengers on the next available flights after the curfew is lifted, “as SLCAA airspace remains open.”

    “While we appreciate the inconvenience this may cause, we urge all to respect the curfew and follow directives of the state security forces.

    “The SLCAA assured the airlines and the wilder aviation industry of its unflinching support,” the authority added in the statement.

  • Flights cancelled in China as Covid cases continue to surge

    Flights cancelled in China as Covid cases continue to surge

    Many airports across China have cancelled the majority of their flights due to a surge in COVID-19 cases in the country.

    China’s state newspaper, Global Times, reported on Thursday.

    The southern Chinese metropolis of Guangzhou, which had a particularly bad outbreak of cases, cancelled over 1,000 flights.

    More than 700 flights were also cancelled at two major airports in the capital Beijing.

    The government is implementing strict measures to contain the spread of the virus such as flight cancellations, lockdowns, forced quarantines and mass testing.

    In spite of the country’s zero-Covid policy, which has put a heavy strain on its economy, the number of infections across China has been on the rise again for weeks.

    After reporting 8,176 coronavirus cases the day before, authorities reported around 8,800 more infections nationwide on Thursday.

    The number of infections in major cities other than Guangzhou, such as Beijing, Shanghai and Chongqing has also been rising again in recent days.

  • Dana Air to resume flights Nov. 9

    Dana Air to resume flights Nov. 9

    Dana Airline, on Friday, announced that it would resume flights operations on Nov . 9.

    Mr Ememobong Ettete, Accountable Manager of Dana Airline, said this in a statement issued by its Corporate Communication Officer, Mr Kingsley Ezenwa, in Lagos.

    The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) had suspended the airline’s Air Transport License (ATL), and Air Operator Certificate (AOC) indefinitely with effect from July 20.

    The NCAA Director General, Capt. Musa Nuhu, explaining the suspension, had said the regulatory body discovered that the airline was not in a position to meet its financial obligations and conduct safe flight operations.

    Ettete said in the airline’s statement on its planned resumption that it was coming back after a successful conclusion of the audit conducted by the authority.

    He said that the audit, for the airline, was a re-engineering and restructuring process and had been successfully concluded.

    Ettete said that the audit was an extensive one, for the second time, and the airline also had a new management team fully in charge.

    He said it was now well positioned, despite the current challenges and hostile economic environment, and concentrating  fully on strengthening its operations efficiently for sustainable growth.

    The official said that the airline remained committed to offering safe, reliable and exciting flying experience to its loyal guests

    He expressed his gratitude to the NCAA for the audit process and the professionalism exhibited by the team of inspectors.

    Ettete noted that the audit had repositioned the airline as a vibrant and resilient brand ready to serve the industry.

    For customers with unused tickets, he said that the airline, as a little token for its short absence from the market, had extended their validity for one year.

    “A transfer option is available to customers and we shall be offering competitive fares as always, and gifting free tickets onboard our flights for the next 30 days from Nov. 9

    “There would be 24/7 customer service team always available to assist customers with any request of their choice on unused tickets and redemption.

    “We wish to sincerely and once again tender our unreserved apologies to all our customers, vendors, travel partners, corporate clients for the abrupt suspension of our flights,” he said.

  • See why domestic airlines will halt operations from Monday

    See why domestic airlines will halt operations from Monday

    The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has announced plans to shut down operations from Monday.

    TheNewsGuru reports that this is 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.

    Sarina’s position was endorsed by the chief executives of all the domestic airlines.

    The letter read: “It is with a great sense of responsibility and patriotism that the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) have carried on deploying and subsidizing their services to our highly esteemed Nigerian flying public in the last four months despite the steady and astronomical hike in the price of JetA1 and other operating costs.

    “Overtime, aviation fuel price (JetA1) has risen from N190 per litre to N700 currently. No airline in the world can absorb this kind of sudden shock from such an astronomical rise over a short period.

    “While aviation fuel worldwide is said to cost about 40% of an airline’s operating cost globally, the present hike has shut up Nigeria’s operating cost to about 95%.

