Nigerians Spend $3.75bn On 150 Private Jets

Aviation Nigeria

Though the aviation authorities have yet to disclose the exact number of private jets that are operating in Nigeria, industry stakeholders yesterday said there were about 150 private jets  valued at about $3.75bn (N600bn) in the country. On the average, each jet costs $25m.

The managing director, GTBank Plc, Mr Segun Agbaje, who spoke  at a one-day Nigerian Business Aviation Conference 2013 held in Lagos yesterday, noted that the most popular jets among Nigerian billionaires are Gulfstream, Bombardier, Global Express, Hawker Legacy and Dassault Falcon.

The theme of the conference was “The Emerging Market in Business Aviation”.  It was organised by Evergreen Apple Nigeria in Lagos.

According to Agbaje, most of the jets were imported from the United States of America, Canada, Europe, Brazil and South Africa and the owners paid for them by cash, direct lending and leasing.

Cash acquisition of aircraft amounted to 70 per cent; leasing, 14 per cent while direct lending was 16 per cent.

He noted, however,  that banks in the country were yet to invest in the aviation industry because of the attendant risks in commercial aviation, but explained that, with the involvement of financial institutions, the sector would record a boost.

“Aircraft financing is a way to deepen banking relationship with top private banking customers and corporate organisations, but there are some challenges in the financial institutions as most of us don’t realise yet the importance of support for the industry. Nigeria provides a huge opportunity for development in aircraft manufacturing industry,” he stated. “Risks and problems associated with commercial aviation is one of the problems confronting the sector. However, most financial institutions will prefer to support business aviation at the expense of commercial aviation. Business aviation has less risk when compared to commercial aviation.”

The total number of private jets in the country has made Nigeria the continent’s largest market for private jets.

Source: Leadership 

Growing need for airline consolidation in Nigeria - Aviation Experts

Aviation Nigeria

Akwa Ibom International Airport

Aviation experts have called for the consolidation of airline operators in the country. This they asserted will improve healthy competition and improve airline services in the country.

Aviation expert and President of Sabre Network West Africa, a United States-based airlines and global distribution system company, Mr. Gbenga Olowo, made this assertion while speaking in an interview on Channels television, early Friday morning. He also added that the position of current operators is that they are either stressed, insolvent, or outright distressed. This he insists indicate that in another 5 to 10 years, these airlines may not be there.

Gbenga Olowo pointed out that if Air France and KLM a French and Dutch airline can come together, and pitch in United Continental their aircraft fleet will go to about 1,700 airplanes. He also said that a small airline like the Uruguan Air has almost 200 airplanes, far greater than a pool of 6 airlines in Nigeria which had below 60 planes in total.

Olowo speaking on meeting the IATA proposal for aviation operators world wide and tagged 'A dozen airlines in 2050', said airline agencies will also have to introduce technologies which aid sales such as a Global Distribution System which enables increased commercial traffic internationally.

He commended the efforts of the Aviation minister Princess Stella Oduah for the on-going infrastructural developments and added that there would be further need for investment in aviation technology.

Also contributing in the interview, Vice President to Wizie Technology a USA based agency Vikaz Kannan said: "Smaller players don't get eliminated in healthy competition, they get stronger because the consolidations create an arena for multiple opportunities"

Kannan also urged Nigerian airlines to explore the advantages in synergies and work together voluntarily to achieve the sectors development. " It is often difficult in Nigeria for business people to voluntarily come together" He said.

Both experts agreed there was a need to consolidate aviation services as well as boost technological infrastructure at airports nationwide.

Nigeria Airways: Foriegn retirees appeal to Aviation Minister for unpaid severance benefits

Aviation Nigeria

Workers of defunct Nigeria Airways in other African countries have made an appeal to the Minister of Aviation Princess Stella Oduah to intervene in the matter of their unpaid severance benefits.

In a petition made to the Minister dated April 15, 2013, entitled: “The cry of a suffering and helpless orphan. What is our fate 10 years after the liquidation of Nigeria Airways,” retirees stated their names and numbers and noted the pains they had gone through in their attempts and failures to secure their benefits.

The Airline was liquidated in October 2003 and in March 2008, the Nigerian based workers were paid almost their full benefits while all the West Coast staff who  were all present in Lagos in 2008 during this massive payments  were left out.

The workers based in Lome, Togo, Cotonou, Douala, Cameroon and Libreville disclosed that they had considered following up the approval of the supplementary list by the National Assembly and the Presidency.

According to the affected workers: “Unfortunately, we were completely neglected as we were told payments were only for the Nigerian workers. The excuse we were given by the paying staff from Abuja was that the west coast staff were erroneously not captured in the system.

“They told us that we would be paid with the supplementary list coming up before the end of 2008. No one could imagine this could take another five to six years.” another aggrieved retiree said.

They lauded the efforts of their High Commissioners and Embassies in Abuja that led to the final approval of their money by October last year.

