Nigeria’s Aviation: The Stella Oduah Rat chase

Aviation Nigeria

By Stephen Anayo

Nigeria's parliamentarians and aviation stakeholders are currently enmeshed in a running battle as they seek to probe the recent purported acquisition of two bulletproof cars by the nation's Aviation Minister, Stella Oduah.

The rat chase is such that it is easy to forget that less than a year ago, there was high praise from a number of quarters for this high-achieving individual, in the light of her inputs into the ailing aviation sector.

She embarked on a foreign road trip earlier this year, in her bid to get foreign investment to build the first aerotropolis in all of Nigeria, using the four most commercially viable airport terminals in Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourta model that locates business enterprises at the airports.

Oduah has equipped 22 Nigerian airports with lightning and thunderstorm detection equipment covering a range of 200 km and has made plans to build a cargo airport to help the increasing number of agricultural exports and with the redistribution of cargo.

That garnered praise from the eccentric governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi. He said "Stella has spoken about a cargo airport for perishables and for agriculture. Now, for me, as an economist and as the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, that is the most important and visionary step that the Aviation Minister has taken."

He also applauded her efforts to make the flying experience as comfortable as possible, stressing that: "Airports are not just to carry human beings from Lagos to Kano; it is not just there to make travel easy and comfortable experience for individuals." 

Quite a lot of cynic Nigerians probably do not know that under the minister's watch, a Terminal Radar Approach Control Facility (TRACON) was set up and ground controllers in the Air Traffic Control Tower (ATCT), which relays the low-level wind shear specific alerts to pilots via voice radio communication.

Just two years after her appointment, she set up the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) "Wreckage Hangar’’ in Abuja to ensure the speedy investigations of air crashes and incidents in Nigeria.

After years of neglect and near-deterioration, the international terminal of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu was commissioned and this same minister has secured approval from the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for the construction of five brand new International terminals /Cargo terminals from a concessionary loan from Chinese EXIM bank.

As you read this, plans are at an advanced stage to float a new national carrier that will be completely private-sector driven and professionally managed too. For the existing airlines, the minister has decided to play Good Samaritan too as she is working on the acquisition of about 30 new aircraft for domestic airlines through an intervention fund to re-fleet the airlines and boost their capacity.

In times of unnecessary fare disparity against Nigerian passengers by British Airways authorities with better treatment being meted out to other nationals, no one but Stella Oduah stood up to challenge the airline's authorities. Even the current imbroglio that Turkish Airways is involved in, as regards the Abuja-Kano route is because the minister is refusing to bow to another airline giving Nigerians sub-par treatment unlike what obtains in other countries. But will the press ever bother to report about this? 

Stella Oduah handled the Bilateral Air Service Agreement, BASA that involved the Arik Airline and the British Airways authorities and  brought to the fore, her diplomatic ingenuity and negotiating skills. 

For Arik's sake and for the benefit of Nigerians visiting London often, she got back the airline's landing slots into Heathrow Airport and worked magic by getting the airport management to increase the slots to seven, from four per week.

It is instructive to note too that she stopped Bi-Courtey from increasing the Passenger Service Charge to protect the traveling public from undue exploitation and ensure that everyone, rather than just the elite can fly at affordable rates. Consequently, air travel costs remain reasonable and there has not been any appreciable increase since she took over at the ministry.

As-a-matter-of-factually speaking, she has demonstrated ability, doggedness, competence and a lot of resilience to ensure that the Aviation Industry lines up with internationally accepted standards.  Instead of battling with her array of critics as some other government officials are wont to do, she has concentrated on leaving a good legacy and trying to complete ongoing projects that the ministry is involved in. It takes maturity and uncommon tenacity to do this and obviously, these are some of the minister's strong points.

For a third world country such as Nigeria, it is quite pleasing to the eyes that the country's airports which were once an eyesore and a symbol of governmental malfeasance can change. Oduah is turning water to wine and deserves to be given a second chance; perhaps she can indeed make the land of the Nigerian prince a land flowing with milk and honey.

Arik Air: Higher and Higher Above the law

Aviation Nigeria

By Danladi Maigida

When Arik Airline first began operations in Nigeria, it quickly began a household name. ‘Wings of Nigeria’ it was called. With airline services reaching different states in Nigeria. Today however, recent investigations have shown that nothing could be more further from the truth. Arik Air, as we speak, flies upon the wings of Nigeria.