    “In the face of this, airlines have engaged the Federal Government, the National Assembly, NNPC and Oil Marketers with the view to bringing the cost of JetA1 down which has currently made the unit cost per seat for a one hour flight in Nigeria today to an average of N120,000.

    “The latter cannot be fully passed to passengers who are already experiencing a lot of difficulties.

    “While AON appreciates the efforts of the current government under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure air transport in Nigeria grows, unfortunately, the cost of aviation fuel has continued to rise unabated thereby creating huge pressure on the sustainability of operations and financial viability of the airlines. This is unsustainable and the airlines can no longer absorb the pressure.

    “To this end therefore, the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) hereby wishes to regrettably inform the general public that member airlines will discontinue operations nationwide with effect from Monday May 9, 2022 until further notice.

    “AON uses this medium to humbly state that we regret any inconveniences this very difficult decision might cause and appeal to travelers to kindly reconsider their travel itinerary and make alternative arrangements.”

  • Consider leaving Russia now – U.S. urges citizens

    Consider leaving Russia now – U.S. urges citizens

    U.S. citizens should consider leaving Russia immediately on commercial flights, the State Department said on Sunday, citing an increasing number of airlines canceling flights and countries closing their airspace to Russia after its invasion of Ukraine.

    “U.S. citizens should consider departing Russia immediately via commercial options still available,” said a security alert dated Feb. 27 on the web site of U.S. embassy in Moscow,” the State Department added.

    It has asked U.S. citizens to have “a contingency plan that does not rely on U.S. government assistance.”

    Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the biggest assault on a European state since World War Two, has unleashed a barrage of Western reprisals, with U.S. and European governments imposing sanctions on Russian banks and financial institutions.

    Russian President Vladimir Putin has called the attack a “special operation” through which he aims to demilitarise Moscow’s southern neighbor.

    The State Department has kept its travel advisory for Russia at “Level 4: Do Not Travel”. On Feb. 20, the U.S. embassy in Moscow had advised Americans in the country to have an evacuation plan, citing the threat of attacks in Moscow and along the Russian border with Ukraine.

  • BREAKING: FG approves resumption of flights between Nigeria, UAE

    BREAKING: FG approves resumption of flights between Nigeria, UAE

    The Federal Government has approved the resumption of scheduled passenger flights between Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

    This is contained in a statement by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Director-General, Capt. Musa Nuhu.

    The NCAA said the Minister of Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika, approved reinstatement of Emirates Airlines winter schedule with immediate effect.

    ”This move is as a result of the review and acceptance of the Safety Decision 2021-02 Issue 24”as released by the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA).

    “All parties have been informed accordingly. Consequently, Air peace and Emirates Airlines are liberty to resume scheduled passenger flights between Nigeria and UAE.

    “ This is under the terms and conditions of the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) between the two countries. All parties must ensure strict compliance with the COVID-19 travel protocols of both countries.

    “We wish to re-assure the traveling public that the Federal Government will continue to ensure the provision of air services while protecting national interests at all times,” he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that on Dec. 14, 2021, Emirates announced the suspension of flight operations between Nigeria and Dubai amid an intensifying slot allocation row between the Nigerian Ministry of Aviation and the United Arab Emirates’ General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), just a week after the country’s largest airline announced its flight resumption to Abuja, Nigeria and Lagos, Nigeria.

    Abdullah Al -Marri, the Chairman of GCAA Board and Minister of Economy, signed a letter from Dec. 10, 2021.

    In the letter, the GCAA requested that the federal government restore Emirates’ winter schedule.

    The letter expressed sadness that the federal government withdrew the winter schedule because the United Arab Emirates refused to allow Air Peace’s request for three flights a week slot at Al Sharjah, UAE’s Sharjah Airport.

    The GCAA argued that Nigeria’s ministry of aviation to limit Emirates flights to once per week was unjustifiable while also accusing Nigeria’s Air Peace of abandoning Sharjah Airport noting that the Airport was currently operating at 140 percent slot capacity.

    “We wish to kindly advise you that Sharjah Airport is currently operating at 140 percent slot capacity, but with goodwill and tremendous efforts on their side, this Airport was able to accommodate Air Peace with one of the three slots that this airline requested.

