Arik Air: Beyond lame excuses, an exclusive list of debts

Beyond lame excuses, an exclusive list of Arik Air’s many debts and its cronyistic import waiver

22 Sep, 2012

From Omojuwa.com

Arik Air currently owes the following companies and government departments.

Fuel Marketers
AP (FORTE OIL) informed that Arik Air owes it N 769,640,178.86 as at 31st August, 2012.

MRS informed that Arik Air owes it N 527,029,726.99 as at 31st August, 2012.

Total informed that Arik Air owes it N 98,540,452.50 but current transaction account o.k.

SO informed that Arik Air owes it N 66,172,302.50 as at 31st May 2012.

Rent, Landing & Parking/Meavis

N 7, 077, 323,098.18 & $ 35,986.00 debt owed FAAN as at 31st August, 2012.

Status: Debt payment plan with FAAN.

5% Sales Charge N 3, 176,806, 143.72 & $218,852.29 debt owed NCAA as at 31st August, 2012.
Status: Debt payment plan with NCAA.

Ground Handling
(i) NAHCO
(ii) SAHCOL

N 284, 741,133.59 debt owed NAHCO as at 31stAugust, 2012.
N251, 348,267.63 debt owed SAHCOL as at 31st August, 2012.

Navigational Charges N 914, 112,292.28 & $2, 459,099.13 debt owed NAMA as at 31st July, 2012.

Status: Debt payment plan with NAMA

Arik Air is also very much indebted to the Federal Inland Revenue (FIRS) and they are the ONLY airline with custom waiver for spare parts for its air crafts.

Aviation Minister Reacts to Arik Air's allegations!

PRESS RELEASE


ARIK AIRLINES’ CONFLICT OF INTEREST ALLEGATION LAUGHABLE, DIVERSIONARY

The attention of the Honourable Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Adaeze Oduah, OON, has been drawn to a fabrication credited to the Management of Arik Airlines, to the effect that the Minister demanded a 5 percent equity holding in the airline. The story alleged a Ministry of Aviation hostility against Arik on account of the so-called equity demand that it claimed to have turned down!

The first impulse is to totally ignore this groundless falsehood. Except that it will send the wrong signals to the general public. Therefore, the sole intent of this release is to put the records straight.

The 5 percent equity story is without any foundation whatsoever. It is absurd, malicious and ultimately laughable. The Honorable Minister of Aviation could not have contemplated acquiring a stake in any airline, let alone Arik Air that is groaning from a crippling N85.4 billion debt overhang.

The time is ripe for Arik Air to change its business module that ‘thrives’ on unprecedented accumulation of debts and liabilities. The futile attempt to impugn the integrity of the Aviation Minister by inferring a conflict of interest against her is at best diversionary. It should be obvious to the management of Arik Air that blackmail is not a panacea for a floundering enterprise.

The Honourable Minister of Aviation has directed her lawyers to seek legal redress for this malicious allegation by Arik Air.


Joe Obi

SA (Media) to the Aviation Minister. 

ARIK AIR: A TURBULENT DEBT PROFILE.

BY 
 Shamsudeen Jamil.

 

 

 

 

 