Most users simply grumble about the airlines notorious habit of operating different flight routes and schedules as well as selling the same class and booking codes of tickets to people at various prices at the same time at the airport. Another significant case of irregularity involved a staff of Arik Airline rummaging through the belongings of a notable blogger who was a passenger on-board to steal his Ipad. But even these are trifles where latest developments are concerned.

Today, some officials of Arik Airline face an outstanding trial in a cocaine smuggling case at the London Heathrow airport, Arik Air also faces pending tax-related corruption charges from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The company owes the Nigerian Aviation parastatals over N12billion and owes close to 2000 of its Nigerian employees in Nigeria well over four months in arrears of unpaid salaries.

Beyond re-structured flight schedules and billing systems Arik Airlines no doubt stands as one of the most fascinating private entities in Nigeria. Fascinating because the airline company is neck deep in debt, corruption, financial irregularities and improper practices, and yet it still stands. It is yet to see a court order forcing it towards liquidation.

Perhaps why this is possible is because Arik Air, like so many anti-development agencies in Nigeria has built a solid personal interest networks aimed at thwarting the growth of the Aviation sector and subsequently developments in the interest of the greater Nigerian population. This it has demonstrated this in several ways.

Early this year, Arik Airlines refusal to engage in standard procedure of maintaning its aircrafts as required by the Airline Maintenance Organization led to the grounding of three of its airplanes by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), airplanes which were originally used in its local operations.

The actions by Arik Air do not register on inefficiency or inexperience; rather it depicts a consciously bold and rational approach towards actions which are illegal and punishable under the Nigerian constitution. If anything, the refusal by aviation authorities to install stricter sanctions on the Arik Air has to be brought to question.

Arik Air like so many organizations in Nigeria only survive because they exist in Nigeria, otherwise standard procedures and basic requirements by regulatory authorities in other parts of the world are necessities which any agency in line with the development goals of the country ought to adhere to.

The failure of Arik Air to do this not only shows the company’s unwillingness to aid the development of Nigeria, but also begs that the company should no longer be allowed to maintain the mantra ‘Wings of Nigeria’, as its actions indicate, ‘Flying on the Wings of Nigeria’ should be a better substitute. This wings need to be clipped, Arik Air must not be allowed to fly higher than the law.

Bi-Courtney To Resume Work On Lagos Airport Hotel

Aviation Nigeria

Work is set to resume on the hotel and conference centre projects owned by Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), operator of the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two (MMA2), Ikeja. The twin projects are located opposite MMA2, also operated by BASL.

Sources in Bi-Courtney said the contractor for the projects, Stabilini Visinoni, would soon mobilise to site and complete the two projects “once and for all”.

According to the source, “all is now set for our contractor to move to site and see to the end of the projects, which have been there for a few years now. This time, we are determined to complete the projects and change the face of the Murtala Muhammed Airport environment for the better”.

The two projects have become a subject of litigation between Bi-Coutney and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the lessor of the land in which they are sited, following which a Federal High Court barred the agency from tampering with the project and the lease agreement in any form whatsoever.

The firm and the agency had entered into a 40 years lease agreement over the land on February 2, 2007.

But, while the projects were ongoing, a dispute arose over the lease agreement following which Bi-Courtney challenged the purported revocation of the lease by FAAN at the Federal High Court.

The matter, however, took a new turn as Justice Mohammed Idris assumed jurisdiction on the suit, despite the preliminary objection filed by the Federal Government.

The judge said Bi-Courtney’s action was properly filed, adding that “it is competent and the court has jurisdiction to hear it”.

In two letters, dated April 19, 2012, FAAN had informed Bi-Courtney that the leases granted it in respect of the two projects had been terminated. The agency hinged its action on alleged breaches committed in the agreements signed on the projects.

The court consequently stopped FAAN from interfering in the projects paving the way for Bi-Courtney to resume work.

Source: flynaija

Conspiracy to undo Jonathan at all cost in the name of Aviation

Usman Abubakar

Sun Tzu says ‘Once is chance. Twice is coincidence. Thrice is enemy action.’ But when an individual or institution receives continued bashing even when it deserves praise, then this can only be translated as the tell-tale signs of a grand conspiracy.

For if not the hatching of a conspiracy, what else could be the root cause of a clearly coordinated and sequential series of attacks beginning with the Ministry of Petroleum, the Ministry of Finance and now the Ministry of Aviation? What other conclusion could be more firm than the assessment that these attacks go beyond the ministries, to undermine President Goodluck Jonathan himself.

