News Wings

Category: Aviation

  • Delta Airlines blocks middle-seat selection for more space cap cabin seating through Sept. 30

    Delta Airlines blocks middle-seat selection for more space cap cabin seating through Sept. 30

    Delta Airlines is extending our commitment to make more space for safer travel by continuing to block the selection of middle seats and capping seating in every cabin through Sept. 30, 2020.

    ·         Through Sept. 30, Delta will ensure more space for customers on all aircraft by capping seating at 50% in First Class; 60% in Main Cabin, Delta Comfort+, and Delta Premium Select; and 75% in Delta One to reduce the total number of customers on board.

    All middle seats will continue to be shown as unavailable or not assignable when selecting seats via the Fly Delta app or online. It will also continue to block the selection of some aisle seats in aircraft with 2×2 seating configurations.

    “Reducing the overall number of customers on every aircraft across the fleet is one of the most important steps we can take to ensure a safe experience for our customers and people,” said Customer Experience Officer Bill Lentsch. “Delta is offering the highest standards in safety and cleanliness so we’re ready for customers when they’re ready to fly again.” He added.

    ·         Starting June 10, Delta will resume automatic, advance Medallion Complimentary Upgrades to Delta One (domestic U.S.), First Class and Delta Comfort+ –  which were previously being managed at the gate.

    ·         On routes where increasing customer demand is driving flight loads closer to caps, Delta will look for opportunities to upsize to a larger aircraft type or add more flying.

    ·         Delta also requires customers and employees to wear face coverings throughout the travel journey to ensure an extra layer of protection while Adding social distance markers in check-in lobbies, Delta Sky Club check-in areas, at the gate and down the jetbridge to encourage customers to stand apart.

    ·         In addition, Delta will Wipe down check-in lobbies, self-service kiosks, gate counters and baggage claims many times throughout the day. And by summer, Delta teams will be using electrostatic spraying in all airports Delta serves in the U.S. the same measure used on every Delta flight prior to boarding.      

    ·         Delta have also started electrostatic spraying at TSA checkpoints in key markets and are working with the TSA to provide electrostatic spraying at all checkpoints in the airports Delta serves.

    Using state-of-the-art air circulation systems with industrial-grade HEPA filters on many Delta aircraft that extract more than 99.99% of particles, including viruses.

    ·         Also Boarding all flights from back to front, will reduce the instances of customers passing by one another to reach their seats.

    ·         Streamlining onboard food and beverage service on all flights and encouraging customers to pack their own food and non-alcoholic beverages to decrease physical touch points.

    ·         Delta will be Providing supplies directly to customers when available, including hand sanitizers, care kits and other protective equipment to minimize the spread of COVID-19 and continue to work with health experts, partners and healthcare industry leaders on best practices.

    While Delta is redefining the industry standard of clean and making more space on board for customers, Delta will also continuing to offer added flexibility if travel plans change by extending change-fee waiver for new flights purchased through June 30, providing customers the option to change their plans without a fee for a year from the date of purchase, stating that the waiver also applies to award tickets and redeposit fees.

  • IATA Financial outlook: Air transport to lose $84.3 billion in 2020

    IATA Financial outlook: Air transport to lose $84.3 billion in 2020

    The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has released its financial outlook for the global air transport industry showing that airlines are expected to lose $84.3 billion in 2020 for a net profit margin of -20.1%.

    Revenues will fall 50% to $419 billion from $838 billion in 2019. In 2021, losses are expected to be cut to $15.8 billion as revenues rise to $598 billion.

    “Financially, 2020 will go down as the worst year in the history of aviation. On average, every day of this year will add $230 million to industry losses. In total that’s a loss of $84.3 billion. It means that—based on an estimate of 2.2 billion passengers this year—airlines will lose $37.54 per passenger. That’s why government financial relief was and remains crucial as airlines burn through cash,” said Alexandre de Juniac, IATA’s Director General and CEO.