    “The GCAA wishes to stress that the action being taken by the NCAA is not in line with the spirit of the agreed air services arrangements between our two nations.

    “As we are both aware, the relations between our two brotherly countries are vintage, one hallmark being the recent visit of the President of Nigeria to the UAE, which certainly mirrored the status of the positive relations.

    Finally, we suggest that Air Peace should consider flying their two flights to any UAE airport at which there are available slots.

    NAN reports the chair of the GCAA attributed this action due to the non-availability of arrival slots at Sharjah International Airport.

    On the other hand, Emirates Airline applied to Nigeria’s Aviation Ministry for approval of its winter flight schedule, with the requested schedule consisting of 21 weekly passenger flight frequencies to Nigeria, comprising of two daily flights to Lagos, Nigeria’s Murtala Mohammed Airport and one daily flight to Abuja, Nigeria’s Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport.

    The NCAA, explained that the reason why the government withdrew 20 flights from Emirates, leaving the Middle East carrier with one flight to Abuja, was because that was the same way the UAE treated Air Peace.

    Air Peace had requested three flights a week but UAE authorities approved only one flight a week for the airline.

    The Director-General, in line with the principle of reciprocity, mentioned that the Nigerian government had to do the same for Emirates.

  • Telecom Operators rule out 5G interference with flights

    Telecom Operators rule out 5G interference with flights

    Nigerian telecom operators on Wednesday allayed fears of 5G’s interference with flight operations in the country.

    The Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) made the clarification in a statement jointly signed by its Chairman, Gbenga Adebayo and Head of Operations, Gbolahan Awonuga.

    NAN reports that there has been ongoing debate in the United States over the risk of interference between 5G network and aviation equipment.

    Industry stakeholders in Nigeria and subscribers of telecom operators have also been expressing concerns that the country’s aviation sector might experience the same issue.

    The association, however. said that the context in Nigeria was different, noting that the guard band that exists between the spectrum frequencies allocated by Nigeria Communication Commission( NCC) for 5G services and those allocated to aviation industry remains in the region of 400MHz.

    It said that the allocation was in line with the guidelines instituted by National Frequency Management Council (NFMC), the government agency responsible for sectorial allocation of spectrum and the NCC.

    “This means that there is no greater risk of interference with 5G networks than there is with any of the existing transmissions taking place in the frequencies adjacent to those used by radio-altimeters.

    “We fully understand why the suggestion of risk to the aviation industry is so emotive for so many Nigerians.

    ” ALTON is fully committed to working with the National Frequency Management Council (NFMC), the NCC and other relevant regulatory agencies towards providing as much clarity as is required to ensure that Nigerians’ have the information they need to analyze and understand these issues properly,” it said.

    The Association said that while the issues being discussed were highly technical, it is important to ensure they are explained and understood in the simplest possible terms.

    It said that it was also necessary that they highlighted the major differences between the situation in the USA and the structures in place in Nigeria.

    According to the association, mobile networks, just like radio, TV and other broadcast services, operate using bands of spectrum (frequency ranges) that are allocated by the government to allow the transmission of different services.

    It noted that these bands of spectrum were deliberately structured in a way that prevents interference between them, by ensuring that what is called a ‘guard band’ (an unused part of the radio spectrum) exist between the frequencies.

    “The simplest way of understanding this is to use the radio station as an example.
    When trying to tune in to a specific station, you will find that you may pick up some of the transmission on either side of the exact frequency for that radio station.

    “This is because radio transmissions are particularly likely to ‘overspill’ into space on either side of the transmission frequency that is being used.

    “This same concept applies to all transmissions and is why guard bands are put in place. They are unused spectrum frequencies on either side of the allocated frequency for transmission, which ‘guard’ against the overspill, “the association said.

  • BREAKING: Travel nightmare continues as airlines cancel 2,500 more flights

    BREAKING: Travel nightmare continues as airlines cancel 2,500 more flights

    A total number of more 2,500 flights were cancelled on Tuesday, and another 5,100 were delayed as air travellers continue to suffer air traffic nightmares across the globe.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the cancellation adds to thousands of flights that have been cancelled in the last few days.