Kano Airport ready for commissioning - FAAN

Aviation Nigeria

The Managing director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Mr George Uriesi has said that the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport is ready for commissioning.

Mr Uriesi made this statement while on inspection of the remodelling projects going on across the airport terminals across the country.

In a brief interraction with the staff, he charged them to adopt a new attitude that will compliment the current transformational changes taking place in the aviation sector, challenging them to take ownership of the remodelled Airport terminals in order to maximise its full benefits and realise the corporate objectives of the Authority.

"We cannot carry over old nonchalant  attitudes into the new world class airport terminals being constructed." Uriesi stated.

The FAAN Managing Director had  earlier visited Abuja, Jos, YoIa and Kaduna for on-the spot assessment of the remodelling projects, and was led around the airport by Regional General Manager, Ibrahim Danyabu.

Uriesi called on all aviation stakeholders to take advantage of the new facility for wealth creation adding that the remodelled airport will boost economic activities and create employement to thousands of people.

The Mallam Aminu Kano International airport is among the first phase of airport remodelling project which comprises 11 airports of 22 earmarked for remodelling in the aviation transformation agenda by aviation Minister Princess Stella Oduah.

NAMA workers to begin warning strike on Friday

Aviation Nigeria

Workers of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency(NAMA), on Wednesday, announced plans to embark on one-day warning strike on February 22.

The workers are making this complain under the umbrella of the Air Transport Service Senior Staff Association (ATSSSAN), National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) and the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE).

The strike is to be embarked over alleged non-implementation of the new salary structure  introduced by  the agency, which the workers have demanded to be implemented.

Addressing newsmen at the NAMA headquarters in Lagos, Benjamin Okewu, National President, ATSSSAN, explained that workers of the agency across the nation would embark on a warning strike to drive home their demand.

“We affirm categorically that failure on the part of NAMA management to implement the approved salary structure is an invitation to industrial crisis,” he said.

"The workers of NAMA, therefore, unequivocally call on NAMA management to immediately and comprehensively implement the reviewed/adjustment of the salary structure of the agency dated Aug. 13 2012.” Okewu added.

He noted that the implementation of the salary would guarantee the welfare of workers, enhance productivity and performance of the agency.

Anambra State Governor commends Aviation Minister

Aviation Nigeria

Executive governor of Anambra State, Mr Peter Obi has sent a congratulatory message to the Honorable Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Adaeze Oduah on on her selection as the Champion Newspaper Man of the Year 2012, noting that the Award is a call to greater service and dedication towards the sanitization of the Aviation industry in Nigeria. 

This was made public by the Special Adviser to the Minister on Media Joe Obi. The message dated February 4, 2013 Obi urged Oduah to

“...on behalf of the government and good people of Anambra state accept my hearty congratulations on the occasion of your selection as the Champion Man of the Year 2012”

The governor, in his letter indicated that the Minister had done a great service and stressed that the minister had been selected on meritorious grounds stating that: “amidst a plethora of qualified candidates for this award speaks volumes about your accomplishments''.

The governor also urged the Minister to continue her transformation in the aviation sector, adding that “Much as the award is a reward for excellence, it inevitably challenges you to do more in your effort to sanitize the Aviation industry. It is my belief that you will continue to acquit yourself creditably as our worthy Ambassador”

Governor Obi expressed joy that the vision, focus and courage with which Oduah had brought about, and was continue bringing transformation to bear on the Aviation industry. 

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.

Aviation Minister promotes 66 NAMA AGM's to DGM's

Aviation Nigeria

The Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Adaeze-Oduah  has approved the promotion of 66 Assistant General Managers in Nigerian Airspace Management Agency(NAMA) to the position of Deputy General Managers.

This was disclosed by the Managing Director of NAMA, Mazi Nnamdi Udoh on Friday 11 January 2013 during an interactive in-house chit-chat with middle and senior management officials of the Agency tagged "Happy Hour" in its headquarters,MMIA,Ikeja,Lagos.

Mazi Udoh enjoined the newly promoted officers to further put in their best so as to sustain the agency in its task of providing seamless air navigation services to its numerous and the continued safety of the country's airspace.

Mazi Udoh further enjoined those promoted to always imbibe the spirit cooperation in their day to day encounter with one another. 

Some of the newly promoted officers while expressing their happiness on their new status, commended the Managing Director for having recommended them to the Minister for promotion and that this is the first time in the history of the agency that such number of officers would be promoted at once.