    “Provided there is not a second and more damaging wave of COVID-19, the worst of the collapse in traffic is likely behind us. A key to the recovery is universal implementation of the re-start measures agreed through the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to keep passengers and crew safe. And, with the help of effective contact tracing, these measures should give governments the confidence to open borders without quarantine measures. That’s an important part of the economic recovery because about 10% of the world’s GDP is from tourism and much of that depends on air travel. Getting people safely flying again will be a powerful economic boost,” said de Juniac.

    2020 Main Forecast Drivers:

    Passenger demand     evaporated as international borders closed and countries locked down to prevent the spread of the virus. This is the biggest driver of industry losses. At the low point in April, global air travel was roughly 95% below 2019 levels. There are indications that traffic is slowly improving. Nonetheless, traffic levels (in Revenue Passenger Kilometer) for 2020 are expected to fall by 54.7% compared to 2019. Passenger numbers will roughly halve to 2.25 billion, approximately equal to 2006 levels. Capacity, however, cannot be adjusted quickly enough with a 40.4% decline expected for the year.

    Passenger revenues are expected to fall to $241 billon (down from $612 billion in 2019). This is greater than the fall in demand, reflecting an expected 18% fall in passenger yields as airlines try to encourage people to fly again through price stimulation. Load factors are expected to average 62.7% for 2020, some 20 percentage points below the record high of 82.5% achieved in 2019.

    Costs are not falling as fast as demand. Total expenses of $517 billion are 34.9% below 2019 levels but revenues will see a 50% drop. Non-fuel unit costs will rise sharply by 14.1%, as fixed costs are spread over fewer passengers. Lower utilization of aircraft and seats as a result of restrictions will also add to rising costs.  

    Fuel prices offer some relief. In 2019 jet fuel averaged $77/barrel whereas the forecast average for 2020 is $36.8. Fuel is expected to account for 15% of overall costs (compared to 23.7% in 2019).

    Cargo is the one bright spot. Compared to 2019, overall freight tonnes carried are expected to drop by 10.3 million tonnes to 51 million tonnes. However, a severe shortage in cargo capacity due to the unavailability of belly cargo on (grounded) passenger aircraft is expected to push rates up by some 30% for the year. Cargo revenues will reach a near-record $110.8 billion in 2020 (up from $102.4 billion in 2019). As a portion of industry revenues, cargo will contribute approximately 26%–up from 12% in 2019.

    2020 Regional Performance

    All regions will post losses in 2020. The crisis has taken on a similar dimension in all parts of the world with capacity cuts lagging about 10-15 percentage points or more behind the over-50% fall in demand.

    Reduced Losses in 2021

    With open borders and rising demand in 2021, the industry is expected to cut its losses to $15.8 billion for a net profit margin of -2.6%. Airlines will be in recovery mode but still well below pre-crisis levels (2019) on many performance measures:
     

    • Total passenger numbers are expected to rebound to 3.38 billion (roughly 2014 levels when there were 3.33 billion travelers), which is well below the 4.54 billion travelers in 2019.
    • Overall revenues are expected to be $598 billion which would be a 42% improvement on 2020, but still 29% below 2019’s $838 billion.
    • Unit costs are expected to fall as fixed costs are spread across more passengers than in 2020. But the continued virus control measures will limit the gains by reducing aircraft utilization rates.
    • Cargo’s enlarged footprint in the air transport industry will remain. Cargo revenues will reach a record $138 billion (a 25% increase on 2020). That is about 23% of total industry revenues, roughly double its historical share. Air cargo demand is expected to be strong as businesses restock at the start of the economic upturn, while a slow return of the passenger fleet will limit the growth of cargo capacity, and keep cargo yields steady at 2020 levels.
    • Jet fuel prices are expected to rise to an average of $51.8 per barrel for the year, as global economic activity and oil demand rises. While that will add some cost pressure on airlines, the price per barrel is similar to 2016 ($52.1) and will still be the lowest since 2004 ($49.7).


