Medview Air Aircraft Grounded Pending Recertification By NCAA

Aviation Nigeria

The Medview Air aircraft, a Boeing 737-400 with Reg.No 5N BPAs which made an air return to the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMIA), Lagos on Sunday following a faulty engine has been grounded and would undergo recertification by officials of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) before it will return to service.

According to Sam Adurogboye, Media Assistant to Director General of the NCAA, “The airline engineers will have to work on the aircraft after which the NCAA safety inspectors would recertify it by flying it empty. If certified okay, then the aircraft will be cleared to return to service.”

The Medview Air aircraft with 74 passengers on board was on a scheduled flight from Lagos to Abuja-Yola earlier on Sunday morning but made an air return to Lagos about 15 minutes after take-off following what eyewitnesses said was ‘a big bang’ in one of the aircraft engines.

Joe Obi, Special Media Assistant to the Aviation Minister, said the plane had taken off at 12 noon, but the aircraft pilot noticed a surge in one of the engines, and immediately applied the necessary safety precautionary measure by returning the aircraft to base.

GAT: Stakeholders Commend Aviation Minister

Aviation Nigeria

Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah has been commended by Aviation Stakeholders over the commissioning of the world class General Aviation Terminal (GAT) at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja.

The stakeholders described the commissioning as a great step in aviation development in Nigeria, and rare feat by the minister.

In a press statement over the weekend in Jos, signed by Capt James Dund Sha and Eng Abdullahi Menta, coordinators of the stakeholders group, they called on minister to continue in her redemptive rescue mission as the industry is witnessing a new rebirth.

Promising to support the transformational strides of the minister, they further appealed for the completion of other airports scheduled for commissioning.

According to the statement, "we have visited several airports undergoing remodeling and the quality of work is commendable. We appeal for the quick completion of the remaining airports so that the full benefits of the exercise will be maximized.”

Medview Flight makes Air Return minutes after take off in Lagos

Aviation Nigeria

A Medview aircraft, Boeing 737-400 with registration number 5N BPA from Lagos-Abuja-Yola made an air return to Lagos about 15 minutes after take-off after the pilot noticed a problem with an engine.

The Abuja-bound aircraft made a return to Lagos after one of its engines developed a mechanical fault mid-air.

The plane belonging to Med View Airline made the emergency return to the Lagos Airport.
According to a statement by the Special Assistant on Media to the Aviation Minister, Joe Obi, the plane had taken off at 12 noon on Sunday.

"The pilot of the aircraft who noticed a surge in one of the engines immediately applied the necessary safety precautionary measure by returning the aircraft to base.”

“The pilot made a safe and smooth landing while all passengers were successfully disembarked and subsequently transferred to another aircraft in the fleet, a 737-800. All passengers in the 737-800 were safely dropped at the two destinations-Abuja and Yola” it reads.

The airline recently commenced operations in November 2012. The plane, a Boeing 737-400 series marked 5N-BPA had 74 passengers on board, and the pilot explained he had to make a mid-air return when he heard a loud bang  at the engine side of the aircraft.

The incident has been described as a loss of thrust on engine.

NIMET advises Nigerians on the importance of Weather Predictions

Aviation Nigeria

Deputy General Manager of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), Mr Ignatius Nwoko, has called on Nigerians to take weather forecasts seriously in their daily endearvours.

While speaking to journalists in Enugu on Friday, Mr Nwoko expressed unease at the complete negligence of people to which this information was necessary had a generally adverse effect.

" It is very important, many of of go on our daily activities without caring about what is going to happen" He said.

Lamenting on the public response to information Nwoko added: ``But it’s important to listen to changes in weather, how it’s going to affect your area. Then you take precautionary measures so as to avoid being impacted negatively, especially the farmers.’’

The agency which was responsible for making weather predictions and forecasts, are charged with aiding all stakeholders through required information. In March, 2012 predictions by the agency communicated through the Director General of the agency, Dr. Anthony Anuforom, on the dangers of the coming flood and what needs to be done were ignored, leading to a lack of preparation in the wake of flood disasters.

ABUJA GAT: A product of unwavering efforts - Uriesi

Aviation Nigeria

By George Uriesi

Today’s event is of great significance because it marks the formal commencement of general aviation services at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport since its inception in the early 80s, even though it is the second busiest airport in the country, after the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja. 

The airport has had to contend with decaying infrastructure and obsolete facilities that belied its position as the second busiest in the country, apart from being situated in the nation’s capital city. What was then the airport’s domestic terminal operated both scheduled and non-scheduled flights using the same tarmac and terminal facilities.

The resultant congestion did not augur well for efficient service delivery hence the need to separate the services into two terminals. Domestic flight operations were transferred to a wing of the international while the old domestic terminal was to be remodelled to serve as the General Aviation Terminal, for more efficient service delivery.

This new arrangement was made possible by the advent of airport remodelling project initiated by President Goodluck Jonathan and vigorously pursued by the Honourable Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Adaeze Oduah, who has not relented in reminding all of us that implementing the project to the letter is a task that must be done. Today’s commissioning of this new General Aviation Terminal is a product of her relentless effort.

We are happy to inform you that the Authority is bracing up for more commissioning ceremonies in the next few months because work on the remodelling of the other terminals under phase I of the airport remodelling project is nearing completion in Benin, Owerri, Yola, Kano, Enugu, Port Harcourt, Kaduna, Calabar and Jos. 

You may also wish to recall that the reconstructed Domestic Terminal I (formerly GAT) of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja was commissioned in October, last year.

Work on the remodelling of this new General Aviation Terminal started in October, 2010 and was completed early this month. 

The project entailed the expansion of the old domestic terminal and its conversion to a general aviation terminal for non-scheduled flights. The new terminal has a full complement of modern terminal facilities including check-in counters, shops, offices, duty rooms, conference center, dining room, kitchen, security screening machines and lounges, including a separate lounge for pilots.

By today’s commissioning, scheduled and non-scheduled flights at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport will take place at two different terminals, creating opportunities for huge improvement in service delivery by FAAN and other service providers in the aviation industry. 

is our hope that the completion of the first and second phases of the airport remodelling project will transform Nigerian airports into a haven for viable private investments. We hereby invite all well meaning investors to join hands with Government to hasten the fulfilment of this dream.

We wish to thank our dear President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan for believing in the potential of the aviation industry to make Nigeria great and for matching this belief with action, through the formulation of the Transformation Agenda for the industry. We also owe deep gratitude to the amazon of the industry, Princess Stella Adaeze Oduah for her doggedness in realising the vision of the President for the industry. 

The airport remodelling project and other programmes for the industry would have remained mere paper work without the assistance of the National Assembly which has encouraged us through their various committees on aviation. We are grateful, Your Excellency. 

We also thank other stakeholders, who have, in one way or another, made today’s event possible through their various contributions.

