By Itohan Abara-Laserian

Mrs Olubunmi Kuku, Managing Director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), on Thursday called for more training, capacity building and mentorship of women in aviation to drive lasting legacies.

Kuku said this during a courtesy visit by the Women in Aviation International (WAI), Nigeria chapter, to her office on Thursday in Lagos.

According her, women are lagging behind in attaining leadership positions and promotions due to the short supply of trainings in technical and non-technical aspects of the industry.

Kuku, who was also inducted into the WAI, said that there was need to rally support for mentorship so that a good legacy would be left for those coming behind for industry growth.

She said: “We need to continue to differentiate and position ourselves in a way that makes us proud and makes people to reckon with us as an organisation and as a force and in the industry.

“As women in aviation, I do want to make sure that we drive innovation because I have seen that a lot of our women are lagging behind when it comes to training, capability building, and it is also affecting where they are when it comes to promotions.

“It affects them when it gets to being in management positions and in leadership organisations.

“So we need to do everything we can as an organisation to make sure that we position not just ourselves, but the people who come behind us in a way for growth”.

Kuku also pledged FAAN’s unflinching support for women and urged the WAI to explore additional programmes on mentorships, technical and non-technical aspects.

According to her, such engagements will drive and place women on the map in the Nigerian Aviation space.

Responding to the request of WAI on sponsorship of some of FAAN officials who were members, to an international conference scheduled to hold in Orlando, Florida, later this month, Kuku pledged her support and assurance that FAAN would be adequately represented.

She appreciated the women for the visit, stating that there was need to strike a balance when it relates to women equality.

Dr Rejoice Ndudinachi, President of the WAI Nigeria chapter, said that the WAI was created to promote public awareness of the accomplishments and contributions of women in the industry.

Ndudinachi, represented by Modinat Sowemimo, an Engineer and  Vice-President of WAI, Nigeria Chapter, said that in ensuring the future and strength of women in aviation, WAI was established.

“We teach and encourage the girls in aviation clubs and airport schools, which is also aimed at female inclusion in the aviation industry.

“At the clubs, we teach and encourage the girls to actively participate in aviation-related career fields, as against the notion that the aviation industry is meant for boys only,” she said.

Earlier, Mrs Elizabeth Aminu, the WAI, Lagos Chairperson, called for support to sponsor some FAAN female staff, who were members, to the exhibition programme in Florida.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that WAI, is a not-for-profit organisation with headquarters in the US.

Members include pilots, maintenance technicians, air traffic engineers, air traffic controllers, aviation journalists and flight attendants, among others. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Dianabasi Effiong

By Itohan Abara-Laserian

Ground handling companies, under the Aviation Ground Handlers Association of Nigeria (AGHAN), have proposed an upward review of handling charges to sustain the sub-sector’s growth and development.

They expressed the views while speaking with journalists on Thursday in Lagos.

They noted that the current charge rate, especially for the domestic operators, if not reviewed would not be sustainable for the industry.

Alhaji Bello Salihu, the Managing Director, Butake Handling Company Ltd., said the nation’s aviation industry was in need of urgent intervention from the Federal Government.

Salihu lamented that the cost of doing business in the aviation industry had skyrocketed in the last few months.

He stressed that the cost of diesel had risen to about N1,700 from N700 in the northern parts of the country, without any attendant increase in rates charged by handlers.

Salihu called for an upward review of handling rates for airlines for the handlers to remain in business.

NAN reports that the handling rate for B737 currently stands at N70,000, CRJ and Embraer, N50,000 respectively, while Dash 8 is N25,000 per flight.

However, the association had proposed a N400,000 per flight for a Boeing 737 aircraft or its equivalent, N250,000 for CRJ or Embraer aircraft and N150,000 for Dash 8 airplanes.

AGHAN hopes to begin the implementation of the new rate regime on April 1, but the proposal is yet to get the approval of NCAA.

Salihu noted that the handling companies were still charging N70,000 for an hour of turnaround handing of a B737 in spite of the high cost of diesel.

He explained that the airline operators in the last meeting held with the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), admitted that the industry needed some adjustments in terms of charges, but the two bodies had yet to reach an agreement.

Salihu, however, said that handlers, through AHGAN, would continue to consult with the airlines in line with the standards and recommended practices of the International Civil Aviation Organisation.

He said: “This discussion is necessary between AON and ground handling companies because none of us can do without the other.

“Therefore, we cannot suffocate and enjoy their services, otherwise, if any part suffocates, it will lead to immediate flight disruption. This will lead to missed connections.

“For instance, if you are flying from Abuja to Lagos for a 6.00 p.m. flight for further connections, and by 6.30 p.m., you have not departed Abuja, how can you make the connection?

“You did not leave Abuja not because you did not have fuel or the equipment, but because you have no machines to operate your equipment to provide a motorised gang to disembark or board your passengers.

“Similarly, when you arrive Lagos and your machine at the ramp, you cannot evacuate your luggage for one hour because they do not have the operational vehicle and vice-versa.