    “Airlines will still be financially fragile in 2021. Passenger revenues will be more than one-third smaller than in 2019. And airlines are expected to lose about $5 for every passenger carried. The cut in losses will come from re-opened borders leading to increased volumes of travelers. Strong cargo operations and comparatively low fuel prices will also give the industry a boost. Competition among airlines will no doubt be even more intense. That will translate into strong incentives for travelers to take to the skies again. The challenge for 2022 will be turning reduced losses of 2021 into the profits that airlines will need to pay off their debts from this terrible crisis,” said de Juniac. 

    A Challenging Recovery

    Although losses will be significantly reduced in 2021 from 2020 levels, the industry’s recovery is expected to be long and challenging. Some factors include:
     

    • Debt Levels: Airlines entered 2020 in relatively good financial shape. After a decade of profits, debt levels were relatively low ($430 billion, roughly half annual revenues). Vital financial relief measures by governments have kept airlines from going bankrupt but have ballooned debt by $120 billion to $550 billion which is about 92% of expected revenues in 2021. Further relief measures should be focused on helping airlines to generate more working capital and stimulating demand rather than further expanding debt.
    • Operational efficiencies: The global measures agreed for the industry re-start, for the period that they are implemented, will significantly change operational parameters. For example, physical distancing during embarkation/disembarking, more deep cleaning and increased cabin check will all add time to operations which will decrease overall aircraft utilization.  
    • Recession: The depth and duration of the recession to come will significantly impact business and consumer confidence. Pent-up demand is likely to drive an initial uptick in travel numbers but sustaining that is likely to require price stimulus and that will put pressure on profits.
    • Confidence: Travel patterns are likely to shift. The gradual opening up of air travel is likely to be progressive, starting with domestic markets, followed by regional and, lastly, international. Research suggest that some 60% of travelers will be eager to recommence travel within a few months of the pandemic coming under control. The same research also indicates that an even greater percentage of potential travelers until their personal financial situation stabilizes (69%) or if quarantine measures are in place (over 80%).


    “People will want to fly again, provided they have the confidence in their personal financial situation and the measures taken to keep travelers safe. There is no tried and true playbook for a recovery from COVID-19 but the ICAO Takeoff re-start plan outlines globally harmonized. It is important that industry and governments follow it so that travelers will have the maximum reassurance about their safety. That will be a good start. And depending on how the pandemic evolves, knowledge of the virus deepens, or science improves, industry and governments will be better prepared for a globally coordinated response. That includes the potential removal of measures when it is safe. That will give airlines some breathing room to rebuild demand and repair damaged balance sheets,” said de Juniac.

  • COVID-19: Domestic flights to commence 21st of June, 2020

    COVID-19: Domestic flights to commence 21st of June, 2020

    The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority has made it known that following the announcement by the Presidential Task Force ok Covid19 on the easing and commencement of the second phase of the pandemic lockdown, the gradual commencement of domestic flight operation will commence on 21st June, 2020.

    As stated in a communique signed by Captain Musa S Nuhu the Director General of NCAA, the commencement of the flight operation will commence with airports such as; Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja; Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos; Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano; Omagwa International Airport, Port Harcourt and Sam Mbakwe Airport, Owerri while other airports outside those listed will be added to the network when due as they will continue to comply with the existing Covid19 protocols for approval.

    The communique further added that, the close of Nigerian airports to international flight will continue until a date of resumption is announced while emergency and essentials flight are exempted from the restriction.

    Meanwhile, the closure of Nigerian airports to domestic flights has been extended to 20th June, 2020.

  • Travel stakeholders call for enhanced technology for airlines turnaround performance at airports

    Travel stakeholders call for enhanced technology for airlines turnaround performance at airports

    Stakeholders in airlines and travel agencies have called on the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), to improve and enhance its technology for the new international protocols on check-in procedures for passengers to facilitate the turnaround performance of airlines.


    Speaking on Friday at the Sabre Africa Network Webinar conference with the theme: ‘Understanding Travel Complexities Post-Covid-19:”, Views from the Stakeholders,’  they also charged investors in the travel business to improve on technology deliveries in order to remain relevant post Covid-19 era.


    They stressed that without technology and dissemination of adequate information, the recovery level of air travel in the country would be slow when compared to other countries around the world.