Before President Goodluck Jonathan appointed Princess Stella Oduah as the Minister of Aviation, the aviation sector had sunk completely. Prior to her appointment, the state of Nigerian airports was described by the Minister of Information, Labaran Maku as ‘poultry sheds’. Aviation stakeholders had been forced into a dangerous relationship of inertia kept in check by a complex and interwoven network of corruption. Three decades of decadence had created an array of benefactors such as the cabals of the oil sector leading to a neglect of its core mandate to the people. Airplanes had become as a writer described ‘Molues in the sky’.

Those who understand the pains that have been taken to make our airports what they are today will surely understand that it would take more than a N225million scam to end the transformation agenda. Actions to sweep aside such great achievement as carried out by the Aviation Minister in such a short while, achievements which earned recommendations from ordinary air-travellers to the Senate Committee on Aviation of a job well done simply hints at nothing else but downplaying the office of the President and its commitment to transformation.

It is therefore of no surprise that the call for Stella Oduah’s head is in line with the dictates of the Abubakar Baraje-led faction of the PDP, who had earlier also demanded for the sack of Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Finance Minister; and Diezani Alison-Madueke, the Petroleum Minister.

The achievements so far accomplished by the Aviation Ministry guided and firmly supported by President Goodluck Jonathan has been ground breaking.  Beginning with a Bilateral Air Service Agreement, followed by a simultaneous reconstruction and re-modelling of 22 airports (passengers/Hajj/Pilgrims camps) and crowned with issue of NCAP, the pace had been established from the onset as one which was set to terrify corrupt bureaucratic systems.

Clearly this wave of attacks like a hydra with many heads is among the several attempts to undermine efforts by the President Jonathan Administration. These attacks come in several forms; first as direct attacks towards the ministry of Aviation and the person of Princess Stella Oduah by blames for air mishaps, Aviation Union strike actions, and the Rotimi Amaechi saga, and secondly directs attacks at the presidents transformation agenda through the machinations of insecurity, the organs of corruption, acts of insubordination, springing of political parties and political factions, action groups, ASUU and a long list of unions, groups and cabals who endure because their very existence benefits some state elites who face no significant incentive toward capacity-building, good governance, or development.

It is clear in the face of all these that the cries which echo are not those of the needy masses, not those of a people clamouring for positive change, not the voice of reason and truth, but that of conspiracy, of confusion and intent to throw the country into chaos. The attack on the aviation ministry is one of such false cries that must not be given ear. The opponents of transformation should not be granted such audience.

‘We are not angry with the Aviation Minister’

Habiba Mahmoud

One has only to look at a matter independently, broadly, and un-influenced by common-place ideas and truth will look back at him. Such is the approach to be adopted in the recent outcry over vehicles supposedly purchased by the Aviation Ministry; one has to even set-aside fundamental truths that the Aviation Ministry comfortably maintains the well-deserved position of Transformation Ambassadors in the on-going administration.

It is no longer a surprise when Aviation Minister, Princess Stella Oduah gets above her share of well-deserved media attention. Of course this is expected as her achievement in the past and on-going as well isn’t news anymore. What is slightly new however is the approach ‘economic detractors’ have adopted, in what can be religiously referred to as, ‘a shameless and tenacious persistence to do harm to one already anointed.’

What else could be truer than that? The purchase orders for the said bullet proof BMW’s did not bear the Ministers name, neither did the bank papers. The cars were not parked in the Aviation Ministers residence, or in the parking lot allocated to her at the ministry. There is no official document that links the Aviation Minister directly to the purchase from either First Bank, or Coscharis Motors or any of the fine public serving institutions these allegations has sought to ridicule. To go a bit further, even if there was, wouldn’t that simply be suspicious? Isn’t it even remotely possible that the said figures were self-generated?

The reckless series of self-serving actions to capitalize on the sentiments in millions, of people already betrayed through spreading half-truths and quarter-lies will surely come to end.

The attempts of recent development detractors, some under the false guise of ‘experts’ to mindlessly feed off the negative emotions innocent Nigerians already marred by a series of failed administrations by putting a knife on our differences in cultures, ethnicity, religion, world views and ways of life will also come to an end.

They will come to know that Nigerians have grown weary at believing in change from the lips of those once granted the opportunity and failed to even point at the ‘promise land’, talk more of reaching it.

Although what gives strength to these false figure blabbers is that they understand that we as a people have become disarrayed at the actions of previous administrations and that our common problem has become an inability to see the problem as it is. That we fail to act when it becomes necessary, fail to recognize, pin point and identify our common enemies (they), masquerading in various forms. So they constantly attempt to shape-shift and deceive us each time. What else can make activists out of former ministers, or deliver righteousness to one who isn’t even God-fearing.

