By Gabriel Agbeja

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo says the Federal Government is ready to make Nigeria the aviation hub of Africa.

Keyamo sated this at the seventh edition of the Aviation Africa Summit and Exhibition 2023, on Wednesday in Abuja.

According to him, the current administration is ready to achieve the feat by tackling challenges in the aviation industry to attract foreign investors.

“The government is already looking at the Aircraft Leasing Company, Aircraft Maintenance Organisation, Forex availability and Tax holidays to improve the aviation business in Nigeria

“This includes upgrading of the CAT III landing system, at major airports, construction of the second runway in Abuja, airport improvement programmes through concession and government willingness to partner with companies to turn major airports into Aerotropolis.

“The government welcomes major players in aircraft leasing and head lessors to invest in Nigeria airlines to provide state of the art aircraft,” he said.

Keyamo said the government would ensure enforcement of contract agreements, rights of investors and indeed all parties were protected as Nigeria being a signatory to the Cape Town Convention to uphold international obligations.

The minister said Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility was another critical component that could make the Nigerian aviation industry a hub on the continent.

“With the shortage of qualified engineers, the current administration is willing to provide all the necessary support for the establishment of a world class MROS and training organisation.

“The current administration is aware that one of the setbacks entrepreneurs have suffered in Nigeria in recent years is the fluctuation of foreign exchange and its availability.

“This administration is committed to ensuring that forex is readily available to entrepreneurs and I have directed that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) holds quarterly reconciliation meetings with a view to resolve this issue,” he said.

He further explained that the current administration was open to providing tax holidays to encourage existing and new entrants into the Nigerian Aviation Sector.

“I wish to reiterate that my administration, will continue to sustain the support being given to the industry.

“I firmly believe that as key players and decision makers, this summit will provide the required atmosphere for you to discuss, and identify recovery strategies that would attract private investors to support the funding of infrastructure projects.

“By building a transparent, stable and predictable investment climate, as well as include aviation in the continent’s national development plans.

“Nigeria is honoured to have these distinguished captains of aviation industry and industry stakeholders, from all over the world who are participating in this event,” he said.

According to him, air transport remains an essential component of the global transportation system as a crucial driver of economic, social and cultural development worldwide.

He said air transport generated economic growth and development, provides jobs and fosters a range of socio-economic benefits.

Keyamo said the continued promotion of collaboration, knowledge sharing, and business development within the African aviation community, would address all the significant and structural challenges.

“Having this unique and important event for the seventh time demonstrates the organizer’s determination and interest to support the sustainable development of air transport in Africa.

“I therefore wish to take this opportunity to appreciate Times Aerospace Limited, which has been the champion of the Aviation Africa Summit as well as making Nigeria the first country to host this noble event in West Africa.

“The recent global events further exposed the immense contribution and importance of air transportation as a catalyst for economic development, vital engine of global socio-economic growth.

“One of the greatest contributors to the advancement of modern society and a key instrument for achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Joseph Edeh

By Oladele Eniola

Air Peace Airline has announced the commencement of direct flights from Lagos and Kano to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia from Oct. 31.

The airline’s Chief Operating Officer, Ms Oluwatoyin Olajide, made this known in a statement issued in Lagos on Wednesday.

Disclosing this during an engagement with travel agents in Kano, she said that the connectivity would be direct using the Boeing 777 aircraft.

She explained that the Lagos-Jeddah and Kano-Jeddah would operate three days every week with a possible connection from Abuja.

The airline’s official thanked the travel agents and restated the airline’s commitment to working with them to ensure the new route is maximised for everyone to enjoy the payoffs.

“In the first half of this year, we launched two major international destinations- Mumbai and Tel Aviv- and now we are gearing up for Jeddah next month.

“This does not only signal growth and expansion for the airline but it also demonstrates our firm commitment to reducing the burden associated with connecting cities with stopovers.

“We promise direct connectivity and this is evident in our international route network. We offer direct flights at affordable fares,” she said.