On our part as FAAN, we wish to assure all Nigerians, especially aviation stakeholders, that our airports can only get better. The recent restructuring of the Authority was designed to make us adapt to recent developments in the industry so that our services will not fall short of acceptable international standards, as set by ICAO and I know that this is achievable.

Malta Air cancels flight to Benghazi - Reuters

Aviation Nigeria

Air Malta said it had cancelled Thursday's flights to Benghazi after Britain said it was aware of a "specific and imminent" threat to Westerners in the eastern Libyan city.

"The decision relates only for flights to be operated on Thursday 24th January," the airline said on its website.

"Air Malta's decision follows advice issued today by the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office advising against all travel to the city."

It said the next scheduled flight to Benghazi was on Tuesday January 29 and it would review the situation "on an ongoing basis." It said flights to and from Tripoli were unaffected.

More Aircraft Manufacturers Eye Nigerian Private Jet Market

Aviation Nigeria

As part of its Africa sales tour, US-based Cessna Aircraft Company displayed two of its latest aircraft – the Cessna Citation Jet 3 and Cessna Sovereign – in Nigeria at the Abuja airport on Monday and Tuesday, also at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport on Thursday and Friday.

The business and general aircraft manufacturer plans to make stops in Accra and Abidjan for similar sales display.

Two months ago, French private jet manufacturer Dassault Aviation, was also in the country to display some of its  latest business aircraft.

The influx of aircraft manufacturers into Africa’s second-largest economy is an indication of the viability of the private jet market in the country.

According to reports, Nigeria and China constitute two of the fastest growing private jet markets in the world.

In 2007, Nigeria had only 20 private planes sitting in its hangars. Presently, records indicate an additional 130 private planes, valued at 1.02 trillion naira ($6.5 billion).

In the forth quarter of 2012, leading aircraft manufacturer Bombardier said Nigeria was its biggest market in Africa with about 35 Bombardier-made business aircraft currently flying its airspace; a growth driven by request from businessmen and leaders in the country.

Captain Akin George, a former MD of a local Nigerian Airline, commented on the increasing number of private jets parked within Nigerian Airports, which has prompted the construction of multi-million dollars private jets hangars, where repairs and maintenance could be done in the country.

Cessna’s business was hit during the late-2000s economic downturn, forcing the company to lay off more than half its workforce between January 2009 and September 2010.

On 23 March 2012 Cessna announced that it is pursing building business jets in China as part of a joint venture with Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC). By late April 2012 the company recalled laid-off workers and started new hiring to fill 150 positions in Wichita as a result of anticipated increased demand for aircraft production.

First ever private terminal commissioned by the Ministry of Aviation

Aviation Nigeria

The Federal Ministry of Aviation has commissioned the first ever private jet terminal at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, the brief ceremony was led by Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu CFR. The completely re-modelled terminal is in line with the Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah aviation Transformation Agenda.

Speaking at the commissioning,  Ekweremadu said: "This is a ministry which has done everything to appropriate properly, the monies allocated to it. I would like to commend the president for helping us re-engineer the aviation sector.

"I will like to ask the government not to rest, we believe with proper will, proper funding and the supervision of those responsible, there will be proper mileage. I'll like us to commend the senate committee for bringing about the oversight function in ensuring this project is conducted in earnest."

In the same vein the Chairman House of Reps Committee on Aviation Nkeiruka Onyejeocha dispelled  rumors of the house and the ministry of aviation being at logger heads.

"We will continue to support you to ensure that the aviation sector will continue to move at this pace. We assure you our support, and assure Nigerians that with the help of the National Assembly, we will see more transformation in other sectors." She said. 

Also present at the ceremony was the Managing Director of FAAN Mr George Uriesi, Director General of NCAA Harold Demuren, and the Director General of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency.

Highlighting the achievements of the event, Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria FAAN Mr George Uriesi said the commissioned private commercial terminal was the first of such  recorded, stating that it opened business opportunities for Nigerians

"The private flight industry has grown the most all around the world, and the commercially important people will be provided these facilities, as also the business opportunities".

"I will continue to have no doubt in my mind, that we can be anything we choose to be. With the support we get from you. We will be able to change the passenger service we provide in Nigeria."

FG to regulate Importation Of Private Jets

Aviation Nigeria

The Federal Government may suspend the importation of private airplanes, helicopters and other lighter aircraft into the country. The Special Assistant (Media) to the Minister of Aviation, Mr. Joe Obi, has confirmed this development.

The suspension, which is yet to officially take effect was scheduled a few months ago, and will continue until the formulation of a new policy on importation of private jets and helicopters.

A new policy, currently being drafted by the ministry, would take into cognizance several issues regarding the importation of private jets into the country. The Aviation ministry is yet to determine when work on the policy would be completed and, as such, there was no definite date for the removal of the suspension.

Obi, however, stressed that the suspension did not affect the importation of commercial and passenger jets being used by domestic airlines.

He said, “The domestic airlines are free to bring in their normal passenger planes. But the suspension only affects private jets. The government is trying to work on a new policy for the private jet.

“You will agree with me that the current policy on private jets is old, and there is a need to renew it. Pending that renewal, all applications for importation for now will have to hold on.”

Obi also said, “There is no definite time for now. It depends on when the new policy is completed. Government is working on the policy. When it is completed, every body will be informed.”

Several applications for the importation of private jets, helicopters and other lighter aircraft had been piling up at the Aviation ministry for over four months now.

The Nigerian private jet market has been one of the fastest growing in the world lately. The sector has been witnessing tremendous growth since 2007.

However, recent developments such as the crash involving the Governor of Taraba State, Mr. Danbaba Suntai, led the Aviation Minister, to begin plans to properly regulate private jet and helicopter operations.

Opinion Post: RE: Another wrong move in aviation sector

Aviation Nigeria

The Punch newspaper of Friday, January 18, 2013 in its Editorial under the above caption was characteristically very caustic in its jaundiced appraisal and ‘analysis’ of the moves by the current aviation Minister, Princess Stella Adaeze Oduah to intervene ‘’directly’’ in the domestic operations of the local airlines in Nigeria. 

We grant The Punch, or any other newspaper in Nigeria for that matter its sacred right to hold and disseminate opinion, but we are totally averse to such opinion being expressed in the most deprecating manner! 

If the entire piece were to secure some converts to its avowed position that the private sector holds the key to all the problems in the aviation sector in Nigeria today, I sincerely doubt if any objective reader would be so convinced given the naked display of vitriol, bordering on plain hatred and utter dislike for the person of the Minister as expressed in that Editorial Opinion-which ought to be more elevated both in language and presentation. 

But ample evidence, not only in the aviation industry, but also in other sectors of the economy shows that the private sector is not the Holy Grail-in all situations, as The Punch wants us to believe. My brief does not include an exposure of past failed PPP arrangements in the country as I am pretty sure The Punch has the information at its finger-tips. 

It was however very convenient for The Punch to throw into the mix the successes in the Communications sector and the Seaports for its purposes.

