News Wings

Category: Aviation

  • Feature: Emirates shares 5 ways for families to travel smarter this mid-term

    Feature: Emirates shares 5 ways for families to travel smarter this mid-term

    As schools break for mid-term holidays and a peak travel period kicks off from the 14 October onwards, Emirates announces a myriad of ways to ensure a smooth and swift travel experience for families, including new updates to the Emirates app and digital check-in options. All passengers are advised to arrive at the airport up to 3 hours before their flight and take advantage of Emirates’ multiple smart technologies to ensure seamless travel during the busy period.

    1.  Plan everything on the Emirates App

    Passengers are encouraged to download the Emirates app on their mobile phones to get all the flight details at their fingertips. Users can now track their baggage, as well as book and change flights, download a digital boarding pass for most destinations, check what meals will be served onboard, book their chauffeur drive service and even pre-select and plan movies to watch via the ice inflight entertainment- so that no time is wasted in getting the kids comfortable and happy onboard.

    2.  Check in online, or remotely in Ajman

    All passengers can check-in online 48 hours ahead of their flight using the online check-in option on www.emirates.com. In a few clicks, they can select a seat and preferred meal, and take advantage of any last-minute upgrade options. At the airport, it’s easy to drop bags at the dedicated baggage drop desks and download a digital boarding pass.

    Those starting their journeys from Ajman can also take advantage of a 24‑hour City Check‑in at Ajman Central Bus Terminal. Passengers can check in up to 4 hours before the flight departs, present health documents, check-in baggage and collect boarding passes, buy a bus ticket for AED 20 and head directly to Emirates Terminal 3, with regular bus departures throughout the day from 4am to 11.30pm. Upon arrival at the airport, travellers can simply continue through to their flight.

    3.  Sort your luggage out in advance or check in from home

    An excellent and complimentary option – especially for families travelling with children – is to drop luggage the night before travel. Passengers who are departing from Dubai can check-in early and drop off their bags to the airport 24 hours before departure, or 12 hours before departure if flying to the US or Tel Aviv, and then arrive to the airport and proceed directly to immigration.

    Making travel swift and smooth, Emirates also offers a home check-in service in Dubai and Sharjah, fulfilled by DUBZ. DUBZ agents complete the check-in process in the customer’s home, hotel or office, and take the bags to the flight while customers are free to breeze through the airport later. Book and pay for the service at least 24 hours before the flight and passengers can proceed to the Airport check-in up to six hours before the flight departs. When a person books First Class, the home check-in service is complimentary.

    4.  Self Check-in kiosks at the airport

    A quick and easy option once at the airport are the self check-in kiosks. Travellers can follow the steps on the touchscreen kiosk and complete the check-in process or operate the kiosk without touch using a mobile phone. It’s possible to view the travel itinerary, choose a preferred seat and add Emirates Skywards numbers, and if you’ve already checked in online, there is also an option to use the baggage drop area to check-in bags.

    5.  Get smart with Biometrics

    For First and Business Class customers departing Dubai, the Smart Tunnel at Dubai International Airport is a world-first for passport control, whereby passengers simply walk through a tunnel and are cleared by immigration authorities without human intervention or the need for a physical passport stamp. All it takes to register is a quick photo at check-in to capture facial data. Travellers can check-in, clear immigration, access the airport lounge in Concourse B, and board flights at selected gates purely by facial recognition or using their boarding pass.

    Passengers can also register to use the Smart Gates at Emirates Terminal 3 and speed through Immigration every time they return to Dubai. If a UAE citizen or resident, passengers can use their passport, boarding pass or a valid UAE ID. Smart Gates can also be used by GCC national’s or a visa on arrival visitor with a biometric passport.

  • NAMA moves to Implement Multilateration: Sensitizes Operators

    NAMA moves to Implement Multilateration: Sensitizes Operators

    Preparatory to the implementation of the Wide Area Multilateration (WAM) Surveillance Air Traffic Management System in the Gulf of Guinea, the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has held a two-day sensitization workshop with stakeholders in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

    The workshop which attracted participants such as airline operators, oil prospecting companies, the Nigerian Air Force, Nigerian Navy, NAMA engineers and air traffic controllers as well as other aviation agencies was aimed at sensitizing key stakeholders and regulatory authorities on the imperative of the project as well as the economic, security, operational and safety benefits accruable from its deployment and also extracting their buy-in and cooperation. The workshop also aimed at brainstorming and interacting with the provider of the service, users of the service and key stakeholders in order to come up with an appropriate architecture for the airspace and also evolve a system that would be efficient, safe and economical to all parties.   

    In his remarks at the forum, Acting Managing Director of NAMA, Matthew Lawrence Pwajok said the Multilateration project dates back to 2013 when a contract was awarded for the assessment of the traffic volume, complexity and architecture of the airspace in the Niger Delta, in view of the critical role of oil exploration in Nigeria and the crucial role of helicopter operations in support of oil exploration activities. He said the volume of helicopter operations in the Niger Delta had increased significantly within a very limited airspace bloc, given that helicopter operations are within very low altitude.

    According to Pwajok, the increased volume of flight operations, as well as airspace complexity, necessitated the quest for the provision of a dedicated communication, navigation and surveillance system for the safe, effective and efficient air traffic management of low-level helicopter operations in the Niger

    Delta Area of Nigeria in support of oil exploration activities. “The density of their operations, the rising number of heliports, helipads, helidecks and landing platforms around the area became very critical. Helicopters were crisscrossing each other and the mode of control within the area had been procedural and by visual flight rules (VFR). The recommendation of the assessment team was that the traffic volume was beyond flight by visual flight rules and also beyond procedural control. What we currently have can no longer sustain increased flight operations or guarantee efficiency, safety and security of flight operations within the Niger Delta area, therefore the provision of an automated system of surveillance, monitoring and control of flight operations through Multilateration became imperative,” he said.