“If the airlines cannot fly as a result of the high cost of operations, it will slow down economic activities,” he noted.

On her part, Mrs Adenike Aboderin, Managing Director, Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCO) Plc, ruled out the claim that the increase in handling rates would lead to reduced passengers or airfares.

Aboderin insisted that the cost of doing business in the country had increased significantly in recent times, which had further put pressure on ground handling companies.

She explained that this had prompted handlers to take difficult decisions about their pricing, maintaining that SAHCO, however, was doing everything it could to keep its rates as low as possible, yet, providing the high-quality service.

She added that investment in infrastructure such as new or upgraded facilities at the airports would make it easier for ground handlers to do their jobs.

“As a ground handler, our goal is to provide our customers with the best possible service at a fair price.

“We have a lot of costs associated with providing our services, including labour costs, equipment costs, and overhead expenses.

“We strive to keep our rates as low as possible, while still providing the quality of service that our customers expect, as we provide a vital service to the aviation industry.

“Without us, airlines would not be able to operate as efficiently or effectively.

“We help to keep planes on schedule, ensure that passengers and goods are safely and securely processed, and provide other important services,” she noted.

Aboderin further advocated tax incentives to ground handlers and low interest rates on loan facilities, arguing that this would help them to offset the costs of doing business.

Also, Prince Saheed Lasisi, the Group Executive Director, Commercial and International Business, Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) Plc, said the upward review in handling rates would not affect airfares by airlines.

Lasisi decried how the cost of production had increased across board, including among the airline operators.

He, however, refused to blame the airlines or any other organisations for the recent hike in prices of goods and services, attributing this to the crash in naira and the challenging operating environment across all sectors.

Lasisi, stated that NAHCO was not immune from the present global economic challenge, noting that some countries in recent weeks had fallen into recession.

He clarified that the handling rates review would not affect the international airlines as the airlines are billed in dollars, but regretted that same equipment, personnel and turnaround time are expended on domestic operators who are still billed low.

“We are not increasing the international rates because they are charged in dollars. I think we are covered to an extent in the international market.

“Can you compare the N70,000 that we charge the domestic airline operators with the $1,200 that we charge the international airlines?

“They are the same equipment with the same turnaround period. You can see that the difference is huge. The N70,000 we charge is not even up to $50 at the moment.

“We are not saying we want to charge the domestic airline operators the same $1,200 that we charge international airlines that use the same machine as theirs, but because of the frequencies and the local contents, we have to support our operators.

“These are private companies and not government agencies that can decide to subsidise their clients. We are also in business to make a little profit and with lots of responsibilities.

“We also have our staff to train, pay and need to acquire new equipment to upgrade ourselves to our clients,” he said.

Lasisi called for customs duty waivers for handling companies in Nigeria, lamenting that for every equipment imported into the country, NAHCO pays between 15 and 20 per cent on the value of the facility as customs duties. (NAN)

Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

By Kingsley Okoye

Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, Chairman, United Nigeria Airlines Company, has urged the Federal Government to consider aviation industry a critical sector by making deliberate policies for a single digit loan and access to foreign exchange by operators.

Okonkwo made the call in Abuja on Thursday at the 3rd annual management and staff retreat of the company.

He said the call became necessary given the importance of the sector to the development and growth of the nation’s economy.

He said airline operators in the country were doing everything possible to keep services going in spite of the challenges in the sector.

Okonkwo said: “We are now asking the government to make certain critical policy decisions for the industry such as single digit loan, access to forex and then we can take care of the rest.

“Aviation sector is critical, we are calling on government to seize this opportunity now, that it should be considered along all other critical sectors like agriculture and land transport.

“It is a catalyst for economic development and growth, and operators are losing money, and there’s so much we can observe.

“The mortality rate has been high in the last 10 years; we have stabilised this industry in Nigeria to the envy of the world.”

Okonkwo said that sales of tickets were key for operators in the industry, saying that they were concerned that tickets did not go beyond the reach of Nigerians, given the current economic reality.

“The danger we have here in the aviation sector is that the only thing you have to sell to make money, to operate, to pay for the fuel, to pay for other service providers is ticket.

“Every other person in the aviation eco system is supported by the ticket.

“We are very concerned that you want to benchmark your ticket over or above within the range of dollar; there is an extent you will get because you will be flying empty .

“Our profit is not in the number we sell, but it is in the number of passengers and the average tickets that we are able to put together.

“We are worried, we don’t want these tickets to grow out of the reach of majority of Nigerians; we are really concerned and so don’t know how this will go.

“For the past two months, we have had about 30 per cent of reduction of capacity equipment in Nigeria and if care is not taken, in the next one month, up to 50 per cent of the aircraft should be out of service.

This is not because the operators don’t want to fly, but because it is impossible for them to keep it flying.

“And when that happens, people will loose their jobs, why, probably those who have loans with the bank may not be able to pay, and the income which you receive from tickets will reduce, no body gains from that.”

