Category: Aviation

Emirates offers career opportunities and Dubai lifestyle to First Officers

Emirates, the world’s largest operator of Airbus A380s and Boeing 777s, is looking to recruit First Officers who meet the airline’s exceptional standards in safety, technical prowess and customer experience.

Successful candidates can look forward to climbing new career heights with Emirates’ all-wide-body fleet and ever-expanding global route network, and enjoy an excellent lifestyle in dynamic Dubai.

For pilots, a future with Emirates means flying to diverse destinations across the airline’s network spanning six continents and 140 destinations. It also means flying one of the world’s youngest and most modern fleet, now numbering 265 Airbus and Boeing aircraft.

With Emirates’ continuous investments in renewing its fleet, the airline’s pilots will also be flying Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, Boeing 777-Xs and Airbus A350-900s in the coming years.

Emirates’ pilots complete robust, evidence-based training programmes in-house with highly skilled instructors in specially designed environments. The airline’s cutting-edge training facility houses 10 full-flight simulators for Boeing 777s and Airbus 380s.

The airline’s growth offers numerous opportunities for natural career progression – first officers can steadily grow to become captains, technical pilots, standards’ captains, examiners and instructors.

Emirates offers a range of benefits designed for pilots and their families to lead a fulfilling lifestyle – competitive tax-free salary, generous accommodation and education allowance, and excellent medical and dental cover.

Employees enjoy concessional cargo and travel benefits for the entire family, even friends’ tickets, across the airline’s global network. What’s more, the Emirates Platinum card offers a range of privileges and discounts across thousands of retail and hospitality outlets locally and globally.

Pilots can bid for preferred flights and destinations on Emirates’ advanced rostering system to ensure they have the opportunity to spend quality time with their loved ones on special days. On a typical work day, Emirates’ flight deck crew are chauffeured to and from home and journey through the fast-track check-in facilities at the airline’s headquarters.

Flight and cabin crew from over 160 nationalities enjoy a collaborative camaraderie that reflects the multicultural milieu of Emirates’ hub Dubai. The city’s reputation as a safe, secure, vibrant, and tech-savvy city is well-known. Major annual sporting events, a full range of lifestyle activities, first-class hospitality and dining, spectacular attractions, international schools and hospitals and excellent infrastructure all come together to make Dubai a city of choice for millions of expatriates.

As air travel continues to soar, Emirates is ramping up its services from one of the world’s busiest and best airports – the award-winning Dubai International.

Interested candidates can check out the eligibility criteria in full and apply online here: https://www.emiratesgroupcareers.com/pilots/

August 5, 2022
All Nigerian Govt Airports have Approach and Landing aids -NAMA

The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has affirmed that all Federal and State Government owned airports in the country have approach and landing navigational aids, as well as Satellite Based Performance Based Navigation procedures that can enable aircraft to operate at any time of the day in these airports. The Ag. Managing Director of NAMA, Matthew Lawrence Pwajok made this revelation in Lagos at the 26th annual conference of the League of Airport and Aviation Correspondents (LAAC), which held at the Sheraton Hotels and Suites, Ikeja.

Mr. Pwajok, one of the panel discussants, noted that the idea of tagging some airports in the country as “sunrise” or “sunset airports” was misplaced, “given that almost all airports in Nigeria have instrument landing facilities for approach and landing, meaning they are operating based on Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) and not based on Visual Flight Rules (VFR) where they pilots are required to visually approach and land within Sunrise to Sunset time.” According to Pwajok, “apart from one or two private aerodromes, all federal and state government-owned airports managed by NAMA are equipped with Instrument Landing System (ILS), except where they are temporarily unserviceable or the Runway and Approach lights are unserviceable, but nevertheless you cannot refer to them as sunrise or sunset airports.”

Speaking further, the NAMA boss noted that the agency had invested heavily on navigational facilities more than any other facilities, adding that, “apart from Owerri and Calabar where the agency is working to install Category II Instrument Landing systems (CAT II ILS), and Jalingo that has no instrument landing system for now, basically all airports in Nigeria have a minimum of CAT II ILS, most of which were installed brand new, so there is nothing like obsolete navigational facilities.”

Pwajok said in a bid to tackle visibility issues in some airports during adverse weather, the agency commenced the implementation of Category III ILS in Abuja and Lagos airports while those of Katsina, Kano and Port Harcourt were being installed and would be ready before the end of 2022. He noted that despite the high cost of diesel, the agency had always granted extended services to airlines who made such requests and will continue to do so. He also assured airlines that search and rescue services are also provided by NAMA during the hours of extension as the agency collaborates with sister agencies, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and other critical stakeholders, saying that as long as an airport remained open, search and rescue will be available for the period of operation.

