Non-Civilian air mishaps matters arising.

Aviation Nigeria
By Tahir Sherriff

In the wake of the recent tragic helicopter accident which claimed the lives of six people including the Governor of Kaduna State Ibrahim Patrick Yakowa and immediate former National Security Adviser General Andrew Azazi. There have been attempts to play the blame game with accusing fingers being pointed at the Ministry of Aviation. It is thus essential to bring the matter into a broader understanding.

The accusations come in an alignment with the recent crash, and in general, the volume of airplane crashes in the year 2012 alone. Four other crashes that had equally thrown the country into national mourning this year include: A national police aircraft crash in Rukuba road, Kabong area of Jos killing DIG John Haruna and his aide, Dana Airlines flight 9J 992 crash killing 153 passengers and residents of Iju Ishaga, a Nigerian cargo plane in Ghana leading to ten deaths, and the crash of an aircraft flown by Governor of Taraba State Danababa Suntai.

In a bid to properly address the blame issue and clarify responsibilities that accompany such critical circumstances, it is important to note that other than the Dana Air crash and the Nigerian Cargo plane crash in Ghana, the Aviation authorities have no form of control over the remaining events.

There is currently no legal framework compelling all air crafts, helicopters or jet usage in use in Nigeria whether belonging to the military or for civilian to come under the supervisory and monitoring purview of the Federal Ministry of Aviation. Two of these five crashes that have claimed the lives of Nigerians were entirely not under the jurisdiction or control of the Aviation Ministry or any of its agencies

The ill-fated crash in Jos which claimed the life of the DIG John Haruna was under the command and control of the Nigerian Police Force, there are pointers to the fact that Suntai flew from a daylight Air Strip at a time when it was almost dusk and the recent helicopter crash that has claimed the lives of two high profile leaders was in the control, command and authority of the Nigerian Navy. In line with such events it is best to enable regulations that ensure proper and full authority is accorded to those who are tasked with such responsibility.

CIVIL SOCIETY AVIATION COALITION (CSAC) a non-governmental coalition group with focus on aviation safety have canvassed for the implementation of comprehensive measures to bring the operations of all civilian and military aircrafts under the supervision of the aviation experts that work in the Federal Ministry of Aviation so that the highest maintenance standards and ethical code of conduct is adhered to as practiced in other countries around the globe. By implementing such measures it is hoped that stricter and more regulated air safety compliance’s will better guarantee the lives of Nigerians.

The group urged President Goodluck Jonathan and the National Assembly to consider ways and means of introducing a workable legal framework to make it compulsory that all aircraft including military helicopters and private jets are monitored to ensure the highest standards of maintenance and safety to fly on Nigerian airspace by the nation’s Aviation authority in the Federal Ministry of Aviation.

In a bid to address the responsibility situation caused by the recent helicopter crash, the Chief of Training and Operations of the Nigerian Navy, in a press release said that a board had been constituted at a news conference in Abuja on Monday in order to unravel the remote and immediate causes of the helicopter crash.

He stated clearly that the Nigerian Navy had pooled together Nigerian technical military aircraft investigation specialists, and foreign personnel, who have been drawn from Agusta Westland, the manufacturer of the ill-fated aircraft with help from other aviation regulatory agencies as provided by extant regulations to investigate the crash.

In the continuing analysis it has become clear that this does not come under the purview of the NCAA, however, these tragic losses end up affecting the nation at large. But more importantly, still, is the question, on what is to be done to avoid such tragic incidences in the future.

Increased security at airports nationwide.

Aviation Nigeria

Tight security measures have been put in place in and around all Airports in the country in order to forestall any possible attack at the nation’s airports, even as the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria , FAAN, has maintained that there were no security threats during the Christmas celebration.


Reports say there was unusual security surveillance on all roads leading in and out of the  Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.

Speaking to newsmen, the General Manager (Corporate Communications) of the FAAN, Mr. Yakubu Dati, said:

“The Federal Government, in its determination to ensure hitch-free holidays, has put all these measures in place at strategic locations, including airports, all over the country to forestall any form of security breach during this period.

“We consider this a positive step designed to complement FAAN’s effort at ensuring maximum safety and security of lives and properties at all our airports.
“The authority, therefore, encourages all passengers to leave their homes early so that the delays caused by these security checks will not hamper their pre-boarding formalities at the airport, especially in view of the expected increase in passenger movements, both on local and international flights during this festive period.”

Army spokesman, Bridadier General Mobolaji Koleoso, has also added that all security agencies have been put on 24-hour surveillance.

Portable runway lighting system installed at Lagos Airport

Aviation Nigeria

The reconstruction and re-modeling of airports nationwide has also enabled the installation of a temporary civil airfield lighting system (CALKIT) in the early hours of December 25, 2012.

The domestic runaway (18L/36R) at Lagos Airport which had last seen renovation five years ago will soon be enabled for night operations till a more permanent lighting system is installed.

New Abuja-based charter airline: Re-Routine Air.

Aviation Nigeria

Reports indicate the arrival of a new charter outfit, Re-Routine Air.

The airline is said to have been operating a wet-leased Embraer Legacy 600 (D-ATWO) from Abuja Airport, since this summer.

Unclear details of its ownership is still unclear.

Nigerian Air Force takes delivery of two R66 helicopters.

By Sky Watch Nigeria.

The first two Robinson R66 training helicopters have been assembled in Lagos, and delivered to the Nigerian Air Force.

The 2011-build helicopters (ex-N804SF and ex-N7033V) will be based at the International

Helicopter Flying School, Enugu. The Air Force will take delivery of several more Robinson R66s in the next few months.

SOURCE: Aviation in Nigeria

New Jersey: Angry Nigerian Wife calls In Fake Bomb Threat To Stop Husband’s Christmas Trip To Lagos.

Aviation Nigeria

A Nigerian in New Jersey man was grabbed by police at Newark Airport yesterday after the police were tipped off that he planned to ‘blow up’ a Delta Airlines flight to Paris.

Authorities now believe that the information, which came from the suspect’s wife, was a false accusation following nothing more than a domestic dispute. The New York Post reports that Eunice Ukaegbu, 50, rang police on Okieze Ukaegbu, 58, because the couple had just had a big fight and she didn’t want him to leave the country without her.