    He expressed gratitude to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) for providing the agency the location for the Multilateration centre in Port Harcourt to control and coordinate the surveillance of the entire area, stressing that the reconstruction of the Port Harcourt MLAT centre had been completed, power and cooling systems already installed while the installation of transmitters and receivers is ongoing in 29 sites to cover the entire Niger Delta area.

    Pwajok disclosed that ahead of its commissioning by the end of the year or early next year, critical milestones in the project such as factory acceptance test and factory training for air traffic engineers and air traffic controllers had already been done in Czechoslovakia, adding that the equipment had been shipped to the country while installations are ongoing.

    He also noted that another key addition to the Multilateration system is the Unmanned Aircraft System Traffic Management (UTM) system to be used to provide surveillance for the monitoring and control of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) or drones. He said the inclusion of the UTM system in the project became imperative because of the equally significant number of unmanned aircraft (drones) operating in the same airspace bloc with manned aircraft and used by oil companies for pipeline monitoring, surveillance, security monitoring and inspection of helipads and other landing platforms.

    The NAMA boss listed the benefits of Multilateration including enhanced safety, efficiency and security of flight operations within the continental and oceanic airspace, just as he said it would enhance search and rescue in the oceanic airspace. He also said Multilateration would aid in monitoring the operation of ships as well as the search and rescue of ships in distress within the maritime area.

    Multilateration is a system that makes use of multiple remote sensors that pick signals from aircraft transponders and use them to determine the position of an aircraft by calculating the Time Difference of Arrival (TDOA) of the signals to the sensors. The system provides higher accuracy, greater update rates, better coverage and improved reliability at a much lower cost. MLAT uses small unmanned ground stations placed strategically around an airport or terminal or remote locations to provide constant and automatic air traffic surveillance. Like Secondary Surveillance Radar (SSR), Multilateration is classified as a cooperative dependent surveillance system: the aircraft has to cooperate by switching on its onboard transponder.

  • SIFAX Off Dock Boss Becomes CILT Fellow

    SIFAX Off Dock Boss Becomes CILT Fellow

    Captain Ibraheem Olugbade, Executive Director, SIFAX Off Dock Nigeria Limited, has been conferred with the fellowship of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport Nigeria.

    At the event held at the Lagos Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Mrs. Mfon Usoro, President, of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport said the new awardees comprise leading figures who have distinguished themselves in the area of logistics and transport over the years in their various organisations.

    Olugbade, who has been a transport and logistics expert with over thirty years’ of experience, is currently the Executive Director overseeing all the SIFAX Group’s inland container depots.  He was Nigeria’s erstwhile Alternate Permanent Representative to the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) in London between 2011 and 2016.

    He holds a Post-Graduate Diploma in Maritime Transport Management from the Nautical Institute for Technology, Rivers State University of Science & Technology, Port Harcourt and Master Class Revalidation Certificates from the University of Tasmania, Australia and Australian Maritime College Launceston, Tasmania. He also possesses 1st Mate & 2nd Mate Certificate of Competency from Arab Maritime Transport Academy, Alexandria, Egypt and a National Diploma in Nautical Science from Maritime Academy of Nigeria.


    His professional experience spanned various maritime organisations both locally and internationally, including the Nigerian National Shipping Lines (NNSL); the Nigerian Ports Authority, where he served variously as an Harbour Master in different Nigerian ports and rose to become an Assistant General Manager; and Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, where he was Deputy Director, Maritime Survey & Certification and Director, Maritime Safety & Security.


    Olugbade, while reacting to the honour, lauded CILT for the recognition and promised to contribute more to the development of the maritime industry and be a good ambassador of the institute.

  • Huge relief for travelers as Kalabash enters the aviation sector with Pay Small Small™

    Huge relief for travelers as Kalabash enters the aviation sector with Pay Small Small™

    Kalabash, a new entrant into the rapidly expanding BNPL fintech space, has unveiled Pay Small Small™, a product that allows all passengers to enjoy great travel deals and prices by paying as little as 25% of the total cost as a down payment to lock in travel fares and splitting the rest into convenient installments. Kalabash’s Pay Small Small™ product aims to alleviate traveler burdens by allowing them to lock in more affordable ticket prices and pay the remaining installments.

    Targeted at travelers and intending travelers, Pay Small Small is a flexible travel payment plan that allows customers to lock down great travel deals. Its installment options allow customers to plan their travel from 24 hours to 6 months in advance. Customers who book ahead of time can take advantage of lower fares. Checkout is simple, and no credit checks are required because all customers have access to the payment plan.

    Kalabash’s Chief Executive Officer, Ladi Ojuri stated that “Kalabash is positioned to transform businesses across Africa and drive growth within the travel sector by making customer acquisition faster, more affordable, and more efficient.” It will be supported by best practices for security and compliance, making transactions less vulnerable to fraud, errors, and other risks. “

    According to Ojuri, “With the current economy, we believe that our Pay Small Small for Travel product will add value to Air Peace and Nigerians in general.” We have a track record of assisting customers in meeting their travel obligations without breaking the bank.