No need to mince or colour words, no need to engage in some grandstanding, furthermore no need to play the blame game on the Aviation Ministry, its agencies, officials or the Minister.  This simple truth is that Arik Air is in debt. It is like an aeroplane manoeuvring its streamlined wings through the turbulence of the bad weather of debt.  The following are some of those it is owing AP - N769M, MRS N527M, Total N98M, SO - N66M, FAAN - N7bn & $36K, NCAA N3bn & $218K, NAMA - N914M & $2.5M, Nahcol -N285M, Sahcol -N251M. A sum total of this break down brings it to about 17 Billion Naira. The management of Arik can decide to embark on the entire media blitz it wants, however its nautical miles won’t go far, if as a successful going concern in the Aviation industry it doesn’t pay up or service its debts. Arik Air is not the only culprits there are those business concerns racking up debts in the industry this ventures cannot continue bringing down the government to its knees anymore. They have to pay up. They have to pay the government that is the global best practice. However in Nigeria we have taken things for granted for several years either through circumventing the process or through the emotional and patriotic blackmail of saying that we need to grow local business. The argument is that it is imperative that even local business conform to the global best practices. It was not surprising therefore that, hundreds of Arik Air passengers were on Thursday September 20^th 2012 stranded at the General Aviation Terminal (GAT) when unions in the industry grounded the airline’s operations from Lagos. The unions under the aegis of the Air Transport Senior Staff Services Association (ATSSSAN) and the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) said the debt Arik Air owes the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority and Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria were the reason the siege at the airport. However a cursory look at this matter shows that automation is the answer to the attitude and proclivity of not paying for service. One cannot but link the success in the telecom sector to the pay as you go scheme, because from the experience of the none payment of bills in the days on Nitel. A much more practical example though is the ASYCUDA project that has automated the clearance and payment of duties by the Nigerian Customs; this scheme has not only ensured that, what is owed the government is promptly paid for before it is cleared out of the purview of the Customs. But it has largely reduced the large scale perpetuated in the past. It is this innovation that stakeholders with ulterior motives are fighting against. It is in this light, that very discerning minds should see this recent onslaught of calumny against the Minister of Aviation Stella Oduah. The plan of the Ministry is to automate the payment and collection of ticket sales charge TSC, Cargo Service Charge CSC and other sundry charges due to by international practices. Ironically same members of the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria ATSSSAN who have decided to act against Arik Air have also not hidden their indignation to the proposed automation of revenue collection in various agencies in Nigeria’s aviation industry. They claim that the funds are meant to be collected by them in trust. But we all know that this mutual trust has been overtly abused over time. Arik Air should do what other corporate entities do in other climes by paying the government and other business interests what the owe; it is the only sensible thing to do at this time, it should stop chasing shadows and live up to its core duties as a corporate citizen in the aviation sector. No sensible investor will want to invest in a venture sinking in the deep sea of liabilities no matter how viable. Arik Air should face its fight as it wades through its turbulence of debts…

More than 8,000 intending pilgrims ready for air lift

More than 8,000 intending pilgrims will be airlifted from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, (MMIA), Ikeja to Saudi Arabia for the 2012 Hajj.

A source at the Hajj Camp at MMIA told newsmen that the intending pilgrims were from Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Edo and Osun States, as well as from the Armed Forces. The source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, noted that the transportation of the intending pilgrims would begin today.

The source said Med View and Marx airlines would transport the intending pilgrims. He said the relevant authorities had made available a Rapscan screening machine for examination of the intending pilgrims. He said the authority has also commenced renovation of the Hajj Camp.

Meanwhile, both registered and unregistered cargo operators and freight forwarders operating at the camp were on Monday barred from entering the premises. It was gathered that they parked their vehicles in front of the camp’s main entrance and gathered at the gate. This resulted in traffic gridlock in the early hours of the day.

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) last week allocated a space at the Limousine Park on the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway to them for their operations. Mr Victor Arisa, the FAAN Deputy-General Manager (Public Affairs), had said that FAAN authorities and representatives of the cargo operators agreed on the relocation.

An employee of FAAN, who did not want his name to be mentioned, told newsmen that sanity had returned to the camp with the ejection of the cargo operators and freight forwarders. Mr Davies Ben, the Secretary-General of the Association of Nigerian Customs Licensed Agents, could not speak with newsmen on the relocation as he claimed he was in a meeting. (NAN)

Arik Air hits 10 million passengers in 6 years

Arik Air said it transported more than 10 million passengers on its local, regional and international routes from 2006 to date.

Mr Adebanji Ola, the airline’s spokesman, disclosed this in a statement made available to aviation correspondents on Tuesday in Lagos.

“Arik Airline has finished a busy summer season by flying 10 million passengers, a landmark achievement in its short history.

“The carriage of 10 million passengers is an important milestone for an airline that has grown rapidly since it began operating in 2006,’’ he said.

He said that between January and August, Arik Air transported more than 1.5 million passengers across its expanding network of 20 domestic,10 regional and three long-haul destinations.

He said that a Nigerian businessman, Mr AbdulAziz Mustapha, became Arik Air’s 10 millionth guest when he travelled on its Johannesburg – Lagos route, one of its key long-haul destinations.

Ola said the airline currently had 1,500 staff worldwide and operated an average of 120 flights daily.