Eunice told the Post that she just thought she was just acting on her civil duty saying: "He told me he was going to blow up the airplane. I did what an honest citizen would do" she said.

The New Jersey nurse claims her husband 'is a little secretive'. Her story is that she first became concerned as Okieze had been acting distantly. When she could not open his suitcase, Eunice felt she had to warn authorities. Police and federal agents rushed to the Ukaegbu family home in Union, New Jersey, to question the possible ‘terrorist.’

Luckily for Okieze, the couple’s daughter overheard the incident and rang her father to tell him that police were on the way to apprehend him at Newark Airport. Eunice Ukaegbu told authorities she her husband was ‘secretive’ while he claimed she had ‘an alcohol problem’

Okieze had already passed through security and was waiting for a Delta flight to Paris, the first leg of his trip to Nigeria. He remained at Gate B45 until authorities arrived, then calmly told them that his wife was lying and had an ‘alcohol problem.’ Police took Okieze in for questioning, pulled his luggage off the plane and checked it with bomb detection dogs.

This caused the man to miss his flight but sources at the Post claim other travelers did not experience significant delay. After interrogation and searches, Okieze was released and cleared to take a later Delta service to Paris.

While his wife claims she contacted police out of genuine concern, they don’t believe her story. Authorities now say they plan to charge Eunice Ukaegbu.

‘It looks like that marriage went up in flames,’ a police source told the Post.

Drunk passengers on Amsterdam flight arrested.

Aviation Nigeria

Three British men are to appear in court tomorrow after a drunken in-flight fracas on a flight to Amsterdam led to a total of 17 arrests.

The men – who were on board a KLM service from Glasgow when the incident took place – are charged with a series of offences including threatening crew and groping female cabin stewards, according to a report in the Daily Record.

They were among a group of 17 travellers believed to be from the Clydebank area, including four women, who were arrested at Amsterdam Schipol airport. They had all been heading to the Dutch capital to attend a concert by the dance band Swedish House Mafia.

It is alleged that they were seen at a bar in Glasgow airport drinking “Jagerbomb” cocktails prior to departure.

The other 14 members of the party, who reportedly referred to themselves as the “Bundy Boys”, were also arrested, but released after being fined £600 each.

SOURCE: www.telegraph.co.uk

Navy Sets Up Board To Unravel Cause Of Helicopter Crash.

Aviation Nigeria

The Nigerian Navy has constituted a board to unravel the remote and immediate causes of its helicopter, which crashed in Bayelsa on Saturday, Rear Adm Emmanuel Ogbor, has said. 

Ogbor, who is the Chief of Training and Operations, announced the constitution of the board at a news conference in Abuja on Monday.

He said that the members, who are aircraft investigation specialists, are drawn from Agusta Westland, the manufacturer of the ill-fated aircraft and other aviation regulatory agencies as provided by extant regulations.

Ogbor said that some components of the helicopter that could assist the board to carry out its investigation had been recovered.

 ``It is expected that the board will come out with the remote and immediate causes of the accident with far reaching recommendations that will forestall future occurrence,’’ he said. 

Ogbor explained that the Navy’s helicopters, including the NN07, which crashed on Saturday, were properly maintained and serviced regularly, in accordance with the manufacturer’s specification.

He said that the ill-fated helicopter’s routine maintenance was concluded on Nov. 10 and was cleared for operations on Nov. 20 by certified technical support engineers.

``At the time of the incident, the helicopter had flown 1,704 flight hours and had more than 80 flight hours before the next scheduled routine maintenance.

``The Nigerian Navy pilots are very experienced. In fact, the captain in command has flown over 800 hours, while the co-pilot had flown over 300 hours.

``All our pilots are trained in the best aviation institutions all over the world.

``Additionally, spare parts for the helicopters are obtained directly from the manufacturers (Agusta Westland) and or its approved maintenance centre worldwide,’’ he said.

On the age of the ill-fated aircraft, Ogbor said that it was inducted into the Navy in 2004 directly from the manufacturer.

Nigerian real-tors hone skills for aircraft valuation.

Aviation Nigeria

Increasing private jet ownership in the country has presented members of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers an opportunity to show their skills in the complex area of aircraft valuation.

To hone the skills of members, the Faculty of Plant and Machinery Valuation, NIESV, brought an expert in international aviation valuation, Mr. Leslie H. Miles, to Lagos on Wednesday and Thursday to teach them the current trends in that line of business.

Miles is a senior member of the American Society of Appraisers and is accredited as a plant, machinery and equipment appraiser with specialty in appraisal review and management with aircraft appraisal as an additional technical valuation discipline.

In a presentation at the ‘International Seminar on Plant and Machinery Valuation: Focus on aircraft, oil and gas installations,’ Miles said there were enormous opportunities for NIESV members to handle the valuation of aircraft assets in a standardized manner since aviation was a global business.

To do this successfully, however, he said they must understand the rudiments of the aircraft like type, year of manufacture, engine type, manufacturer, capacity and operations.

Using himself as an example, Miles said apart from being a certified appraiser or valuer, he was a trained pilot with many years’ experience of flying.

He urged members of the institution to update their knowledge and adopt a standardized method of carrying out aircraft valuation in line with global best practices.

The Chairman of the faculty, Mr. Paul Osaji, said following the crash of a Dana Air’s plane in Lagos on June 3, 2012, a lot of focus had been on doing things properly in the aviation sector through acquisition of new aircraft.

He said members of the institution needed to know the value of an aircraft and other details like the cost of insurance before they could successfully ascribe a value to it.

Osaji said, “In recent times, more Nigerians have been acquiring private aircraft. We have about 200 of such private jets in the country at the moment with over N1.3trillion invested in their acquisition.

“We need to guide the investor on the value of the aircraft. They need to know how much to pay for one, how much to insure it for and the cost at which they can sell if the need arises. Loss adjusters need to know the value of the aircraft and the insurance before they can pay claims in cases of accidents.”

The same knowledge, he said, would apply to the valuation of commercial passenger and cargo planes.

Osaji said by their training, NIESV members were the only licensed set of professionals in the country allowed to put value on different items, whether landed property or plants and machinery.

To do this, he said they did not have to be pilots or aeronautical engineers, but only needed to add the knowledge of how the aircraft operated to their body of knowledge on general valuation.

House to probe worthiness of aircraft's in Nigeria. - Tambuwal

Sky Watch Nigeria.