    Kalabash’s Pay Small Small is currently available on www.wakanow.com, Africa’s leading full-service online travel agency, and now www.airpeace.com, Nigeria’s flag carrier and the largest airline in Nigeria and West Africa.

    About Kalabash

    Kalabash is a financial technology services firm focused on developing innovative payment solutions across multiple sectors.

    Our Flagship Product – Pay Small Small™ (PSS) is designed to help customers overcome travel cost uncertainty by locking down current cost with as little as 25% while the balance is paid in convenient installments before travel.

    .

    Benefits of Pay Small Small™ (PSS)

    • No Credit Checks – no profiling, no credit checks, everyone is eligible.
    • Access to Early Bird rates – Plan your trip, buy your ticket early and get access to cheaper prices.
    • Flexible Repayment plans – Choose a repayment plan that works for you
    • No Collateral Needed – We are not going to ask for any collateral.
  • Air Peace resumes flight to Johannesburg October 9

    Air Peace resumes flight to Johannesburg October 9

    Nigerian airline, Air Peace, is set to resume flight services to Johannesburg on Sunday, october 9, 2022.

    According to the information released by the spokesman of the airline, Mr. Stanley Olisa, the schedules are now live on our website/mobile app, and you can now book your flights to South Africa.

    For assistance with your flights or any other enquiries, kindly contact us via callcenter@flyairpeace.com.  

  • Qatar Airways Wins the “Airline of the Year” Award by Skytrax

    Qatar Airways Wins the “Airline of the Year” Award by Skytrax

    …Takes Home Three Other Major Awards

    As the airline proudly celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2022, Qatar Airways has been named “Airline of the Year” by the international air transport rating organisation, Skytrax, for an unprecedented seventh time. At a glittering event in London earlier today, the leading global airline also took home three additional awards including World’s Best Business Class, World’s Best Business Class Lounge Dining, and Best Airline in the Middle East. Qatar Airways has been named ‘Airline of the Year’ in 2011, 2012, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021 and now 2022.

    The prestigious 2022 Skytrax awards are coveted within the industry due to their reputation as the benchmark for excellence and distinction. Qatar Airways home airport and hub, Hamad International Airport, was also recently voted the World’s Best Airport 2022, taking home the award for the second year in succession, ensuring that passengers can relax and enjoy their flights knowing they are traveling with the World’s Best Airline through the World’s Best Airport.

    The airline’s premium cabin featuring the patented Qsuite, has been voted World’s Best Business Class for the sixth year running while the Al Mourjan lounge was recognised for its outstanding culinary excellence and was awarded the World’s Best Business Class Lounge Dining. In a further endorsement of its leading role not just in global aviation, but also within a highly competitive region, Qatar Airways was also announced as Best Airline in the Middle East, a strong affirmation of its reputation for excellence, a strong global network, leading global partnerships and every passenger journey having a touchpoint with Hamad International Airport.

    Qatar Airways, Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: “To be named as the World’s Best Airline was always a goal when Qatar Airways was created, but to win it for the seventh time and pick up three additional awards is a testament to all the hard work of our incredible employees. Their continued dedication and drive is to ensure our passengers have the best experience possible when they fly with Qatar Airways. To win these awards in the same year that we celebrate our 25th anniversary is even more rewarding and I want to offer a sincere thanks to all our passengers who voted for us. Your support drives us to greater achievements every day, we value your loyalty and aim to create memories of a lifetime when you fly with Qatar Airways.”

    Edward Plaisted of Skytrax said: “To receive the 2022 World’s Best Airline award is a great recognition of Qatar Airways high standards, and recognises the hard work and dedication from every member of the airline’s staff to satisfy customers. Qatar Airways were the largest airline to have flown consistently throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, with their network never falling below 30 destinations, and that determination has clearly been well recognised by customers with this award as Airline of the Year 2022. For Qatar Airways to achieve this top accolade for the seventh time is both a unique and remarkable achievement, and we congratulate them for this success.”

    The awards, widely known as “the Oscars of the Aviation Industry”, covered the 12 months from September 2021 to August 2022 with over 14 million eligible entries counted in the results, a period when Qatar Airways increased its global network back to over 150 destinations. The airline also earlier became the first global airline to receive the Skytrax COVID-19 Safety Rating in January 2021.

    The full list of awards won by Qatar Airways at the 2022 World Airline Awards by Skytrax are:

    ·         Airline of the Year

    ·         World’s Best Business Class

    ·         World’s Best Business Class Lounge Dining

    ·         Best Airline in the Middle East

    The Skytrax World Airline Awards are independent and impartial, introduced in 1999 to provide a customer satisfaction study that was truly global. Travellers across the world vote in the largest airline passenger satisfaction survey to decide the award winners.

  • NATCA solicits Confirmation of Pwajok, inducted Newly rated ATCOs

    The Nigerian Air Traffic Controllers’ Association (NATCA) has entreated the Honourable Minster of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika to accelerate the confirmation of the Actg. Managing Director of NAMA, Mr. Matthew Lawrence Pwajok as the substantive Managing Director/Chief executive of the agency.

    Speaking during his welcome address at the association’s 51st annual general meeting/conference which held in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, the President of NATCA, Abayomi Agoro said his association was impressed by the performance of the new management team in NAMA led by Pwajok and put in place by Sirika, stressing that “we speak for majority of our members in soliciting that the Honourable Minister of Aviation graciously extend his usual Midas touch in seeking the confirmation of Mr Matthew Lawrence Pwajok as the substantive Managing Director/Chief Executive of NAMA.”