According to him, the airline is currently the leading carrier in Nigeria with 63 per cent share of the market capacity.

He said its regional destinations and Johannesburg routes from Lagos to both London Heathrow Airport and New York had strengthened the airline’s international presence.

Ola said that Dr Michael Arumemi-Ikhide, the Group Chief Executive Officer and President of Arik Air, described the efforts as a milestone.

“Carrying 10 million passengers in less than six years is a remarkable achievement for Arik Air. That further underlines our status as Africa’s fastest growing airline.

“ We are particularly proud to have achieved this milestone on one of our three long-haul routes, which remain an important focus for us in expanding our global network,’’ he said.

Arumemi-Ikhide said that when the airline launched its first scheduled commercial service from Lagos to Abuja in 2006, one of its goals was to be a global-brand-leading carrier. (NAN)

ExecuJet Expands into Lagos

By Aviation Pros

The latest addition to ExecuJet’s global FBO network is located at Murtala Muhammed International Airport. Measuring over 3,000 square metres, the facility has direct access to the main runway and taxiway. From this base, ExecuJet Africa will offer a comprehensive range of services including maintenance, FBO, charter and aircraft management services.
The FBO, which will commence operations by 1 October 2012, will offer state-of-the-art ground support equipment, a VIP lounge and 24-hour support capabilities. World-class passenger and crew amenities will be provided by a team of experienced staff, able to offer technical assistance, flight planning, weather reports, catering, fuelling and hotel accommodation. Services will be further enhanced in the coming months with the introduction of on-site customs and immigration services.
With a secure access way from the main road, the FBO features a wide concrete apron with ample aircraft parking space. Amongst the first aircraft to be based at the FBO will be two ExecuJet business jets fully available for charter.
From its new base, ExecuJet Africa will offer authorised line maintenance support for Bombardier, Dassault Falcon and Hawker Beechcraft aircraft. The well-appointed 2,100 square metre maintenance hangar will offer a wide range of amenities including offices, parts storage and workshop areas.
Mark Abbott, ExecuJet Group FBO Director, says: “ExecuJet’s new Lagos FBO is a direct response to the vibrant growth taking place in this business gateway to Africa. The facility will offer the same outstanding customer experience as our award-winning FBOs in Cape Town and Lanseria, with full MRO and technical support capabilities.”

ExecuJet Africa has gone to great lengths to establish a larger footprint in Africa to meet the growing needs of the group’s customers. The company’s commitment to the development of African business has been demonstrated through ExecuJet’s participation in several of the region’s leading trade exhibitions this year. Etti Poggi, Managing Director of ExecuJet Africa, comments: “Africa needs modern, safety-regulated aviation services to facilitate the expansion of many industry sectors. ExecuJet is committed to meeting that requirement and contributing to the advancement of an efficient, high-growth African economy.”

The ExecuJet Aviation Group

The ExecuJet Aviation Group is a leading global business aviation organisation offering a diverse range of services including pre-owned and new aircraft sales, aircraft management for private and commercial registered aircraft, aircraft charter, aircraft maintenance, aircraft completions management and fixed base operations. Headquartered in Zürich, Switzerland, ExecuJet has operations in six regions – Africa, Asia, Australasia, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East, embracing a workforce of over 830 experienced staff.

The ExecuJet Aviation Group manages 150 business jets worldwide under the most stringent safety standards. Its commercial fleet is operated under the regulatory umbrella of seven regional civil aviation issued air operating certificates (AOCs). ExecuJet has many authorised maintenance facilities throughout four regions, certified to work on most business jets. The ExecuJet Aviation Group operates 18 world-class FBO facilities worldwide.

The ExecuJet Aviation Group offers considerable experience in new and pre-owned aircraft sales worldwide and has a large inventory of business aircraft to suit all budgets with an international team of sales directors offering local knowledge and expertise.

AVIATION MINISTER LAUDED OVER STRIDES

The Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah, has been lauded over the remodelling of Kaduna and Kano Hajj terminals into a world class facility.

Former Director ofAviation Security and Safety, Federal AirportsAuthority (FAAN), Captain Balarabe Usman, in an interview with LEADERSHIP yesterday, said Princess Stella Oduah had remarkably developed the aviation in the North.