On how the agency was managing the single runway operation in Lagos as a result of ongoing repairs at runway 18 Left, Pwajok said the agency developed contingency procedures for a single runway operation as against the two runways, and that the installation of lighting at the runway would complement the CAT II ILS installed there in order to bring about 24 hours operation and also serve as backup for the international runway (18 Right). “It is very important that we address this issue of domestic runway 18 Left which has been in the dark for 20 years. It is a difficult thing for the airlines, pilots and air traffic controllers, but we are coping with it, knowing that that is the only way we can increase operating capacity of the airport when we have two functional runways,”Pwajok said.

The NAMA MD also informed the gathering that NAMA is a 100% self-funded government agency providing air navigation services at federal, state and private airports in Nigeria at increasing cost and is also required to remit 25% of her gross revenue to the federation account, stating that it is uneconomical for the agency to operate beyond 12 hours daily at a domestic airport just for a single flight. He, therefore, assured airline operators that NAMA has and would always grant an extension of operational hours when the need arises. He however assured that the agency in collaboration with sister agencies, will be willing to extend the operational hours of busy airports like Enugu and Benin.

Earlier in his opening remarks, the chairman of LAAC, Olusegun Koiki decried the high cost of aviation fuel and foreign exchange which he said had precipitated the vulnerability of airlines in Nigeria. This year’s LAAC conference with the theme: Sunset Airports: Economic and Safety Implications attracted industry bigwigs, investors, airlines, and stakeholders who all brainstormed on the way forward for the aviation sector.

August 1, 2022
Lagos Aviation Academy to Award Scholarships to Aspiring Aviation Players

Lagos Aviation Academy, one of Nigeria’s leading aviation training institutions, is celebrating its 5th year anniversary by launching a contest to allow five aspiring aviation players to win scholarships at its training facility.

Founded in 2017, LAA’s vision is to improve the Nigerian aviation industry by making quality aviation training available and accessible to people who aspire to work within the industry. According to Chinasa Mbene, General Manager, Lagos Aviation Academy, offering these scholarships is a big step toward making that vision a reality, she said:

“One of our goals at Lagos Aviation Academy has been to raise seasoned aviation professionals in the Nigerian aviation industry. For us, it is much more than giving out scholarships or training students, it is about being in a position to make a meaningful difference in the lives of people who aspire to be players in the aviation industry.”

“In celebration of our 5th year anniversary, we will be giving out five scholarships to people who are passionate about working in this sector. To be able to choose the best persons for these slots, we have decided to throw it open by asking as many as possible to register. Once they have registered, they will be shortlisted via certain criteria that we have set and the winners will be announced in August,” Chinasa Mbene added.

The courses available for the Lagos Aviation Academy (LAA) Anniversary Contest include the Cabin Crew Ab-Initio Course; the IATA Foundation In Travel and Tourism Course; Basic Ticketing and Reservation Course; the Amadeus Practical Course; and the Customer Service Course. The contest will launch from Tuesday, 19th July till Monday, 29th of August after which the winners of the various categories will be announced. Interested participants are expected to register between July 19th to 30th using the link https://bit.ly/LAAscholarship.

Bankole Bernard, the Academy Director at Lagos Aviation Academy and Chairman of the Association of Aviation Training Organizations in Nigeria (AATON) noted that quality training is a key driver for excellent results within the aviation space. He said:

“Quality training for aviation professionals is a bedrock for excellence in this industry. As an aviation training school, we have taken it upon ourselves to ensure that we produce seasoned professionals who will make a quality impact in the industry. We, therefore, use this opportunity to call on other training schools and regulators to ensure that the standard remains at its best.”

“We are so grateful for our growth so far, in our five years of existence, we have produced the overall best performer in Nigeria on IATA courses in 2018, 2019, 2021 and most recently, January 2022. Within this period we have also trained over 1,500 students in various courses. Most recently, we have moved to a newer facility to aid our vision of training as many students as possible,” he added.

July 20, 2022
Emirates Flight Catering Opens World’s Largest Hydroponic Farm in Dubai

Emirates Flight Catering is opening the world’s largest farm in Dubai. Bustanica has opened the doors to the largest hydroponic farm on the planet, backed by an investment of over US$40m.

The facility is the first vertical farm for Emirates Crop One, the joint venture between Emirates Flight Catering (EKFC), one of the world’s largest catering operations serving more than 100 airlines, and Crop One, an industry leader in technology-driven indoor vertical farming.

Located near Al Maktoum International Airport at Dubai World Central, the 330,000sqft facility is geared to produce more than 1,000,000 kilograms of high-quality leafy greens annually, while requiring 95% less water than conventional agriculture. At any point in time, the facility grows in excess of 1m cultivars (plants), which will provide an output of 3,000 kgs per day.
Bustanica is driven by powerful technology – machine learning, artificial intelligence and advanced methods – and a highly specialised in-house team that includes agronomy experts, engineers, horticulturists and plant scientists.

A continuous production cycle ensures the produce is super fresh and clean, and grown without pesticides, herbicides, or chemicals. Passengers on Emirates and other airlines can look forward to forking these delicious leafy greens, including lettuces, arugula, mixed salad greens, and spinach, onboard their flights from July. Bustanica is not just revolutionising salads in the sky – UAE consumers will soon be able to add these greens to their shopping carts at the nearest supermarkets. Bustanica also plans to expand into the production and sale of fruits and vegetables.

HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline and Group said: “Long-term food security and self-sufficiency are vital to the economic growth of any country, and the UAE is no exception. We’ve specific challenges in our region, given the limitations around arable land and climate. Bustanica ushers in a new era of innovation and investments, which are important steps for sustainable growth and align with our country’s well-defined food and water security strategies.

“Emirates Flight Catering constantly invests in the latest technologies to delight customers, optimise operations, and minimise our environmental footprint. Bustanica helps secure our supply chain, and ensures our customers can enjoy locally sourced, nutritious produce. By bringing production closer to consumption, we’re reducing the food journey from farm to fork. Congratulations to the Bustanica team for their remarkable achievements so far and for setting global standards and benchmarks in agronomy.”

Craig Ratajczyk, Chief Executive Officer, Crop One said: “After significant planning and construction, and navigating the unforeseen challenges of the pandemic, we’re thrilled to celebrate this tremendous milestone alongside our joint venture partner, Emirates Flight Catering.

“It’s our mission to cultivate a sustainable future to meet global demand for fresh, local food, and this first large format farm is the manifestation of that commitment. This new facility serves as a model for what’s possible around the globe.”

The farm’s closed-loop system is designed to circulate water through the plants to maximise water usage and efficiency. When the water vaporises, it is recovered and recycled into the system, saving 250m litres of water every year compared to traditional outdoor farming for the same output. Bustanica will have zero impact on the world’s threatened soil resources, an incredibly reduced reliance on water and year-round harvests unhampered by weather conditions and pests. Consumers buying

Bustanica’s greens from supermarkets can eat it straight from the bag – even washing can damage the leaves and introduce contaminants.

Crop One Holdings Inc. (Crop One), headquartered in Massachusetts, USA, is an established and experienced vertical farming leader with continuous commercial operation exceeding 6 years. Leveraging new technological and biological advancements, Crop One has built a scalable, global model to bring fresh, local produce, to previously ungrowable environments.-ends.

Emirates Flight Catering is one of the world’s largest catering operations. Offering airline, events and VIP catering as well as ancillary services including laundry, food production and airport lounge food & beverage, EKFC is a trusted partner for over 100 airline customers, hospitality groups and UAE government entities. Each day, the company’s 11,000 dedicated employees prepare an average of 200,000 meals and handle 210 tonnes of laundry.

July 20, 2022
China Air Peace launch: “Expect best-in-class flight experience”…COO

Air Peace has again made history with the commencement of flights to the continent of Asia, Guangzhou-China.

The inaugural flight had 240 passengers onboard operated with the airline’s Boeing 777.

According to the Chief Operating officer, Air Peace, Oluwatoyin Olajide at the inaugural launch, the flying public, especially those that fly the Guangzhou route, should expect a best-in-class flight experience, which is characteristic of the Air Peace brand.

The Air Peace COO emphasized that Air Peace is not new to the Chinese airspace as it is familiar with it and had successfully operated several evacuations, and special flights to the country at different times in the past, especially in 2020, during the COVID-19 lockdown.

“We’re going into China, not as newcomers, but as an airline that is technically and operationally acclimatized with the Chinese terrain. We’re not stopping with Guangzhou- India is next and Israel is in the works”.

She stated that, with this feat, Air Peace has kept to its vision of providing seamless connections and expanding its existing network to accommodate the evolving air travel needs of the flying public.

“When we set out for the Air Peace trajectory in 2014, we envisaged an airline that would predominantly do two things: create massive employment for Nigerians and reduce the burden of air travel for Nigerians, and by extension, Africans, through the provision of affordable and peaceful connectivity across cities and continents”.

Olajide also disclosed that plans are underway for a subsequent launch to Malabo in Equatorial Guinea and Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

“We will continue to grow our route network as well as modernise our fleet strategically. Air Peace currently boasts of a network of twenty domestic routes, seven regional routes and two international destinations, including Dubai and Johannesburg”.

She thanked the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, the Ministry of Aviation, the Chinese government, partners, and other stakeholders for making the China launch possible.

“We promise to work harmoniously with all relevant aviation actors to ensure this new route is maximised”.

July 14, 2022
Emirates to operate extra flights for upcoming Hajj season

With the significant demand for air travel during Hajj, Emirates is deploying extra flights to ensure more connectivity for the scores of pilgrims making their way to the Holy City of Makkah. Emirates will be operating special flights to Jeddah and Medina during the upcoming Hajj season to carry pilgrims for this special period.

Emirates will be deploying 31 additional flights to Jeddah and double daily flights to Medina from 23 June to 20 July to help transport pilgrims to carry out one of the key pillars of Islam. These services will run in parallel with Emirates’ regularly scheduled services.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has greatly expanded its Hajj participation this year to nearly a million pilgrims. This year, Emirates has seen strong demand for Hajj travel from Indonesia, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Turkey, Egypt, Ethiopia, Malaysia, the UK, US, UAE and Algeria.