The Vice President, National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies, Northern Zone, Abdulrazak Ibrahim, commended Air Peace for the planned route.

Ibrahim reaffirmed the association’s support while also urging the airline to keep blazing the trail in driving route connectivity across domestic and international cities. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

By Gabriel Agbeja

Mr Joep Ellers, Airbus Airline Marketing Director for Africa, had said that

African carriers will need at least 160 new passenger and freighter aircraft to meet the rising demand by 2042.

Ellers made the assertion on Tuesday in Abuja while addressing newsmen ahead of Aviation Africa Summit and Exhibition scheduled to hold on Sept. 13 to Sept.14. in Abuja.

According to him, the Airbus Global Market has predicted that passenger traffic to, from and within Africa will increase by 4.1 per cent yearly over the next twenty years with demand driven by urbanisation, trade and tourism.

He added that the percentage of passenger traffic could rise even faster if the Single Africa Air Transport Market (SAATM) could be fully implemented across the continent.

“Airbus’s presence in Africa is as diverse as the continent itself. Since the mid-1970s our range of innovative commercial airliners have operated on routes to, from and within the

continent.

“Africa was the first export market for Airbus’s very first commercial jetliner, the A300. It was also one of the first export markets for the A320.

” The world’s first fly-by-wire controlled commercial airliner, which set the standard for fully digital airliners,” he said

He said Airbus since then had become synonymous with air travel to, from and within Africa with more than 270 Airbus aircraft currently being flown by nearly 40 African operators across the

continent.

According to him, customers in the region presently account for 295 orders while African carriers are increasingly aware of the operational and economic benefits of acquiring new and modern aircraft.

“In fact, today airlines on the continent operate some of the most efficient and technologically advanced aircraft such as the A350XWB, A330neo, A320neo and the A220.

“Africa’s Airbus operators include customers such as Ethiopian Airlines, Rwandair, Air Senegal, South African Airways, Air Côte d’Ivoire, EgyptAir and more.

“In addition, a number of international carriers operate Airbus long-haul products on their

routes to African destinations,” he said.

The director said made in Africa Airbus’ inclusive approach to commercial and industrial opportunities, was founded on collaboration and the establishment of mutually-beneficial long-term public and private sector partnerships.

According to him, Airbus supply chain in Africa represents more than 100 direct or indirect suppliers as at today , with most of them based in Morocco, Tunisia and South Africa.

“Products and services sourced from Africa include design engineering, manufacturing of aero-structures, control surface components, composites and metal detail parts, door parts,

fuselage and tail-cone components, avionics racks, electrical wiring harnesses and actuators.

” Others are cabin furnishings, fuselage and cockpit linings, cargo locking mechanisms,galleys, washrooms, seat frames, satellite communications equipment, floor panels and even cockpit

windscreen wiper components.

“Similarly, Airbus’ ethos on research and knowledge is based on a shared quest for innovative solutions to underpin economic development and the improvement of lives for all,” he said.

He said Airbus had put in place relationships with prominent universities and programmes to support local startups over the past decade.

According to him, Airbus’ ambition is to cast the net wide to include centres of learning excellence and

innovative thinking across Africa.

He added that the company was also providing training and assistance, Airbus Helicopters Southern Africa operates H125 FNPT simulator in Johannesburg. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

By Gabriel Agbeja

The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), has commenced investigation into an incident involving a United Nigeria Airlines Embraer ERJ145 which occurred en-route Lagos from Abuja on Thursday by 6.33 p.m (local time).

This is contained in a statement in Abuja on Saturday by Dr. James Odaudu, the Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, NSIB, signed on his behalf by Mr. Tunji Oketunbi, NSIB General Manager, Public Affairs.

The statement said the affected aircraft marked 5N-BWY had 51 passengers and four crew members onboard during the incident.

According to the statement, the aircraft landed on Runway 18R of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, skidded off the runway but without any injury or fatality.