The officers promoted are:

1. Charles Obi

2. Julius Ojewale

3. Damian Ejiogu

4. Fidelis Ogbonna

5. Samuel Madunagwu

6. Romanus Uche

7. Jonathan Olatunji

8. Emmanuel Onyebueke

9. Edwin Amaechi

10. Sylvanus Onu

11. Agnes Chinda

12. Akiniyene Mendie

13. Daniel Irhepono

14. Fatai Olanrewaju

15. Olusegun Obafemi

16. Francis Nwankwo

17. Ferdinand Anukwe

18. Mecha Kalu (who was posthumously promoted. He died in the June 3,2012 Dana plane crash)

19. Festus Aseghiemhe

20. Clifford Esoung

21. Anthony Omashor

22. Levi Nnadi

23. Joseph Ibe

24. Solomon Mbachu

25. Patric Ezike

26. Basil Omamogho 

27. Gabriel Nwosu. 

Others are-

28. Ahmed Ibrahim

29. Emmanuel Nwokodi

30. Cordelia Ekpott

31. Ndubuisi  Ihedioha

32. Silas Odo

33. Sunday Jonah

34. Kenneth Nworah

35. Chijioke Nwachukwu

36. Paul Ugadu

37. Josiah Ngwuta

38. Tijani Shahada

39. Akanji Awolade

40. Ephraim Maigida

41. Malumta Ali

42. Emmanuel Onyemaobi

43. Gabriel Yankaura

44. Abdul Yankaura.

The rest are: 

45. Charles Uwechi

46. Obiesie Egwim

47. Iliya Wakili

48. Lateef Olabanji

49. Moses Williams

50. Ademola Adebowale

51. Mansur Mohammed

52. John Tayo

53. Jude Ineh

54. Martin Akujuobi

55. Ademola Adeleke

56. Adebayo Kareem

57. Rafik Arogunjo

58. Robinson Ba'Azo

60. Haske Jibrin

61. Matthew Pwajok

62. Joshua Agbaje

63. Joy Umeh

64. George Amadi

65. Ifeanyi Ogochukwu

66. Edward Osimen.

Kaduna Airport Remodelling to be completed in April.

Aviation Nigeria

The Kaduna Airport remodeling project will be completed in April, the General Manager, Corporate Communications of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) Yakubu Dati has said.

The airport is among the first 11 airports scheduled for remodeling under the first phase of airports remodeling across Nigeria.

Dati, who inspected facilities at the airport said the work has advanced to about 80 percent and with the pace of work it will be ready for commissioning in three months.

He said the remodeling is part of strategies included in the Aviation Master Plan which includes; upgrade and development of dilapidated infrastructures, reformation of institutions, as well as the transformation of key airports into a network of domestic and international hubs.

Meanwhile operations at the airport has been shifted to the Hajj terminal, which was built under the administration of the Minister of Aviation, Princess Oduah and commissioned by the Sultan of 

Sokoto in December, 2011 pending the completion of construction at the airport.

On completion, the airport will form a major hub with the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, to boost the economy of the state as well as increase the nation’s GDP.

Airlines in Nigeria.

Aviation Nigeria

Passenger Airlines

Aero
Arik Air
Chanchangi Airlines
Dana Air
IRS Airlines
Med-View Airline
Overland Airways

Cargo Airlines

Allied Air
Axiom Air
JED Air
Millennium Air

Charter Airlines

Azikel Air
DANA – Dornier Aviation Nigeria
Dominion Air
Gyro Air
Izy Air
Jet Taxi Transport
Kabo Air
King Airline
MaxAir
Med-View Airline
Meridian Airlines
Omni Air
Prime Air Services
Re-Routine Air
SkyBird Air
SkyJet Aviation / Barbedos Aviation Services
Skypower Express Airways
TopBrass Aviation
Tradecraft Air
Triax Airlines
Triton Aviation / Hangar8
West Link Airlines
Wings Aviation

Helicopter Companies

Aero Contractors
Atlantic Aviation / CHC Nigeria – former partner of Aero
Caverton Helicopters / DanCopter / Heli-Union
OAS Helicopters
Pan African Airlines / Bristow Nigeria / BATS

Start-up/Dormant Airlines and Helicopter Companies

Air Nigeria – formerly Nigerian Eagle Airlines / Virgin Nigeria Airways
Air Taraba
Associated Aviation / Associated Air Cargo
Azman Air
Discovery Air
FirstNation Airways – formerly Bellview Airlines
Hak Air
Imo Air – formerly Air MidWest
TaK Aviation

Former Airlines

For a full list of defunct Nigerian airlines, see the Airline History website.

SOURCE: Aviation History

Azikel Air, Castle Air sign deal to construct maintenance hangar.in Bayelsa.

Aviation Nigeria

Azikel Air has signed a deal with Castle Air to design and construct a helicopter maintenance hangar at the yet to be constructed Bayelsa Airport, which will be located in Southern Ijaw Local Government.

The charter airline, part of the Azikel Group, operates a Hawker 800XP (N500AZ) and an Agusta A109S helicopter (M-AZKL). Castle Air operates a fleet of 10 Agusta 109's and 9 Bell 206's
Azikel Group, a leading indigenous conglomerate with its operational base in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, moved to increase revenue generation by diversifying into the oil and gas industry, the aviation and agricultural sector.

President of the Group, Dr. Eruani Azibapu Godbless in an interview with media men in Yenagoa, said his company is not only out to contribute its quota to the development of the state by providing employment for the teeming youths, but also exploring other frontiers such as going into large scale farming in line with the state government’s transformational agenda.