The special services are available to travellers holding a valid Hajj visa. Pilgrims must also be under the age of 65, hold a valid vaccination certificate with a vaccine authorised by the Saudi Ministry of Health, and must also carry a negative PCR test done within 72 hours of departure.

A pilgrim-centric experience with Emirates

Given the significance of the once-in-a-lifetime Hajj experience, the airline’s teams have been working hard to ensure that every detail of the pilgrim’s experience is aligned with the tenets of their faith.

On the ground in Dubai, Emirates has a special Hajj airport team to help manage check-in, transfers, and helping to facilitate a seamless and convenient on-ground experience for Hajj pilgrims. Emirates has also set up dedicated check-in and transfer counters for Hajj passengers transiting in Dubai. For Hajj travellers having a long layover in Dubai before continuing on to Jeddah or Medina, dedicated teams are on hand to escort those groups and support them on all of their arrival formalities.

From the moment pilgrims step onto the aircraft, a range of initiatives have been planned in keeping with the values and traditions of the Hajj journey.

Extra provisions to accommodate Hajj traveller needs such as ablution cleansing rituals, unperfumed towels, advising passengers while en route to Jeddah about when they have entered Al Miqat zones (state of sanctity) and changing of Ihram robes through special PAs, and other arrangements have been planned to ease their journey and ready them for the rest of their pilgrimage. Emirates’ award winning ice system will also feature a special Hajj video that covers safety, general formalities and information about performing the Hajj pilgrimage. Pilgrims will also be able to tune into the Holy Quran channel, in addition to other religious content.

On flights from Jeddah, passengers can check-in up to 5 litres of holy water (Zamzam), which will be placed in special areas in the cargo hold.

June 27, 2022
Emirates urges travelers to book summer tickets now

Emirates has urged intending summer holiday customers who are yet to make their travel arrangements to book at once in order to ensure that they are able to travel on their preferred dates and flights. This comes as the summer holidays draw closer, daily booking volumes are accelerating and as travel rebounds from the impact of the pandemic.

Emirates is busy preparing for its busiest period with over 550,000 customers expected to fly out from the UAE between June and July on over 2,400 weekly network-wide departures. The Airline has continued to add flights and frequencies where possible as it ramps up its summer schedule, and will be operating close to 80% of its pre-pandemic capacity, or over 1 million weekly seats for this summer to serve demand.

From 1 August, customers travelling from Dubai to London, Paris and Sydney will be able to experience the airline’s full Premium Economy experience, complete with dedicated check-in areas at DXB, luxurious seats offering unrivalled comfort with a pitch of up to 40 inches, soft, sustainable blankets and amenity kits, elevated onboard gastronomy and a premium selection of beverages, amongst other attentive touches.

Customers returning from their holidays abroad can continue their summer experiences on the ground in Dubai with My Emirates Pass. Customers travelling between 1 May to 30 September 2022 can enjoy exclusive offers at over 500 locations, including restaurants, big-name retail outlets, spas and exclusive attractions across the city by simply showing their Emirates boarding pass.

Emirates is working hard to ensure it provides an incredible onboard experience, and a seamless journey on the ground. As many customers have been waiting for almost two years to travel on the ground, customers can look forward to a speedy process when they utilise the airline’s biometric path in Terminal 3 for a contactless journey from select check-in desks, Emirates lounges and boarding gates. The airline has also introduced other technology-centric services including self-check-in and bag drop kiosks at DXB for a smoother and contactless airport experience. Emirates customers also now have the option to cut down their wait time with 25 mobile check-in ports, where they can get their boarding cards, weigh and tag their bags, and have any of their questions answered by check-in staff.

From Abu Dhabi, Emirates customers can board the airline’s bus service which now operates five times a day. First Class customers can take advantage of Emirates’ new Home Check-in Service that offers them the option to check-in from home, free of charge. Emirates’ First Class customers based in Dubai and Sharjah, can have Check-in Agents visit their homes or hotels at pre-booked timings to complete all check-in formalities, including document verification, checking-in of baggage, and issuing boarding passes.There is an allocated counter at the airport for any last-minute extra luggage.

Onboard, customers can look forward to regionally inspired dishes, special menus and an unrivalled beverage offering across all classes, as well as a host of other amenities. Emirates’ award-winning inflight entertainment system, ice, now offers more than 5,000 channels, with content in 40 languages to cater to every taste and preference, including 4,000 hours of the latest movies and TV, and close to 3,500 hours of music and podcasts to choose from. The airline will be flying to 35 A380 destinations this summer, and customers can look forward to the airline’s signature experience on its flagship double-decker, including its tremendously popular Onboard lounge and Shower Spa, amongst other award-winning experiences to be found across every cabin class.