Be that as it may, we like to take deliberate effort to state very emphatically that contrary to the views expressed in that piece to the effect that government, especially its intervention efforts in the aviation sector in the past have come to naught-and therefore no similar effort, regardless of the different circumstances can come to any useful purposes, is at best pedestrian. 

Like the Master Plan and Roadmap that was developed, for the very first time for the sector, the various intervention efforts by the present Minister are very well thought through. They are not a knee-jerk reaction to the challenges facing the sector.

To be sure, it is not true that Yakubu Dati, the spokesman for FAAN was the first person to break the news of government’s plan to acquire 30 aircraft to make up for the equipment deficit by domestic operators. 

Dati was only re-echoing what the Aviation Minister had personally disclosed in an interview with a national daily. My humble self had also, in an earlier Press Release made clarifications on the matter. 

But this is besides the question. It beats one’s imagination that a newspaper would make a blanket statement that ‘’it is inconceivable for this government to consider any further direct intervention with public funds’’ regardless of the circumstances. 

Without prejudice to the way and manner previous intervention funds had been utilized in the past, it is too reductionist for anyone to literally advocate a blanket ban on future intervention without looking at the merit of individual cases.

Of course, Princess Oduah has expressed strong reservations on the way and manner the Aviation Intervention Fund was utilized by beneficiary airlines. 

It will however be escapist to, on the strength of past failures, fold her arms and do nothing in the face of the critical needs of domestic operators for equipment (aircraft). 

The decision to acquire these equipment was therefore not only well thought through, but also a product of wide consultations with stakeholders and the flying public which desires brand new, safe, and efficient aircraft. 

To avoid pitfalls of the past, with attendant allegations and counter-allegations of misapplication of fund, the Minister now opted for the safe option where physical cash would not be doled out to any operator. 

And for emphasis, these equipment would not be given out for free to any airline operator-there would be stringent conditions that potential beneficiaries must meet in order to qualify as a beneficiaries. 

One of such conditions would be ability to refund (bank guarantee). 

This way, government investment would be secure, while at the same time meeting the challenge of equipment deficit on the part of operators and the desire for newer, safer aircraft from the flying public. It is going to be a win-win situation. 

The point being made is that it is too reductionist and escapist to say that since previous direct intervention failed in the past, government must run away from it like a plaque! 

What anybody should interrogate is the modalities governing the current intervention effort, not a blanket ‘BAN’ as the Punch is advocating.

The Punch agrees with our position that much of the problems of the sector are ‘’fundamentally structural’’ requiring a ‘’thorough overhaul of the dilapidated infrastructure’’. 

Pitiably, since we do not hold the same view that the private sector holds the key to the solution of all these problems, the paper conveniently choose to be silent on the huge efforts-with tangible and verifiable results, that the present Minister has undertaken to tackle the challenges. 

For several decades, the infrastructure at the nation’s airports had been left to rot and decay. It took the current Minister less than 12 months to show that government can indeed achieve results when the leadership is right.

It is curious, but not entirely surprising that the Punch is mute on the dramatic turn of fortune for airport terminals across the country that today wear grandiose and edifying look; courtesy of the re-modelling Projects embarked upon by Princess Oduah.

The infrastructural rehabilitation and upgrade currently going on across all 22 federally –owned airports more than adequately answers The Punch query of inherited derelict facilities at the airports. 

And for over five years, the runway lighting on Runway 18L at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) were not installed. 

Just before Christmas of 2012, the lights came alive courtesy of the huge efforts of NAMA to boost air safety in Nigeria. 

The Punch does not think this deserves some mention too. To be sure, we do not ask for praise; since the Minister is only doing her job, but we insist that her modest efforts be acknowledged.

We realize, like The Punch that some of FAAN’S problems are ‘‘managerial and structural’’. But when in the last quarter of 2012, the Minister took the bull by the horns in her Institutional Reform Programme to re-position FAAN and other agencies under the ministry for higher productivity, efficiency and accountability, commentators took up arms against her, falsely alleging ethnic cleansing. 

The NCAA has also been strengthened to carry out its regulatory oversight. The least we expect of The Punch is an acknowledgement of this re-positioning exercise which has seen round pegs put in round holes. Instead, what we see is a rehash of the old mantra of ‘managerial’ problems!

Talking about government’s alleged failed efforts in the past is good. It is also good to be fair and balanced. As far as the aviation sector is concerned, PPP arrangement being spear-headed by The Punch has been a huge failure and disappointment. 

We do not need to mention the scandalous Concession and Lease Agreements in the sector in the past which literally sold out government and Nigerians’ equity in government property at a pittance. 

The present leadership in the sector does not intend to travel this treacherous road again. The new National Carrier which the Minister is championing will not be funded by the tax payer, it will be private-sector driven in terms of funding while government provides the framework, platform and enabling environment. 

Curiously, this does not meet The Punch’s minimum criteria and quest for Private Sector involvement in the growth of the sector as it has equally lampooned the initiative. 

"All the ill-thought-out schemes for state-sponsored national Carrier, buying aircraft and building new terminals are driven by corruption and will only serve as new conduits for filching government funds’’, the paper concludes. Haba, Punch! But we clearly understand. 

The paper wants government property and investments in the aviation sector to be handed over to Private Sector surrogates in the name of PPP and Concessions, but this is a long-travelled road. This Minister is not going there. 

Joe Obi is the SA (Media) to the Hon. Minister of Aviation. He contributed this piece from Abuja.

Over 250 flights cancelled in Heathrow due to extreme weather condition

Aviation Nigeria

More than 250 flights were cancelled at Heathrow as forecasters warn of just 2cm of snow. A statement from the airport said: 'Latest forecasts showed a 'high probability of around 2-6cm of accumulating snow and low visibility at periods throughout the day.

Stranded passengers were forced to sleep on terminal floors after severe weather saw hundreds of flights cancelled over the weekend. Travellers vented their frustration about the cancellations.

Heathrow, which typically handles 1,300 flights a day, said the cancellations were necessary because there is low visibility, so more space has to be left between aircraft. British Airways, Air France, Aer Lingus, Lufthansa and TAP Portugal flights have been affected.

Many airports have plenty of spare runway capacity so aircraft can be spaced out more during low visibility without causing delays and cancellations. Because Heathrow operates at almost full capacity, there is simply no room to reschedule the delayed flights.

A Heathrow spokeswoman added: 'The airport is running quite smoothly because of these cancelled 

flights. We will keep monitoring the situation.'

The airport will announce if and how many flights will be cancelled later today. BA has already sent apologies to customers saying it was doing everything it could to help those whose flights have been disrupted by the weather.

More than 100 Heathrow flights – 67 of them departures – were grounded yesterday after 440 were cancelled on Friday because of the weather.

Former Transport Minister Lord Adonis yesterday said: ‘There are still big concerns about the resilience of Heathrow. Any passengers experiencing delays and cancellations will not be impressed when they see other airports operating more effectively.’