    Country Manager, Cabo Verde airlines, Gbenga Onitilo, said the global travel sector would never remain the same post-Covid-19 virus until vaccines are developed to combat the disease, adding that the advent of coronavirus had reduced capacity for airlines by over 90 per cent, while about 30 million people are directly and indirectly unemployed globally.


    He explained that on resumption of flight operations, no airline would operate beyond 40 to 50 per cent capacity and expressed doubt about the preparation of Nigerian airports towards post-Covid-19 era.


    Mr. Onitilo stressed that airport performance would determine airline’s turnaround performance expressing doubt about the preparation of Nigerian airports towards post-Covid-19 era.


    “Airports will determine aircraft turnaround and not the airlines alone. We don’t know the pre-checking procedures in our airports. Dubai International Airport has embarked on automation process for air travellers, yet, we don’t have information from FAAN and NCAA.”


    “We are not going to return to pre-Covid-19 era again in the way we do our businesses. So far, we have about 600,000 deaths globally, which has brought changes in human interactions. A lot of air travellers are bothered about aviation and the possibility of contracting Covid-19 onboard aircraft.”


    “Everybody is now innovative about taking the business to their customers, even, the airlines are having a lot of shifts. The travel sector can never be the same again until you have the vaccines, which may come in the next 18 months. People have lost jobs and thousands of people are redundant. The protocols of airlines to ensure safety will determine the travel for the future.


    Sales Manager for another regional airline, Mr. Abiola Bakare, however expressed optimism that the travel industry would return to the pre-Covid-19 era in the next two or three years and charged air operators to be ingenious and think out of the box in order to compete post-Covid-19 era, work with Travel Management Companies (TMCs) for improved delivery to clients.


    He also called for harmonised health certificate for all travellers worldwide, saying that people would not travel if they would be isolated for 14 days in any country.


    “Going on 20 days holidays and having to spend the first 15days in isolation will not worth the while.”

    “Covid-19  has come to stay here with us and may end up like a way of life just like malaria, yellow fever and others in Africa. For Air Cote D’Ivoire, passengers would need about three hours to go through the check-in. Even, FAAN in a statement said passengers should expect delays at airports.


    “Air Cote D’Ivoire is putting in a lot of measures to enhance safety in its operations. We will be able to return to pre-Covid-19 pandemic in the next two to three years. People are willing to travel inasmuch as the airports are safe. We are embarking on aircraft sterilisation,” he added.

    On her part, Mrs. Susan Akporiaye, President, National Association of Nigerian Travel Agency (NANTA), called on travel agency practitioners to equip themselves with more relevant information and charged government to release more necessary information on new procedures to the body for easy transition.


    “The government should stop thinking that we as travel agents will come to ask them for money. What we need is international standards in our operations for the country. People want to travel, but are also careful about safety.”


    Earlier, Director of Operations at Sabre, Mrs. Hannah Ogunsulire  in her opening remarks, decried that the travel industry had been heavily impacted in recent time, while jobs are being lost regularly.
    She hoped that with adherence to international standards on safety, the sector would return stronger.

  • UNWTO launches global guidelines to reopen the tourism sector

    UNWTO launches global guidelines to reopen the tourism sector

    The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has released a set of guidelines to help tourism sector emerge stronger and more sustainably from COVID-19. The guidelines highlight the need to act decisively, to restore confidence and, as UNWTO strengthens its partnership with Google, to embrace innovation and the digital transformation of global tourism.

    The guidelines were produced in consultation with the Global Tourism Crisis Committee and aim to support governments and private sector to recover from an unparalleled crisis. Depending on when travel restrictions are lifted, the United Nations specialized agency warns that international tourist arrivals could fall by between 60% and 80%. This puts 100-120 million jobs at risk and could lead to US$ 910 billion to US$ 1.2 trillion lost in exports.

    UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: “These guidelines provide both governments and businesses with a comprehensive set of measures designed to help them open tourism up again in a safe, seamless and responsible manner. They are the product of the enhanced cooperation that has characterized tourism’s response to this shared challenge, building on knowledge and inputs from across the public and private sectors and from several UN agencies as part of the UN’s wider response.”

    Safe and security protocols for tourism recovery
    The new guide, a follow up of the Recommendations for Action already endorsed by the Committee, is focused on seven priorities for tourism recovery based on the pillars of mitigating the economic impact, developing safety protocols and coordinated responds and fostering innovation.

    The guidelines highlight the importance of restoring the confidence of the travelers through safety and security protocols designed to reduce risks in each step of the tourism value chain. These protocols include the implementation of check procedures where appropriate, including temperature scans, testing, physical distancing, enhanced frequency of cleaning and the provision of hygiene kits for safe air travel, hospitality services or safe events.

    Innovation key as UNWTO builds on Google partnership
    The UNWTO Guidelines also highlight the opportunity to foster a digital transformation of destinations, companies and employees with initiatives such as the free online training with the UNWTO Online Academy and the implementation of apps such as the Hi Card to improve international interoperability at the airports and hotels. The role of technology in promoting social distancing in hotels and tourist destinations is also highlighted.

    This comes as UNWTO strengthens its partnership with Google. Through this enhanced collaboration, the UN agency will work with Google to promote digital learning and online skills training so as to provide new opportunities across the global tourism sector.

    Secretary-General Pololikashvili added: “We are thrilled to be working more closely with Google. The past weeks have highlighted the enhanced role technology plays in our lives and furthering the digital transformation of tourism will make the sector more resilient and create opportunities for people all around the world.”

  • COVID-19: UK announces 3 more chartered repatriation flights from Lagos and Abuja

    COVID-19: UK announces 3 more chartered repatriation flights from Lagos and Abuja

    Hundreds more British travellers are set to return home from Nigeria on three flights chartered by the UK Government.

    The flights will be on May 29, from Lagos to London and June 1st Lagos to London and June 6th from Abuja to London.

     In a statement from the office of the British Deputy High Commission, Lagos says more than 1,700 British travellers have already returned to the UK on special charter flights in April and May – from Lagos and Abuja. 

    According to the statement, a UK organised special internal charter flight will travel from Port Harcourt to Abuja on Saturday 6 June to enable British nationals based in, or near, Port Harcourt to join the 6 June flight from Abuja to London.  

    So far, charter flights have returned British travellers from countries including India, the Philippines, Ecuador, Bolivia, Nepal, Ghana, Tunisia, Algeria and Peru.

    Minister of State for Africa, James Duddridge, said: 

    “Brits in Nigeria will now have access to additional repatriation flights, meaning hundreds more will be able to fly home. We’ve already arranged for around 1,700 people to return home to their friends and family and continue to support British nationals who remain in the country”. 

    Catriona Laing, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, said: 

    “I am delighted to announce a third wave of flights to take more of our British travellers home from Nigeria – adding to the 1,700 people we’ve already helped since airports closed on 23 April.  If you are eligible and wish to return to the UK, I’d urge you to book seats on these flights as they are likely to be the last charter flights available”. 

    The UK Government is working with the airline industry and host governments across the world to bring British travellers home as part of the plan announced by the Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab on 30 March – with up to £75 million available for special charter flights to priority countries, focused on helping the most vulnerable travellers.  

  • FlairJet fined by the Federal Government of Nigeria

    FlairJet fined by the Federal Government of Nigeria

    The Federal Government of Nigeria has penalised a British airline company, Flair jet, for operating commercial flights into Nigeria without approval amidst lockdown.

    This was announced by the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, on Sunday via his Twitter handle, where he said the airline contravened section 1.3.3 of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations 2015.

    He noted that the airline’s “callous misdemeanor” has been reported to the United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority, and other authorities.

    “Flairjet were found to violate our Civil Aviation Regulations IS 1.3.3(a) Table 2(IV)7(a) and IS 1.3.3 (a) Table 2(VIII)(4). The maximum penalty for each is N500,000:00K. We caused them to pay and reported their callous misdemeanor to UK CAA, MFA and the UK High Commission,” he tweeted.