June 23, 2022
Wakanow collaborates with Dana Airlines as a strategic distribution partner to provide real time access for Flight bookings

Wakanow, Africa’s leading travel tech company, has collaborated with Dana Airlines, a fully private sector-owned carrier in Nigeria, it is expected that Wakanow will deliver real-time inventory and continuous flight schedules 24/7. By virtue of this partnership, Wakanow is the only official online travel agency with Dana Airlines Nigeria’s Live Inventory bookable in real-time thus enabling the delivery of a seamless booking experience for Wakanow customers and Dana Airlines passengers to provide global standard in customer experience to the teeming customers of the airline.

In his speech at the commencement of this partnership, Mr. Adebayo Adedeji, CEO of Wakanow, said, “Wakanow is expected to bring in another differentiator to the Nigerian travel industry as we begin this collaboration with Dana Airlines. With this partnership, we are poised to change the face of domestic travel for Nigerian travellers and other tourists from across the world. We would bring our topnotch expertise to bear so that this collaboration will be a case study across the aviation industry.”

According to him, “The aviation industry is undergoing changes that will delight travelers and will bring a boost to the quality of service provided to the travellers. With Wakanow, Nigerians will continue to have bespoke services and superior customer experience across all our touchpoints for Dana Airlines.”

In her words, the Chief Commercial Officer of Wakanow, Mrs. Adenike Macaulay said, “This integration with DANA Airlines will unlock an expanded domestic inventory selection for our customers making Wakanow the one-stop shop for domestic travel bookings in Nigeria. Our expertise in the travel industry will be brought to the fore in exceeding customers’ experience with Dana Airlines bookings. She noted, “Our workforce is ready to support Dana Airlines in surpassing customers’ expectations.”

According to the DCEO of Dana Air, Sukhjinder Mann, Dana Air is a leading brand in the aviation industry and we are committed to partnerships that will be beneficial not just to the industry but to our teeming guests.

Our collaboration with Wakanow is to create seamless, real-time booking options for our guests across the world and there are a lot of these partnerships in the works as part of efforts to continue to exceed the flying aspirations of our guests with improved customer experience.”

Wakanow has become renowned for her support of local and international airlines and enhancing the Nigerian aviation industry with distinct products and services. The travel tech company is built to cater to all the travel needs of travel enthusiasts from flights, hotels, holiday experiences, visa processing, COVID-19 tests, among other offerings for Nigerian travellers. As an indigenous African travel industry leader, Wakanow was a part of the 10th Aviation Stakeholders Convention that took place in Nairobi, Kenya recently.

June 13, 2022
Emirates wins Best Wi-Fi and Best Food & Beverage at 2022 APEX Regional Passenger Choice Awards®

Travelers around the world have recognized Emirates for Best Wi-Fi and Best Food & Beverage in the Middle East, with the airline bagging these awards at the prestigious 2022 APEX Regional Passenger Choice Awards® ceremony held in Dublin, Ireland.

For the awards this year, verified passengers flying on over one million flights on nearly 600 airlines from around the world were asked to rate their airline experiences in five subcategories: seat comfort, cabin service, food and beverage, entertainment, and Wi-Fi.

The two awards crown Emirates’ continual efforts to deliver the best possible customer experiences on board and take the total count of APEX awards presented to Emirates, to 30, since the awards’ launch in 2010.

The Best Food & Beverage award recognises Emirates’ consistently high-quality, regionally inspired cuisine and extensive drinks menu. The airline’s attention to detail ensures a clockwork operation where over 110 meals from close to 4600 recipes that cater to every palate are loaded onto its flights each year. Emirates also pays special attention to its beverage offering which ranges from fresh mocktails and vitality boost drinks, to a wide selection of hand-picked teas and coffee, alongside the very best champagnes and special vintages of wines and spirits that any sommelier would envy.

Staying connected is an everyday essential on the ground and also in the skies. Emirates was the first airline to equip its entire fleet with mobile phone connectivity, in 2007, and now every aircraft is equipped with Wi-Fi services. Free connectivity options are available to all Business and First Class passengers, and Skywards Platinum and above. Great value plans are available for full flight internet or chat. Last year, Emirates replaced MB limited plans with unlimited plans or timed plans – simplifying the options available as few users understood the MB consumption on a session.

In total, Emirates’ award-winning ice inflight entertainment system, with over 5,000 channels, including up to 150 channels dedicated to family and children, presents an unmatched breadth of content in 40 languages to cater to its global customer base. It also offers more than 4,000 hours of movies and TV, and close to 3,500 hours of music and podcasts to choose from, along with 5 channels of live TV including major sports events for sports lovers. New, exciting and exclusive content will be available onboard ice with something for everyone travelling this summer and beyond.

Committed to ensuring its customers always “Fly Better”, Emirates is heavily investing to further elevate its signature services and products for travellers in all cabin classes. Emirates will soon begin a massive cabin retrofit programme to fit out 120 aircraft with its latest Premium Economy cabin, as well as its latest interiors across other cabins.

The APEX Passenger Choice Awards® recognize excellence in seat comfort, cabin service, food and beverage, entertainment and Wi-Fi. Partnering with TripIt® from Concur®, the world’s highest-rated travel-organizing app, anonymous passenger feedback is gathered based on neutral, third-party passenger feedback and insights.