“The NSIB, hereby, solicits information from the general public in form of pictures, video or recording evidences to assist in conducting a comprehensive investigation.

“The bureau can be reached through info@aib.gov.ng and NSIB_Nigeria on its social media platforms. The Bureau can also be reached on its emergency line +234-807-709-0909.

“The NSIB will appreciate that the general public and press respect the privacy of the people involved and NOT assume the cause of the serious incident until a formal report is released,” the statement said.

It stated that the bureau would release the preliminary report soon.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that NSIB is a multimodal investigation agency charged with the mandate to investigate transportation accidents and serious incidents in Nigeria.

This is with the aim of identifying the probable causes and proffer safety recommendations that can prevent reoccurrence. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Yinusa Ishola/Julius Toba-Jegede

By Gabriel Agbeja

Dr Iziaq Salako, Minister of State for Environment and Ecological Management, has said that Africa is determined to deliver a sustainable economic future for Africans by tackling climate change.

Salako made the assertion at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA) on Thursday in Abuja while addressing aviation correspondents.

The minister was returning from Africa Climate Summit (ACS ) of high level African leaders held in Nairobi, Kenya on Tuesday.

Salako said that addressing climate change would encourage more investment that would advance annual climate finance flows to Africa .

According to him, the summit occurred at a pivotal juncture, offering the region an exclusive stage to spotlight the continent`s priorities, solutions and needs regarding climate action to the global community.

“ As a continent, it is critical that climate action spurs socioeconomic development for us. We know that with robust planning and increased investments in the region, this is achievable.

“ Africa is already bearing the brunt of a climate crisis it did not cause but our continent, with our significant renewable energy resources, critical minerals, vast carbon sinks, and growing population, can be a strong solution center.

“ In Nigeria, we have articulated our unchanging position to advance climate action without jeopardizing economic development, ‘’ he said.

According to him, the Nigeria has designed an ambitious energy transition plan to achieve universal access to energy by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2060 while prioritising industrialization, job creation, and economic growth.

He said the nation had started establishing partnerships with both public and private sector players, driving innovative policy changes, advancing renewable energy projects including on-grid solar and electric vehicle deployment.

The minister further said that the nation had started exploring innovative financing mechanisms like carbon trading to lay the foundation for an all-encompassing transition.

According to him, climate action and environmental sustainability are central to achieve food security, poverty eradication, sustainable job creation and security.

Salako said the ASC was organised to position Africa well in its decisions and requests during 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference to be held from Nov.30 to Dec. 12 at the Expo City, Dubai. (NAN) (www.newsnan.ng)

By Gabriel Agbeja

Prof. Mansur Matazu, the Director-General, Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), says the agency is ready to advance its quality management system to improve the weather forecast across the nation.

Matazu made this known on Thursday in Abuja during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

According to him, such efforts in advancing quality of management system with relevant training will enhance the weather prediction accuracy and precision.

“The agency is exposing its operations to improved quality management systems and even transforming to Safety Management Systems (SMS) across all its operations in the country.

“NiMet is striving to do more and is open to assist other Ministries,Departments and Agencies (MDA)s of government to pass through this process,” he said.

On the International Standard Organisation (ISO) Certification recently acquired by NiMet, Matazu explained that a rigorous quality management audit was followed.

According to him, NiMet has acquired the recertification of the International Standard Organisation ISO 9001:2015 and the International Standard Organization ISO 29990:2010 for the provision of aeronautical meteorological services.

” Also, for the capacity building at it’s Regional Training Centre (RTC) in Lagos and MBMIST in Katsina respectively.

” We took the challenge as far back as 2013 and we have been maintaining this 3 years certificate and we just acquired recertification of ISO 9001:2015 for aeronautical meteorological services in six major international airports.

“We are working hard to extend it to 10 more airports across the country, ” he said.

He further explained that the agency had acquired another recertification for ISO 29990:2010 for training, recertification and capacity training.

