Mohammed Shosanya

The Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria has come up with a scheme to fish out and sanction perpetrators of extortion of passengers at the nation’s airports

The Managing Director, FAAN,Mr Kabir Mohammed made this known while receiving a delegation of the Abuja Transport and Aviation correspondents led by the Vice Chairman Francisca Ogar at his office in Abuja.

The FAAN boss,who gave assurance of FAANs commitment to a better travel experience for passengers said it is in the interest of the country’s to maintain a good reputation.

He said ” Because of the complaints on extortion by passengers especially in Lagos airport but it is not limited to Lagos alone,even in Abuja as airport manager I had to tackle some of those issues so what ever we want to do in Lagos by using the services of mystery passengers to help tackle that, as time goes on wherever we have the same issues we intend to use the same measure”.

He also said efforts are on to get the cooling systems operating optimally,a measure he said is not just for the festive season but would be sustained beyond the season.

He added:”As much as it is coming very close to the festive season, probably the process we put in place did not get to start giving us results before this time but it is not just meant for the festive season, it is meant to go beyond that as our intention is to sustain it beyond the period”.

He implored passengers who have complains not to hesitate to call the numbers that have been put out by FAAN including his, saying steps will be taken to address every complaint.

Responding, the Vice-chairman of ATACA,commended the MD for his open door policy and readiness to engage the media.

She assured FAAN that the association is willing to partner FAAN in dissemination of timely and relevant information to the traveling public as well as contributing their quota to the growth of the aviation sector in Nigeria.

Mohammed Shosanya

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo has launched Nigeria’s Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategy at United Nations (UN) Climate Change Conference (COP 28 UAE) in Dubai UAE.

The minister,who also represented President Bola Tinubu,delivered a pivotal presentation at the African Pavilion during the UN Climate Change Conference (COP 28 UAE).

The President highlighted Nigeria’s commitment to a comprehensive transition from fossil fuels to low-emission fuel across all sectors of the economy.

A statement by Mr. Gbenga Saka
Special Adviser on Digital Media to the minister on Monday said the Nigeria’s Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategy is a document which serves as a testament to the nation’s unwavering dedication to achieving sustainable and environmentally responsible practices.

“The event marked a significant milestone in Nigeria’s pursuit of a low-carbon future,” he noted.

He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to contribute to global climate efforts and thanked all involved for their support in this crucial initiative.

Mohammed Shosanya

Ibom Air, the Akwa Ibom State-owned airline has commenced regional flight operations from Lagos Nigeria to Accra Ghana.

This strategic expansion aligns with its vision “to be a world-class African Regional Airline” by offering passengers an industry-leading travel experience that encompasses schedule reliability, on-time departures, and excellent service,according to the airline

The flight,which departed Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, Nigeria at 7. 45am Tuesday, was treated to a grand reception at Kotoka International Airport, Accra, Ghana, at 7.45am, Local time.

Receiving the airline, the Managing Director, Ghana Airports Company Limited, Mrs. Pamela Djamson-Tettey, said, ‘’We are indeed delighted to welcome Ibom Air to Kotoka International Airport, Accra, Ghana. We congratulate you on your decision to fly into Accra and are happy to have you on board.

Represented by Mr Kwame Baffour Awuah, the Managing Director said the move is a demonstration of the confidence reposed in the Ghana aviation industry.

She congratulated Ibom Air on its decision to partner the country in aviation development, saying .
“Your entry into Ghana’s market will offer the travelling public more options for connectivity between Ghana and Nigeria. As operators and managers of Kotoka International Airport, we assure Ibom Air of our support in making their operations in Ghana a success. ’

“We are committed to continue providing smooth facilities and services to ensure smooth operations”.

Applauding Ibom Air for its track record of ontime departure and excellent service delivery, she appealed to the airline to extend same excellent customer services to passengers in the country.

Expressing his enthusiasm about the new route, Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer of Ibom Air, Mr. George Uriesi, said: “We are thrilled to commence our regional operations today, with the inaugural flight between Lagos and Accra.

“This is a significant step for Ibom Air as we expand our network out of Nigeria and into the African continent. With this new route, we aim to enhance connectivity between Nigeria and Ghana, fostering tourism, trade, and tighter economic and cultural ties. Ibom Air remains committed to delivering exceptional services to our passengers, and we invite travellers between Nigeria and Ghana to choose Ibom Air and experience the best of our service offering.”