June 9, 2022
Lagos Aviation Academy Receives Best Training School Award

Lagos Aviation Academy (LAA), one of the fastest-growing aviation training schools in Nigeria has received the award of the Best Training School for the year 2021 during the Nigeria Tourism Awards which was held in Lagos.

The Nigeria Tourism Awards also known as the Balearica is an annual event organised by Mr. Efetobo Awhana, a stakeholder in the Nigerian tourism industry.

Receiving the award, Mr. Bankole Bernard, the Academy Director and Chairman of the Association of Approved Aviation Training Organisations in Nigeria (AATON) who spoke through the academy’s spokesperson, Ms. Olamide Oni remarked:

“It is an honour for us at Lagos Aviation Academy to have been named the Best Training School in Nigeria. This feat is a testament to our hard work and dedication to excellence at Lagos Aviation Academy. This award is hereby dedicated to our staff at Lagos Aviation Academy, our students, the regulatory bodies, our partners and everyone that has contributed to our success as an institution so far. While I thank the organisers of the Nigeria Tourism Awards for this recognition, I would like to also lend our voice on the need to maintain standards and professionalism in the aviation training space.”

Mr Awhana, the organiser of the Nigeria Tourism Awards who also spoke on the need to maintain standards and grow tourism in Nigeria said: “To further grow tourism, we need to appreciate those who grow the standards because the industry cannot grow without consistently raising the standard. I urge all recipients of these awards to continue to spread the campaign for the promotion of domestic tourism, God has endowed us well enough.”

Celebrating the Academy’s milestone, Ms. Chinasa Mbene, The General Manager, Lagos Aviation Academy noted: “This is the first of its kind for us at Lagos Aviation Academy and we are excited about this feat. It could not have come at a better time as we have not only expanded over the years but also clinched the award of the Best Training School upon entering our fifth year in business. This award will further fuel our passion for raising quality professionals in the industry and we will continuously raise the bar of excellence.”

May 26, 2022
Emirates honours Nigeria’s leading travel industry agents in Lagos

Emirates, the world’s largest international airline, held an event in Lagos to recognise the services and ongoing partnerships of its top travel agents. The event was the first to take place since the outset of the pandemic, and gathered the industry’s best, reaffirming the airline’s ongoing commitment to the market and its longstanding partnership with its travel trade partners and their respective agencies.

The event included Lagos’s most prominent travel agencies. The airline’s top management, led by Badr Abbas, Senior Vice President Commercial Operations in Africa, honoured the contribution of the travel agents to Emirates’ post-pandemic recovery in characteristic style and elegance. The event was also hosted by Paulos Legesse, Country Manager Nigeria and the Emirates team in Nigeria.

This special travel industry initiative is another clear demonstration of the strategic importance of the Nigerian market to Emirates.

Commenting on reconnecting in person with the travel industry for the first time since the outset of the pandemic, Badr Abbas said: “Emirates airline and Nigeria share a very special relationship that goes back to almost 20 years, and we have been connecting Nigerian travellers to a global network which now spans nearly 130 destinations, making it easier to connect with friends, family, trade and tourism opportunities.

“We have been eager to visit Nigeria, a market that is very important to us, to meet with the people that have supported us, even in the most difficult of times. Throughout this journey, you, our loyal travel agents have been an integral part of our rebuilding efforts, for which we are extremely grateful. We look forward to your continued support in the years ahead.”

He continued: “It has been a challenging two years for all of us, and together we are navigating the road to recovery, hopefully gaining an even stronger footing for the future. The word ‘Together’ is key and has always been for us at Emirates. Recovery is not a unilateral effort. It is through collaboration and meaningful partnerships that we move forward with recovery, and all collectively prepare to address the pent-up demand for travel to and from Nigeria and across our network.”

The airline also organised a workshop in Lagos for close to 60 travel trade partners, which aims to provide them with the latest updates and information on the airline, its route network and fleet in service, the ramp up of operations in both Lagos and Abuja, new routes for the airline globally, updates on its new Premium Economy product, up-to-date information on its customer and booking policies, the latest on Emirates Gateway partner portal, in addition to other topics.

Emirates currently operates 12 flights a week to two cities in Nigeria, Lagos, and Abuja. By 1 September, it will ramp up its operations to 21 weekly flights in line with increasing demand for international travel from the market.

Emirates flew over 19 million passengers across its network in the last financial year.

Emirates flyers can look forward to another distinctive Emirates travel experience as the airline unveils its full Premium Economy offering onboard and on ground, starting 1 August 2022.

The new cabin class, which offers luxurious seats, more legroom, and service to rival many airlines’ business offerings, will be available to Emirates customers travelling on popular A380 routes.

Once onboard, customers will immediately notice the quiet luxury in Emirates’ Premium Economy cabin. A wood panel finishing similar to Business Class sets the cabin’s mood, and each seat is designed to provide optimal comfort and support with 6-way adjustable headrests.