A total of £36 million has been spent upgrading Heathrow’s winter weather equipment over the past two years, more than doubling the number of snow-clearing vehicles to 130.

But it still had to shut its northern runway for more than an hour on Friday morning so snowploughs could clear it of snow and ice.

Deputy Senate President to commission Abuja GAT

Aviation Nigeria

The General Aviation Terminal of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja will be commissioned Monday, January 21, 2013, by the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu.

The General Manager, Corporate Communications of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria(FAAN), Mr Yakubu Dati in a press release on Friday noted that 'this is the second terminal to be commissioned under the on-going airport re-modelling project, initiated by President Goodluck Jonathan'. 

The first being the Domestic Terminal One at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, which was commissioned October 22, 2012. This leaves nine more airports in the first phase of the Airport Re-modelling Project to be commissioned.

Re-modelling work started at the Abuja [GAT] started in October, 2011 when domestic flight operations at the airport were transferred to the international wing of the airport. 

Dati said that the re-modelling entailed the expansion of the left, right and frontal areas of the old Domestic Terminal to accommodate more modern facilities, including a conference center, kitchen and dining area for VIPs. 

The operational area for both arriving and departing passengers has also been substantially increased, to make provision for a pilots' lounge, a food court of international standard, shops, offices for airlines, games room and many more.

For enhanced security, CCTV cameras have been installed at several points in the terminal, apart from X-ray scanning machines for the processing of passengers and cargo.

The new General Aviation Terminal is the first to be constructed at the airport since its inception in the early 1980’s and will now handle all non-scheduled flights at the airport. 

Scheduled domestic flight operations will continue to take place at the present location of the international wing of the airport.

NCAA, NAICOM collaborate on compensation for families of Dana crash victims

Aviation Nigeria.

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, has said that it is collaborating with the National Insurance Commission, NAICOM,  to ensure the payments of full compensation to families of the victims of the Dana Air crash.

NCAA also promised families of the ground victims of the crash their  insurance compensation, saying it will do everything possible to ensure that the families of the ground victims are not left to their fate.

Mr. Harold Demuren, Director-General, NCAA while briefing journalists in Lagos  said the  compensation for families of the 153 passengers on board of the aircraft has been impressive.

He said the ground victims are of major concern, promising that NCAA will exercise its power to ensure that families of ground victims are compensated.

Demuren who was represented by Mrs. Teresa Bassey, Head, Aeromedia, NCAA, said for now, they have not ascertained the number of people that died on the ground, but promised that they will do so in a short-while and commence the process of compensating the families of the victims, both of lives and property. “NCAA insists that all the ground victims should be compensated,” he said.

While giving update on the victims on board, he said of the 153, 131 victims’ families have so far submitted any documentation, while families of 12 victims are yet to submit any documentation.

He added that families of 53 victims had gone to court, which included the families of 23 victims who had collected the initial payment of 30,000 dollars.

Stating that documentation for 24 victims is awaiting authentication by the insurers, he added that Letter of Administration (LOA) for families of 48 victims are still being awaited.

According to him, cheques of the initial payment of 30,000 dollar compensation have been paid to 85 victims.

However, for the families to collect the remaining $70,000 compensation, he said LOA is required by the Reinsurance Company.

“NCAA has held several meetings with some of the families of the victims and their lawyers, alongside NAICOM  and sought the assistance of the Lagos State Government in order to fast track the process of  the issuance of the LOA,” he said.

To this end, he said 14 victims have so far received the LOA and they have collected the remaining $70,000 which constitutes the full payment

11 More Airports earmarked for remodelling

Aviation Nigeria

The Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Odua, has said that the second set of 11 airports have been earmarked for re-modelling.

This was stated by the Director, Cargo Development of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, Mr Rowland.

Ofubue, who represented the aviation minister made this statement in Jos on Friday while visiting Governor Jonah Jang in Jos.

"The designated airports would receive government attention as soon as the first set of 11 airports currently undergoing remodeling are completed and commissioned by the end of the first quarter of 2013" she said.

Ofubue also noted that for the first time ever, in the history of the industry, 11 airports are undergoing remodeling simultaneously while another set is in the waiting

The Minister said the purpose of her visit to the state was to rub minds with the government on the commencement of Agro-cargo operation from Yakubu Gowon Airport, Jos, adding that President Goodluck Jonathan was committed to the completion of the agro-cargo terminal.

Governor Jonah Jang who was represented by his deputy Mr Ignatius Longjan, expressed the readiness of the state support the presidents transformation agenda.

Jang re-assured the minister his administration was committed to improve agriculture, and was looking forward to the cooperation with the aviation ministry to complete the agro-cargo terminal.

FAAN gives 1 Week ultimatum for evacuation of abandoned aircraft

Aviation Nigeria

Capt. Henry Omoegwu, Director, Airport Operations, Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), has given owners of abandoned aircraft in Nigeria’s airports one week to remove them, this he pointed constituted a threat to security and safety at the airports.

Omoegwu gave the order on Thursday while leading aviation correspondents on an assessment tour of Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.

Listing some airports where these aircrafts were situated to include Abuja, Enugu, Kano, Kaduna and Owerri, the director said that this was the last warning for those affected to remove the aircraft.

Owners of some of the aircraft at MMIA include Omar Air, NICON Airways, Bellview Airlines, Spaceworld International Airlines, DASAB Air, IRS Airlines, Capital Airlines, Sosoliso and Albarka Air.

Omoegwu who is also the  Abandoned Aircraft Committee, has said that no less than 65 aircrafts which range from Fokker 28, Embraer 100 to Boeing 727 and 737 may be due for evacuation and possibly recycling by contracted companies.

Conducting journalists round the Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos, where no fewer than 13 of the 65 abandoned aircraft are scattered, Omeogu said the contractor engaged to evacuate them would move to site next week to commence the exercise.

He, however, explained that some of the operators, like Space World, Capital Airlines and others had already given the agency the go-ahead to evacuate their airplanes.

Some of the airplanes he noted have been lying around for close to ten years, other were seized for transporting contraband, and some plane had go-aheads from their owners to proceed with the evacuation.

FAAN said there was no going back on the planned evacuation of the abandoned airplanes from the 

various airports, stressing that they constituted safety and security hazards to the travelling public.

Air Zimbabwe 'Air Zim' to commence Harare-Lagos by March

Aviation Nigeria

Report by Feluna Nleya

AIR Zimbabwe (AirZim) will soon exploit the flocking of several Zimbabweans to Nigeria on religious missions by introducing flights to the West African country.

Informed sources at the airline told NewsDay that AirZim was set to introduce flights from Harare to Lagos by March this year.

The new route is likely to be serviced by one of the airline’s two airbuses, according to the sources.

“Our assessment is that quite a significant number of Zimbabweans are travelling to Nigeria and so we are taking advantage of this development,” said one of the sources.