Speaking on behalf Akwa Ibom State Government,the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Mr Charles Udoh said the inaugural flight marks a significant milestone in the history of Akwa Ibom, the home state of Ibom Air.

“Akwa ibom is rich in tourism, economic growth and cuisines. Ibom Air started like a dream, it was to build an airline that would become one of the leading forces in Nigeria. We are redefining the aviation sector. Other airlines should be afraid”. He said

He commended the management and staff of Ibom Air for an excellent approach to aviation business, which he said has seen the airline to such a significant milestone in less than five years of operation.

Extending invitation to international communities, Udoh said: “Our state has been rated the most secured state in Nigeria. We have world class healthcare facilities strategically location in the state”.

“As Ibom Air expands its footprint across the region, travellers can expect a wide range of benefits, including promotional offers, exclusive fares, and special packages designed to make this route even more attractive. With Ibom Air’s reputation for quality service and the support of the Ghana Airports Company Limited, travellers are set to enjoy an exceptional and efficient travel experience”. Aniekan Essienette, GM, Marketing and Communication, Ibom Air assures.

Mohammed Shosanya

The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau, (NSIB) has begun investigation into a serious incident involving an Embraer ERJ145 with Nationality and Registration Marks 5N-BWY belonging to United Nigeria Airlines.

The accident which occurred around 06:33pm (Local Time) on 7th September, 2023 had 51 passengers and 4 crew members onboard the aircraft and was en-route Lagos from Abuja.

The aircraft on landing on Runway 18R of Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, skidded off the runway.
Fortunately, there was no injury or fatality recorded.

The bureau has assured the public that it will release the preliminary report soon,according to a by Tunji Oketunbi signed on behalf of the Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection on Saturday.

It said:”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 formal report is released.”

Mohammed Shosanya

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has redirected processing of passengers through the New International Terminal,immediately.

The immediate relocation to the new international terminal at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) was deemed necessary due to the unfortunate fire incident that occurred at the International Terminal 1 on Wednesday,the agency said in a statement on Thursday.

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festusv Keyamo during his maiden visit to Lagos airport had directed FAAN to relocate airlines to the New International Terminal for the shutdown of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Terminal 1 by 1st October, 2023 with a view to improving passenger experience and for total overhaul of the terminal.

The statement by Abdullahi Yakubu-Funtua,Director, Public Affairs & Consumer Protection,said:”We intend to make this movement as seamless as possible but appeal to all travellers to please be at the airport early enough to complete their check-in formalities on time in order not to miss their flight.”

Mohammed Shosanya

The National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE),has implored the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) to continue the execution of its interventionist strategy that would ensure the survival of Arik Air.

Its chairman,Engineer Mudi Muhammad,gave the charge during a courtesy visit to AMCON office in Abuja.

NAAPE recognizes the activities of AMCON in Arik,regardless of the negative narratives that are clearly designed to mislead the public who do not understand the enormity of the challenges of Arik before the agency’s intervention,he said.

A release by Jude Nwauzor, Head, Corporate Communications Department of AMCON,quoted the NAAPE Chairman as saying that: “We are here (AMCON) today as an association to demonstrate our support to AMCON because as insiders, we understand the big contribution AMCON made to ensure that Arik did not die. If AMCON had not stepped in at the time they did, Arik would have ceased to exist a long time ago to join the growing list of airlines in the burial ground of Nigeria’s aviation industry.

“As NAAPE, we know AMCON’s intervention in Arik about seven years ago was to protect the airline and save hundreds of us from losing our job. We can tell you categorically that in the last seven years of AMCON’s takeover of Arik, the airline has stood the test of time. So, we totally understand that Arik survived because of AMCON unlike what some people wanted us to believe at the time. Before AMCON stepped into Arik, pensions, allowances, staff salaries, were not forthcoming and the airline was on the verge of total collapse because of its huge debt burden.