“Remember NiMet runs two training institutes like polytechnics, one in Lagos the RTC, which is a World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) accredited training centre .

“We also have the Muhammadu Buhari Meteorological Institute of Science and Technology (MBMIST), which is accredited by the National Board for Technical Education ( NBTE) as a training centre in Katsina and offers Diploma.

“So, we have acquired ISO 29990:2010 for training on all aspects of meteorology, applied meteorology including climate change,” he explained.

He said NiMet was the first meteorological service on the African continent to have acquired the certification.

According to him, the agency is serving as an auditor for some African countries like Malawi and Gambia presently.

“It is of note that NiMet has also been approached by Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development to assist and guide them to acquire this certification.

“The implication of this recertification is like the stamp of standardisation of service delivery by an international organisation and gives a guarantee on the precision and efficiency of NiMe’s products and service,” he it said. (NAN)(www.nanews.ng)

By Gabriel Agbeja

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo, has expressed Federal Government’s determination to optimise the generating capacity of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).

This is contained in a statement signed by Mr Odutayo Oluseyi, Head of Public Affairs in the ministry on Friday in Abuja.

The minister said that 60 per cent of revenue of FAAN comes from Lagos during the facility tour of the Lagos Airport.

Keyamo said the new terminal at the airport has 60 check-in points and could accommodate much traffic, stating further that the new terminal ought to be optimally used.

“The old terminal should undergo complete overhaul, the central cooling system is not working, and a lot of dilapidation needed to be fixed.

“All airlines in the old terminal should move their check-in counters to the new terminal within 3 months.

“On concession of the airports and Nigeria air project, it will be put on hold (suspended) until I brief Mr. President on the findings,” he said.

Keyamo stated that as much as he was willing to protect the local airlines, he would expect them to be more efficient and effective.

The minister said that issues of flight cancellation and delays would be looked into and laws will be enforced where necessary.

He therefore directed the removal of unserviceable aircraft by the owners for expansion of the Apron.

Keyamo said he would discuss with owners of private hangers within the space for possible relocation.

He said the move was to give space for the expansion of the new terminal to accommodate bigger aircraft. (NAN) (www.nannews.com)

By Oladele Eniola

The Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Ltd. (BASL) says its facilities will be ready for the commencement of regional flight operations from the Murtala Muhammed Airport II (MMA2) terminal.

Bi-Courtney’s Head of Operations, Mr Blessing Ewah, made the disclosure during the regional facility tour with newsmen at the terminal in Lagos on Wednesday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a ministerial committee on Airport Security in 2016, had certified the MMA2  fit for the commencement of regional operations.

In April, the Chairman of BASL, Dr Wale Babalakin, had stated that in spite of the terminal being granted approval by the Federal Government, there were still delays in starting regional operations from the MMA2.

Ewah said the company had complied with all regulatory requirements by clearly separating domestic from regional passengers and providing facilities for security and facilitation agencies such as immigration, quarantine officials, among others.

The official said that all the agencies, including the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), had assessed and approved the facilities after all necessary requirements were met, wondering why operations had yet to begin.

“We have invested over N600 million in the facilities for this operation and we have not recouped one Naira since it all started in 2014.

“We are actually ready, the terminal is ready, gates 5 and 6 have been dedicated for regional flights.

“We were shocked because the MMA2 terminal was built to provide services for both regional and domestic passengers, but it is presently underutilised.

“We had already spent several millions of Naira to acquire the state-of-the-art facilities in preparation for regional flight operations.

“However, the inconsistency in government policy despite the approval, had prevented it from using the facilities,” he said.

Ewah said  that the MMA2 is the foremost terminal in the country, adding that the best architects were engaged to design it.

The operations manager said everything requested and required for regional operations were carried out in the best standards.

According to him, regional operations can commence this year due to the infrastructure in place.