AirZim acquired two airbuses under unclear circumstances and at one time the airline management professed ignorance over the acquisition of the planes.

The flights to Nigeria will be introduced at the same time AirZim will start flying to Ghana, another West African country.

Several Zimbabweans, among them Zanu PF leaders and senior officials in MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai’s party, are frequently travelling to Nigeria to attend church and healing services offered by Prophet Temitope Balogun Joshua.

The airline is also expected to re-introduce the Harare-London route.

Air Zimbabwe stopped flying to London in December 2011 after fears its planes would be seized over a $2,8 million debt.

The national flag carrier resumed servicing the Harare–Johannesburg route in November last year, having suspended operations 10 months earlier.

The airline is also set to re-introduce the Bulawayo-Johannesburg route.

Air Zimbabwe spokesperson Shingai Taruvinga yesterday was, however, not willing to divulge the new routes the airline would service, but confirmed Air Zimbabwe would expand its operations soon.

“We are not yet clear on which routes we will take. We are still finalising a few things, but we have plans to introduce regional and international flights sometime in March, so once we finalise we will give you the information.”

FAA Orders U.S airlines to stop operating the Boeing 787

Aviation Nigeria

The Federal Aviation Administration has ordered U.S. airlines to stop operating the Boeing 787, after a series of battery and fuel system failures have called into question the airworthiness of the newly developed composite aircraft.

The latest incident, an emergency landing in Japan after an apparent battery failure, forced the regulatory agency to act, officials said in a statement Wednesday.

"As a result of an in-flight, Boeing 787 battery incident earlier today in Japan, the FAA will issue an emergency airworthiness directive (AD) to address a potential battery fire risk in the 787 and require operators to temporarily cease operations," the FAA statement reads.

"Before further flight, operators of U.S.-registered, Boeing 787 aircraft must demonstrate to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that the batteries are safe," the statement continues.

The directive effectively only targets one U.S. carrier, United, which operates six of the aircraft, the FAA says, though other non-U.S. airlines also fly the 787 into American airports.

On Friday, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said "I believe this plane is safe, and I would have absolutely no reservations about boarding one of these planes and taking a flight," the Associated Press reported.

Meanwhile, the European Aviation Safety Agency ordered all European carriers to ground the Boeing 787 on Thursday, the Associated Press reports.

Qatar Airlines also announced Thursday that they would ground their fleet of 5 787s pending the FAA review as well as one by Qatar's Civil Aviation Authority, Reuters reports. 

Additionally, Air India has announced plans to ground their fleet of 6 787s until the FAA's investigation (and that of the Indian aviation authority) gives the all clear, according to the Associated Press.

"Now that the FAA has said that they want to check (the) electrical system in all the planes we will ground them...How serious is the problem, how long it will take, we'll know only in a couple of days," Aviation Minister Ajit Singh told reporters.

From the Associated Press, 01/16/2013 10:17 pm EST

NCAA introduces newly promulgated regulations NCAA 2012.

Aviation Nigeria

The Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority[NCAA], Dr Harold Demuren on yesterday introduced the newly promulgated  Volume 11 of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations[NCARs]2012 as amended.

The introduction of the new Regulations which is a major landmark event in the annals' of aviation over sighting, was conducted at the Boardroom of the Authority in Lagos with all the management staff in attendance. The new NCARs Vol 11 covered the Aerodrome and Consumers Rights.

Speaking at the occasion, Dr Demuren said that the introduction of the Regulation would further boost the provisions of the Civil Aviation Act 2006 and help tostandardize the operational procedures, implementation and enforcement in the industry in conformity with Standard and Recommended Practices (SARPs) contained in the annexes to the Chicago Convention.

Before now, the Industry can only boast of  the NCARs  July 2009 that covers all areas of aviation practices, except the Aerodrome and Consumers Rights.

Dr Demuren who was highly elated, said that the amended regulation came at the right time to address certain conflicting issues as pertaining to civil aviationlegislation saying,' when there is no law, there is no offence'.

According to him, the new  Regulations titled: Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations 2012 [NCARs 2012 vol 11 comprising of parts 12 to 20 is promulgated to repeal and replace NCARs 2006, part 12 t0 18. In addition, he said the Regulations wouldnot only serve as a better legislative guideline, but also a tenet to be sustained in the aviation industry.

The new NCARs consist of 9 parts which are:

Part 12 – Aerodrome Regulations,

Part 14 – Air Navigation Services Regulations,

Part 15 – The Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air Regulations,

Part 16 – Environmental Protection Regulation,

Part 17 – Aviation Security Regulations,

Part 18 – Economic Regulations,

Part 19 – Consumer Protection Regulations and

Part 20 – Appeals, Citation, Repeals and Offences.

This is the second amendments of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations since its promulgation in November 2006. The first was amended in 2009 to bring into conformity with ICAO model Regulations and comprises of 11 parts, which has general administrative rules governing testing, licenses, certificates, exemptions,investigative and enforcement procedures.

The DG, who thanked the Almighty God and staff  for the  success of the programme declared,'' I am  fulfilled today that we are able to provide all the needed guiding tools and materials for the effective over sighting of the industry for NCAA.

The high point of the day was the DG signing of his autograph on a copy each to  all  members of staff in attendance and those not but who he considered as having contributed to its success.

Aero to introduce flights to Sokoto

Aviation Nigeria

Aero will later this month commence flight from Lagos to Sokoto via Abuja. Flights are available from 28 January 2013 onwards, and will be operated on weekdays and Sundays. Schedule:

• ABV-SKO AJ251 08:00-09:15
• SKO-ABV AJ252 10:00-11:15

The airline has suspended its Lagos-Warri-Port Harcourt NAF Base-route again.

Source: Aviation in Nigeria

Top Japan airlines ground Boeing 787s after emergency

Aviation Nigeria

Japan's two main airlines have grounded their Boeing 787 Dream-liners after one was forced to make an emergency landing because of battery problems.

All Nippon Airways (ANA) grounded its fleet of 17 Dreamliners when its flight NH 692 from Yamaguchi Ube was forced to land shortly after take-off.

Japan Airlines followed suit, saying it would ground its fleet of seven 787s from 16 January until further notice.

This is the latest setback for Boeing and its problem-hit Dreamliner planes.

In recent weeks, Dreamliners have suffered issues including fuel leaks, a cracked cockpit window, brake problems and an electrical fire.

"You're nearing the tipping point where they need to regard this as a serious crisis," said Richard Aboulafia, a senior analyst with the Teal Group in Fairfax, Virginia.

"This is going to change people's perception of the aircraft if they don't act quickly."

Battery malfunction

On Wednesday, ANA's flight NH 692 left Yamaguchi Ube in western Japan at 08:10 local time (23:10 GMT) and headed for Tokyo's Haneda airport.

Shortly after take-off, smoke was seen in the cockpit but not in the passenger compartment, and a strange smell was reported.

ANA says that it does not yet know the source of the smoke and is investigating the problem.