Speaker of the House of Representatives Hon. Aminu Tambuwal has said that the House of Reps will probe the air worthiness of all civilian and military aircrafts flying in Nigeria.

He made this assertion through a statement on Monday 17 December in Abuja by his spokesman Imam Imam putting perspective on naval helicopter crash, which killed Kaduna State Governor, former National Security Adviser Gen Andrew Azazi and four others, on Saturday in Bayelsa State.

Tambuwal has said that the House would liaise with aviation authorities to conduct checks on all aircraft in order to ascertain their airworthiness and to prevent future mishap.

House spokesman Rep. Zakari Mohammed (PDP, Kwara) disclosed that a motion on the matter would be debated on the floor of the House this week

In his condolence, Deputy Speaker Emeka Ihedioha expressed shock at the helicopter crash. He said this in a statement by his spokesman Oke Epia.

A report on the probe by the House on the Dana plane crash which killed 153 people on board and injured several others is still to be presented to the parliament for consideration.

NAMA Director debunks unsafe airspace claim by NATCA.

Sky Watch Nigeria.

In response to the claim by the Air Traffic Controllers of an unsafe Nigerian airspace, Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Engineer Mazi Nnamdi Udoh has re-assured Nigerians and all stake-holders in the aviation sector of its continued actions to a safer airspace.

While delivering a speech at the agency headquarters in Lagos on Friday December 14 2012, Engineer Udoh spoke on the claim by the Air Traffic Controllers stating that such statement could not collaborate with the glaring reality that airplanes have been flying for the last three months.

He however pointed out that the current challenge confronting the agency was its long range frequency of communication which had just been introduced, affirming  that aside from the new technology no control tower had significant challenges currently.

On the alleged statement by the Air Traffic Controllers, Engineer Udoh responded that: “If they are quoting Air Traffic Controller, it means that, the Air Traffic Controllers have not done any work in the last three months and should not to be paid.”


The Air Traffic Controllers,  in a six-page petition signed by its General Secretary, Mr. Banji Olawode and titled “Continued worrisome state of communication facilities within the Nigerian airspace” challenged Udoh to urgently declare national emergency on Air Traffic Services communication facilities within Nigerian airspace to mitigate the communication situation degenerating into distress stage thereby threatening the lives of air travelers and general public at large.
The General Manager, Public Affairs, NAMA, Mr. Supo Atobatele, agreed that the current radio frequency – 27.3 MHz for the Lagos Area Control Centre is at present congested following heavy traffic within the southern airspace, adding that decongestion would commence by December 17 2012.

Air traffic: Controllers raise alarm over unsafe airspace.

Sky Watch Nigeria.

…say pilots flying blind in last three months

The Nigerian airspace is gradually becoming a nightmare for pilots flying within the country as indications emerged over the weekend that the radio communications on some routes may have collapsed.

This is contained in a six-page petition written by the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, NATCA, an umbrella body of Air Traffic Controllers, ATC, of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, NAMA, signed by its General Secretary, Mr. Banji Olawode.

The statement, made available to National Mirror, indicated that there were about 114 reports of unreliable radio communications between Lagos and Kano since September till November 24.

Also within the same period, there were 72 reports of “erratic working conditions of 124.1MHZ radio frequencies of Kano-East as reported by pilots flying in the route.

The petition noted that between October 17 and November 24, there were 58 different reports on the frustrations of duty air traffic controllers and pilots on 128.5 MHz (Kano- West radio) with six reports of its total failure.

Olawode had written to the Managing Director, NAMA, Mr. Nnamdi Udoh and copied 13 other persons, including the Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah; the Chairmen, Senate Committee and House Committee on Aviation; Senior Special Assistant to the President on Aviation; National Security Adviser; Director-General, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority; Commissioner, Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB); Director-General, State Security Service, SSS.

Others are the Director of Operations, NAMA; the Director of Safety Electronics and Engineering Services, NAMA; Airline Operators of Nigeria, AON); Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, ATSSSAN and International Air Transport Association, IATA, representatives in Nigeria. The statement warned of impending air accident if the anomaly was not corrected soon.

However, the management of NAMA said that to further improve air traffic services within the nation’s airspace and decongest the existing radio frequency, most especially in Lagos, it would sectorise its Lagos Area Control Centre.

The petition, titled, “Continued worrisome state of communication facilities within the Nigerian airspace,” noted that despite the fact that the airspace was fully covered with radar, lack of functional and reliable communication facilities as prescribed by the International Civil Aviation Organisation, ICAO, had made the airspace unsafe for users.

The petition noted that a reasonable percentage of Air Safety Reports, ASRs, made within Nigerian airspace for the past two years were communication failure related, adding that between January and November 26 this year, 19 of such reports had been received.

NATCA explained that each of these reported air incidents had the potential of resulting in mid-air collisions, adding that the situation was increasingly making Nigeria a laughing stock among the global aviation community.

The petition recalled the memo written by NATCA with reference number NATCA/GS/305/VOL.II Annexure A (2.1) and dated July 5, 2012, expressing the frustration of the association brought about by the terrible state of the radios at the ATC units, thereby considered the option of directing her members to downgrade applicable services.

Also, the Lagos ATCs, in their letter according to the petition, had on October 25, 2010 and November 26, 2012 expressed their frustration concerning the deplorable state of the VHF 127.3MHz radio and continuously being handicapped in providing safe Air Traffic Control Services due to “the poor and substandard communication.”

Lagos ATC had warned of impending “time bomb to the nation and mankind at large,” if the situation was not corrected by the agency.

The petition reads in part: “Between October 17 and November 24, 2012, there were 58 different reports on the frustrations of Duty ATCOs and pilots alike on 128.5MHz (Kano West radio) with six reports on its total failure.

“Between September 29 and November 24, 2012, there were 72 reports on the un-reliable working condition of 124.1MHz (Kano East radio) as reported by pilots and ATCOs with eight reports on its total failure and 114 reports on the unreliability and erratic working condition of 127.3MHz (Lagos ACC’s radio) with four reports on its total failure between September 8 and November 26, 2012.

“Report made by NAMA’s General Manager, Safety Management System/ Quality Assurance to the General Manager, Electronics Communication on terrible working condition of 127.3MHZ at 1305UTC on 15th November, 2012.”