    Agoro who lauded the new management team under Pwajok for the progress being made in the upgrade of navigational infrastructure across the country noted that “the Air Traffic Controller remained the centerpiece in the changes and improvements being made in NAMA with the introduction of new procedures and even the deployment of newer solutions.”

    Earlier in his remarks, the Actg. Managing Director, Mr Matthew Lawrence Pwajok said as part of management’s response to the “unacceptable increase in mortality rate among Air Traffic Controllers” and as a measure to “arrest incidences of fatal health issues among controllers,” the agency recently implemented the health insurance scheme for workers just as it was committed to increasing the medical allowances of NATCA members.

    Mr Pwajok who was represented by the Actg. Director of Operations, Mr Haske Jibrin revealed that despite the challenging fiscal environment, management had conducted more professional, operational and specialized trainings for controllers lately. He recalled that 16 Air Traffic Controllers (ATCOs) were trained in Basic Procedure Design and Airspace Planning in Cairo, Egypt in the first quarter of 2022, just as 12 ATCOs were also trained in Nairobi, Kenya in Search and Rescue Mission Operation at about the same time, and another 8 ATCOs who were in Czech Republic for the Multilateration (MLAT) operational training much earlier in the year (2022). The NAMA boss said all these trainings were part of the requirements for the development of capacity for the production of maps and charts including Visual Flight Rules (VFR) charts, in an effort to achieve a seamless conduct of the ICAO Universal Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP).

    The Actg. MD also noted that as part of the agency’s strategic plan to ensure total voice and data communication coverage for the oceanic and remote continental parts of the Nigerian airspace, as well as sequential management of arrival and departure of air traffic at terminal phase of flight, NAMA had trained 16 ATCOs in the Phase II of Controller-Pilot Data Link Communication (CPDLC) in Paris, France while an additional 12  are to undergo Search and Rescue Mission Coordinators’ Training course in Nairobi, Kenya.

    Meanwhile, a total of 9 newly rated and licensed Air Traffic Controllers have been inducted by NATCA as full-fledged members of the association. They include 5 NAMA staff, 3 Army officers (to provide air traffic services at the air wing of the Nigerian Army) and 1 Air Force officer. The induction was sequel to the Basic Aerodrome and Approach training as well as flying experience at the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, (NCAT) Zaria. They also underwent on-the-job (OJT) for 6 months at major airports after which they sat for Aerodrome and Approach rating examination conducted by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and were all successful.

    Administering the induction, the President of NATCA, Abayomi Agoro charged them to be of good conduct as “ambassadors of our reputable association,” stressing that NATCA as an umbrella body of Air Traffic Controllers in Nigeria was poised to see to the welfare and wellbeing of members.

  • Emirates Takes Home Three Honours At The Skytrax World Airline Awards 2022

    Emirates Takes Home Three Honours At The Skytrax World Airline Awards 2022

    ·         Airline wins big in Economy Class category, reflecting its dedication to investing in every cabin and delivering better experiences to customers  

    ·         Wins World’s Best Inflight Entertainment award for the 17th consecutive time

    Emirates has taken home three awards at the Skytrax World Airline Awards 2022, including World’s Best Economy Class, World’s Best Economy Class Catering, and for the 17th consecutive time, World’s Best Inflight Entertainment.  The awards are a testament to the airline’s commitment to offer the very best customer experience in the sky, where travellers in Economy Class can look forward to spacious cabins, carefully crafted menus, an unmatched range of in-flight entertainment choices, thoughtful amenities like kids toys, and much more.

    At a time when cost-cutting has become the norm, the airline is making long-term investments to further elevate its product and service strategy in every cabin class.

    This latest recognition from Skytrax comes on the heels of the airline’s recent announcement that it is investing over US$ 2 billion to enhance its inflight customer experience. This includes one of the largest retrofit projects in aviation history spanning 120 aircraft which will soon sport the airline’s latest interior concepts, a new hospitality-focused service delivery model, and best-in-class product enhancements across all cabins, starting this year. Emirates will also be investing over US$ 350 million in next-generation inflight entertainment systems with Thales for passengers to experience the airline’s massive library of 5,000 channels on high-definition screens, along with a host of other high-tech features on its incoming fleet of A350 aircraft.

    Customers flying Emirates’ Economy Class, no matter where they choose to travel on the airline’s 130 destination strong network, can look forward to a menu infused with regional and seasonal flavours, featuring hearty main dishes and sides, and an indulgent dessert inspired by their destination. Emirates also prides itself in celebrating unique cultures and traditions from around the globe by offering signature dishes for occasions like Diwali, Christmas, Ramadan, Eid Al Adha, Lunar New Year and more recently, Oktoberfest and Onam.

    Emirates offers one of the most comprehensive and state-of-the-art entertainment and communications services in the skies. ice, the inflight entertainment system awarded by Skytrax for the 17th time this year, offers over 5,000 channels of entertainment, with 4,000 hours of movies and TV, and close to 3,500 hours of music and podcasts. Customers can also choose content in 40 languages. In addition to entertainment, Emirates ice offers a range of other useful features, such as: the ability to check the status of your flight; a real-time view of the sky during take-off and landing from cameras fixed on the aircraft’s nose, tail and underbelly; EmiratesRED; the world’s first inflight TV shopping channel and LIVE TV.

    ice is also the only inflight entertainment system that offers exclusive programming from Shahid, with over 135 hours of highly popular Arabic content across 15 shows, with more to be added in the coming months. Emirates was the first airline in the region partner with HBO Max, offering exclusive hits only offered through the streaming service. Emirates’ onboard product experience is complemented by the airline’s cosmopolitan team of cabin crew who hail from over 130 nationalities. Crew members, already trained on providing the very best inflight service, are further levelling up their hospitality experience through a rigorous training programme that was designed in partnership with Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne. The latest programme is focused on mastering the four service pillars: Excellence, Attentiveness, Innovation and Passion.

