Sokoto to conduct raffle for Hajj seats

Aviation Nigeria

The Sokoto State Pilgrims’ Welfare Agency has disclosed plans to conduct raffle for Hajj seats. This, according to it, is to ensure fairness in view of the 20 per cent reduction in the number of intending pilgrims from the state.

Chairman of the agency, Alhaji Mukhtari Bello Maigona, said already the agency has held a meeting with all hajj registration officers of local government areas on the issue.

According to him, other measures taken to take care of the reduction in the number of pilgrims, include the exclusion of all those who fail to pay their fares and old timers.

Maigona, who said that only male intending pilgrims would be involved in the raffle draw, adding that reports from all the local government areas indicate that the number of first timers out-number the seats allocated to their respective areas.

He said the raffle draw would commence next Saturday in Kebbe Wurno, Sabon Birni, Tambuwal Gudu and Silame Local Government Areas. According to him, women who are first timers were given automatic consideration.

About 1,300 intending pilgrims from Sokoto were affected by the recent cut in the number of pilgrims to perform this year’s hajj exercise

CCECC to constuct four International airports in Nigeria

Aviation Nigeria

Chinese construction giant, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation, (CCECC) has pledged to deliver the four new International Airport terminals it will be constructing in Nigeria in record time of 20 months.

President of CCECC, Yuan Li who disclosed this when a High-Powered Delegation of Nigerian Government officials paid him a Courtesy/Facility Inspection Visit at the Corporate headquarters of the company in Beijing, said the quality of the work to be done at the airports will be of the highest international standard comparable to similar projects executed by the company in other parts of the world.

Yuan Li said the airport terminals’ construction remains a special project to the company, stressing that the company’s imprimatur of unrivaled excellence would be brought to bear in the building of the terminals in Nigeria.

Responding, Aviation Minister, Princess Stella Adaeze Oduah said she is eagerly looking forward to the signing of the agreement today and the completion of the projects in the next 18-20 months, adding that the desire to have the best for Nigerian airports informed the decision to work with a reputable, world class construction firm like CCECC.

The Minister said she has no iota of doubt in her mind on either the quality of job to be delivered by CCECC or the completion timelines since due diligence was conducted before the Federal government finally settled for CCECC.

When completed, the Minister said the Nigerian International airports would take their rightful place in the world aviation map, and boost Nigeria’s position as the natural hub for commercial aviation business on the African continent. The $500 million loan deal is for the construction of four, brand new International terminals in Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt and Kano.

Also speaking, Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe expressed satisfaction that CCECC has been a very active firm in Nigeria, saying he would want to have the company in the East-West and the Oron-Calabar road projects.

He said with the President’s State Visit to China, a new chapter is being opened in the bilateral and economic relationship between the two countries, and expressed the hope that the four international airport projects would be completed in good time.

Speaking further, Yuan Li said CCECC is the biggest Chinese company doing business in Nigeria, with a local staff strength of about 20, 000 and an expatriate quota of 1000 Chinese citizens. He expressed gratitude to President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and the government of Nigeria for the support given to the company, adding that CCECC wants to establish a special friendship between Nigeria and China.

Responding to concerns raised by another member of the Nigerian delegation and Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar that CCECC needs to make a paradigm shift from being A Contractor to an Investor firm in Nigeria, Li said the company has already made that strategic decision and has started investing in Real Estate development. He added that the company intends to expand its investments in Nigeria to include manufacturing (cement), seaports, railways, Highways development, Steel, among st others.

Already, he said the company has finalized plans to incorporate a new firm-CCECC Industries Nigeria Ltd to to prosecute its investment agenda in Nigeria and help develop the industrial sub-sector of the economy, adding that going forward, the company intends to increase the number of indigenous Nigerian employees while reducing the expatriate quota to the barest minimum.

To accomplish this, he said the company has mapped out a scheme to grant scholarships to, and train Nigerian students in technical areas in Chinese Universities to make up for the manpower needs in critical areas like Railway Engineering and Management, amongst others.

He said CCECC also intends to set up a Joint Venture (JV) with the Nigerian government for the operation and maintenance of the railways, and would soon commence construction work for CCECC Plazas in Abuja and Lagos.

In his remarks, Works Minister, Mike Onolemehme said Nigeria and Nigerians were worried that CCECC was not investing in the country, adding that the assurances by Li that the company would begin to invest massively in Nigeria is heart-warming.