May 26, 2022
Sultan, Odigie, Adebowale others extol Air Peace Boss at the opening of Allen Onyema Edifice

…calls FG to increase funding for Varsities

The Chairman of Air Peace, Barrister Allen Onyema, has commissioned an imposing guest house at the University of Ibadan as an alumnus of the institution, under the auspices of the University of Ibadan Alumni Association, UIAA.

The commissioning took place at a special ceremony organised by the UIAA at the University, on Saturday, May 14, 2022, and attended by the Sultan of Sokoto and Chancellor of the University, His Royal Majesty, Alhaji Muhammad Abubakar, Chief John Odigie, Chairman of the University Governing Council, Professor Kayode Adebowale, Vice-chancellor of the University and chief host, and the executive members of the UIAA.

In his remarks, Onyema, while calling for an increased funding for Nigeria’s university system, stressed that Nigerians should be proud of their institutions. “We need to be proud of Nigerian universities. That’s how it was in the good old days. We need to rediscover those days”, he stated.

The Air Peace boss, who was recognised with the Alumnus of the Year Award by the University in 2019, used the medium to plead with the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, to call off their strike for the sake of the nation and the wellbeing of the students.

According to him, “it pains me that our children have been at home for several months. For the sake of our nation, which is passing through trying times, and for the sake of the wellbeing of our children, ASUU should, please, call off the strike. He said the Federal Government and the Union should reach an amicable decision to end the crisis in the country’s university system.

Explaining how the Airline Operators of Nigeria, AON, suspended its planned shutdown of operations last Sunday, the aviator stated that the operators made sacrifices to give room for the government to solve the issue and it had done that. He asked ASUU to take a cue from what the airlines did by sacrificing for the wellbeing of Nigerian students.

The airline helmsman also harped on the need for Nigerians to leverage their diversity for national development. In his words: “Nigeria has the potential. Let’s explore this potential. The bigger Nigeria is, the stronger we should be because there’s strength in diversity”. He implored well-meaning Nigerians to inculcate the culture of giving back to their alma mater and be involved in its development.

Lauding the UIAA President, Professor Elsie Adewoye, for her hardwork in bringing to fruition the new guest house , Onyema added that people like her should be recognised by Nigerian government. He challenged her to make good use of the influence of personalities like the Sultan and John Odigie to attract more investments to the University.

In her speech, the President of the Alumni Association, Professor Adewoye, narrated how Onyema emerged as the Alumnus of the Year in 2019, and donated handsomely to the Ransome Kuti Hall where he stayed during his days at the institution. She said: “As we commission this 110million naira project today, my joy knows no bounds. Onyema is simply a blessing to humanity, a blessing to Nigeria, a blessing to UI, and no wonder you were rewarded recently with the National Productivity Order of Merit Award by President Muhammadu Buhari. Thank you most exceedingly”.

Speaking, the Sultan of Sokoto, His Royal Majesty, Alhaji Muhammad Abubakar, charged the school management to never let the school down. “Government cannot do it all. We need to come in and help our universities and that’s why what Allen has done is commendable. We’re here to celebrate Allen for this wonderful edifice. Allen, once in a while, come in and see how the guest house is doing. Let’s continue to excel and commit ourselves to excellence”, he added.

Similarly, Chief John Odigie, Chairman of the University Governing Council, expressed: ”Allen, we’re glad to have you as an alumnus of UI. May God bless you. If we come knocking again, please listen to us as we are already looking at having a new Senate facility”. He further emphasised that the recurrent crises in Nigeria’s university system must come to an end.

In the same vein, the Vice-chancellor of UI, Professor Kayode Adebowale, noted that the event was significant in many ways. “Today’s event is significant and outstanding in many ways. A testimony to the generous heart of Allen Onyema. We stand here today to commission a 110million naira building by a worthy alumnus of this institution. No condition makes a true giver unable to give.

“Barrister Onyema has proven this. Even with the harsh realities of the economy, he has been generous. Today, we are witnesses to his generosity”, he stated. Thanking Onyema for being so outstanding, Adebowale cited how he deployed his aircraft to rescue stranded Nigerians from South Africa in 2019 amidst the xenophobic onslaught and how he offered his aircraft to airlift Nigerians a couple of months back from different European countries, as the Russia-Ukraine war thickened. He also called on Onyema to consider setting up a Centre for Aviation Studies in UI.

The immediate past president of the UIAA, Dr Kemi Emina, also commended Onyema for his consistent support and cooperation.

The Air Peace boss is a proud alumnus of the University of Ibadan where he bagged an LLB Degree and has never ceased to identify with the initiatives and activities of the institution, especially through funding of specific projects. This newly commissioned building named ‘Allen Onyema Edifice’, is a modern multiple rooms guest house at the heart of the University.

May 15, 2022
Onyema Receives National Productivity Order of Merit Award

The Chairman of Air Peace, Barrister Allen Onyema, has been recognized and conferred with a National Productivity Order of Merit (NPOM) Award by the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, on May 12, 2022, at the 19th National Productivity Day ceremony in Abuja.