    According to Sirika, “the company was given approvals for humanitarian operations but regrettably, they were caught conducting commercial flights, this callous! The craft is impounded, crew being interrogated. There shall be maximum penalty. Wrong time to try our resolve.”

    During the daily briefing by the Presidential Task Force PTF on COVID-19, the Minister also announced that the crew of the aircraft had been taken to an isolation center in Lagos where they will be quarantined for 14 days.

  • Nigerian Aviation unions threaten strike action over salary

    Nigerian Aviation unions threaten strike action over salary

    The unions in the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, have threatened to embark on an industrial action over the proposed reduction in salary payment for the month of May.

    The unions, the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, ATSSSAN and the Association of Nigerian Aviation Professionals, ANAP in a letter addressed to the Managing Director, FAAN today and signed by the scribes of both unions have given FAAN management 24 hours to call for an urgent meeting with the unions to discuss the matter.

    They say industrial harmony will not be guaranteed and the consequences which may follow if the meeting is not called.

    The Management of FAAN had on the 19th of this month in a memo informed the workforce of the agency that due to the dwindling revenue generation amidst COVID19 pandemic, management may not be able to pay full salary to staff as from May 2020 but however assured that as soon as the revenue generation improves, the balance will be paid to ensure the survival of the organization.

    The Secretaries General of the unions, Comrade Abdulrazak Saidu and Comrade Frances Akinjole say, they are amazed and disturbed by the FAAN’s management unilateral decision despite the agreement with the unions that before any decision is taken, they will be carried along.

    According to the letter, the unions say if such affront could be willfully mete out to a component of the staff Conditions of Service, CoS, without the knowledge of the National unions, it portends a possibility of waking up one day to find the the CoS document clandestinely reviewed.

  • ACI and IATA Outline Roadmap for Aviation Industry Restart

    ACI and IATA Outline Roadmap for Aviation Industry Restart

    …global coordination needed to ensure new measures are driven by data and evidence

    Airports Council International (ACI) World and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) have called on governments to ensure any new measures introduced for airports and airlines in the wake of COVID-19 are supported by scientific evidence and are consistent across the world.

    The aviation sector has been brought to a standstill and a balanced and effective restart and recovery depends on collaboration among the key participants in the global aviation ecosystem.

    ACI and IATA have jointly issued a paper laying out a pathway for restarting the aviation industry – Safely Restarting Aviation – ACI and IATA Joint Approach. Airlines and airports have cooperated to build a roadmap for resuming operations which reassures the travelling public that health and safety remain the overall priorities. 

    The joint approach proposes a layered approach of measures across the entire passenger journey to minimize the risk of transmission of COVID-19 at airports and onboard aircraft, and to prevent aviation becoming a meaningful source of international re-infection. Such measures should be globally consistent and subject to continued review, improvement, and removal when no longer required, to ensure an even recovery.

    ACI and IATA are both central members the COVID-19 Aviation Recovery Task Force (CART) being led by the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). CART enables the collaboration – among governments and between governments and industry -that is vital to ensure the harmonization and consistency of measures that are essential to restoring air connectivity and passenger confidence in air travel.

    “Airports and airlines have come together with ICAO and the wider aviation industry to address the biggest challenge ever faced by commercial aviation in restarting a global industry while continuing to halt the spread of COVID-19,” ACI World Director General Angela Gittens said. “There is currently no single measure that could mitigate all the risks of restarting air travel but we believe a globally-consistent, outcome-based approach represents the most effective way of balancing risk mitigation with the need to unlock economies and to enable travel.” 

    IATA’s Director General and CEO Alexandre de Juniac said, “Safety is always our top priority and that includes public health. Restoring air connectivity is vital to restarting the global economy and reconnecting people. Our layered approach of measures recommended by airports and airlines safeguard public health while offering a practical approach for a gradual restart of operations. It is important to remember that the risk of transmission on board is very low. And we are determined that aviation will not be a significant source of re-infection. We are working continuously with governments to ensure that any measures put in place are done so consistently and with scientific backing. That is key to restoring public confidence so the benefits of safely re-starting aviation can be realized.”  