According to him, ‘‘The Aviation Ministry is more focused. She has opened a new chapter in the industry based on development across the nationsairports. Putting politics aside, Princess Odua has been doing excellently well.”

The aviation veteran said those accusing the minister of being anti-North were only enemies of progress who hardly saw anything good in what she was doing in the aviation sector.

‘‘I was in Abuja Airport, and I could not believe the level of development there. In short, I was confused and amazed at the same time. From Kano to Sokoto, Yola and Jos, the people are full of praises of the minister. She has done the aviation sector proud,’’ he added.

Captain Usman said there was more to do in order to improve the sector and align it with international best practices which would enhance the safety and security of passengers.

Culled from NBF News

Nigeria: Did Aviation Minister Ban Foreign Airlines From the North?

Nigeria's geopolitics has been a tight rope for several public officials since the advent of indigenous rule in Nigeria. Public officials have always been in the epicentre of the whirlwind of public opinion as regards showing a distinct bias to their regions or performing under par for other regions. The reason for this is not farfetched Nigeria is a country of diverse cultures, idiosyncrasies, religions, political inclinations and ethnic groups

Recently there have been a spate of reports aimed at cast the Minister of Aviation Stella Oduah in poor light; like destructive locusts in season, some individuals have set out to obliterate the efforts the Minister is making to improve the sector in the North. However, the minister's transformation is in full motion and cannot be truncated by such negative reports.

Oduah is not oblivious of the place of Northern Nigeria especially since it forms the core of the historical perspective of the aviation industry in Nigeria especially with the landing in 1925 of a RAF aircraft and the subsequent construction of the Kano aerodrome. This is a fact that is not known to the detractors of the Minister's strides. They have also failed to realize she is attuned to the cultures and ways of life of the peoples of Northern Nigerian. It is this profound understanding that inspired her to refurbish Hajj terminals in Kaduna and Kano states. Anyone who understands the religion of Islam knows that the ritual is one of the fundamental tenets of Islam -an injunction for every adult Muslim, if they can afford it, then it is imperative to perform Hajj in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The Hajj terminals are an integral part of Hajj activities as this is where pilgrims stay sometimes for long indeterminate stretch before being airlifted to the holy land. These structures have been transformed from their dilapidated states to comfortable, standard terminals to serve much more than a waiting edifice for pilgrims. Certainly this wouldn't have been the case if the Minister was a bigot as some people would want us to believe.

In all the peddling of the negative agenda against the policies of the Ministry of Aviation and the person of the Minister, the usual misinformation and outright selective perception pales in comparison to the recent allegations of preventing international airlines from landing at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport in Abuja, to further undermine her, her traducers said she had diverted such planes to Enugu. If only these individuals were not bowing at the altar of ulterior motives they would have discovered that profit from ventures guide the airlines and not the service they provide to geopolitical zones. These are guided by comprehensive commercial agreements; the Minister's duty is to regulate their business conduct in Nigeria but not to dictate to them where or where not to fly to...this can and should only be decided by the strength of traffic that plies the location.

On the Emirate and Etihad issue, the minister made a strong case for the decentralization of the Operations of these Airlines from Lagos and in line with International practice, presented commercially convincing data showing the possible commercial benefits that the Airlines can get if they start operating from Lagos, Kano and Enugu. The Airlines were convinced to look at these and went a step further to even sign some Agreements.

One should not also forget the recent project embarked upon by the Nasarawa State government led by Gov. Umaru Al-Makura who has embarked upon two visionary projects -an aerodrome is being constructed in Lafia and a cargo airport in Karshi. These projects being located in the North Central part of the country no doubt will boost the economic potentials of the Northern region and ensure that a cargo hub is established thereby decentralising the movement of goods and services in the region; this is aside serving as a second runway for the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja. The projects already have the backing of the Minister of Aviation Princess Stella Adaeze Oduah, who has continued to encourage Nigerians irrespective of tribe or creed to invest in the aviation sector. Her show of support came to fore when members of the Federal Ministry of Aviation were part of the governor's entourage during the aerial tour of the proposed sites for the airport.