It is of no surprise therefore that the capacity of the Aviation Minister to do so much in so little time, has gained her so many social ‘distractions’. It is simply the mutual worry that some interests are no longer being represented and the actions now set in motion is one that will redefine the political machinery. 

In truth, we are no longer angry at the figures we see, or the names we hear or the actions that have been taken by those in office. We are no longer angry at being neglected, at being forgotten, at automatically being un-important, or left out of the political machinery. In less than a week, it will be a miracle if a larger amount of mis-appropriated funds does not cloud the loudly talked about vehicles.

We are not angry at Princess Stella Oduah, how can we be? She is a model of all the things we haven’t had in a long while, a physical manifestation of the power of the ‘Nigerian Woman’, an enigma to the aviation industry and the Nigerian government, an idea of consistent and creative development, an ideal that our current state of affairs forces us to seek and violently oppose.

We are not angry at the Aviation Minister. We may be angry at our legislators, at our governors and local government chairpersons, but surely not at an ‘angel of good tidings’’.

Or perhaps we really are angry that we have been left in such a deplorable state that we can no longer recognize truth from lies. That the organs we depended on to deliver to us the gains of a democratically elected government, as well as manage our God given natural and human resources failed us to such an extent that we can no longer distinctly separate successes from failures, or technocrats from criminals. No, I doubt that.

One simply has to forget that the aviation industry is the most vibrant, committed and dedicated sector to the national transformation philosophy of the Goodluck Jonathan Administration. One simply has to forget the shiny new airport terminals spread from the North to the East, or the marvellous roadmap put in place to welcome foreign investors from far and wide to Nigeria.

To put quite simply, one has to forget the Super Eagles flying back home safely, clutching victory in their hands after an odyssey of failed attempts. We are not angry at the Aviation Minister.

ICAO congratulates NIMET on ISO CERTIFICATION attainment

Aviation Nigeria

The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) has congratulated the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) for attaining ISO 9001: 2008 certification.

This is contained in a statement issued by the Head of Corporate Communications of NIMET, Mrs Eva Azinge, in Abuja on Friday.

It stated that ICAO in a letter to NIMET, expressed its delight for the accomplishment. The statement reiterated ICAO's willingness to support and assist NIMET in its aeronautical meteorological services in Nigeria and to keep contributing to aviation safety records in the West African sub-region.

``Specifically, ISO 9001; 2008 edition which directly affects NIMET, specifies procedure to assist the agency to develop and deliver structured processes, aimed at safeguarding the quality of the agency’s packaged products.

``In recognition of its international linkages and commitment to giving value to Nigerians, NIMET has continued to give accurate weather and climate information in support of aviation and other sectors of the Nigerian economy.’’

It stated that four international airports in the country -- Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt, are mandatory to the Quality Management Services standards set by ICAO, since the concept was new in Nigerian aviation.

``These airports were chosen because they are international gateways to the country. Through these airports, travellers and foreigners can be rest-assured that the services they receive meet international requirements.

``This certification, is however, subject to periodic review. It is all about standards: customer/producer relationship which compels the producer to ensure a continuous improvement in products and services,’' it stated.

FG cares for air passengers through the Passengers’ Bill of Rights

Aviation Nigeria

By Yakubu Dati

The sweeping reform in the aviation sector is indeed changing the perception of the people about government. In a conversation I had with a group of people travelling through the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, last week, I can say that the Aviation Ministry has become a signpost for measuring the performance of President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration. As we got down to discussion about the state of the nation, the aviation sector continued to pop-up as a good example.

We had several arguments and agreements about the work of each of the ministries and agencies and how that is affecting the lives of the people positively. And as we couldn’t move away from the Aviation sector, we began to dissect the work being done and its importance for the future of Nigeria. We all agreed that the leadership of the Aviation Ministry is committed to a genuine reform and passionate about it. Perhaps the array of men and women leading the agencies under the aviation ministry gives a strong statement about the ministry’s commitment to a genuine reform.

One of such agencies is the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) under the leadership of Captain Folayele Akinkuotu. Agency like NCAA is a very critical part of the Aviation Ministry and that makes it a centre point in aviation regulation in the country and elsewhere in the world where a similar agency operates.

Though Akinkuotu assumed the leadership of NCAA not too long ago, the fact that he has been around in the sector helped him to hit the ground running.  He indeed knows what to do and where to touch to bring human face into the aviation reform. He knows how painful it can be for passengers when they are cheated by the airlines and no one is responding to them. He’s aware that the problem has been there for decades and that Nigerians have resigned to fate about it.  At the airports, passengers dare not be sure of when they will arrive at their destinations. Circumstances have forced many to make provisions for disappointments, which have practically become the rules rather than the exception. Many passengers leave the airports dejected on a daily basis because they arrive with their luggage left behind.