NATCA challenged Udoh to urgently declare national emergency on Air Traffic Services communication facilities within Nigerian airspace to mitigate the communication situation degenerating into distress stage thereby threatening the lives of air travellers and general public at large.

It also charged NAMA to provide reliable VHF radios and backups for the two Area Control Centres (Kano and Lagos) without further delay or in the interim and until effective VHF radios are provided, downgrade the two ACCs to Flight Information Centres equipped with HF radios like 8903KHz for the provision of Flight Information Service (FIS) only.

The General Manager, Public Affairs, NAMA, Mr. Supo Atobatele, agreed that the current radio frequency – 27.3 MHz for the Lagos Area Control Centre – is at present congested following heavy traffic within the southern airspace.

He said the decongestion of the radio frequency would commence by December 17 with the integrity of the system ascertained.

The management said that the best solution was to create additional frequencies to allow for effective radio communication between pilots and air traffic on controllers.

NAMA said to improve the traffic services to pilots, the management had raised another frequency on 120.9MHz, emphasising that this would help to decongest the current one.

SOURCE: nationalmirroronline.net

Airline crisis: Over 18 abandoned planes and 10 engines abroad.

Sky Watch Nigeria.

At least 18 Nigerian-owned airplanes and 10 aircraft engines belonging to domestic airlines have been abandoned in maintenance facilities across Europe and Africa owing to lack of funds to settle the accrued repair bills, authoritative sources at the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority and Nigerian Airspace Management Agency has reported.

Majority of the aircraft were sent overseas between six and nine months ago for routine maintenance called C-check. The C-check, which costs between $1m and $1.5m, usually takes an average of one month. The C-check is usually done on aircraft at 18 months’ intervals.

Local industry analysts and airline executives estimated that each of the aircraft and engine stranded in the foreign hangars due to lack of funds was worth $4m and $1.5m respectively, giving a total average value of $87m (N13.92bn). Already, the shortage of aircraft is affecting a crisis-ridden local airline industry, which has been groaning under skyrocketing cost of operations, among other challenges.

Countries where the maintenance facilities are located as Romania, Portugal, Dublin, Paris, Ethiopia and South Africa.

Speaking on the incident, the Director-General, NCAA, Dr. Harold Demuren, told has said that only a few airplanes were outside the country. He was not specific on figure.

He said, “Some of the airlines are planning to re-fleet and, as such, they may not bring those aircraft back into the country. Some of the aircraft outside the country have been repossessed by the foreign lessors.  So they are not coming back again, but for others that lack funds, the bail out by the government has helped them and they will soon bring them back into the country.”

Aviation consultant, Mr. Deba Uwadiae, said lack of funds was a major reason why airplanes belonging to Nigerian airlines became stranded in overseas hangars, adding that the aircraft and engines have been abandoned in maintenance workshops in Ethiopia, Dublin, Brussels and Paris because they could not raise money to pay their charges.

The President, National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers, Mr. Isaac Balami, however blamed the airline operators for the ugly trend.

“We cannot rule out the fact that the operational environment is very harsh. They get loans at over 20 per cent interest rate, whereas their counterparts abroad do so at only less than five per cent. 

Also, if we have Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul facility, i.e an aircraft maintenance hangar in West Africa, then we won’t spend up to what we are doing in Europe to maintain our planes,” the NAAPE leader added.

Aircraft maintenance engineer and Managing Director, Finum Aviation Services, Mr. Sheri Kyari, also attributed the problem to bad revenue management and lack of adequate planning on the part of airline operators.

He said, “Most airline operators do not usually put into consideration most factors that later appear during the course of their business. Some of them bring in an aircraft without taking a proper assessment of their maintenance history. After flying them for some time, they will be due for maintenance. They will then fly the aircraft abroad for maintenance but won’t be able to pay the bill. This has become rampant and it is high time the NCAA looked into this properly. Anytime an airline goes out of operation, the passengers suffer.”

Recently, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, threatened to remove all abandoned aircraft from airports across the country, saying the rising number of airplanes across the country constituted menace and safety hazard to the sector.

Navy Confirms Crash Of Its Helicopter.

Sky Watch Nigeria.

THE Nigerian Navy last night confirmed the crash of its Agusta helicopter around the Nembe-Okoroba area of Bayelsa State.

In a Press statement released by Naval Headquarters, Naval spokesman Commodore Kabir Aliyu said: “A Nigerian Navy Agusta helicopter (helo 07) crashed today Saturday 15 December 2012 at about 3:30pm around Nembe-Okoroba area in Bayelsa State, the helicopter was conveying Very Important Personalities (VIPs) to Port Harcourt from Okoroba village.”

He further added: “Search and rescue operation is on-going by a combined team of personnel from Joint Task Force (OPS PULO SHIELD), Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Air Force, NEMA and Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps. Further details on the crash will be made available as received.”

Sources say that Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa, former Governor of Kaduna State and immediate past National Security Adviser, Gen Andrew Owoye Azazi were burnt to death in the helicopter crash. 

The source also added that Mr. Yakowa, had earlier arrived the venue of the interdenominational service of the burial of the father of Presidential Adviser, Oronto Douglas, with Seriake Dickson governor of Bayelsa State, Gen Azazi, former governor of Bauchi State Alhaji Adamu Muazu, Oba Otudeko, Mr. Timi Alaibe and other top government functionaries.

The crashed Helo 07 was one of the two helicopters at the burial venue. The other conveyed the Chief of staff to the President, Chief Mike Oghiadomhe who represented President, Minister of Labour, Chief Emeka Wogu, Private Principal Secretary to the President, Mr Mohammed Tukur and the immediate past Presidential Spokesman, Mr Ima Niboro.

SOURCE: The Guardian.

FAAN advises on Yuletide travels.

Aviation Nigeria

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has advised Nigerians, especially air travelers  to make early preparations for their travel during the forthcoming Christmas and New Year holidays, to avoid the rush that usually takes place during these periods at major airports across the country.

Airports across the country usually witness a huge volume of passenger traffic during these holidays, due to increased local movements of passengers for people travelling for the holidays, added to those returning from different countries overseas for the same purpose.
The Authority also urges travelers to leave home early during these festive periods, in order to confirm their tickets and complete other pre-boarding formalities in good time because of the heavy vehicular movements on access roads close to the terminals that may cause some passengers to miss their flights.