He said his Ministry is executing road projects worth over $2billion, with CCECC as a major contractor, and expressed the desire to see the company venture into real investments rather than pure contract execution.

Also speaking, Chairman, Senate Committee on Aviation, Senator Hope Uzodinma said President Jonathan is committed to moving Nigeria to the next level, adding that the National Assembly will give him all necessary support.

Also on the Courtesy Visit was the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Aviation Sector Reforms, Ms Anne Ene-Ita, Vice Chairman, House Committee on Aviation, Hon. Ahmed Rufai Chanchangi, Representative of the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Aviation, Mr Clement Dosunmo, DG NIMET, Dr Anthony Anuforom and MD, NAMA, Mazi Nnamdi Udoh, among others.

Aviation Transformation: Looking towards a Chinese Concession

Aviation Nigeria

by Tahir Sherriff

Transportation as a means to an end has remained a primary action of man since time immemorial. Today, in all modern societies it has become a hub of investors and institutions developed to provide an array of services related to land, sea and air transport.

Since service providers have come to depend on investors who aid in setting up necessary infrastructure, two elements, Capital and Profits take primary positions in these discussions and every government that seeks to provide social amenities have to deal with these challenges.

The Nigerian Aviation industry which has continued to cross the boundaries of local possibilities has sought to tackle one challenge in its plan to build first class international terminals in different states of the country. The challenge of funding.

Building airport terminals to meet international standards go beyond raising structures that inspire awe from local and foreign travelers, it also (as airports are gateways to countries) defines for foriegn investors a first aid analysis to economic standards of quality.

To fund the building of structures is only partial, to fund the entities that will exist in these structures is another financial maze in itself.

Among the 'To Do' list of the team which will accompany President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan as he resumes a session in China is among other things, working out the financial ramifications of a concession agreement that will involve the President, the Ministry of Aviation and the China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC) in what is expected to be a concessionaire agreement for the building of airport terminals in different parts of the country.

The key word for CCECC who have began to play an active part in the development of various sectors of the Nigerian economy will be 'Profit', but theirs will not be short term. A concession agreement often accompanies with it (in complex societies such as Nigeria) various financial and political upheavals. 

Diplomats and Ambassadors will be discussing with President Goodluck Jonathan along social, political and financial lines in his 5-day visit to the commercial world center. If a cost-effective concession agreement is reached and the terminals are put in place, it is expected that it will usher not only Foreign Direct Investments, but also internal development in the area of job creation and quality services.

With the growing focus of foreign investments in Africa, matched with a double digit airline passenger growth statistics, such development not only helps to take advantage of the opportunities as they come, it also aids in building from scratch a workable business and legal framework that will suitably meet developing challenges.

The Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Adaeze Oduah highlighted the administrations objectives while clinically stating its advantages during a Mid Term report in June after what was termed 'a wholistic review of the aviation sector' said its actions are poised to prepare the sector to become an economic tool for transforming the economy.

One thing is certain, this new trend to tackle the challenges of funding for national projects, is a different approach from older and more radical versions of wealth creation such as double digit interest loans from Paris Club and sister entities.

Kabo Air acquires new B747-400 series aircraft

Aviation Nigeria

Reports say Kabo Air Limited has acquired a B747-400 series aircraft.

The indigenous airline made this assertion through its Public Relations Manager, Alhaji Aminu Hamza.

Hamza stated that the decision to acquire the aircraft was aimed at boosting the company’s International Airline Transportation system, adding that the B747-400 is a technologically advanced aircraft.

"With the new aircraft, transportation of pilgrims to the Holy Land will be faster because it is an advancement of what is obtained in other B747 aircraft" he said.

He said that the acquisition of the new aircraft would enable Kabo Air compete favourably with other International Airlines in the world.

According to him, the acquisition of the new aircraft has brought the number of B747 in the fleet of Kabo Air to four.

The spokesman reiterated the determination of the airline to upgrade its fleet with technologically advanced aircraft.

Hamza assured intending pilgrims and other passengers who patronise the airline of adequate security and maximum comfort while on board the aircraft.

He said the new aircraft was fitted with ‘Grand Positioning System’ (GPS) which enables it to be tracked anywhere in the world.

Hamza promised that Kabo Air would not relent in its effort to maintain its position as a safe, comfortable and reliable airline.