The Consumer Protection Unit of the agency (NCAA) he leads receives no less than 50,000 complaints from passengers badly treated by local and international airlines. The complaints relate to lost baggage, poor in-flight service, flight delays and cancellations, amongst others.

So when he was appointed he called for the Passengers’ Bill of Rights. He looked into it and pronto moved to work for its full-scale implementation.   

And though the full enforcement of the Passengers’ Bill of Rights will begin this week, it has started to yield fruits because authorities have been taken proactive steps ahead of time to help Nigerians get justice.  For instance some passengers were denied boarding due O/S on FLT BA082/14 JUL ABV-LHR and denied boarding compensation was issued at GBP250 to each of the 9 passengers. They are: Atsiangba H, Apollo A, Apollo J, Apollo D, Esinkuma F, Disu M, Egole A, Okogwu C, and Odeka C.

Also a passenger by name Salihu Abdul Buba who flew on Ethiopian airline in Feb 2012 was refunded the sum of N126,106 which he paid for oxygen that was not utilized and the airline was not willing to refund till the intervention of the Consumer Protection Department of the NCAA.  He was paid on the 29th of June 2013 according to reports.

So as a result of the inconveniences to passengers occasioned by flight delay, the new NCAA Bill of Rights provides that whenever an airline anticipates a delay of its flight beyond its scheduled time, passengers are entitled to some reliefs. For delay beyond one hour, the airline must provide refreshment, telephone call, SMS or e-mail to the passengers. In case of a delay for two hours and beyond, the carrier must reimburse passengers the full value of their tickets.

In instances where the delay occurs between 10pm and 4am, the airline henceforth must provide hotel accommodation, refreshment, meal, two free calls, sms, e-mail and transport to and from the airport.

International passengers with delayed flights for between two and four hours are entitled to refreshment and two telephone calls, sms or e-mail. Delay of four hours or more makes an airline liable to provide the passengers with a meal, two telephone calls, sms or e-mail. For delays at least six hours after the time of original departure, each passenger is entitled to hotel accommodation and transportation between the airport and place of accommodation.

The measure is aimed at checking rights violations by domestic and foreign carriers and already domestic carriers are jittery over the implementation of the new aviation law that is expected to checkmate gross violation of passengers’ rights that has been on over the years. Now,  for boarding priority, every airline is mandated to establish priority procedures and criteria for determining which passengers holding confirmed ticket shall be denied boarding on the over-booked flight if insufficient numbers of volunteers come forward. 

If denied boarding involuntarily, the operating airline shall immediately compensate the passengers and offer assistance stipulated in the bill.

There is so much in this bill that now makes air travelers the king in Nigeria and that make it important for everyone to become familiar with the Passengers’ Bill of Rights.

Yakubu Dati is the Coordinating General Manager, information and Communications of Aviation Parastatals

FAAN denies charging passengers N2, 000 per bag at MMIA

Aviation Nigeria

The Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, FAAN has denied reports that passengers are being charged N2, 000 per bag on arrival at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

According to a statement by the FAAN General Manager Corporate Communications Yakubu Dati, “The charge does not apply to all passengers but to cargo agents who use passenger planes to transport their cargo- often times 20-30 pieces of luggage unaccompanied or accompanied by proxies.

“This fraudulent practice mounts untold pressure on our conveyor belts and short-changes FAAN of its much needed revenue. Cargo agents are well aware that all cargo must go through the designated cargo terminal where they go through laid down processes for safety and security procedures.

“The fact of the matter is that some passengers arrived with cargo which they should have passed as cargo through the cargo terminal and wanted to pass same as mere luggage and FAAN decided to charge them the cargo fee, which is a normal charge that was done with receipts.

Dati also stated that “We wish to stress that it was not the passengers’ luggage that was charged, but the cargo, as affected passengers arrived with average of eight bags of cargo. The passengers should have passed the cargo through the cargo terminal instead of coming with them”.

“It is also important to explain that the charge has always been in FAAN’s books but when the concessionaire, Pan Express Limited was ceded the power to collect cargo charges it was part of the charges the company was collecting but now FAAN has decided to collect the charges and there is no need mixing it up with luggage.