    Driving radical changes in the customer experience also includes small touches that make a big difference, not only for customers but the planet as well. Economy Class customers can snuggle up in warm and soft sustainable blankets made of 100% recycled plastic bottles. The airline also offers sustainably-made amenity kit bags for Economy Class customers on select long haul flights, which have been newly redesigned to represent the four elements – fire, water, earth and air, as a reminder of the careful balance required to preserve for the future of our planet. The kit’s travel essentials – socks, eyeshades, toothbrush and tooth paste, as well as bookmark, are all made from environmentally-friendly materials and come in natural earth tones.

    Little flyers travelling across all classes can also keep busy with special plush toys and blankets as well as a selection of ‘fly with me’ belt bags, duffle bags and backpacks. All children’s items and toys have been consciously made of 100% recycled raw materials including drinking bottles, and swing tags use non-toxic soy-based ink printed on recycled cardboard.

    On the ground, Emirates has been working hard to create a smart contactless journey for its customers. Travellers can choose to use its integrated biometric path in DXB to check in for their flight, complete immigration formalities, and board their flights. Customers can also use the airline’s touchless self-check-in and bag drop kiosks at Dubai International (DXB).

    The smart contactless experience continues on board with digital menus available on the Emirates app, and customers can also use the app to create a preferred playlist for ice.

  • Feature- Air Nigeria and Ethiopian Airlines deal: My position

    Feature- Air Nigeria and Ethiopian Airlines deal: My position

    by Gabriel Olowo

    I once said in my reaction to the speculation that ET comes as a partner of good choice for Air Nigeria and now that it is officially confirmed, my position remain the same. Since the issue of Air Nigeria ” TO BE OR NOT TO BE ” has been laid to rest, given govt insistence to do so,my endorsement is based on the need for the success of any new start-up Airline in Nigeria.

    Failures still abound in the market and some airlines still remain very weak hence the challenge for the discerning and concerned citizen remain in coming up with useful advice.

    It is especially advantageous for Air Nigeria to partner with ET (as a competitor on the NG basa,) for simple purposes of Code Share Agreement (CSA) and Blocked Seat Agreements (BSA) OUTSIDE the Airline’s intended Direct Services. The merits of Cooperation and Collaboration will more than outweigh that of Competition ( in the manner of speaking) provided the management is on top of its game.

    Nigeria Airways in the past operated to many countries (not Directly) but by Commercial Agreements. That is not all, Interlining and Global Alliances ( which is a necessity in today’s aviation) comes with ease given this partnership rather than the airline struggling on its own for relevance and partnership for route expansion & penetration purposes.

    Robust Maintenance Facility of ET and its varied Fleet will come very helpful to the young Airline. Manpower training and Personnel exchanges would be another benefit. ET as an African partner is inward-looking and its very very good for the implementation of Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) under the African Continent Free Trade Agreements (AfCFTA).

    Without any intention of being the Brand Manager for this project, it is my call to salute any good decision be it by Individual Operator or government. The only caveat which has been printed repeatedly is that the 5% Govt ownership (our common wealth ) may not be necessary, afterall, since government is midwifing a totally privately owned airline. It’s a general contention that “Government has no business in Business” due to incessant political interferences. It is also expected that the carrier is not treated as a “more flag carrier” than all others already flying the flag such as Air Peace and one time Arik.

    I want to discountenance the National Carrier nomenclature as No one single Airline can quickly and easily reciprocate all NG BASAS. 2-3 strong carriers are desirable. The playing field must be levelled for ALL FLAG CARRIERS in the interest of Nigeria Aviation. This is the voice of a solution provider rather than a mere critic. I will encourage the Airline Operators, Aircraft Operators, and all interested stakeholders and associations endeavour to buy the 46% remaining shares available to the public.

    Dr. Gabriel Olowo started his aviation career as a Management Trainee with Lufthansa German Airlines in 1973. He worked consistently in the aviation industry since then, serving at various capacities such as Assistant Manager with Lufthansa German Airlines, Deputy General Manager with Varig Brazilian Airline.

    Executive Director with Bellview Airlines Limited ( A leading private airline in Nigeria) and Country Director of Sabre Network Inc West Africa….. a US leading Technology company for Airlines.

    Gabriel’s deep and wide aviation industry experience has made him an acknowledged expert in airlines and aviation business management. He has provided varied consultancy services in these areas and is an author of many aviation industry-related publications. He’s currently the President, Aviation Safety Round Table Initiative.

  • FAAN to take delivery of ten fire trucks, 14 boarding bridges

    FAAN to take delivery of ten fire trucks, 14 boarding bridges

    The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, is to take delivery of 10 brand new fire trucks and 14 manufactured passenger boarding bridges before the end of this year.

    Managing Director, FAAN, Captain Rabiu Yadudu who disclosed this at the Airports, Airlines, Business Summit and Expo, AABSE in Lagos said, the deliveries of these equipment are to improve passenger service delivery and better airport experience.