Source: NAN 

Abuja High Court summons Borishade, two others

Aviation Nigeria

An Abuja High Court on Monday ordered Babalola Borishade, a former minister of Aviation to appear before it unfailingly on July 9.

Justice Abubakar Umar gave the order, after Borishade, Tunde Dairo and Rowland Iyayi, a former managing director of the Nigeria Airspace Management Agency failed to attend their trial.

When the matter was called at the resumed hearing, EFCC Counsel, Mr Daniel Penda, told the court that the counsel to the accused persons, Mr Kehinde Ogunwumiju, had served him with a letter seeking for an adjournment.

He said the adjournment was sought to allow Borishade attend the birthday ceremony of Chief Afe Babalola (SAN).

Penda told the court that only the fourth accused, George Eider, the Managing Director, Avsatel Communications Ltd, who is standing trial alongside Borisade, was in court.

Umar, who frowned at the absence of the accused and their counsel, said that they were disrespectful to the court.

"The counsel should have come to court to explain the absence of the accused persons. But he chose not to. This is highly disrespectful. I am ordering that the three accused persons and their counsel appear in court unfailingly on Tuesday July 9'' Umar ordered.

Reports indicate Borisade is standing trial alongside Iyayi, Dairo and Eider, an Australian over the alleged mismanagement of the N5.2 billion Aviation Safe Tower contract.

They were arraigned by the EFCC on a 15-count charge of bribe-taking and forging aviation contract documents on Nov. 19, 2009.

Source: NAN

Boeing 777 crash: Asiana Airlines pilots tried to abort landing

Aviation Nigeria

The Asiana Airlines Boeing 777 that crashed at San Francisco's airport on Saturday was travelling "significantly below" its intended speed and its crew tried to abort the landing just seconds before it hit the seawall in front of the runway, the US National Transportation Safety Board said on Sunday.

Information collected from the plane's cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder indicated that there were no signs of trouble until seven seconds before impact, when the crew tried to accelerate, NTSB Chairwoman Deborah Hersman said at a news conference at the airport.

A stall warning sounded four seconds before impact, and the crew tried to abort the landing and initiate what's known as a "go around" manoeuvre just 1.5 seconds before crashing, Hersman said.

"Air speed was significantly below the target airspeed," she said.

Later on Sunday, the local fire department said that an emergency vehicle rushing to the scene of the crash may have run over one of the two teenage Chinese girls killed in the incident.

San Francisco's medical examiner is now conducting an autopsy to determine the cause of the girl's death, fire department spokeswoman Mindy Talmadge said.

"One of the deceased did have injuries consistent with those of having been run over by a vehicle," Talmadge said.

More than 180 people were injured in the crash, at least two dozen of them seriously.

Hersman said it was too early to speculate on the cause of the crash. The data recorders corroborated witness accounts and an amateur video, indicated the plane came in too low, lifted its nose in an attempt to gain altitude, and then bounced along the tarmac after the rear of the aircraft hit a seawall at the approach to the runway.

Asked whether the information reviewed by the NTSB showed pilot error in the crash, Hersman did not answer directly.

"What I will tell you is that the NTSB conducts very thorough investigations. We will not reach a determination of probable cause in the first few days that we're on an accident scene," she told reporters.

Six people remained in critical condition at San Francisco General hospital on Sunday, including one girl, a hospital spokeswoman said, and 13 others were in less serious condition. Stanford hospital said late on Saturday that three people were in critical condition and 10 in serious condition there. At least five people were still being treated at other area hospitals on Sunday morning.

Some of the injured at San Francisco general suffered spinal fractures, including paralysis, and others sustained head trauma and abdominal injuries, according to Margaret Knudson, chief of surgery at the hospital.

The plane was coming in from Seoul when witnesses said its tail appeared to hit the approach area of a runway that juts into San Francisco Bay. The impact knocked off the plane's tail and the aircraft appeared to bounce violently, scattering a trail of debris and spinning before coming to rest on the tarmac.

The crash was the first fatal accident involving the Boeing 777, a popular long-range jet that has been in service since 1995. It was the first fatal commercial airline accident in the United States since a regional plane operated by Colgan Air crashed in New York in 2009.

"For now, we acknowledge that there were no problems caused by the 777-200 plane or [its] engines," Yoon Young-doo, the president and CEO of the airline, told reporters on Sunday at the company headquarters on the outskirts of Seoul.