“Indeed, AMCON has tried but Arik still has several challenges, which we want the Management of AMCON led by Mr Ahmed Lawan Kuru OFR to address through the Mr Kamilu Omokide, the Receiver/Manager who is also doing his best based on the support he gets from AMCON. We are here to plead that AMCON should support Arik to get more aircraft into its fleet, and as professionals who are passionate with our job, we want you to watch Arik dominate the aviation industry once again. We are making this appeal because apart from providing and sustaining jobs in the country, Arik is a great training ground for the aviation sector, which is critical to the growth of the Nigerian economy.

“As an airline, we are always careful in following the rules of engagement, and global best practices. For that professionalism, we are proud to tell the public that for over 16 years of our operational existence as Arik Air, we have zero accident record, which is a great feat, and the reason why most former presidents of Nigeria always preferred to be flown by pilots from the Arik fold. So, with AMCON investing more into the affairs of the airline by procuring additional aircraft for its operation, Arik will help both the federal government and the economy because of its strategic importance.”

He added that the way things are going presently at the airline, if further investments are not quickly made by AMCON, Arik may begin to lose some of its highly experienced pilots and engineers to some foreign airlines who are desperate to poach them.

He maintained that this will defeat the purpose of the federal government’s intervention in Arik, which would ultimately bring bad name to AMCON after such a well-intended intervention.

He added: “Arik has a strong Nigeria brand name. We therefore as members of NAATE are pleading with AMCON not to let Arik to die because of the number of unemployment the death of Arik will add to the stressed economy, and the negative ripple effect that it would create in the country.”

Mohammed Shosanya

The Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) on Thursday announced the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja.

Abdullahi Yakubu-Funtua, the Director, Public Affairs & Consumer Protection, who made this known in a statement, cited unresolved factional dispute amongst the car hire operators which has been affecting airport car hire service operations.

It advised the general public and all airport users, especially passengers to use secured alternative means of transportation or E-hailing services in and out of the airport.

“The FAAN wishes to inform the general public that the airport car hire service at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja has been suspended with immediate effect.

“This is as a result of the unresolved factional dispute amongst the car hire operators which has been affecting airport car hire service operations.

“Consequent upon this suspension, FAAN Management advises the general public and all airport users, particularly our esteemed passengers to use secured alternative means of transportation or E-hailing services in and out of the airport.

“The management of FAAN regrets any inconvenience this necessary suspension may cause our esteemed passengers, airport users and the general public. Normal Car Hire Services resumes as soon as their differences are resolved”,the statement added.

Mohammed Shosanya

The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has commenced investigation into an accident involving a Jabiru J430, a light single airplane with Nationality and Registration Marks 5N-CCQ operated by Air First Hospitality & Tours, which occurred around a little after 1500hrs local time on August 1, 2023.

Tunji Oketunbi,spokesman of the agency conveyed this in a statement made available to Premium News.

“The aircraft was on a test flight within Lagos with two passengers onboard, before it crashed around Oba Akran area of Lagos State with no fatalities.The aircraft caught fire on impact but the spread was contained by the rainfall at the time of impact.
The two souls on board were taken to the hospital,” it stated.

The NSIB is a multimodal investigation agency charged with the mandate to investigate transportation accidents and serious incidents in Nigeria with the aim of identifying the probable causes and proffer safety recommendations that can prevent reoccurrence.

The statement added:”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.”

Musbau Babatunde

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) is expanding its investigation into the safety breach of the July 7, 2023 incident where water was found in the tank of Max Air aircraft at Yola Airport.

It would set up a scommittee comprising of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), NCAA, airline operators, pilots, fuel deport operators, aircraft maintenance officers and others.

The agency also said the committee would also ensure the aviation fuel quality supplied operators in the sector are constant and of industry standards.

At a virtual and physical meeting with all domestic, international operators, aviation fuel suppliers and NMDPRA in Abuja on Thursday, Capt. Musa Nuhu, the Director-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), assured that it would get to the root of the incident through its investigation.

Nuhu also said that there would be wide consultation with all relevant stakeholders to identify the gaps, close them, prevent future occurrences, while also improving safety in the industry.

Nuhu,who chaired the meeting, which also had in attendance the Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of FAAN, Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) and NMDPRA, said that fuel contamination was outside the jurisdiction of the aviation ecosystem.

The apex aviation body, decided to engage the regulator of the downstream sector, adding that the agency had been in consultation with NMDPRA, which certifies all the oil companies in the country,he said.