  • COVID-19: FAAN fumigates airports ahead of flights resumption

    COVID-19: FAAN fumigates airports ahead of flights resumption

    The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria FAAN has kick started the fumigation of three International airports in the country namely, Lagos, Abuja and Port-harcourt against the covid-19 ahead of the re-opening.

    The fumigation maybe the signal that operators have been waiting for after two months of non-flight Operations.
    The fumigation exercise is against the Coronavirus pandemic ravaging the world.

    It is not clear yet when the ban on Flights will be lifted but the agency is taking this proactive steps to ensure the safety of passengers and other Airport users when the gateways are reopened. 

    All areas of the airports especially the departure and arrival including offices will be fumigated as it was done about two months ago.

    In March this year, the Agency embarked on a similar exercise of disinfection and fumigation of all the international airports.

    With the extension on the ban on flight Operations by 4 weeks last month by the Chairman, Presidential Task Force, PTF on Covid19, and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha, it is hoped that by June, flight Operations may resume, however, the ban is still subject to review.

    There are also indication, that the agency is carefully and seriously working on what is expected of passengers and stakeholders when using or travelling through the nation’s airports.

    The post Covid-19 guidelines is to assist passengers to contain the spread of the virus.

  • Non-Automation of AIS attributed to Contract flaws- Gusau

    Non-Automation of AIS attributed to Contract flaws- Gusau

    The non-automation of the Aeronautical information Services, AIS, System has been attributed to flaws from the beginning of the signing of the contract.

    This is just as personnel of the AIS celebrates the World AIS Day  with theme, “Challenges of COVID -19 on Aeronautical Information Management Operations (AIM OPS)”, call for more personal protective equipment as they are at risk of the coronavirus pandemic.

    The General Manager, Nigeria Airspace Management Agency, NAMA in charge of AIS Nigeria, Kabir Yahaya Gusau in a chat with reporters in Lagos said, the AIS automation had taken too long and there maybe a clause not included in the contract that has delayed the completion of the project.

    He said, it was now left for the contractor and NAMA who represents the FG to sit down and look at the contract again to identify areas of  flaws and make amends, adding that if this was not done soon, the AIS automation may never see the light of the day.

    “Our system must be automated now with immediate effect, when the system is automated it is will better promote efficiency. I think there has been a mistake from the beginning maybe when we were signing the contract there may have been something that was not included, so there is need for the contractors and the FG to sit down
    together and look at that contract again so that wherever the mistakes are, we have to rectify it, if not, I don’t see this thing coming in the near future.”

    He however noted that there had been a meeting between the Management of NAMA and other vendors to clear any area of misinformation, adding that a Committee was also being constituted in this regard.

    “Some countries that started before us have even finished and they are now talking about other things, please the FG should come into this, lets do this thing and forget about it. I don’t think paucity is responsible for the delay because nearly every year the FG put this in the budget I believe there must be a gap somewhere, yes, it is misinformation. In the meeting we had yesterday, we were able to discover a lot of things, the vendor agreed everything will be done within the shortest period of time and there is another thing they will be expecting from NAMA and we will have a committee and we are trying to work toward that and I also believe the vendor has some responsibility toward that and this time around we may
    actually achieve our aim very soon.”

    “In the meeting I had with the vendor and the Director Operations, I think we are getting a way forward, I think there is a misinformation along the line but the meeting of yesterday, I think we have found a way how we can continue, I believe now we understand where we are going.”

    On the stage the automation project was, Guasau said, “it was difficult to explain the actual stage for now, to be sincere with you, but am calling on the FG to make sure this thing become a reality as soon as possible because this thing is not only AIS, they say AIS but this thing comprise every aspect of aviation so by the time this thing become a reality it is not only AIS that benefits, virtual everywhere including NEMA, so everything is to be put together, it is a big project.”

    On the challenges faced due to the Covid-19 in the operations of the AIS/AIM personnel, Guasau said they need more protective equipment for protection against the virus.