That is why it is rather disheartening that one of the distinguished stakeholders of the aviation industry like Rufai Chanchangi, Vice Chairman of the Aviation Committee of the House of Representatives who is of Northern extraction will overlook the aforementioned strides and call for the minister's resignation without resorting to a proper investigation of the circumstances surrounding the issues at hand is an act unexpected of an operator, especially one who has the distinct role of serving as the vice chairman of the committee responsible for overseeing the ministry of aviation. What is expected from such quarters is to say the least a modicum of sustained guidance; especially at this critical juncture when the bulk of airport terminals undergoing reconstruction are located in North of the country.

As the minister struggles to make Nigerian skies one of the most viable and safest in sub-Saharan Africa she must be encouraged to deliver on the mandate of good governance and due diligence as it relates to the aviation ministry. The North and indeed Nigeria as a whole would be better off for it. We are far from the season of locusts.

Dati wrote from Abuja

Dana crash victims’ families seek aviation sector reform

Minister of Aviation, Mrs. Stella Oduah
| credits: File copy culled from Punch

Families of the victims of June 3, 2012 Dana plane crash had a meeting with the Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola, where they demanded a reform of the country’s aviation sector to avert such disaster in future.

Fashola said the families agreed that there was a need to use the traumatic experience of the crash as an opportunity to clean up the aviation sector after a two-hour meeting between them and government officials led by the governor at the Lagos House, Ikeja.

The governor added that the families also demanded that the details of what culminated in the Dana plane crash be made public.

Fashola, who briefed journalists after the meeting said, “It was agreed that authorities concerned should seize the opportunity that the Dana plane crash offered to reform the aviation sector.

“There is need to meaningfully engage actors in the sector in order to avoid future air disaster and so that the victims will not die in vain.”

The governor also said the government had issued 89 death certificates to the families, while he put the identification rate of the victims at 94 per cent.

He said, “Fresh samples were collected from five families to identify the corpses that were yet-to-be identified. In summary, we will now have four corpses that are yet to be identified.”

However, some of the relations expressed shock at the restoration of the operating licence of the airline.

One of them, Mr. Seke Somolu, challenged the Federal Ministry of Aviation to publish complete report of the investigation into the incident.

He said the licence was restored under unclear and suspicious circumstances.

Another relation, Mr. Akinola Cole, lamented the poor response of the insurance company in compensating families of all the victims involved in the plane crash.

Mr. Ahmad Damcida and Mrs. Onye Okocha also called for safe air services, insisting that issues surrounding the crash should not be swept under the carpet.

Nigeria's aeropolis and the vision of functional cities

It is time for our policy makers to use their vision to propel Nigeria into a full blown progressive flight. This is a veritable welcome to the future…

 

The vision of Abraham Levitt and his sons, William and Alfred, in the 1950s to build more than 100,000 houses during the aftermath of World War 2 to cater for returning soldiers not only revolutionized the American landscape but Levittown has gone ahead to ignite a global phenomenon and practice of purposely built cities. It is borrowing from this example that it has become imperative for Nigeria to build an aeropolis, a purposely built city around existing airport facilities.

As Nigeria struggles to provide jobs and reduce poverty it is important that it keys into developing the areas around airports, which include industries related to time-sensitive manufacturing, e -commerce fulfillment, telecommunications and logistics; hotels, retail outlets,entertainment complexes and exhibition centers; and offices for business people who travel frequently by air or engage in global commerce. Clusters of business parks, logistics parks, industrial parks, distribution centers, information technology complexes and wholesale merchandise marts transportation corridors radiating from them; this is needed to drive the required growth meant to propel Nigeria to the first world circuit

The Ministry of Aviation has taken it upon itself to attract investors to this new venture in order to bring it to fruition. In a statement by Joe Obi, the minister’s media assistant, it was at Citibank corporate headquarters in New York, that top management team of the bank led by its Head, Global Investment Banking, where Mr. Ray Mc Guire, confirmed the Aerotropolis project offers a huge opportunity for a major infrastructural development.

He quoted Mc Guire to have said: “Citibank’s prepared analysis and road-map for actualising the aerotropolis project objectives were consistent and in tandem with the model already adopted by the ministry and meets international standards and best practices.” He said the financing, operational and execution modules that were explored and considered most practicable are exactly what the Aviation Ministry is adopting so far.