He felicitated the Minister of Aviation, Mr Festus Keyamo, on his appointment, noting that remarkable achievements would be accomplished in his tenure. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

===============
Edited by Benson Iziama/Julius Toba-Jegede

By Patience Aliyu

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) aviation cargo roadmap development committee has called for the revival of cargo lifting from the Plateau airport.

Mr Ikechi Uko, Coordinator of the committee, made this known during a fact-finding meeting on Friday in Jos.

Uko noted that Plateau which used to be known to be a major contributor to air cargo transportation in the past has gone from 25 flights per day to barely available.

He noted that research had shown that Pateau’s location and agricultural potential is central to the progress of the nation.

The committee, he said, held a fact-finding meeting which is aimed towards boosting exportation of agricultural products in the state.

“We chose to come to Plateau first, because this is the food basket of Nigeria and this airport is central to the future of this particular thing because they have done it in the past; if we can get it right in Plateau, then we have solved Nigeria’s problem.

“So if it is only this airport we can get to be active to begin to export, then Nigeria can do well. We heard that in the past they had 25flights a day out of Jos but today if you have one flight, it’s a miracle; so what went wrong?

“We are here on a fact finding mission, we have seen the State Governor, we have told him what we observed and what we think we need to do, such as widen the runway a little, build a warehouse with cold chain facilities so that when you bring this fresh produce from the farm you can keep them there until the plane comes.

“Because if you bring them to the airport now and there is no aircrafts they are gone, so that’s why we are here, after meeting with the state government we are meeting with the producers to examine their challenges and how can we change this narative” he said.

Uko explained that the reports from the visit to Plateau when collated, would serve as a template to the other states the group will be visiting.

“So when we go back, in writing our reports, we would say, this is what we think went wrong in Plateau state, If we can solve whatever has gone wrong, then we can use this template and take to other states and begin to implement them” he said..

Also speaking, Mr Davou Gyang, the Plateau Commisioner for Transport noted that though repairs on the airport is the federal government’s responsibility, the benefits for reviving the sector would be of immense to the people of Plateau.

“We have had an interaction with the airport authority and got to know that the runway is so limited for cargoes to land, that is the only limitation we have at hand which of course, is the federal government’s project.

“But our visitors here today are pleading with the state government if need be, by considering the advantages to the Plateau people, they are pleading and asking the state government to intervene by way of doing such upgrade.

“So that we can blossom the economy of the state and as well bring in other investors into the state from other countries of the world. So basically, that’s why we are here discussing on the ways we can boost the agricultural setting in Plateau” he said.

Earlier, Mr Dung Dayi and Mr Lomak Yakubu producers of agro products in the state while highlighting some of the challenges confrinting air cargo llifting, highlighted high rate of travel charges and cheaper imports of same produce among other factors.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that stakeholders from all relevant sectors of the economy, Standard Organisation of Nigeria, Export Promotion Council,Tourism Council, Agriculture, Transportation participated in the deliberations.

NAN reports that the Federal Government set up the Avia-Cargo Roadmap Committee to investigate the dwindling rate of air cargo transport within and out of the country with Plateau being the first point of focus due to its agricultural strengths.

NAN reports that the federal government said addressing aviation cargo processing and facilitation will increase in volumes to rank Nigeria among the first or at least the second in Africa before or by the year 2027.

Nigeria is in the fifth position in Africa, having facilitated only 204, 649 tonnes of Cargo in 2021.

The terms of reference for the committee includes among others to articulate action plans that meet international best practice and assign timelines for facilitation of cargo processing at our airports and articulate guidelines that meet international best practice for Public-Private Partnership in developing modern cargo infrastructures and facilities for optimum air-cargo facilitation that meets destination Country’s standard.

The committee is also to articulate programmes and incentives that will encourage mass participation of local airlines in domestic cargo facilitation, articulate mechanisms that will bridge the Turn-around time in cargo facilitation.

Others are articulate solutions to lack of adequate insurance coverage in the cargo value chain and any other suggestions that may help us achieve the desired goal in cargo business in our airports”. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng).

edited by Sadiya Hamza