    Air traffic tracking website, FlightAware released these shocking flight cancellation details, revealing Monday was an even bigger nightmare for travellers, with more than 2,800 flights cancelled, and 11,000 delayed.

    Globally, airlines cancelled more than 6,000 flights on Christmas Eve, Christmas and the day after Christmas. In the United States, more than 1,200 flights were cancelled and more than 5,000 were delayed on Sunday alone as staff and crew called out sick.

    The cancellations come at the busiest time of year for air travel. The US Transportation Security Administration said it screened millions of people each day over the holiday weekend, peaking at 2.19 million travellers on Thursday, December 23. On Wednesday, more people passed through TSA checkpoints than on the same day in 2019.

    Saturday, air travel was a bit slower because of the flight cancellations: More than 1.53 million people passed through security checkpoints Saturday.

    United Airlines (UAL) said last week it had to cancel hundreds of flights because it lacked enough crew members to safely fly all of its scheduled routes.

    “The nationwide spike in Omicron cases this week has had a direct impact on our flight crews and the people who run our operation,” said a United memo obtained by CNN.

    Delta said it was working to get all stranded travellers home as quickly as possible.

    “We apologize to our customers for the delay in their holiday travel plans,” Delta said in a statement. “Delta people are working hard to get them to where they need to be as quickly and as safely as possible on the next available flight.”

    European airlines are also experiencing a small number of cancellations amid record-breaking numbers of Covid-19 cases in several European nations.

    German airline Lufthansa said it will cancel 10% of its winter flight schedule as the pandemic continues to hit the aviation industry.

  • Emirates retaliates FG’s restrictions, suspends flights to Nigeria indefinitely

    Emirates retaliates FG’s restrictions, suspends flights to Nigeria indefinitely

    Emirates Airline on Friday said it was suspending all its flights between Nigeria and Dubai from December 13.

    The airline’s decision comes after the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) limited its flight activities in Nigeria.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that NCAA had accused UAE authorities of not granting equal rights to the sole Nigerian carrier, Air Peace, flying to Dubai via Sharjah.

    “With the recently imposed directive limiting Emirates to operate one flight per week to Nigeria via Abuja, Emirates will be suspending its flights between Nigeria and Dubai from 13 December 2021, until the UAE and Nigerian authorities work on a solution to the ongoing issue,” a statement from Emirates said on Friday.

    “The last flights to operate on 12 December 2021 are EK 783/784 to/from Lagos and EK 785/786 to/from Abuja

    “Customers holding tickets with the final destinations Lagos and Abuja will not be accepted at the point of origin.

    “Affected customers do not need to call us immediately for rebooking. Customers can simply hold on to their Emirates ticket and when flights resume, get in touch with their travel agent or booking office to make new travel plans.

    “Emirates regrets any inconvenience caused.

    “In order to receive the latest updates on their flights, customers are also advised to ensure that their contact details are correct by visiting Manage Your Booking.

    “Emirates is committed to its operations in Nigeria, and we stand ready to reinstate services once restrictions are lifted by the Nigerian authorities, ensuring travellers have more choice and access to trade and tourism opportunities in Dubai, and beyond to our network of over 120 destinations.”

  • British Airways resumes flight in, out of Nigeria

    British Airways resumes flight in, out of Nigeria

    British Airways on Monday operated inbound and outbound flights out of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos.

    According to sources at MMIA, the British carrier flew into Lagos with flight number – BA075 from London, Heathrow.

    It landed at the runways of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport at exactly 04.55 am.

    The aircraft parked at the apron at 05.09 am with 256 passengers and 14 crew members on board.

    The outbound flight for British Airways 074 to London Heathrow was ready for push back at 11.08 am with 41 passengers on board.

    The aircraft departed at 11.33 am.

    The carrier also airlifted Nigerian passengers from Lagos to London Heathrow.

    The operations followed Sunday’s rescheduling of flights at the Lagos Airport, leading to travel chaos for many passengers that were stranded.