The award, within the Employers of Labour category, recognizes Onyema’s giant strides in entrepreneurship, massive job creation and overall economic achievements. Other distinguished personalities in the same category are Mike Adenuga, Jim Ovia, Abdul Samad Rabiu and Chinedum Okereke.

Receiving the award, the aviation cognoscente thanked President Buhari and the Ministry of Labour headed by Senator Dr. Chris Ngige and reiterated his commitment to the Nigerian project. He said he would continue to use his entrepreneurship to impact Nigeria’s economy and carry out more social impact initiatives, adding that ‘Nigeria is our country and we all must do all we can to take her to greater heights.

Speaking to journalists in Abuja at an event to herald the NPOM Award ceremony, Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, said the conferment of the National Productivity Order of Merit Award was a positive step by government to institutionalise productivity consciousness and excellence in service among workers and organisations in Nigeria towards redirecting their efforts to the growth and development of our economy.

The other objectives of the Award are to reward the most productive workers and organisations in both public and private sectors for diligence, high performance, high productivity and research achievements; encourage and foster the spirit of healthy competition amongst workers, firms and companies in Nigeria, and encourage the spirit of self-reliance.

May 13, 2022
Ex-Minister of Communications, Engr Olawale Ige, C.ENG, M.I.E.T, FNSE,FAEng,MFR dead

The family of Ige has announced the death of Engr Olawale Adeniji Ige, C.ENG, M.I.E.T, FNSE, FAEng, MFR on 9th May 2022 at the age of 83yrs.

According to a statement released by his daughter, Mrs. Atinuke Olashore, Engr Ige was the former Director-General, Ministry of Communications before he became a Minister of Communication in 1990 and he was reappointed a Minister to coordinate the Ministry of Transport, Aviation, and Communications in 1992.

Between 1999 and 2010, he served as a member of the Nigerian Communications Commission and the first Director of Digital Bridge Institute, Abuja. Engr Ige was a member of the First World Telecommunications Advisory Group of the International Telecommunications Union with headquarters in Geneva and the first chairman of the Nigeria Internet Group.

Born on 13th October 1938 in Lagos, he began his working career with Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation in Ibadan as Engineering Assistant in 1957 before proceeding to the United Kingdom to study Electrical Engineering in 1961.

Upon his return to Nigeria in 1967, he began his working career with the Federal Ministry of Communications (Posts and Communications Department) as an Engineer and rose to become the first coordinating Director (Internal) NITEL and subsequently the General Manager, Long Distance Communications, NITEL in 1985.

He started his consultancy practice in 1993 and was appointed a consultant on Regional African Satellite Communications implementation.

In 1979, he was conferred with the national honour of Member of The Federal Republic (MFR) for his contribution to the growth and development of the country.

He got married to the late Mrs. Aderonke Ige (Nee Fetuga) and their union was blessed with the four children. He was an ardent Baptist and member of First Baptist Church, Lagos where he served as a member of the Deaconate Board.

He is survived by his children Mrs. Atinuke Olashore, Mr. Babasola Ige, Mr. Adegbola Ige and Mrs. Banke Laycock, and 8 Grandchildren.

May 11, 2022
Emirates Unveils its full Premium Economy Class, ‘The Future is Now’ at ATM

Leading stakeholders in Nigeria’s tour and travel sector shall be hoisting Nigeria’s flag from May 9-12 at the Arabian Travel Market 2022 (ATM) as Emirates finalizes plans to unveil its full Premium Economy cabin experience.

Emirates promises among others, to offer members of the travel and tourism industry from over 112 countries a chance to experience the airline’s signature products in every cabin class. The region’s leading travel and tourism exhibition is expected to welcome 20,000 visitors this year, with the theme of ‘The future of international travel and tourism.’ Emirates’ iconic presence at the event this year will be fittingly themed ‘THE FUTURE IS NOW’.

At Emirates’ “THE FUTURE IS NOW” themed stand, the airline will also present its signature products across all classes. Over ATM’s four days, Emirates’ executives and commercial teams will be at the airline’s stand with a busy agenda of face-to-face business meetings, taking the opportunity to network and reconnect with travel trade industry partners, and establishing new partnerships in line with the airline’s work to help the industry collectively rebuild better for the future.

The highly popular Emirates Premium Economy seat which will be on display at ATM is a luxurious take on the traditional cabin, providing more comfort with legroom of up to 40 inches, wide seats that span 19.5 inches with a generous 8-inch recline, and other thoughtful touches for customers to comfortably sit back and relax.

In addition, Emirates will also feature its show-stopping Boeing 777-300ER game-changer First Class fully enclosed private suite, Boeing 777 Business Class seat, newest generation A380 Onboard Lounge, along with other iconic products such as the First Class Shower Spa and its generously pitched game-changer Economy Class seats.

The Emirates stand is located in Hall 3, stand number ME3210 at ATM.

May 9, 2022