According to the General Manager, Corporate Communication(FAAN), Mr Yakubu Dati,:''We also wish to advise vehicle owners to make use of our designated car parks when visiting the airports, whether for business or pleasure. It will help to de-congest the traffic on our access roads and also help to ensure the safety of lives and property within the airports. All vehicles parked in authorized places will therefore be towed and appropriate fines imposed on defaulters''.
It will be noted that the Federal Government has embarked on the transformation of the aviation industry into an efficient and effective sector, spearheaded by the Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Adaeze Oduah.

This has led to the remodelling of 11 airport terminals round the country and the upgrading of power projects across the country, among other projects.


Yakubu Dati
General Manager, Corporate Communications

Governor Yakowa, Azazi as victims of Bayelsa Helicopter crash.

Sky Watch Nigeria.

A military Helicopter which reportedly crashed in Bayelsa state has claimed the life of Governor Patrick Yakowa of Kaduna State and former National Security Adviser Andrew Owoye Azazi.

Governor Yakowa and Mr. Azazi, a retired military general who served as chief security adviser to 

President Goodluck Jonathan, Dudas Tsoho, Azazi’s orderly, the pilot and his co-pilot  were said to be on board the helicopter when it crashed.

The Nigeria's National Emergency Management Authority (NEMA) indicated that the agency had activated a search for a crashed helicopter.

Governor Yakowa and Mr. Azazi were among many political figures who reportedly attended the burial of the father of senior presidential aide Oronto Douglas. The funeral event took place in the Nembe area of Bayelsa State earlier today reports say that the crashed helicopter was one of several helicopters that some well-connected people to the funeral.

The crash is another recent tragedy claiming people of national interest on the heels of a plane crash on October 25, 2012 that has left Governor Danbaba Suntai of Taraba State brain-damaged. 

Bi-Courtney introduces free wireless service to MMA2 Terminal.

Sky Watch Nigeria.

As part of its determination to create a unique experience for passengers, Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), operators of the Murtala Muhammed Airport Two (MMA2), Lagos, in conjunction with iWayafrica and MultiChoice Nigeria, has introduced free internet services to passengers travelling through the terminal.

This is even as MMA2 won the Most Efficient Airport Terminal Award of the Transport and Society Weekly newspaper.
Industry stakeholders said the Wi-Fi Hotspot solution at MMA2 will be the first of its kind in any airport terminal in Africa. It will enable users of the terminal access the world while waiting to board their flights.

“We’re really making the travel experience unique. We are the only airport terminal in Africa to offer free Wi-Fi to passengers. We are the only airport in Nigeria with live arrivals and departures on the net (www.mma2lagos.com) and this is just the beginning. When it comes to working, investing and maintaining in the interest of the Nigerian public, we will make sure we remain far ahead. This is just one in the series of face-lifting, multi-million naira projects to be executed shortly at the terminal, which has been enjoying increased patronage in the last few weeks,” a statement issued by BASL said.

According to the statement signed by the company’s spokesman, Steve Omolale-Ajulo, “the first phase of the project has already started from the Final Departure. This is one of the numerous Xmas gifts BASL is giving to its passengers.

“Other locations at the terminal, such as the Food Court, Meeters & Greeters, as well as KFC are to be considered for the facility very soon. More ambitious projects to make MMA2 the best terminal in Africa will be executed in the New Year.”

Meanwhile, the management of the Transport and Society newspaper told the management of BASL at the presentation of the award at Sheraton Hotel and Towers, Lagos, that MMA2 won the Most Efficient Airport Terminal Award because of the consistent way it has been maintaining its facilities since inception, adding that the votes to determine the winner were cast by aviation stakeholders.

Responding, the Chief Executive Officer of BASL, Mr. Christophe Penninck, promised that the terminal would always remain the preferred gateway to majority of local air travellers in Nigeria.

The award is coming a few weeks after the newest airline in the country, Med-View Airline, began operations at MMA2 and said its decision to choose the terminal as operational base was informed by its facilities, which BASL promised it would continue to improve upon.

AERO wins Best West African Airline of the Year 2012.

Sky Watch Nigeria.

Aero, one of the widely recognized and used airline in West Africa has won the Best West African Airline of the Year 2012 Award at the West African Tourism and Hospitality Awards (WATHAWARDS) held on the 30th of November 2012, at Golden Tulip Hotel and Conference Centre, Lagos, Nigeria.

Aero’s win of the award confirms the airline’s decision to offer services in the Nigerian market to the highest international standards.

In the words of Adedayo Adesugba, the President of the Awards group, he said: “The West African Tourism and Hospitality award is formed to recognize organizations and individuals in the Tourism & Hospitality Industry, and as a platform for acknowledging and rewarding creativity among all the participants and operators within the West African region.

This event is the largest gathering of Hospitality practitioners within the region. It has over 5000 voters and evaluators involved in the processes with at least 500 operators at the Gala nights award ceremony.

“We recognize the role Aero has been playing in ensuring that the travelling needs in the ECOWAS region are constantly met.”

Commenting on the award, the Managing Director of Aero, Mr Obaro Solomon Ibru, said: “We are delighted to have won the West African Airline of the year award. We will, however, not relent in our efforts but we will continually look at new and exciting ways of meeting and even exceeding the flying expectations of Nigerians.”

Aero has grown to be one of the most reputable regional carriers in West Africa operating over 50 flights with a fleet of modern 737s and Bombardier Dash 8. The airline operates flights to major domestic destinations including Accra, Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Calabar, Warri, Owerri, Uyo, Benin, Enugu and Kano, with plans to open more routes within Nigeria.

Aero also offers reliable helicopter service solutions which cover the oil and gas industry, ad-hoc spot charters, search and rescue, aerial photography and medical evacuations. We have the capacity, skills and experience to deliver personalized services to suit our customers’ operational needs.

Dana commences balance payment to crash victims.

Sky Watch Nigeria.

Insurers of Dana Air, today, commenced payment of USD 70,000 to families of victims of the June 3 disaster after having made advance payments of USD 30,000 to over 80 families. The Civil Aviation Act stipulates that the sum of USD 100,000 be paid as compensation to families of victims of air disasters.