However, it added that the battery in the forward cargo hold was the same type as the one involved in a fire on another Dreamliner at a US airport last week.

The ANA flight landed at Takamatsu airport at 08:47 on Wednesday after the pilot saw an error message in the cockpit.

"There was a battery alert in the cockpit and there was an odd smell detected in the cockpit and cabin, and [the pilot] decided to make an emergency landing," said Osamu Shinobe, an ANA vice president, at a news conference.

ANA said that the 129 passengers and eight crew were evacuated, with a number of people sustaining minor injuries.

The Reuters news agency reported that five people were injured, while Bloomberg said that one person was sent to hospital. ANA officials were not immediately available to confirm the figures.

Market Reaction

Paul Lewis, a spokesman for Boeing, told the BBC that the plane-maker was "aware of the diversion of a 787 operated by ANA to Takamatsu in western Japan". He added that Boeing "will be working with our customer and the appropriate regulatory agencies".

Two die in London Helicopter crash

Aviation Nigeria

Two people have died after a helicopter crashed into a crane at a building site in central London in misty conditions, police have said.

Police said it appeared the helicopter had hit the crane on top of a building at about 08:00 GMT, and the London Fire Brigade has stated they have received multiple calls of a helicopter hitting a crane in Vauxhall.

London Fire Brigade said the crash happened near Wandsworth Road in South Lambeth and 60 firefighters were there. Burning wreckage lay in the road, with all approaches to the Vauxhall Cross one way system closed.

The incident caused gridlock as roads were closed at the height of the rush hour and Vauxhall Tube station and railway station have been closed.

Reporting on the incidence, ex-BBC producer Paul Ferguson said the helicopter "plummeted straight into the ground", also adding that the building the helicopter hit was shrouded in mist.

Quin Murray who was at the scene of the crash said: "the helicopter just hit a crane and crashed a few metres in front of me in Vauxhall." He said, completely shaken.

Police said they first received calls at 08:00 GMT and the London Ambulance Service said it was also at the scene. People have reported seeing a pall of smoke in the area.

The BBC's Ross Hawkins said at least four ambulances and many police cars were at the scene. He said Wandsworth Road near Vauxhall station is closed, with apparent debris on the ground, and a crane at the top of a new high rise development appears to be damaged.

Expect Flight Delays, Cancellations – NCAA

Aviation Nigeria

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) Monday alerted airlines and pilots on the dangers inherent in the current harmatan haze being experienced across the country, saying that they must abide by weather report to avert safety breach.

In a circular signed by the Director General of the agency, Dr Harold Demuren, the regulatory body said the call was to alert all pilots on the hazards of harmattan haze and offered guidance to help prevent accidents caused by this weather phenomenon.

“Hazards and operational problems associated with harmattan is comparable to that of heavy fog. Thus, air-to-ground visibility is considerably reduced. Others include poor aerodrome visibility which might fall below the prescribed minima and in severe conditions.”

NCAA also noted that dust haze can blot out runways and markers over wide areas making visual navigation impossible; where terminal visibility falls below the prescribed weather minima, airlines and pilots should flights be delayed, diverted or cancelled.

The authority therefore advised pilots to recognise harmattan haze as a hazard and exercise maximum restraint when the condition is observed or forecast.

“It is therefore mandatory for all pilots to obtain weather briefing from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) including departure, en-route and destination  weather information prior to flight operations.

“The airlines and their flight crews should keep passengers informed of the situation  and of the potential for flight delays and possible cancellations. Safety considerations  must always be the highest priority,” the agency said.

Early morning flights were disrupted last Friday in the nation’s important cities of Lagos and Abuja as fog reduced visibility to non-flight levels.

Many domestic flights were disrupted and international flights were also affected as Virgin Atlantic Airways rerouted its flight to Lagos to Accra, while Arik Air flight from London to Lagos was diverted to Port Harcourt.

Passengers, who hurried to meet their flights in the morning yesterday, arrived the airports disappointed as the airlines rescheduled their flights from morning to noon, hoping that visibility would improve.

Thousands of passengers massed at the General Aviation Terminal (GAT) and the Murtala Muhammed Airport domestic terminal, known as MMA2,  hoping and waiting for the fog to clear.

FAAN maintains its ownership on Airport land dispute.

Aviation Nigeria

The Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria(FAAN) has responded to claims regarding a land dispute between the Agency and concessionaires.

This was made through a press statement signed by the General Manager Corporate Communications, Yakubu Dati.

Dati stated that the controversial property which is being used as a temporary car park at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport is the sole property of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The statement read: 

" About a decade ago, a concessionaire had requested for land for the development of a hotel and such was granted. However the transaction was subsequently enmeshed in controversy which resulted in arbitration.

The arbitrator awarded damages to the said concessionaire while the land remained FAAN property.

The concessionaire cannot therefore exercise legal right over the land but can pursue their interest i.e. monetary compensation as contained in the arbitrary award."

The statement is a quick response in the wake of disputes between the agency, and A.I.C Limited a company owned by Chief Harry Akande.

Yakubu Dati reminded the general public that the on-going development around the airport environment is for the general benefit of all and therefore overrides any personal or group interest.

Automated Flight Information Reporting System To Boost Air Safety In 2013 – NCAA

Aviation Nigeria

Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, recently reacted to calls by the House of Representatives for his removal by saying that as a professional, he would not join issues with the honorable members as politicians.

Speaking during an interview with journalists at the Christmas service held at the Garden Tomb in Israel where he prayed for the safety of the Nigerian airspace and passengers, Dr Demuren said, “The National Assembly members are politicians. We are not politicians; we are professionals doing our job. The truth will come out and when it comes out, it will set everyone free.”

He further explained that for six years, no flight accident was recorded by airlines in Nigeria.

“It is very unfortunate that we had that tragic accident and for that to happen, you must not forget that this is why we gave thanks to God that from 2006 to that June last year, we have carried 50 million passengers and operated 4 million flights without a single accident, and then suddenly that accident happened.”

Dr Demuren also disclosed that the NCAA is set to deploy Aircraft Automated Flight Information Reporting System to improve air safety in the year 2013. He explained that the Aircraft Automated Flight Information Reporting System will alert the authorities if there is any problem on board an aircraft, whether the aircraft is missing or not.

“If anything happens on board, whether it is recorded or not, once it happens, automatically, it would record the data based on hours and stream the data to us. Whether the aircraft is missing or not, you still get and see the data,” he said.

“The good thing is that this data can be easily animated and you will see it in real life how it happened and what occurred. That way, there will be no speculation. You can log from it, learn from it and then correct it.” 

Source: The Herald

Opinion Ed: Joint National Assembly Report on Dana Plane Crash & Sundry Issues, Facts and Fallacies

Aviation Nigeria

As a matter of background, it is noteworthy that after successive air disasters between 2005 and 2006, Nigeria embarked on an aviation sector reform agenda.