The Authority apologized to passengers who may have been affected by the procedure and also reiterated a warning to cargo agents “to desist from this unwholesome practice or face the full wrath of the law, as no form of blackmail will deter us from carrying out our mandate of providing services at internationally acceptable standards and practices”.

FAAN Parades Investment Opportunities In Airports

Aviation Nigeria

Following the successful signing of the $500 million loan agreement to finance the construction of four new international airport terminals in Nigeria, the aviation ministry has now turned its attention towards the drive to woo foreign investors to buy into the Aerotropolis project.

Addressing the Nigeria-China Investment Forum in Beijing recently, the managing director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mr George Uriesi, said the ministry was willing to partner with the Chinese investment community for the development of Aerotropolis in the Nigerian cities of Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt and Kano.

Uriesi said the project holds tremendous promise of good return on investment for any investor, and called on the Chinese investors to take advantage of the huge opportunities which the initiative presents to boost the expansion of their business interest in African.

“We want to partner with you as we develop our aerotropoli in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Kano. There is so much that the Chinese companies can do to leverage our drive to position aviation as pivotal to the growth of the Nigerian economy through the airport cities concept, otherwise known as Aerotropolis,” the FAAN MD declared.

Uriesi said Nigeria was poised to take its rightful place in the comity of successful aviation service providing nations of the world through the upgrade of its aviation infrastructure. He added that the ministry wants to establish Nigeria as an aircraft maintenance hub on the African continent and called on Chinese investors to grasp the opportunity and establish maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facilities in the country.

With a population of over 167 million people and a projected passenger growth of 50 million by 2026, Uriesi said Nigeria is a huge, untapped market waiting to be harnessed by investors with an eye for guaranteed return on investment.

He further spoke of the huge potential which the perishable cargo/fresh produce initiative holds for any investor, stressing that to grow this segment of aviation in Nigeria, about 13 perishable cargo terminals were being constructed across the country.

The Investment Forum was attended by large investment community which expressed readiness to expand its business interests in Nigeria. The forum was the climax of the 3-Day State visit of President Jonathan to China which witnessed the signing of over 15 Agreements and MoUs, including the $500 million loan agreement to finance the construction of four airport terminals in Nigeria.

According to Yakubu Dati, the coordinating general manager, Aviation Parastatals, the intervention of the Nigerian government in the aviation sector, by way of infrastructure, safety and security upgrades as well as human capital development, is repositioning the Nigerian aviation sector as a major player in the continent. 

The signing of the $500 million loan agreement with the Chinese government for the construction of airport terminals is a turning point in Nigeria’s quest to play its leadership role in African aviation.

Construction work on the terminals would soon begin and the funds from the Chinese EXIM Bank, will guarantee its completion on schedule.

Source: Leadership

MMA2: Increasing tensions as Bi-courtney assaults FAAN staff

Aviation Nigeria

Increased tension between Bi Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL) and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) was noted last week, when the General Manager, Corporate Communications, Mr. Yakudbu Dati was allegedly stopped from driving off with his car on his arrival at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport domestic terminal (MMA2).

Speaking to newsmen, Yakubu Dati said the Chief Executive Officer of BASL, Mr. Christopher Penninck ordered thugs to stop him, apprehend his vehicle and seize his phone.

“On 17th July, 2013, at 4.45pm, Bi Courtney CEO, Mr. Penninck personally led thugs to block the car conveying me out of the MMA2 official car park. He offered no explanation as he made frantic phone calls. Sensing danger, I took pictures of the scene and sent thugs to forcefully take my phone. It took the intervention of the police officer on duty to rescue me. The police removed the barricade and allowed my car to drive off,” Dati said.

Dati lamented the negative development in the saga adding that Penninck threatened that he would deal with him.

"What surprised me was that other cars with FG registration numbers, same as mine, were neither harassed nor molested but given free access. In fact, our Director of Legal that arrived with me was allowed to leave.” Dati added.

But spokesman of BASL, Steve Omolale-Ajulo said that Dati parked his car at an area prohibited for parking and as the BASL CEO was going round on inspection, he saw the car parked at the wrong area and asked those in charge why the car was parked there and directed them to move the car.

Dati was said to have started taking the photograph of Pinninck who protested against the photograph, saying that he must have to seek his consent before taking him personal photographs, remarking that Pinninck did not even know that the person who parked the car at the wrong place was Dati.

Omolale-Ajulo also asked whether Dati has reported the matter to the police if actually he was molested as alleged, adding that what happened was not a serious matter to attract such reaction.