Asiana on Sunday said the flight, which originated in Shanghai, had carried 291 passengers and 16 crew members. The passengers included 141 Chinese, 77 South Koreans, 64 US citizens, three Indians, three Canadians, one French, one Vietnamese and one Japanese citizen.

Source: BBC

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in emergency landing

Aviation Nigeria

A plane carrying the Somali president has been forced to make an emergency landing in Mogadishu after one of its engines reportedly caught fire.

A spokesman for President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said it was not clear why the engine stopped working.

Although the plane's tyres were completely damaged in the incident, Sheikh Mohamud remained un-hurt as fire fighters rushed to put out the flames.

Reports indicate the president was flying to the South Sudan capital, Juba, when it was forced to turn round.

Mr Mohamud was chosen as president last year in a UN-backed move to end decades of conflict.

African Union and Somali forces backing Mr Mohamud have driven al-Shabab from the country's main cities in the past year but the al-Qaeda-linked group still stages occasional attacks.

The new government is the first one in more than two decades to be recognized by the US and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Source: BBC

AISAN lauds FG over AIS automation

Aviation Nigeria

The current drive by the Federal Government to make the Nigerian airspace rank among the safest in the world, is fast becoming a reality as the automation project of aeronautical information services at the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has reached 97 percent  completion.

The Aeronautical Information Services  Association of Nigeria (AISAN), commenting on this development, lauded the Federal Government and the management of NAMA for expediting action on the  AIS  automation which has informed the installation of  two antennae each  at 11 airport stations across the country.

According to the AISAN president Comrade Babatunde Shittu, AIS automation would further boost air safety in Nigeria and enhance search and rescue operation as National Emergency Management Agency(NEMA) is incorporated into the project.

The airports to benefit from the project include: Lagos, Kano, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Ilorin, Jos, Sokoto, Maiduguri, Owerri, and Yola. Others are Zaria, Calabar Osubi, Minna, Kaduna, Enugu, Katsina, Ibadan, Benin, Akure, Bebi, Bonny, Eket and Escravos.

Comrade Shittu  who led a delegation of AISAN executive on a courtesy visit to NAMA management thanked the Managing Director, Engr. Mazi Nnamdi Udoh for his relentless effort to actualize the dream of AIS automation.

 He appreciated the MD for the migration to e-flight plan since November, 2012 in compliance with ICAO directive and the recent deployment of more staff to the department.

Shittu also urged Engr. Udoh to ensure that Nigeria transits from Aeronautical Information Service (AIS) to Aeronautical Information Management (AIM) on or before the 15th November 2013 according to amendment 37, annex 17 of ICAO convention.

The NAMA boss , appreciated the effort of the association, assuring them that the project, with the support of the Federal Government through the Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah would  be completed as scheduled, so that the traveling public would  continue to enjoy seamless air navigation.

He also solicited the co-operation of staff to ensure that the vision of the Federal Government in transforming the aviation sector into a world class entity is achieved.

AIC Police aide threatens to gun down FAAN staff at Lagos airport

Aviation Nigeria

A police officer attached to and AIC Limited, owned by Harry Akande on Tuesday threatened to ‘gun down’ an official of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) premises Lagos.

AIC on Tuesday stormed the airport premises to reclaim the land which was taken away from the company but was resisted by FAAN security officials.

The duel has continued over a piece of land leased to the company by FAAN over 10 years ago for the development of a hotel facility at the international wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.

A fortnight ago, FAAN won a court ruling over the land as the Federal High Court in Lagos set aside the decision of arbitration that awarded the company $48 million to be paid by FAAN, as compensation for ejection of AIC from the land.

While FAAN insisted that the land in question belongs to it by virtue of the Federal High Court judgment, AIC also said the court never ordered the agency to take over the parcel of land immediately.

Reacting to the incidence, the General Manager, Corporate Communications, FAAN, Yakubu Dati stated that:

“Our members of staff were trying to sanitize and clear the area when they were attacked by thugs. We want to ensure that security is ensured at the terminal. The terminal is a secured area and when people want to invade the land illegally, the security officials have the right to prevent that."

He insisted that the land had returned to the agency and FAAN would do everything possible to protect its property.

“The law should be allowed to take its course and we waited for the judicial announcement and the next thing is for us to clear the place until there is a contrary order. That is the law. An appeal is not a judgment and I think we should be more civilised in our conducts,” he said.