    He said, for the effective handling of these facilities, 15 airports fire and rescue instructors have been trained in the United Kingdom and over 4,500 personnel trained by the Airport Council International, ACI instructors.

    According to him, the Ease of Doing Business geared towards ensuring seamless airport experience is not just facilities alone but also the personnel who manage these facilities for customer satisfaction.

    In line with the theme of the summit: ‘Fixing the Broken Link’ Captain Yadudu said, all noticeable broken links in seamless air transportation system were being addressed with many ongoing projects some of which had been completed and 80% delivered.

    These he listed to the installation of Airfield Ground Lighting System (AGLS) at Lagos Domestic runway, provision of carry-on Baggage Screening machines, hold-on Baggage Screening machines, Cargo Screening machines and 3D Body Scanners.

    The MD FAAN also mentioned the launch of the Aviation Portal for the provision of real-time information to passengers and feedback from them, approval for the establishment of an aviation-based centralized Contact Centre to be operated by FAAN as part of what had been done.

    “The provision of thirty-six (36) customer service work stations, one hundred and twenty (120) office chairs across airports, enabling of cashless policy for departments and agencies involved in the collection of payments for services at the airports.

    “Enabled compliance with single passenger interface by providing the necessary infrastructure for our partner agencies, CBN is assisting in the setting up of an online payment system to enable the full implementation of our Forex cashless policy, Increased security and safety within the airport environment by ensuring constant lighting through the walkways and the car park for the safety and comfort of our airport users”.

    The Director General, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, Captain Musa Nuhu stressed the need for airlines to remain focused onmaintaining customer trust and pave ways for quick recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Captain Nuhu represented by the Director, Aerodromes and Airspace Standards, DAAS in the NCAA, Mr. Mohammed Odunowo urged the airlines to recognize the role of mobile apps for day-of-travel communications to avoid the problems of delays, cancellations and others associatedwith air travel.

    “Airlines must not display or advertise wrong flight times. In the event of a flight disruption the airline must provide timely information to passengers and live up to their obligation to provide care, refreshments, meal, refund/re-routing on another flight in a timely manner) and in adherence to the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations 2015 Part 19”.

    He also stated that, the airport manager must ensure improvement in the airport ambience, especially in the seating, restrooms, restaurants and shopping areas, check-in counters as these serve as confidence driver and a guarantee that the airport is a safe place for its customer, the passenger.

    “Airlines and airport operators must adopt the use of technology, smartphones etc. touch point kiosks for check-in so as to reducethe cluster of persons around the check-in areas and clearly marked bag drop of zone, parking zones, seating areas, lavatories, Ambulifts and wheelchairs and Keeping all measures in place is certainly a confidence driver and a guarantee that the airport is a safe place for its customer, the passenger”.

  • Emirates and United Airlines sign historic partnership agreement

    Emirates and United Airlines sign historic partnership agreement

    Emirates and United announced a historic commercial agreement today that will enhance each airline’s network and give their customers easier access to hundreds of new destinations* within the United States and around the world.


    From November, Emirates customers flying into Chicago, San Francisco, and Houston – three of the biggest business hubs in the U.S – will be able to easily connect onto United flights to and from nearly 200 cities across the Americas on a single ticket.
    At the eight other U.S. airports served by Emirates – Boston, Dallas, LA, Miami, JFK, Orlando, Seattle and Washington DC – both airlines will have an interline arrangement in place.


    United will launch a new direct flight between New York/Newark and Dubai starting in March 2023 – from there, customers will be able to travel on Emirates or its sister airline flydubai to more than 100 cities. Tickets for United’s new Dubai flight are now on sale.


    Emirates and United announced their agreement today at a ceremonial event at Dulles International Airport, hosted by United CEO, Scott Kirby and Emirates President, Sir Tim Clark, featuring United and Emirates Boeing 777-300ER aircraft and flight crews from each carrier.


    Sir Tim Clark, President, Emirates Airline said: “Two of the biggest, and best-known airlines in the world are joining hands to fly people better to more places, at a time when travel demand is rebounding with a vengeance.


    “It’s a significant partnership that will unlock tremendous consumer benefit and bring the United Arab Emirates and the United States even closer. We welcome United’s return to Dubai next year, where our hub Dubai essentially becomes a gateway for United to reach Asia, Africa and the Middle East via the combined network of Emirates and flydubai. We look forward to developing our partnership with United for the long term.”


    Scott Kirby, CEO of United Airlines said: “This agreement unites two iconic, flag carrier airlines who share a common commitment to creating the best customer experience in the skies. United’s new flight to Dubai and our complementary networks will make global travel easier for millions of our customers, helping boost local economies and strengthen cultural ties.


    “This is a proud moment for both United and Emirates employees, and I look forward to our journey together.”
    Customers of both airlines can soon book these connecting flights on a single ticket – making check-in and luggage transfer faster and easier. For example – travelers will be able to visit United.com or use the United app to book a flight from New York/Newark to Karachi, Pakistan or go to Emirates.com to book a flight from Dubai to Atlanta or Honolulu.


    This agreement will also give the loyalty program members of both airlines more opportunities for more rewards: Emirates Skywards members can soon earn miles when they travel on United-operated flights, and United Mileage Plus members flying on United’s New York/Newark to Dubai flight will be able to earn and redeem miles when connecting beyond on Emirates and flydubai.


    Eligible customers traveling on codeshare flights will also soon enjoy access to Emirates and United lounges. More details on frequent flyer awards and lounge-sharing benefits will be communicated in the coming weeks. Both airlines have recently announced significant investments in the customer experience.