Starting then in 2006, and until now, a tremendous amount of resources, hard work, labour and efforts have been committed to improving the sector.  While our current transformation agenda has closed many of the existing gaps, the sum total of all these years of tedious toiling is that, Nigeria’s aviation safety is record is now recognized and respected.

There is no better evidence of this than the unanimous outpouring of international endorsement of our efforts and encouragement after the unfortunate crash of Dana Airlines on 3rd June 2012.  Currently, Nigeria and this current administration have proudly attained the highest available standards in aviation.

We are currently not on the EU Blacklist, posses the ICAO Universal Safety Audit certification, and U.S. FAA Category-1 certification.   Even after the crash, our current reputation is enviable and exemplary in Africa.  Recently, ICAO sought Nigeria’s assistance with the possibility of sharing its experience in promoting safety with several other African countries.Aviation, by its nature is international.

Applicable standards and assessments are the same and centralized in internationally respected organizations such as ICAO.  In addition to this, this current administration has developed a strategic international partnership and investment focus.  As such, the Federal Ministry of Aviation has committed significant resources and time to presenting opportunities in our industry internationally and cultivating the serious interests that we are receiving.

The support of the Joint Committee on Aviation of both chambers in this aspiration and ensuring that, Nigeria is sending one clear, singular and positive message is critical and cannot be overemphasized.  The opposite is unthinkable and unimaginable.  It will at best, stagnate, but more realistically, diminish the industry and Nigeria.

Repeated published conclusions that the regulatory agencies and their officials are negligent or incompetent will carry an unintended consequence, which is not the objective of the Joint Committee.

It will undermine our national resolve and ability to accomplish the objectives we have set as a nation.  Further, it calls to question the judgment of professional, specialised and expert organizations such as ICAO, EU and U.S. FAA who have critically, analytically and professionally evaluated our sector and granted the certifications that we now enjoy.

It affects the credibility they have painstakingly developed and acquired when their assessment is that our agencies are competent and staffed by sufficiently skilled personnel, while our own elected leaders, come to a different conclusion.  This development send a very wrong signal internationally, as well as create fear and tension in the country.

I now wish to address specific Findings and Recommendations:

The Committee found that the NCAA did not comply with its own procedure for issuance of Airlines Operator Certificate to Dana Airlines.  With the greatest humility and respect to the distinguished Senators and Honourable Members, these types of considerations may be construed as political interference in safety regulations which the Senate President and Joint Committee at the beginning of it’s sitting and public hearing explicitly stated that it had no intention to do.

With due respect to the powers of the national Assembly to conduct oversight, a strict and intolerant construction of this exercise is certain to compromise our certifications and violate our international obligations.

The AOC process is perhaps the most intense, technical and comprehensive safety process the NCAA engages in.  It is a 5 phase process.  It includes flying the aircraft in demonstration flights for 50 hours without passengers in the 4th phase.

The only people on the aircraft are the crew and NCAA Safety Inspectors.  It also involves analysis of technical and other operational manuals and processes of the airline including number of crew and their qualifications and evidence of the plan or program for carrying out both light and heavy repairs on the aircraft of the airline.

The process is exactly the same for every airline.  The same process that certified Arik, is the one Dana went through.  After the crash, Dana has undergone the rigorous AOC re-certification.

The Report claims that, most NCAA inspectors are not licensed or type   rated on aircrafts.  It also recommends that the inspector who inspected and cleared the Dana Airlines aircraft that crash should be dismissed.

ICAO requirement for Aviation Safety Inspectors in CAAs is that they must posses aeronautical engineering degrees and completely aircraft manufacturer’s course on the various types of aircraft and engine operating in the country.

The NCAA fully complies with this.  These are key issues that were inspected and examined in Nigeria passing the ICAO Safety Audit and U.S. FAA Category-1.  Even persons who were previously maintenance engineers cease to be when they start working for the CAA.

The CAA’s role is safety oversight, not aircraft repair.  As a matter of fact, all CAA inspectors are prohibited from carrying out repair on aircraft or aircraft components.   Among NCAA safety inspectors include pilots type rated who flew MD-83.

Regulators are never type rated to do their work. They are type qualified after appropriate training.  NCAA has sufficient type qualified inspectors.   They are neither operational pilots flying commercially nor aircraft mechanics carrying out repairs on aircraft.

Most importantly, the practice of using Licensed Maintenance Engineers is archaic and only now limited to small and private aircraft.  The worldwide practice is to ensure that aircraft are maintained by Approved Maintenance Organizations (AMO).

For instance, Arik’s current and modern fleet is maintained by AMOs, specifically Lufthansa Technics.  Arik does not have specific employees who are licensed Maintenance Engineers type rated on Boeing 737-800.  This sometimes technical, but subtle industry nuances is the reason why there are centralized and globally accepted standards and organizations for making such critical assessments.

They are trained and experienced professionals and expert organizations who are trained Safety Auditors.  NCAA inspectors are sufficiently trained and their training empowers them to perform safety oversight.

It’s like saying a trained and qualified aeronautical engineer or airframe engineer is unqualified to speak about aircraft engine or airframe technology because he is not type rated on a particular aircraft, but the aircraft mechanic who is only trained to repair components of the engine of one type of aircraft is authoritative.

Its like saying an automobile engineer is less qualified to conduct oversight than a mechanic on a type of car or that an electrician who just wires and installs is more qualified to discuss design and compliance than an electrical engineer or that a bricklayer is better qualified on matters of structure and plan than a structural engineer or that a draughtsman who only draws plans is more appropriate than an architect on the building integrity.

Would an automobile engineer be unable to determine the efficiency or performance of an engine, because he is not certified to repair Volkswagen cars?

The Report does not fully capture and characterize the import of the law when it notes that the Director General of the NCAA is unqualified under the Civil Aviation Act, because he is not licensed or type-rated on any aircraft.

What the law requires in the section 8(2)(d) of the Civil Aviation Act, 2006 quoted is that the Director General shall be a person “who posses relevant and adequate professional qualifications, and have the qualification for at least 15 years”.

There is no provision in the law that requires the Director-General to be licensed or type-rated on any aircraft. However, and for the comfort of the distinguished and honourable members of the Committee, the current Director General is both a design, and maintenance engineer.

He is type rated on Russian aircraft, Ilushin 62, with NK-8 engines.  He has undergraduate, graduate (M.SC, Aircraft Maintenance Engineering) and doctoral degrees in aeronautical engineering (Massachusetts Institute of Technology).  In addition, he possesses professional qualifications, including senior membership of the Council of Registered Engineers (COREN) and American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.

He is a Chartered Engineer of the United Kingdom and a Fellow of the prestigious Royal Aeronautical Society, which incorporates aeronautical engineers, helicopter association and licensed aircraft engineers.   He is also a Fellow of the Nigeria Academy of Engineering.

In addition, he holds several certificates for aircraft maintenance, airworthiness and training on a variety of engines including by Roll Royce, Pratt & Whitney, General Electric and U.K Civil Aviation Authority during a distinguished exclusive aviation safety career that has spanned over 40 years.