Dana: FG issues 6 months ultimatum for payment of Dana claims

Aviation Nigeria

The Federal Government has issued Dana Airline a six months’ ultimatum to pay the claims of the families of the victims of the June 3, 2012 plane crash or face sanctions.

The Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah, gave the ultimatum at the 2013 Ministerial Platform in Abuja.

She said the airline had paid up to 60 per cent of the claims to the victims' families but experienced a delay due to double claims that needed to be clarified.

"Dana has actually done very well in terms of compensating accident victims. The challenge Dana has is that of multiple claims, the multiple claims made it difficult to ascertain who should collect."

"And until they are able to do that, they will not pay multiple claims and we will continue verifying and re-verifying to ascertain who should be the next of kin to claim the money but I know Dana has done up to 60 per cent."

"However, Dana is giving to December, if they fail to pay completely, we would have to sanction them, they are aware of that so I am sure they are accelerating the process."

She said the sector had put up some strategies to ensure that air accidents became things of the past in Nigeria.

Oduah said the government was rendering additional assistance to families of victims of aircraft accident, 

adding that the approval of the Victim Family Insurance Package (VFAP) had been secured from the Nigerian Insurance Commission (NAICOM).

She said discussions were in progress between NCAA and Zenith Bank on the implementation of the VFAP, while family assistance centre would be established to take care of emergencies.

Source: NAN

Governor Akpabio embargoes employment at Akwa Ibom Airport

Aviation Nigeria

Gov. Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom on Monday in Uyo placed embargo on employment by the Ibom International Airport Development Company Limited (IADCL).

Akpabio announced the embargo during a town hall meeting with members of staff of the IADCL in Uyo on Monday.

He said the aim of establishing the airport had not been achieved since most of the facilities were still under construction.

The meeting was called to address the welfare of the airport workers/the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) and Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN).

According to him, the airport is meant to render repair and maintenance operations within the region.

"Due to the stress being experienced by the teeming population of Akwa Ibom by going to Calabar to board planes; we have to commence passengers airlifting from the Uyo airport.

"We are yet to decide other services that will be operational as we are currently on expansion to accommodate international services.

"We are constructing a fuel dump and other facilities that are inherent in a world class airport.

"Most of the staff members are redundant because we are still constructing the facilities they are supposed to work with; so we cannot continue to employ until we are through.

"In the interim, we have to rationalise some of the staff to other agencies within the state civil service until we achieve the full aim of the airport."

He approved N120million for the payment of salary arrears owed the airport staff and recalled one who was wrongfully dismissed.

Akpabio also said the staff would be incorporated into the state civil service.

He explained this was a step toward addressing the poor welfare and enhance their opportunities in case the airport was taking over by the Federal Government.

The governor promised to set up a committee to look into the issues of rationalisation of the staff, promotion and increment of salaries in accordance with the state civil service rules.

Chairman of ATSSSAN, Brendan Edidiong, appealed for the upward review of IADCL staff salaries to become 10 per cent higher than that of Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).

Edidiong also appealed for the release of promotion letters to the overdue staff of IADCL with financial benefits effective from the day they were due for promotion.

Chairman of Ibom Airport Implementation Committee, retired Air Commodore Idongesit Nkanga, urged the workers to abide by the rules of safety and security as prescribed by the aviation authorities.

Source: NAN

Airline operators appeal to FG for low cost loans

Aviation Nigeria

Airline operators have began an appeal to the Federal Government for low cost loans which they say will help keep them afloat.

Speaking on the needs of airline operators, the Chief Executive Officer of Overland Airways, Captain Edward Boyo stated that the problems of domestic airline operators include low capacity of funding institutions, which hampers aircraft acquisition and high lending rates to airlines which have created a major challenge for many operators and increasing lease rates.

“The problem that operators have is high financing of aircraft. This is a problem in Nigeria and Africa, generally. We have lower financing costs in Europe and more advanced countries." Boyo said.

He added that the last intervention fund had a good intention from the government, but many airlines did not get the cash.

"The banks that were generous in funding the airlines got into trouble. Even despite the intervention, to show you how deep airlines were in the negative, the intervention fund was not sufficient." He added

Others, according to Boyo, are prohibitive maintenance costs, high import duties and taxes on aircraft parts, which add to operators’s piralling cost.

Delta Air Lines acquires 49% stake in Virgin Atlantic

Aviation Nigeria

United States carrier, Delta Airlines, has acquired a 49 per cent stake in the United Kingdom’s Virgin Atlantic Airlines founded by British airline mogul, Sir Richard Branson.