Dana Air’s Head of Corporate Communications Tony Usidamen said: “Following receipt of Letter of Authentification from the Probate Registry, our insurers have begun balance payment of USD 70,000 to affected families. Only 4 other families have, so far, presented the requisite Grant of Probate or Letter of Administration, and payment will shortly be made to them.”

Usidamen explained that in order to assess and verify full compensation due and payable, it is necessary for claimants to produce the required Grants of Probate or Letters of Administration which would then have to be authenticated by the Probate Registry.

“This is a customary procedure to ensure that just compensation is only paid to the right next-of-kin. Dana Air has no control over the speed with which the Probate Registry deals with the verification process, although maximum pressure is being exerted to expedite this.” He added.

Speaking in the case of minors, Usidamen explained that a Letter of Guardianship will be required from the parent or guardian in order to access full payment. He further added this not being a pre-condition given by Dana Air or its insurers but a standard legal requirement to ensure that due compensation is paid only to those who have entitlement.

In conclusion Usidamen restated the airlines deep condolences, expressing the company's appreciation of the difficulties and challenges all affected families were going through in accessing the necessary documents, and thanking all those involved such as NCAA and the Lagos State Government in making the process a smooth one.

“Dana Air shares in the pain of all the affected families and we wish to re-iterate the readiness of our insurers to settle all claims in accordance with the law and available evidence, at the earliest opportunity,” Usidamen reassured.

Dana Air Flight 992 was a McDonnell Douglas MD-83 aircraft making a scheduled commercial passenger flight from Abuja to Lagos, Nigeria. On Sunday, June 3, 2012, the aircraft crashed into a furniture works and printing press building in the Iju-Ishaga neighbourhood of Lagos . The crash, believed to have been caused by dual engine failure and subsequent forced landing, resulted in the deaths of all 153 people on board, as well as approximately six deaths and an unknown number of injuries to people on the ground. Victims of note include Alhaji Ibrahim Damcida, the Under-Secretary of Ministry of Industries.

Boeing delivers 777-300ER Jetliners to American Airlines.

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Boeing delivered to American Airlines yesterday its first 777-300ER (extended range) jetliner as part of the airline's fleet modernization effort and global network strategy. The delivery makes the Fort Worth, Texas-based carrier the first U.S. airline to add the 777-300ER to its fleet.

American Airlines plans for the airplane to enter service in early 2013 on the Dallas/Fort Worth-Sao Paulo route.

"This marks an important milestone in our fleet renewal program and is another tangible example of our progress in building the new American for our customers and our people," said Bella Goren, American's chief financial officer. "This aircraft will provide our customers with a new level of comfort and convenience, along with delivering increased efficiency and better operating economics."

American's 777-300ER is configured with three classes, featuring lie-flat seats in First and Business Class. 

The airplane also is equipped with the Panasonic eXConnect Wi-Fi system, which Boeing installed during production, to keep passengers connected while traveling internationally.

"This delivery demonstrates American's commitment to transforming its fleet into one of the youngest and most fuel efficient in the industry," said John Wojick, senior vice president, Global Sales, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. 

"The 777-300ER is the ideal airplane for American's fleet renewal effort providing unparalleled operating economics, long-range capability, reliability and passenger comfort."

The Boeing 777-300ER extends the 777 family's span of capabilities, bringing twin-engine efficiency and reliability to the long-range market. 

The airplane is 19 percent lighter than its closest competitor, produces 22 percent less carbon dioxide per seat and costs 20 percent less to operate per seat. 

The airplane can seat up to 386 passengers in a three-class configuration and has a maximum range of 7,930 nautical miles (14,685 km). The 777 family is the world's most successful twin-engine, twin-aisle airplane.

TURKISH Airlines to begin flights to Mumbasa.

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Turkish Airlines (THY) commenced scheduled flights into Mombasa, serving Kenya’s coastal city now 5 times a week.

Passengers connecting from Turkish’s global network via Istanbul will now have the option to fly to THY’s second Kenyan destination, after Nairobi, every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday, leaving IST (Istanbul Ataturk Airport) at 1810 hours before reaching MBA (Mombasa Airport), via JRO (Kilimanjaro International Airport), at 0355 hours the next morning.

The coast tourism fraternity enthusiastically welcomed the new flight, which was the first bit of aviation good news since both Qatar and Brussels Airlines had announced they would not after all start their planned flights to Mombasa while other charter airlines withdrew from the route due to insufficient demand.

Tour operators from across Europe offering safaris to Tanzania and beach holidays to Kenya have equally expressed their support for the new flight, one of the few international scheduled services connecting major airlines to Mombasa, Star Alliance partners Ethiopian being the other one.

Local tourism representatives were united in endorsing the sentiments of a regular contributor who said: “This is very good news ahead of the festive season. Turkish now connects Mombasa 5 times a week with all their destinations. I read you wrote they now have the largest global reach which means they can bring tourists from North America and Europe but also from Asia. Our emerging markets in Asia and Eastern Europe are doing well, and it is now up to us here in Kenya to promote ourselves. Turkish has offered concessionary travel so we can work with them to put missions together to market Kenya. We are happy that such a big airline shares our own confidence in Kenya to start up with 5 flights a week.”

Across the border in Tanzania, safari operators, too, were enthusiastic when the inaugural flight touched down at Kilimanjaro International Airport outside Arusha.

The efforts by Turkish to promote the destination has, according to information received from Arusha already, resulted in new business for the northern safari circuit, which includes such global brand names like the Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Lake Manyara, and Tarangire national parks.

Turkish Airlines has also launched itself in the Maldives bringing added advantages to this island nation so dependent on tourism. The arrival of Turkish Airlines in the Maldives is seen as a major breakthrough for Maldives and its tourism industry, and this has given them an unprecedented edge over the other competing tourism island destinations of the Indian Ocean.

SAHCOL wins Best Air Cargo Handling Company of the Year 2012 Award.

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The Skyway Aviation Handling Company Limited, SAHCOL has been recognized “as the Best Air Cargo Handling Company of the year, 2012.

The award was presented to SAHCOL at the Sharaton Hotels and Towers, Lagos by the Transport and Society Weekly Magazine at its 2012 Transport Stakeholders Excellence Award.

At the award ceremony which was graced by dignitaries in the transport industry in Nigeria, the Transport and Logistic Nigeria Limited, publishers of Transport and Society Weekly stated that SAHCOL was selected for the award due to its outstanding high quality performance and operational excellence, track records and value creation in Air Transport industry.