    Emirates will retrofit more than 120 aircraft as part of a $2 billion effort that includes elevated meal choices, a brand-new vegan menu, a ‘cinema in the sky’ experience, cabin interior upgrades, and sustainable choices.


    At United, the airline will add 500 new Boeing and Airbus aircraft to its fleet with a focus on a new signature interior that includes seat-back screens in every seat, larger overhead bins, Bluetooth connectivity throughout, and the industry’s fastest available in-flight WiFi.

  • Emirates’ signs exclusive agreement with Dom Pérignon champagne

    Emirates’ signs exclusive agreement with Dom Pérignon champagne

    As the only airline with an exclusive agreement to offer luxury champagne brand Dom Pérignon on-board, Emirates is currently presenting First Class passengers with the unique opportunity to enjoy a very special vintage -Dom Pérignon Plénitude 2, on board select routes until the end of October.

    The exceptionally rare 2003 vintage in its second plénitude is a limited release, forming part of Emirates’ award-winning portfolio of exclusive wines, champagne, and spirits.

    Dom Pérignon is one of the most respected, luxurious champagnes in the world and Emirates is the only airline with an exclusive agreement to serve it on board. In the 17th century, a Benedictine monk named Dom Pierre Pérignon, nurtured an ambition to create ‘the best wine in the world’.

    Three centuries later, Dom Pérignon vintages are still produced using the best grapes on the estate. Each vintage has its own style and identity- a uniqueness that lies in the way it evolves, through successive windows of expression.

    Cellar master Vincent Chaperon refers to these points in time as ‘plénitudes,’ with Plénitude 2 representing the secondary phase of aromatics developed through evolution. After close to 15 years of slow maturation in the cellars, Dom Pérignon describes Plénitude 2 as ‘wider, deeper, longer, more intense – and gifted further with an extended longevity’.

    Rich and multi-layered, Plénitude 2 provides a complex spiral of aromas that reveal over time in the glass. First the softness of lime tree, then a toasty minerality followed by dried apricots and apples, along with candied raspberry and fig. Lemon verbena, rosemary and white pepper appear for an instant, followed by dark spices and liquorice root.

    These develop in the glass into a profound and mineral-toned harmonious bouquet. Its vibrant yet generous palate, powerful and precise with great energy, leads to a persistent, spicy, and saline finish. First Class passengers can discover if Plénitude 2 will be served on their flight, by checking the ‘What’s on your flight’ option on www.emirates.com or on the Emirates app.

    For the last 16 years, Emirates has invested more than $1 billion into its wine program, buying exceptional wines at the earliest opportunity to let them mature, allowing them to express their full potential before serving them on board.

    The Emirates Wine Cellar is in France, and currently houses 6.5 million bottles of fine wines, some of which will not be ready for tasting until 2035. Emirates currently offers 37 different varieties of French wines and champagnes on board its aircraft.

    Business Class Bordeaux red wines remain in Emirates’ cellar for an average of 8-10 years, while those reserved for First Class are only served an average of 12-15 years after purchase.

  • Emirates invests over US$ 2 billion to enhance on-board customer experience

    Emirates invests over US$ 2 billion to enhance on-board customer experience

    Emirates is investing over US$ 2 billion to enhance its inflight customer experience, including a massive programme to retrofit over 120 aircraft with the latest interiors, plus an array of other service improvements across all cabins starting in 2022. Emirates is still flying on its brand promise of ‘Fly Better.’

    Sir Tim Clark, President, Emirates Airline said: “While others respond to industry pressures with cost cuts, Emirates is flying against the grain and investing to deliver ever better experiences to our customers. Through the pandemic, we’ve continued to launch new services and initiatives to ensure our customers travel with assurance and ease, including digital initiatives to improve customer experiences on the ground. Now we’re rolling out a series of intensive programmes to take Emirates’ signature inflight experiences to the next level.”

    Some of Emirates’ latest initiatives include elevated meal choices, a brand new vegan menu, a ‘cinema in the sky’ experience, cabin interior upgrades, sustainable choices and a generous approach to the little touches that make travel memorable.

    Starting from August, Emirates’ passengers can look forward to an award-winning team of chefs, a world-class catering team and a wide variety of suppliers have been assembled to design and deliver the best fine dining experience in the sky.

    Emirates’ new vegan menu is also carefully curated to cater to the growing numbers of customers pursuing this thoughtful lifestyle. Vegans, or anyone interested in a delicious and healthy plant-based meal, will enjoy handcrafted gourmet dishes such as pan-roasted king oyster mushrooms, flavoursome jackfruit biryani and sliced kohlrabi garnished with burnt orange.

    The Champagne and Caviar Experience is also being elevated. Emirates’ First Class experience, always a benchmark for service excellence, has been upped a notch in 2022. Customers can now savour unlimited portions of Persian caviar as part of the ‘dine on demand’ service, with an exquisite pairing of the world-renowned Dom Perignon vintage champagne. Emirates is the only airline with an exclusive agreement to offer the luxury brand on-board.

    Cinema in the Sky will soar to new heights. First Class customers can create a memorable movie moment on board by ordering cinema snacks as they enjoy the 5,000 channels on Emirates’ ice inflight entertainment system. All passengers can also curate their own ice experience before their flight, simply by browsing and pre-selecting movies or TV shows on the Emirates app, which can then be synced to ice the moment they board, maximising the seamless travel experience.