To establish this, there are already guidelines for this -according to the criteria postulated by the expert assessment of Dr. John D. Kasarda and Dr. Stephen Appold based on their qualitative knowledge and quantitative research of the airport and surrounding aviation-linked business and industry clusters that correspond to the airport city and aerotropolis models. They are of the opinion that to achieve this there should be a demonstrated commitment to the aerotropolis or airport city model as seen in the establishment of aerotropolis steering committees, strategic planning, and development initiatives. Most importantly, also the government/regulatory support of the aerotropolis or airport city through aerotropolis legislation, tax incentives or other mechanisms.

Nigeria can look towards South Africa; a country that is already trailing the vision of the aerotropolis. In September 2011 according to the city of Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipalitywebsite announced its intention to transform the municipality into a functioning Aerotropolis. Prof. John D. Kasarda was consulted to define roadmap for the preparation of the planning guidelines. Ekurhuleni also appointed METROPLAN Town and Regional Planners in order to prepare a Regional Spatial Development Framework – which is to be the primary planning document of the municipality in facilitating the transformation of Ekurhuleni into the first African Aerotropolis. Pieter Swanepoel, the manager of the Aerotropolis Project, insists that theSouth African Aerotropolis will be formed on the basis of the strength of the OR Tambo International Airport, and that it will be the long awaited restructuring tool that will put South Africa on the world map, and transform Ekurhuleni into the “gateway to Africa”. Dr. Marinda Schoonraad, the consultant town planner and urban designer for the project has also stressed the importance that regardless of the positive examples in Europe, Asia and Americas, a strong accent should be brought to create a unique identity which will put the concept of the Aerotropolis into the African context.

According to Brian Tracy “all successful people men and women are big dreamers; they imagine what their future could be, ideal in every vision, that goal or purpose”. It is time for our policy makers to use their vision to propel Nigeria into a full blown progressive flight. This is a veritable welcome to the future…

————————
Habibu Abdallah writes from Abuja. This article first appeared in Ynaija

Air Nigeria winds down operations today

Today, September 10, 2012, Air Nigeria flight operations would officially cease. But the airline could have more to worry about as sacked workers protested unpaid benefits.
Meanwhile, Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah, has expressed federal government’s interest in transforming the aviation sector during an AIT programme, Focus Nigeria, monitored at the weekend. She said President Jonathan is working on floating the carrier not long from now.
The protesting workers, who gathered at the Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos, on Friday, to make their grievances known to the company, lamented what they describe as unfair treatment by the management.

The company’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Jimoh Ibrahim, had earlier announced shut down of flight operations for a year and immediate sack of about 800 of its workers.

President of National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE), Isaac Balami, described the situation as “surprising in the 21st century.”

“First of all, there was a time they spent two years… no worker went on leave. You can imagine a pilot, an aircraft engineer, for good two years, no rest,” he said.

“Secondly, they can’t even access health insurance. They are paying tax; they don’t have tax clearance. A particular amount is being deducted from their salary every month and this money is not remitted to the purse of the cooperative society.”

The protesters accused the CEO of selective payment of staff, alleging some members of staff were recently paid May salaries.

Princess Oduah said airports would now be economic centres otherwise known as aerotropolis. She stated that the ministry is shopping for partners interested in investing in the project.

The Minister, in company of Dr. Anthony Anuforo and Mr. John Uriesi, Director-Generals of Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET) and Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) respectively, said the reform has become even more compelling since domestic airline operators are financially weak. She revealed that airlines should not be run like Kabu-Kabu, where some operate with only one aircraft.

As a means of strengthening the domestic front, the Minister said operators would be assisted to access Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) facility and other long-term funds with a single digit interest rate. This, she said, is being discussed with the Central Bank of Nigeria.

Culled: Guardian

As Dana takes flight again: Matters arising

As Dana takes flight again: Matters arising
By Joan Oribhabor.