In the last few weeks FAAN and Bi Courtney officials have recorded similar face-offs over the placement of billboards at the uncompleted hotel project BASL is building opposite MMA2, a structure that is strategically located at the link road to the international terminal of the airport.

Bi Courtney placed the billboards, but FAAN officials removed them, saying that the concessionaire, which build and is operating the MMA2 on Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) did not have the right to place advert billboards on the building which had seized to belong to the organisation; besides, FAAN also argued that it has the control of all the advert placements at the airport and should be consulted before any billboard was placed.

Ilorin Airport Manager decries Airport land encroachment

Aviation Nigeria

Manager of the Ilorin Airport, Mr Usman Saka, Manager has appealed to the Kwara State government to prevail on 'native' land owners to stop encroaching into the airport's land.

Saka said that some portions of land belonging to the airport had been sold to people by the natives on grounds who hold the allotted 2,248 hectares of land was too large for the airport.

"There is encroachment on our land by the Magajis, whom the Federal Government had compensated when their land were acquired.

"The present secretariat of Ilorin West Local Government is built on the airport's land and we have reported the matter to appropriate quarters."

He said that the encroachment could be disastrous in the event of an air crash. He also appealed to land excavators to desist from collecting sand on its land.

Source: NAN

Boeing Dreamliner Catches Fire At Britain’s Heathrow Airport

Aviation Nigeria

A Boeing 787 Dreamliner operated by Ethiopian Airlines caught fire at Britain’s Heathrow airport on Friday in a fresh blow for the U.S. plane-maker which earlier this year was forced to ground the new planes for three months after battery fires.

Boeing shares tumbled by as much as 7 percent, wiping $5.4 billion off its market capitalization after television footage showed the Dreamliner surrounded by foam used by firefighters at Heathrow. At 1745 GMT, shares were down 3.2 percent at $103.50.

Heathrow briefly closed both its runways to deal with the fire which broke out while the aircraft was parked at a remote stand. There were no passengers aboard the plane.

Television footage showed an area on the fuselage in front of the tail that appeared to be scorched.

It was not clear if the fire was related to the batteries, which were the cause of the previous fires on the Dreamliner.

“A Boeing 787 Dreamliner suffered an on board internal fire,” a Heathrow spokeswoman said. “The plane is now parked at a remote parking stand several hundred meters away from any passenger terminals.”

Boeing said it was aware of the fire and that had people on the ground working to understand the causes of it. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration said it was aware of the fire and was in contact with Boeing.

“This is terrible for the Dreamliner, any event involving fire and that airplane is going to be a PR disaster for Boeing,” Christine Negroni, an aviation writer and safety specialist based in New York, said in a telephone interview.

“Because of the battery issue, the public is even more sensitive to events that happen to the Dreamliner. Even if they are normal, benign teething problems, that subtlety is going to be lost on the public,” she said.

Another Boeing Dreamliner operated by Thomson Airways returned to the United Kingdom due to technical issues as a precaution, TUI Travel said.

Ethiopian Airlines said its aircraft had been parked at Heathrow for more than eight hours before smoke was detected

FG signs $500 million Aviation Infrastructure Loan agreement with China

Aviation Nigeria

The federal government of Nigeria has signed a $500 million Loan Agreement with the Chinese government for the construction of four new International airport terminals in Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt and Kano.

The Agreement is one of many other Agreements and MoU’s signed in Beijing as President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan formally commenced a Two-Day State Visit to China.

The commencement of construction work on the terminals had been on hold pending the formal signing of the loan deal which will be financed by the Chinese EXIM Bank.

Reacting to the development, Coordinating Minister for the Economy/Finance Minister, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said the Federal government is very elated that the loan deal for the financing of the construction of the terminals has finally been sealed.

She said airports, being the Gateways to the country are critical not only as drivers of the socio-economic development of Nigeria, but also an outward reflection of the character of any nation.

She added that developing airport and aviation infrastructure was therefore a major priority to the federal government, and commended the leadership of President Jonathan for pulling off such a remarkable milestone with the Chinese authorities. She said the simultaneous construction of four international airports will create employment and other value chains that will help to grow and expand the frontiers of the Nigerian economy.

Also reacting, Aviation Minister, Princess Stella Adaeze Oduah expressed profound joy that the dream of President Jonathan to bequeath befitting international airports for the country will now be realised with the signing of the Agreement today in Beijing, China.

”I am extremely delighted with this development today. Now, real work can start as we had been eagerly waiting for this day. We promised to give the nation international airports befitting the stature and standing of Nigeria as the giant of Africa and today’s ceremony is a significant milestone towards the achievement of this objective”, Oduah declared.