    Emirates’ customers departing on flights from Dubai can begin crunching on fresh greens harvested from Bustanica, the world’s largest vertical farm and newly-opened US$40 million joint venture investment through Emirates Flight Catering. Emirates is continuing to invest in sustainable operations and supply chains, seeking local food suppliers and farms wherever possible to serve the freshest produce on board.

    Additionally, Emirates has partnered with Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne, one of the world’s top hospitality management schools, to craft the Emirates Hospitality strategy and encourage inspiring customer experiences. Emirates Cabin Crew have already begun engaging in intensive training programmes focused on delivering the four service pillars: Excellence, Attentiveness, Innovation and Passion.

    The most significant investment is an extensive and record-breaking refurbishment of the aircraft fleet interiors, where cabins will be retrofitted with new or reupholstered seats, new panelling, flooring and other cabin features. Benefitting all Emirates passengers, every cabin class will be refreshed and new Premium Economy cabins installed.

    After the retrofit, Emirates will have a total of 120 aircraft offering Premium Economy seats – the only airline in the region to offer this cabin class, and enhanced interiors and features across all other cabins. With its first aircraft scheduled to roll into the Emirates Engineering Centre for retrofitting in November, planning work and trials have begun in earnest.

  • Eko Hotels & Suites partners Wakanow to Launch ‘THE PRIDE LAND’ edition of Tropical Christmas Wonderland 2022

    Eko Hotels & Suites partners Wakanow to Launch ‘THE PRIDE LAND’ edition of Tropical Christmas Wonderland 2022

    …they put the spotlight On Africa’s Tourism potential with exciting family holiday packages this Christmas

    Wakanow, Africa’s leading travel tech company, has announced its partnership with Eko Hotels and Suites for the 2022 Prideland edition of the Tropical Christmas Wonderland that takes place annually. They announced this during the Press Conference held at Eko Hotels and Suites on Wednesday, 10th August 2022.

    To kick-start the Prideland edition, Wakanow has become the official ticketing partner for this year’s edition. The travel agency with spread across Africa and the United Arab Emirates aims to transform the booking experience for clients and the organizers of the event. 

    Speaking on the partnership at the press conference, Mr. Adebayo Adedeji, Wakanow’s Chief Executive Officer, “We are excited to partner with Eko Hotels and Suites on this year’s edition of the event. We are bringing our expertise in travel and our ability to support Nigerian inbound tourism from all over the World. 

    “Our partnership with Eko Hotels and Suites would help us engage with one of the most passionate client bases in leisure, travel, holiday, and entertainment. To us, this isn’t just a ticketing deal, it’s a true partnership. Together, we will create only the best experiences for the Tropical Christmas Wonderland fans of today and tomorrow,” he added.

    Speaking at the press conference to announce the collaboration, Wakanow’s Chief Commercial Officer, Mrs. Adenike Macaulay said, “this partnership for us expresses our desire to ensure that we are at the forefront of activities or events that help us promote the beauty and rich heritage of Africa. The Prideland Edition perfectly fuses the beauty of African culture while also preaching the gospel of leisure and relaxation.” 

    While speaking, the General Manager, Eko Hotels and Suites, Mr. Danny Kioupouroglou, noted that, “We are glad to bring Wakanow on board to be a part of the Tropical Christmas Wonderland, our new partner did a tremendous job integrating into their ticket sales ecosystem and providing our guests with a frictionless process to purchase packages and passes best-suited for the Prideland Edition.”

    Also speaking at the event about the partnership was the Director of Sales and Marketing of Eko Hotels and Suites, Mrs. Iyadunni Gbadegbo said, “we partnered with Wakanow because of the synergy of purpose and direction that we have. The Tropical Christmas Wonderland- Prideland Edition will effectively position as the event that brings everyone together in Nigeria from all over the world.”

    Prideland edition is a fusion of Africa’s rich culture and the magic of Christmas. Since 2019, Eko Hotel tropical wonderland has brought families together to celebrate Christmas and also create an atmosphere of endless fun.

    This partnership is of utmost importance to Wakanow, as the brand is always looking for new ways to promote the vibrancy of African cultures. This partnership hopes to promote African culture by infusing Africa’s rich culture into every part of the Christmas wonderland celebration. 

    The Tropical Christmas Wonderland: Prideland Edition packages can be booked here: https://wakaevents.ng/en-ng/

  • Ibom Air A220 Passengers Disembark at the Cargo Apron of MMIA

    Ibom Air A220 Passengers Disembark at the Cargo Apron of MMIA

    Ibom Air flight QI 0307 from Abuja to Lagos had its passengers disembark at the International cargo Apron of Murtala Muhammed International Airport this morning.

    This was contained in a statement signed by the General Manager, Marketing and Communications, Aniekan Essienette. The statement reads-

    “We would like to bring to your attention the reason behind the disembarkation of our passengers at the Cargo Apron of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

    Ibom Air flight QI 0307, the 10.30 am flight from Abuja to Lagos departed on time and landed normally at the international runway in Lagos, on schedule at 11.41 am.

    Upon taxiing off the runway, the pilots noticed an indication from the main wheels, suggesting a malfunction.

    In accordance with company procedure, rather than taxi the full distance to the domestic terminal, the crew opted to turn off into the international cargo apron from where stairs and buses were positioned to disembark the passengers and take them to the domestic arrival hall.

    All 128 passengers on board were safely disembarked and transported to the arrival hall at MMA2, while our Engineers work on the fault.

    This statement is given to clear any ambiguity while expressing our regrets to our passengers for the inconvenience.”