An unconditional merger clearance was granted by the European Commission and the US Department of Justice closed their review of the transaction, giving Delta complete acquisition of a 49 per cent stake in Virgin Atlantic.

According to a statement from the airlines’ offices in Nigeria, the developments mark the next step towards a full joint venture between the two carriers.

In the statement, Virgin Atlantic’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Craig Kreeger, stated that:

“Today is an important day for Virgin Atlantic and our customers in both the US and UK as new shareholders in the airline, Delta is an important ally in the all-important trans-Atlantic market. We can stand firm together against the competition and can now offer more destinations, a smoother connecting airport experience and ultimately the best trans-Atlantic on board experience."

The statement also added that Delta and Virgin Atlantic have also commenced a code-share agreement across 108 routes, offering passengers seamless connections to 66 destinations across North America and the UK.

The two airlines announced their intention to enter into a joint venture agreement in December 2012.

Nigeria has become a reference point for safety and security in Africa – Aviation Minister

Aviation Nigeria

Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Adaeze Oduah has stated that Nigeria has become a reference point for safety and security in Africa.

The Minister made this assertion while presenting her scorecard at the 2013 Ministerial Platform in Radio House Abuja.

Oduah maintained that the current aviation facilities and standard of operation is not set to see safety and security as a destination, but as continuous process.

“Safety & Security is not a destination. We don’t stop, it is a continuous process” Oduah said.

The Minister also stated that agencies responsible for providing meteorological services were not common in Africa, and that the Nigerian Meteorological Agaency (NIMET) is still the first of its kind in Africa.

“Airlines in Nigeria now use scientifically informed weather forecasts for flying and we have re-enforced our search and rescue centers to curtail unexpected airline incidences” Oduah stated.

Oduah said the administration was looking forward to leaving Nigerians with World Class Terminals for local & international air transit, well secured and safe airports in the country, Very strong private sector driven National & Domestic Carriers, and a Self sustaining Aviation Sector that will contribute over 6% to Nigeria’s GDP growth.

The minister also commended the efforts of President Goodluck Jonathan for his support to the sector, adding that the aviation sector is currently 150% safer.

Oduah also said that the aviation sector was working towards building a vibrant domestic and national carrier for the nation.

Minister of Information, Labaran Maku also stated that the aviation sector transformation under aviation minister Princess Stella Oduah is one which totally transformed the once docile sector.

“When men were Ministers in Aviation, our airports were like poultry sheds.” Labaran said.

Maku commended the efforts of President Goodluck Jonathan in the transformation agenda of the aviation ministry, adding that the Aviation Minister was the greatest testimony of what women can do in Nigeria, if given the position.

Kenyan Aircraft remains Grounded in Lagos

Aviation Nigeria

A Kenyan aircraft grounded in Nigeria on 3 June, 2013, for non-adherence to security procedures remains grounded, Nigerian aviation authorities said on Thursday, stretching diplomatic relations between both countries following a recent deportation of Nigerians from the East African country.

The Kenyan plane, a DC-9, had landed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, southwest Nigeria, with three Nigerian deportees and 15 crew members when it was grounded for security reasons.

The aircraft with registration number, 5Y-SAX is owned by Cavoc Airline.

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, said the aircraft has been detained since 3rd of June under the directive of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The coordinating general manager, corporate communications, aviation parastatals, Yakubu Dati who confirmed the grounding of the aircraft, said the plane is still undergoing security screening 17 days after it was grounded and would be ‘released’ when completed.

The deported Nigerians, Dati said, are still in detention at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs under the watchful eyes of security agencies.

“On the 3rd of June at about 18:36 hours, a Kenya aircraft with registration number 5Y-SAX, owned by Cavoc Airlines arrived Nigeria with a total of 18 persons. Among them, 15 were crew members while three were passengers. The three Nigerians were said to be deportees from Kenya, but the security agencies in Lagos discovered that certain procedures were not complied with and subsequently grounded the aircraft.

“That is why the aircraft has been grounded and it is going through security routine at the moment. As soon as the grey areas are clarified the aircraft will be released according to the laws of the land. The type of aircraft is DC-9 and the deported are still under detention,” Dati said.

The announcement of the grounding of the Kenyan plane comes only five days after a Ukrainian plane was also grounded in Kano northern Nigeria, for allegedly carrying a suspicious cargo.