Since the present Management, under the leadership of Olu Owolabi, as Managing Director/CEO took over the leadership of the Skyway Aviation Handling Company Limited about a year ago, business modules has been developed, which has ushered into the performance of the company efficient and speedy service delivery, while also investing in personnel development, state-of-the-art equipment, fleet replacement and massive infrastructural development. 

The Managing Director/CEO, Olu Owolabi has brought his experience to bear in the day to day performance of the duties of SAHCOL, which includes Passenger Handling, Ramp Handling, Cargo Handling/Warehousing, Aviation Security, Baggage Reconciliation, Crew Bus and Executive Lounge Services, and other related Ground Handling Services; ensuring that Ground Handling Services to all clientele is executed in an efficient, speedy and safe manner, while also ensuring that the right tools are deployed.

Some of the promises made by the  Management of SAHCOL under his leadership at the beginning of the year, with the support of the Chairman and Board is being fulfilled, which to a large extent has helped tailored SAHCOL to meet the needs and expectations of its growing list of clientele, and by extension contributing to the Air Transport needs of the economy of Nigeria.

Delta Air Lines to buy 49% stake in Virgin Atlantic Airways.

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Delta Air Lines Incorporated is nearing a deal to buy a 49 per cent stake in Virgin Atlantic Airways Limited from Singapore Airlines Limited and may pay less than $500m for it, three people familiar with the matter said.

The price range is $300m to $500m and an agreement may be announced this week, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the talks are private. Singapore Airlines paid £600m for the Virgin Atlantic stake in 1999, or about $966m now.

Bloomberg News reported that Delta and Virgin Atlantic may seek a joint venture on trans-Atlantic routes as part of the arrangement, two of the people said.

Virgin Atlantic’s base at London Heathrow airport is a gateway for flights across the North Atlantic, the world’s most lucrative market for premium passengers.

“Heathrow access, that’s what Delta finds attractive here,” said Savanthi Syth, an analyst at Raymond James & Associates Incorporated in St. Petersburg, Florida, who rates Atlanta- based Delta outperform.

“This is not necessarily a carrier that they expect to make a big return on investment on. There’s a reason Singapore is getting out.”

Virgin Atlantic, founded and majority-owned by United Kingdom billionaire Richard Branson, posted a pretax loss of $129m for the year ended in February, and has delayed adding planes.

Representatives of Virgin Atlantic, Singapore Airlines and Delta declined to comment about the sale process.

Delta, Air France-KLM and their SkyTeam partners are the smallest alliance group at Heathrow, with about 5 percent of takeoff and landing slots. Oneworld, led by British Airways and AMR Corp.’s American Airlines, dominates with almost half of all service, followed by United Continental Holdings Inc. and its Star Alliance partners with about a quarter of slots.

Over 500 flights pass through Nigerian airspace daily - NAMA.

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The Managing Director, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, Mr. Nnamdi Udoh, on Monday said that over 500 flights passed through the nation’s airspace daily.

Nnamdi, who spoke at a news conference in Lagos, however, said that the figure did not include overflying flights, which do not land in Nigerian airports.

According to him, air traffic has increased astronomically in recent years, adding that the situation has forced the agency to embark on critical projects to boost the capacity of its navigational facilities.

He said the development also informed why the agency recently started the process of decongesting the Lagos Area Control Centre of the airspace.

He said, “With growing traffic, especially at peak period, the main Lagos Aerial Control Centre frequency, 127.3MHz, had become congested with attendant challenges posed to pilots. The agency in her typical manner commenced the process of categorising the Lagos ACC. And based on the project timeline of December 17, 2012, the Lagos ACC would have been categorising.”

He added, “I want to use this opportunity to reassure Nigerians that our airspace is safe. To address some of the challenges we had in the past, the agency embarked on many critical projects to reposition and strength the navigational facilities in the airspace.”

Udoh explained that a team of air traffic controllers and engineers was already working on the technical and operational implementation of the categorisation.

The Director of Operations, Mr. Mukaila Solola, said NAMA had taken major steps to address radio communication challenges facing the airspace, adding that currently, only Nigeria could boast of having the Performance Based Navigation system in Africa.

PBN is a shift from ground based-navigation to satellite-based.

NAMA reassures stakeholders on airline security.

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The management of Nigerian Airspace Management Agency(NAMA)has reassured Nigerians and all airspace users especially pilots and other stakeholders on the safety of the country's airspace.

The assurance given by the Managing Director of the Agency, Mazi Nnamdi Udoh at a press briefing in Lagos came against the backdrop of a news item in one of the newspapers which claimed that Air Traffic Controllers have raised alarm over unsafe airspace.

                                                              

Mazi Udoh who noted that there was no iota of truth in the said story explain that there was no agency or organisation that has no challenge in certain aspect of its operation and that the ability to tackle the challenge[s] was what mattered.

In NAMA, he said there had been challenges in the past and that was why his management embarked on several safety-critical projects, one of which included the Total VHF Radio Coverage of the Nigerian airspace.

To this end, he disclosed that the project has been successfully completed and the deliverables of the project provided VHF radio services on the following frequencies for both Lagos and Kano Area Control Centers[ACCs] :Lagos East-127.3 MHz; Lagos West-120.9MHz; Kano West- 128.5MHz and KanoEast-124.1MHz.

Saying that it was a fabrication of lies to blackmail the Agency for anybody to say that pilots were flying 'blind' within the airspace, Engineer Udoh noted that :'' These frequencies are performing at optimum but for operational reasons in the past, the Lagos ACC was not sectorized. However, with the growing traffic especially at peak period, the main Lagos ACC frequency-127.3, had become congested with attendant challenges.''

The Agency, he added in its typical proactive manner commenced the process of sectorization of the Lagos ACC and based on projected timelines of  17,December,2012, the Lagos ACC would have been completely sectorized.

Currently, Mazi Udoh said a team of Air Traffic Controllers and Engineers were working on the technical and operational implementation of the sectorization which included but not limited to-drawing of procedures, gap analysis and safety audits of the process.

Preparatory to the sectorization, he said that,:''test calls were made on 120.9MHz to several aircraft and it is cheering to say that the results have been perfect with no distortion in readability. The success recorded should put to rest the challenge of congestion in the airspace''.