Okonkwo said in spite of the challenges in the sector, United Nigeria Airlines was blazing the trail in three years of its operation.

He said the issue of access to forex was a major challenge, but the United Nigeria Airline had continued to grow.

This is made possible by the Grace of God, and commitment of the management and staff of the airline.

The retreat would avail members of staff the opportunity to assess how the company had faired so far and work toward further attainment of the visions of United Nigeria Airline.

He urged Nigerians to remain united as a nation in spite of the challenges, expressing optimism that the nation would overcome its challenges.

On flight delays, Okonkwo said the only contract with the passenger was to take them to their destinations, saying that the operators go through a lot to give passengers satisfaction.

He said when there were delays, the biggest loser remained the operator as there was an obligation to be made by the operator.

Okonkwo called on the airport authorities to live up to their responsibilities, saying that flight delays most times were not the making of the operator. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

By Itohan Abara-Laserian

An aviation expert, Dr Gabriel Olowo, on Thursday said that airlines had no choice but to sell what they buy, in terms of fuel costs, to stay afloat.

Olowo, the immediate past President of Aviation Safety Round Table Initiative (ART) and Chairman Sabre Global Technology Ltd., InterGuide Group & GolfView Suites, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

He spoke against the backdrop of the increasing cost of aviation fuel and the attendant rise in air fares.

NAN learnt that the cost of Jet A1 (aviation fuel) which was N1,380 per litre a week ago, rose to N1,480 in Lagos, N1,522 in Abuja and Port Harcourt, and N1530 in Kano on Tuesday.

“To stay afloat, airlines are advised to sell what they buy, no subsidies.

“The foreign airlines are withdrawing their inventories but the local ones cannot.

“Hence, the local ones must strictly sell at cost,” he said.

Olowo said that fuel price had a significant role on tariffs as it formed 30 per cent to 35 per cent cost element in aviation.

“Increase, therefore, is tantamount to upward review on all tariffs. Affordability is a question of travel need.

“When there is the urgent need for one to travel, especially by air, one must travel, but it will cut down on travel wastes.

Speaking on the proposed installation of the e-verification gates at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, as announced by the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Olowo said it would enhance travel comfort.

“E-verification gates is most welcome and also desirable at all our international airports especially Lagos.

“It enhances passenger processing and makes travel experience much more comfortable.

“It also enhances security, preventing operatives from flipping from one page of document to another page,” he noted.

NAN reports that on Feb. 19, Tunji-Ojo announced that biometric e-gates were being installed at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja and at the e-border data and control center at the Nigeria Immigration Service headquarters.

As of Feb. 19, four out of the planned 10 gates had been installed at the airport, while the remaining six gates would be operational before the end of the month.

The nationwide project will deliver a total of 40 e-verification gates across international airports by the end of the first quarter of the year.

These installations will include 10 gates in Abuja, 17 in Lagos, five in Kano and four each in Enugu and Port Harcourt.

Olowo also highlighted the need for airlines to adhere to the standards of International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) on full insurance coverage of passengers.

He said: “Insurance is not new to operators. They must comply with ICAO standards for full coverage of the hull, and passengers.

“In the event they do not, the local CAA has a duty to perform. ICAO standard and recommended practices has provided adequate cover for accident victims and their relatives,” he said. (NAN)

Edited by Oluwole Sogunle

By Gabriel Agbeja

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has foreseen a delay in the onset of the 2024 rains, particularly in the North Central states of the country, according to the 2024 Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) documents.

Mr Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, presented these findings to the public on Tuesday in Abuja.

The report indicates that a normal onset is expected over the northern states, while Borno and Abia states are projected to experience an early onset compared to their long-term averages.

NiMet anticipates an early end of the season for several states in the northern region, including Yobe, Jigawa, Sokoto, Kebbi, Kano, Kaduna, Plateau, Nasarawa, Taraba, Gombe, Bauchi, Cross River, Ebonyi, Ogun, and Lagos.

Conversely, a late cessation is predicted for southern states such as Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Ondo, Ekiti, and parts of Edo, Delta, Ogun, Oyo, Kogi, Kwara, FCT, Niger, and Kaduna.

NiMet warns of below-normal annual rainfall amounts in specific areas, including parts of Yobe, Jigawa, Bauchi, Kano, Kebbi, Gombe, Plateau, Taraba, Nasarawa, Benue, Enugu, Ebonyi, Cross River, Delta, and Bayelsa states.

The agency expects normal to above-normal annual rainfall amounts in other parts of the country. Additionally, NiMet predicts a shorter length of the season for most regions, while Bayelsa, Rivers, and Akwa-Ibom may experience a longer season compared to their mean.

The SCP 2024 document, detailed with predictions for temperature in the first five months of the year, also covers forecasts for dry spells, little dry seasons, as well as predictions for Malaria and Meningitis.

These projections include explicit details, highlighting the socio-economic implications associated with each forecast. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Benson Iziama/Rotimi Ijikanmi