Tag: AVIATION

Nigerian College of Aviation, Zaria has no single helicopter for training – Rector

Aminu Imam

The Acting Rector of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, (NCAT), Zaria, Shaka Imalighwe, has disclosed that the institute has no single helicopter for training. Imalighwe made the disclosure last Thursday, during the investigative hearing on the sale of the two helicopters in Abuja. Imalighwe told the House of Reps Committee on Public Assetst hat he took over the management of the college in an acting capacity in January 2024. According to him, even though he was the Deputy Rector of the College at the time the helicopters were sold,…

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Qatar Airways breaks silence on plan to exit Nigeria

Aminu Imam

Qatar Airways has opened up on rumoured plans for the airline to stop operating in Nigeria. The airline’s Vice-President for Africa, Hendrik du-Preez, in a published interview, explained that the cost of doing business in Africa and Nigeria poses a significant challenge to every airline operating in the region. Recall that IATA had earlier reportedly confirmed that British Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, and other foreign airlines could leave Nigeria soon over trapped ticket revenues in Nigeria and other countries. However, Du-Preez stated that despite the many obstacles, especially in Nigeria, where…

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Trapped Revenue: British, Ethiopian, Turkish airlines, others might soon leave Nigeria

Aminu Imam

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has been cautioned by the International Air Travel Association, (IATA), regarding the potential departure of certain foreign airlines from the Nigerian markets. The IATA regional vice-president for Africa & Middle-East, Kamil Alawadhi, conveyed this message during a media presentation held with African journalists at the IATA Global Media Day in Geneva, Switzerland. This warning stems from the existing challenge of $792 million in ticket revenue currently inaccessible within the country. The IATA urged the Nigerian government to expedite actions on the funds It added that…

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“Ethiopian Airlines, not FAAN banned ‘Ghana-must-go’ bags for travellers” — Regulator

Aminu Imam

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has denied banning ‘Ghana-must-go’ sacks for air travellers, saying a private foreign airline took such decision as an internal policy. Media reports had erroneously attributed the ban to the regulatory agency owing to a misrepresentation of a memo in circulation online. However, a clearer copy of the document, which was addressed to FAAN as a notification, a copy of which was obtained by newsmen yesterday showed the contrary. FAAN, which took to its official X (formerly Twitter) handle to make the clarification, said: “Kindly…

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Abuja airport suspend flight operations, as aircraft overshoots runway

Aminu Imam

The Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, has been temporarily shut following a runway incursion involving an Aero Contractors aircraft. The Lagos-Abuja flight, operated by Aero Contractors, landed at the Airport, as it was taxiing on Runway A4 when its nose wheel got stuck to the ground.  However, it was gathered that there was no fatality or injury, as passengers were safely disembarked from the aircraft while efforts are currently being made to remove the aircraft from the runway. The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Dr.…

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Two months after terrorists’ attack, flights to resume at Kaduna Airport

Aminu Imam

Commercial flights have resumed at the Kaduna International Airport two months after the facility was attacked by bandits. Recall that the airport has been dormant for almost two years despite over N2bn spent on upgrading of the airport by the Federal Government.  Since the March 26, 2022 attack at the airport by bandits, flight operations had been impaired with Azman, the only airline operating to the State, suspending its services. Two months later, Azman resumed operation with a one-way ticket from Abuja to Kaduna costing over N100, 000 due to the…

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‘FG responsible for Nigerian airlines collapse’ – Charter operator

Aminu Imam

The Chief Executive Officer of West Link Airlines, a charter operator, Capt. Ibrahim Mshelia, has described civil aviation regulations in Nigeria as great moves, but limiting the growth of the airline sub-sector. Speaking in Lagos during the week, Mshelia said that the regulations were discouraging and contributed to the collapse of some of the indigenous airlines. Mshelia also said that the Federal Government through its multiple charges was responsible for the early deaths of the Nigerian airlines. According to him, the airlines are overburdened with charges, thereby limiting their potential…

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Airfares skyrocket as exchange rate hits N702/$

Aminu Imam

As the exchange rate for ticket prices reaches N702/$, findings show that airfares on Nigerian routes to various locations in Europe, North America, the Middle-East, and other foreign cities have skyrocketed. The development came just a week after the Central Bank of Nigeria, (CBN) floated the naira and directed commercial banks to sell foreign exchange at market rates. Recall that the CBN last week introduced new forex guidelines aimed at unifying the nation’s exchange rate, as part of its efforts to end multiple exchange rates that have caused several investors…

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Nigeria Air: Aviation Stakeholders Claim Sirika Lied on Live Television

Abdul-Azeez Ahmed Kadir

There is new twist to the Nigerian Air controversy as aviation industry stakeholders said the immediate Minister of Aviation; Senator Hadi Sirika lied on live television about his claims on the issue. Senator Sirika, had earlier in July 2018, unveiled the name and logo of Nigeria Air at Farnborough International promising that operation would begin within five months from that day. Sirika then said the airline would have flights on 81 domestic, regional and international routes. Barely two months after, Federal Government put the project on hold, asserting that it…

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Foreign Flights: Passengers dump Nigeria airports for Benin, Ghana over high ticket fare

Aminu Imam

International air passengers are dumping Nigerian airports for Cotonou, Benin Republic, and Ghana airports to connect international flights, due to the exorbitant airfare by foreign airlines operating in Nigeria. Speaking to newsmen on Friday, during a press conference over the unjustifiable profiteering by foreign carriers, the president, National Association of Nigeria Travel Agents (NANTA), Susan Akporiaye, said Nigerians are travelling across the borders in droves in order to connect cheaper flights to their destinations. According to her, the lower inventories that are shut against Nigerians are opened in other neighbouring…

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