Furthermore, to this is the Agency's medium term plan of implementation of Controller Pilot Data Link Communication(CPDLC) of which its 3-year Impact Plan would see to the realization of the plan by second quarter of next year.

He concluded,:'' We have taken the bold steps to nip in the bud this campaign of calumny because it impacts on the nation negatively and we would further use this moment to reassure all stakeholders that the situation is definitely not what is portrayed by mischief makers''

GE Capital Aviation Services Delivers Four New Leased Boeing 737-800s to Lion Air.

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GE Capital Aviation Services Limited (GECAS), the commercial aircraft leasing and financing arm of GE, announced it delivered four new Boeing 737-800 aircraft to Indonesia’s Lion Air as part of a purchase and leaseback transaction.

The aircraft come from the airline’s existing order book with Boeing and were delivered in September and October to expand and modernize the airline’s fleet. GECAS has delivered a total of 12 new leased aircraft to Lion in 2012.

PT Lion Mentari Airlines and affiliated airlines are Indonesia’s largest private airline group with a fleet of more than 100 aircraft in service and an order backlog of more than 300 new aircraft. Lion and its affiliates provide passenger service to more than 75 destinations.

About GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS)

GECAS, the U.S. and Irish commercial aircraft financing and leasing business of GE, has a fleet of over 1,710 owned and serviced aircraft with over 220 airlines in over 75 countries. GECAS offers a wide range of aircraft types and financing options, including operating leases and secured debt financing, and also provides productivity solutions including spare engine leasing, spare parts financing and management. GECAS, a unit of GE Capital, has offices in 24 cities around the world. (www.GECAS.com)

Solar power to compliment electricity at 5 Nigerian airports.

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The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency has commenced the installation of solar power equipment to aid Navigation at five airports. The N280 million worth of equipment are being installed at the Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Port Harcourt, Enugu and Bida enroute station. 

The Chairman, Stormberg Power Limited, Mr. Tunde Morakinyo has assured NAMA of the quality of the equipment insisting that with the installation would not only ensure uninterrupted power supply to navigational aids at the airport, it would also save NAMA millions of Naira spent monthly to power generators. The Hybrid power system is the first of its kind in Sub-Saharan Africa.

"Each of the sites has 24 solar panels with 15 KVA hybrid Inverter. The system has 18 batteries for all the NAVAIDS except the VOR and this can last for 12 hours. For the VOR, the backup batteries are 36 and it has capacity to run the system for between 15 and 18 hours,” the Stormberg Chairman explained.

Each of the sites has 24 solar panels with 15 KVA hybrid Inverter. The system has 18 batteries for all the NAVAIDS except the VOR and this can last for 12 hours. For the VOR, the backup batteries are 36 and it has capacity to run the system for between 15 and 18 hours

Mr. Morakinyo further promised that the second phase of the project would commence early in January, 2013. In his response, NAMA Managing Director, Mr. Mazi Udoh said that the installation of the equipment would save the Agency the millions of Naira spent on diesel. 

“It is saving us the huge amount we used to spend on diesel to power generators and the down-time we used to experience due to power failure. This is another milestone in saving money and diversifying our power source to Solar".

Aero Managing Director resigns.

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The Managing Director of Aero, Captain Akin George has resigned, a statement by the airline's public relations consultant- SY&T Communications confirmed yesterday December 9, 2012.
Ealier during the week, there were unconfirmed reports that Captain George left as the managing director of Aero due to unresolved disagreements with the Board of the airline, but the public relations firm denied the report.

According to the airline:

"Following the commencement of a restructuring exercise initiated by the AMCON with the support of the board of Aero, the Managing Director of Aero, Capt. Akin George, has resigned. This is the beginning of a restructuring exercise that will make the airline slimmer and stronger, with the aim of making it more competitive.George has served Aero for 24 years in various capacities."

In a twist yesterday, the firm while confirming the earlier denied report said:

''This is the beginning of a restructuring exercise that will make the airline slimmer and stronger with the aim of making it more competitive.''

Chairman of the Board of Aero, Mr. Funsho Kupolokun was quoted by the statement as saying:

"The board accepts the resignation of Capt. George and appreciate the services he has rendered to this airline over the last two decades. We wish him the best in his future endeavour".

Mr. Obaro Ibru who until now was the Deputy Managing Director has been appointed by the board as the Acting Managing Director.

Aero owns N32 billion to the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON).

FAAN to embark on Professional Staff assessment.

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The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN)has embarked on 'professional' assessment of the staff of the Authority, to equip them with the necessary knowledge and skills that would ensure the success of the transformation agenda in the aviation industry.

According to the General Manager, Corporate Communications of FAAN, Mr Yakubu Dati,the assessment exercise entails a rigorous process that would enable staff key into the transformation agenda and identify their expected roles in the aviation master plan.

He pointed out that the Federal government in realization of the fact that the massive improvement in the infrastructure at the airports without corresponding added value in human resources, has made it imperative for staff to re-orientate for the success of the aviation road map.

Dati said that FAAN remained committed to fulfilling its mission to be among the best airport groups in the world.

NAMA completes first phase of solar power installations.

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The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) says it has completed the first phase of installation of solar power units to eliminate challenges associated with erratic power supply to navigational aids in parts of the country.

A statement in Lagos on Saturday, signed by Supo Atobatele, the agency’s General Manager, Public Affairs, quotes Nnamdi Udoh, the Managing Director, as saying that the project would cover six locations.

He said that the project awarded at a cost of N218 million would cover Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Port Harcourt, Enugu and Bida in Niger.

Udoh in the statement said: “this is another milestone in saving money and diversifying our power source to solar energy.

“It is a project that has been ongoing and is now fully completed and we are now using it, saving us the huge amount we use to spend on diesel to power generators and the downtime we use to experience, due to power failure.’’

He said that the agency would continue to explore other areas to deploy the use of the technology to enhance its operational efficiency.

“The solar power is solely for navigation/landing aids for now in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Kano, Bida and Enugu where we have major issues regarding constant power supply to the runways and air field lighting,’’ he said.

Udoh also added that power supply to the airfield and runways in the airports were erratic and that the agency used to keep them alight by running generators on 24-hour basis. The managing director said that the cost of the project also include the training of NAMA staff in the handling of the installations.

He assured that the next phase of the project cover other airports and that it was expected to begin before the end of next month January.