Aerotropolis: Aviation Ministry woos Chinese Investor

Aviation Nigeria

Following the successful signing of the $500 million Loan Agreement to finance the construction of four new International Airport terminals in Nigeria, the Aviation Ministry has now turned its attention towards the drive to woo foreign investors to buy into the Aerotropolis project.

Addressing the Nigeria-China Investment Forum in Beijing, Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mr George Uriese expressed the desire of the Ministry to partner with the Chinese Investment Community for the development of Aerotropoli in the Nigerian Cities of Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt and Kano.

Uriesi said the Aerotropoli hold tremendous promise of good return on investment for any investor, and called on the Chinese investors to take advantage of the huge opportunities which the initiative presents to boost the expansion of their business interest on the African continent.

“We want to partner with you as we develop our Aerotropoli in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Kano. There is so much more that Chinese companies can do to leverage our drive to position aviation as pivotal to the growth of the Nigerian economy through the airport cities concept, otherwise known as Aerotropolis”, the FAAN MD declared.

The MD said Nigeria is prised to take its rightful place in the comity of successful aviation service providing nations of the world through the upgrade of its aviation infrastructure. He added that the Ministry wants to establish Nigeria as an aircraft maintenance hub on the African continent and called on Chinese investors to take grasp the opportunity and establish Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facilities in the country.

With a population of over 167 million people and a projected passenger growth of 50 million by 2026, Uriesi said Nigeria is a huge, untapped market waiting to be harnessed by investors with an eye for guaranteed return on investment.

He further spoke of the huge potential which the perishable cargo/fresh produce initiative holds for any investor, stressing that to grow this segment of aviation in Nigeria, about 13 perishable cargo terminals are being constructed across the country.

The Investment Forum, which was attended by President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR was attended by a very large investment community which expressed readiness to expand its business interests in Nigeria.

The Forum climaxed a Three-Day State Visit of President Jonathan to China, which witnessed the signing of over 15 Agreements and MoU’s, including the $500 million Loan Agreement to finance of the construction of four airport terminals.

U.S. airline pilots to need more flight time

Aviation Nigeria

The United States will increase the flight experience required of pilots on U.S. airlines, a long-awaited move not related to the crash last weekend of an Asiana Airlines plane in San Francisco.

The new rules, which will take effect later this week or next week once they are published in the Federal Register, stem in part from a plane crash near Buffalo in 2009 that killed 50 people, the Federal Aviation Administration said on Wednesday.

First officers, or co-pilots, will now need Airline Transport Pilot certificates to take control of U.S. commercial jetliners or cargo planes. The certificates are earned with 1,500 hours of total flight time. Previously, a co-pilot needed only a commercial certificate, requiring 250 hours.

Captains would still need at least 1,500 hours of flight time but now 1,000 hours would have to be logged as a co-pilot on a commercial carrier. Previously, those hours could be earned in flight school or military training.

Bob Coffman, an American Airlines captain who is also chairman of its pilots union's government affairs committee, said the additional requirement of the ATP certificate would ensure that co-pilots have a variety of flying experiences.

"In this day ... where we are more and more dependent on having two competent pilots at the controls, it does not make much sense for one of the pilots to be significantly less qualified than the other pilot," Coffman said.

The new regulations stem in part from a crash in February 2009 in which a Bombardier DHC-8-400 plunged into a snow-covered neighborhood as it neared Buffalo, New York, killing 49 people on board and one person on the ground. The crash of the Colgan Air flight, operating as Continental Connection flight 3407, raised questions about pilot training.

In that accident, investigators said, the pilot failed to respond appropriately to a "stick-shaker" warning of a potential stall from low air speed - similar conditions to those under investigation in the Saturday crash of Asiana Airlines Flight 214 in San Francisco, which killed two people and injured more than 180.

The new FAA rules would not apply to the pilots of the Asiana flight, however, since they are not pilots for a U.S. airline.

FAA spokesman Les Dorr said there was no link between the pilot qualification rules and Saturday's Asiana plane crash in San Francisco.

"This ruling has been in the works for a couple of years now," Dorr said.

The FAA has drawn criticism from the National Transportation Safety Board for taking years to develop the rules.

"The NTSB notes that human factors concerns associated with low airspeed do not require more than 6 years of study for a solution to be implemented," the NTSB said in a 2010 report on the Colgan accident.

Rep. Rick Larsen, the ranking member on the House aviation subcommittee, said the long period in adopting the rules was a concern. "It's fair to be somewhat critical of the FAA for taking a long time to get these rules up running," he said.