The trend of grounding Airlines and phasing out of a particular fleet of Aircrafts after each Accident has been a re-curring culture in the Nigerian Aviation Industry as  experts insists that the act is contrary to the practice in most of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) member countries.
95 Days After Dana Air Crash, the Federal Government Lifts suspension of the Air Operating Certificate (AOC) of Dana Air which was suspended in the wake of the June 3,2012 aircraft accident involving a Dana Air flight in Lagos in which more than 153 persons lost their lives.
The announcement was greeted with an outcry from the general public which ofcourse is expected; after the mishap, though the AIB, NCAA and John Obakpolor panel set up by the Federal Government exonerated the operator of being the cause of the crash, many expects that persons found culpable of the crash should have atleast been prosecuted for acts against humanity  before the return of Dana’s commercial operation.
According to ICAO practises, when an airline is involved in a crash, it is wrong to ground the airline, what should be done at that stage is to investigate the incident and ensure that justice is served.
The incident which started the trend of grounding Aircrafts as aftermath of each accident without a recourse to the actual cause of the accident can be traced to years back with the Nigeria Airways.
The flight, F28 Reg. No. 5N – ANF – S/N 11090 on 28th November, 1983 during Harmattan on approach to Landing at Enugu Airport had an accident with a loss of lives of 2 crews and 51passengers. 
As a result of the accident, the eight (8) remaining F28 Aircrafts were subsequently sold to some European countries in 1979. Some of the Aircrafts Aviation experts argue were barely 3 years old from the factory when they were sold; Investigation shows that by 2003 four (4) Aircrafts were still in operation, one each in Indonesia, Iran, Libya and Burkina Faso.

Consequently, the same mistake was again repeated in 2002 when an EAS BAC I – II Aircraft operated by Capt. Idris Wada, now the Executive Governor of Kogi State had an accident on the 4th of May, 2002, at Gwammaja District of Kano City, in which 67 passengers and 6 crews lost their lives on board the BAC I – II Aircraft. 30 other people on the ground died and 23 were seriously injured. 23 residential buildings, two mosques and a school were also said to have been destroyed in the crash.

Albarka and Savannah Airlines were forced to close down. Two of Chanchangi Airlines BAC I – II just returning from a fresh C-Check spending over $800,000 were grounded and phased out. Ever since, Chanchangi Airlines have not been the same.
It is neccessary to note that BAC I – II Aircrafts were operating in more than 17
countries as at the time of grounding them in Nigeria. 244 of such Aircrafts were produced over a period of 37 years. It was due to the design qualities of the BAC I – II that the Americans developed their well celebrated DC – 9 Aircraft.
Not forgeting the Sossoliso Airlines Accident of 10th December, 2012 at Port Harcourt Airport involving a DC – 9 Aircraft 5N-BFD which saw the forced closure of the Airline based on policy decision, contrary to the world best practices.
Many professional jobs are lost as a result of lack of consistency in government policies on aviation. The ADC Airlines Accident of 29th October, 2006 at the Abuja International Airport involving B737 – 200 with Registration Number 5N
– BFK saw the closure of the Airlines business.
Recall that the ADC Airline was the pioneer Airline that started the West Coast Operations following into the footstep of the defunct National Carrier, the Nigeria Airways.
The continuos shut down of airlines in events of accidents or crashes, deter possible investors from investing in an Industry with the ability to strive as the nations  economy hub. Demand for air travel is projected to grow in the medium to long-term when passengers safety is assured.
Of all the airlines mentioned, the only exception to this closure was the Bellview Airlines accident near (Lissa Village) on 22nd OCTOBER, 2005. 
The then Minister of Aviation did not exercise the option of closing down the Airline after the incident for not any know reason.
Africa’s fragmented economy desperately needs airlines to facilitate trade, tourism and growth, as well as to provide employment and technical skills.
Government  and the Nigerian public is thereby urged of the foregoing and in the larger interest of the aviation industry to allow Dana Airlines to continue with its normal operations in Nigeria. In addition, the Minister is also requested to revisit
similar issues currently affecting the ADC Airlines and Sossoliso, so that
consideration shall be made for their restoration in the aviation market.
Some of the recommendations by the Air Vice Marshal Paul Dike (rtd) inquiry had recommended the following: that the NCAA should ensure stringent airworthiness certification procedures for ageing aircraft. They should also re-orientate airworthiness inspectors on the necessary steps and checks on ageing aircraft and ensure that the most experienced staff are assigned to inspect ageing aircraft. 
Government should enforce the registration of foreign airlines operating in Nigeria to enable them pay appropriate taxes to Government in line with extant regulations. All aviation agencies should develop in-house maintenance manuals. This will serve as a standard against which maintenance performance levels shall  be measured at any given time.

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