According to him, based on the sensitivity of the matter, the collaboration had become imperative “because of the noticed gaps due to lack of deliberate collaboration between NCAA, NMDPRA, and FAAN on fuel quality monitoring.”

He noted that the NCAA, FAAN, NMDPRA, NSIB, airline operators, pilots, fuel deport operators, aircraft maintenance officers and other stakeholders would be part of a committee that would be set up to ensure the aviation fuel quality was constant.

He added: “All facets of the aviation fuel ecosystem must be investigated to arrive at the true situation. The investigation is not necessarily to indict anyone, but to strengthen safety in the aviation industry.”

He noted that aviation fuel quality breach had dire consequences and was multifaceted, international in nature, emphasizing that it was not limited to scheduled airlines alone.

Speaking at the meeting, Engr. Farouk Ahmed, CEO, NMDPRA, said the authority was not treating the issue with levity.

According to him, the authority had launched an investigation into the matter to unravel the cause.

“We are all stakeholders and travellers. We took this incident seriously. I directed my colleagues to trace the root cause so that whatever steps we will take, we will bring stability, confidence and improve the safety level” he said.

He said whilst he could vouch for the quality of the Jet A1 fuel that was imported, he could not account for what happens when the fuel leaves the fuel deport to the fuel bowsers before fueling the aircraft.

He sought more collaboration with NCAA, FAAN, and other relevant stakeholders to attack the gaps that have led to the incidence of adulterated fuel.

Engr. Akin Olateru, Director-General, NSIB, described the issue as grave and must be investigated, taking into account all possible actors.

He noted that NSIB had in 2017 issued safety recommendations as it concerns aviation fuel following an incident involving Bel 427 of the Nigerian Police at the time.

He said the safety recommendation advised the NCAA to launch an independent investigation into aviation fuel quality in Nigeria, while also focusing on vulnerability and risks in the fuel distribution process.

He said this should form a regulatory oversight mechanism that ensured the international quality of aviation fuel used in Nigeria.

He challenged the NCAA to step up action, oversight the aviation fuel and ensure it is of top quality.

Mohammed Shosanya

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET) has revealed most Nigerian states would witness moderate and heavy rainfall between Friday and Sunday.

In its three-day weather forecast,the agency also disclosed that there might be strong winds in 11 states across the federation within the three days of low, moderate and high rainfall.

The Impact-based Weather Forecast, which was signed by Prof. Mansur Matazu, the Director-General, Nimet, said that the moderate to heavy rainfall are likely to affect parts of Jigawa, Kano, Kaduna, Plateau, Bauchi, Niger, Adamawa, Borno, Bayelsa, Rivers, Imo and Abia states on Friday.

The agency also said that during the forecast period (0000 – 2359hrs, Friday 20th July), low to moderate rainfall are expected over Delta, Akwa Ibom, Ebonyi, Cross River, Enugu, Anambra and Taraba states.

Matazu said that the moderate to heavy rainfall was not expected to cause hazard to the public or the motorists within the period.

According to Nimet, for Saturday, there are also chances of moderate to heavy rainfall on from (0000 – 2359hrs in some parts of Katsina, Kaduna, Kano, Bauchi, Plateau, Nasarawa, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Kogi, Niger and Taraba State.

It also said that low to moderate rainfall should be expected over parts of Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi, Kwara, Borno, Benue, Adamawa, Taraba, Ogun, Oyo, Ondo, Ekiti, Edo, Delta, Imo, Anambra, Enugu, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states.

“During the forecast period of 24hours no hazard is expected,” the statement said.

For Sunday, Matazu said that during the forecast period; 0000 – 2359hrs, there are good chances of heavy rainfall especially over parts of Oyo, Osun, Ondo, Cross River and Akwa Ibom states.

While moderate to heavy rainfall is anticipated over Lagos, Ekiti, Kwara, Kogi, Abia, Ebonyi, Taraba, Zamfara, Kano and Plateau states.

The statement added: “On Saturday, 22nd July, (0000 – 2359hrs), there is little or no chance of temperature-related hazards across the country due to the low to moderate temperatures that are anticipated.

“During the forecast period; July 21 to 23, there are good chances of very strong winds to affect parts of Adamawa, Borno, Gombe, Yobe, Bauchi, Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto and Kebbi State. Elsewhere there is little or no risk of strong winds.