The Report states that Prestige, the insurance company is also owned by the Dana Group.  To the best of NCAA’s knowledge and based on our due diligence, Prestige is a legitimate insurance company.  It is an insurance company registered in Nigeria by the Corporate Affairs Commission and approved by NAICOM.  Prior to NCAA accepting the coverage to Dana as acceptable, NAICOM approved the product and for Prestige to provide it to Dana.

In addition, and for the further comfort of the Committee, there is evidence that both interim and final compensation to families of the Dana crash is in progress.  Some have not been paid because of the legal and tedious process of obtaining and verifying the appropriate personal representatives of the deceased through Letters of Administrations.

The NCAA has been providing active support in this regard and continues to interface with the relevant government authorities to expedite the issuance and verification of these vital legal documents.  Further, there was additional insurance by Lloyds of London, abundance of evidence of which exists.

The NCAA, NAICOM or DANA could have provided this evidence to the Committee if the Committee required it.  This evidence include evidence of consultations between the insurance companies and adoption of a resolution to pay the maximum liability limit of $100, 000 and evidence of payments to victims’ families.

The Report alleges that AIB and FAAN are ill equipped.  These technical determinations are also made by expert organizations that are created and trained for that purpose and posses the experience to make such assessments. There are professional organizations such as the Airport Council International (ACI) that are used worldwide for such assessments.

NCAA usually engages and liaises with these institutions for such assessments and would be happy to coordinate between the Committee and such organization to secure an assessment that is based on the globally accepted parameters.

As regulator, the NCAA is very familiar with the capacity of aviation agencies and believes there is always room for improvement, but, at the same time, they are not necessarily ill-equipped.

The Report notes that Dana Airlines had 14 air returns in almost 3 years.  Without context, this statement  could be misleading or incomplete.  Air returns are not necessarily an indication that the aircraft is not airworthy.

On the contrary, air returns are more likely to be a result of very strict safety standards that require an abundance of caution, including in situations that don’t rise to the serious failures that could fatally jeopardize the operation of flight.

It is a standard recommended safety precautionary measure.  After every single air return, NCAA Airworthiness Safety Inspectors physically clear the aircraft, before it is released back to operation.

The Report states that the MD-83 Aircraft has been phased out by the manufacturer.  The functional analogy of this is that since Toyota has started manufacturing the 2013 model of the Camry, then the 2012 model which is no longer being manufactured is phased out.

As an industry practice, aircraft manufacturers understand the business and expected lifespan of their equipment.  They always provide support for all equipment for the entire life of the equipment.  Boeing 737s started from the 200 series, and are now at the 800 series.

This lifespan has been over decades, yet the 200 series of 4 decades ago still get the same level of support as the 800s which only recently started production.   As it were, approximately 1,100 MD80 series (including MD83s) were manufactured, and over 800, of which 207 are MD-83s are still in active service today.

Specifically, MD83s are still in service in commercial airline and other fleets worldwide including, USA, Italy, Romania, Spain, Argentina, Greece, Denmark, Egypt, South Africa, Indonesia, Kenya, the United Nations and others.  Current operators range from the largest foreign and domestic truck carriers to new start-up airlines and charter operators.  Two of the three largest United States airlines; American Airlines and Delta operate MD83s currently.  American Airlines has 275 of the series in its fleet.  Delta has 117.

Further, 74 are operated by airlines across Europe. U.S Presidential candidate in the 2012 elections, Governor Mitt Romney used an MD83 manufactured in 1990 (same as Dana Air’s) for his campaign which required significant travel across the United States and as far as Europe and Israel.  

His running mate, Paul Ryan, used an older version of the MD80 series – a DC-9-32 aircraft which is 42 years old (same age as the candidate himself).  In Africa, Air Burkina and Air Mali use the MD80 series aircraft to ferry Air France passengers going to points beyond Ouagadougou and Bamako.

The Report alleges that the inspector who cleared the Dana Airlines aircraft that crashed should be dismissed for not having pre-requisite qualification.  The inspector in question’s credentials are attached.  He is qualified Safety Inspector.

He has a degree in aeronautical engineering and a Master of Science in Aircraft Design and Maintenance fro one of the most reputable schools in the former Soviet Union.

He has attended so many trainings, including training on the JT8D engine series of Pratt and Whitney which is an engine series family that the one on the crashed MD-83 had.   He is also one of a few who have succeeded in rigorous successive Boeing company trainings on a variety of aircraft  including certification on Boeing 767 which is a wide body aircraft manufactured by the same company and with even more advanced systems.

He has also had successive type qualification training on various aircraft types. The Report does not identify any inappropriate conduct by the inspector or the Director General who deployed the inspector.

Subsequent to its importation in 2008, the aircraft flew hundreds of hours and cycles, thousands of miles and carried several thousand passengers including 3 flights of approximately one hour each and several hundred passengers on the day, and prior to the unfortunate crash.

The Committee recommended that the current Director General of the NCAA’s tenure expired 3 months before the Dana crash on June 3rd. The DG of the NCAA serves at the pleasure of the President.

Further, the DG NCAA is the CEO of a major government agency with significant responsibilities, including to representing the Federal Government internationally and before other governments.  It is highly improbable that a person can serve, or continue to serve in such a sensitive position without the appropriate authority and approval of the Minister of Aviation, and the President.  

Further, during the public hearing, the chair of the Joint Aviation Committee addressed the issue of whether the Director General could properly respond to the committee’s questions as DG to the Minister of Aviation.  The Minister responded in the affirmative by clarifying that the DG is the duly appointed and current occupant of the office of Director General.

The chairman of the Committee as a senior government official and with the powers granted in the Constitution and the National Assembly Act can verify the validity or otherwise of the tenure of any other senior government official.

The chairman of the Committee has access to the Presidency and the Ministry of Aviation to secure relevant information and documentation to establish the tenure of the Director General.
   
The Report recommends that the Director General should be removed from office for negligence and incompetence. Gratefully, the NCAA that has been developed to a level of competence that has never been in its history.

What the Report characterizes as negligence actually demonstrates appropriate safety precautions and deployment of the right, skilled and qualified personnel in carrying out the functions of the NCAA.  The NCAA's AOC procedure is in line with regulatory requirements, international practice and ICAO standards.

Dana fully complied with these regulatory and international standards.  There is ample evidence that the MD-83 has not been decommissioned by the manufacturer.  It is currently in service worldwide including in Europe and the USA.

Finally, the entire report concludes that NCAA, FAAN and NAMA do not have sufficient well trained employees.  With respect and humility again, may we point out that expert and specialized organizations for this purpose have arrived at different conclusions.

We therefore implore the Joint Committee to support these and other agencies of the Ministry of Aviation in boosting the morale of the aviation regulatory and operational work force so that we together and in collaboration promote, not compromise safety.