    He said the Federal government should come to their aid, as their office needed to be well equipped to do their job without fear, adding that if the system was automated, there would not be apprehension as they would not be in contact with anyone in the dissemination of their information.

    “There is need for them to equip our offices so that we can protect ourselves, we have to protect ourselves before doing the job, because we don’t even know who is carrying the virus, if there is anybody who is at risk this period it is the AIS personnel, we are calling on the
    Federal Government to come to our aid.”

    Gusau also called on the government,  to also consider making available for the AIS personnel, “the way they are giving priority to the health workers, people are only talking about health workers, AIS officers should also be talked about because we are also like health workers, the health workers have PPE but don’t have anything, so there is need for the Federal Government to come to our aid and this allowance they are giving health workers, we should be given, so am calling on the FG to do that please and please and it is a matter of urgency.”

    “And there is also need for them to equip our offices because there is need to protect ourselves fast, we have to protect ourselves before doing the job

  • Lufthansa Group significantly expands service with June flight schedule

    Lufthansa Group significantly expands service with June flight schedule

    …to  connect Nigerian to over 120 destinations globally from 7th June

    With the June flight schedule, the airlines of the Lufthansa Group are significantly expanding their services compared with the previous weeks operation. 

    Lufthansa, SWISS and Eurowings are again adding numerous leisure and summer destinations to their flight schedules in June, as well as more long-haul destinations.

    With over 106 destinations in Germany and Europe and more than 20 intercontinental destinations, the range of flights on offer for all travellers will be greatly expanded by the end of June.The first batch of flights will be available for reservation in the booking systems today, 14 May.

    By the end of June, the Lufthansa Group airlines plan to offer around 1,800 weekly roundtrips to more than 130 destinations worldwide.

    “With the June flight schedule, we are making an important contribution to the revitalisation of the aviation infrastructure. It is an essential part of the German and European economic power. People want to and can travel again, whether on holiday or for business reasons. That’s why we will continue to expand our offer step by step in the coming months and connect Europe with each other and Europe with the world,” says Harry Hohmeister, Member of the Executive Board of German Lufthansa AG.

    Lufthansa’s additional flights that are resuming in the first half of June, in Germany and Europe, are from Frankfurt, Hanover, Majorca, Sofia, Prague, Billund, Nice, Manchester, Budapest, Dublin, Riga, Krakow, Bucharest and Kiev. From Munich, it is Münster/Osnabrück, Sylt, Rostock, Vienna, Zurich, Brussels and Majorca.

    In the first half of June, the flight schedule also includes 19 long-haul destinations, fourteen more than in May. In total, Lufthansa, SWISS and Eurowings will thus be offering more than 70 weekly frequencies overseas until mid-June, almost four times as many as in May. Further resumption of Lufthansa long-haul flights is planned for the second half of June.

    Lufthansa’s long-haul resumption of flights from Frankfurt in detail (subject to possible travel restrictions): 

    Toronto, Mexico City, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Tel Aviv, Riyadh, Bahrain, Johannesburg, Dubai and Mumbai. The destinations Newark/New York, Chicago, Sao Paulo, Tokyo and Bangkok will continue to be offered. 

    Lufthansa’s long-haul return flights from Munich in detail (subject to possible travel restrictions): Chicago, Los Angeles, Tel Aviv.

    All destinations can be booked on lufthansa.com. 

    The flight schedules of the Lufthansa Group airlines are closely coordinated, thus enabling reliable connectivity to European and intercontinental destinations once again.

    Austrian Airlines has decided to extend the suspension of regular flight operations for a further week, from 31 May to 7 June. A resumption of service in June is being considered.

    SWISS is planning to resume services to various destinations in the Mediterranean region, and other major European centres such as Paris, Brussels and Moscow will also be added to the programme.

    In its long-haul operations, SWISS will again offer its passengers new intercontinental direct services in June, in addition to its three weekly services to New York / Newark (USA). The Swiss carrier plans to offer flights from Zurich to New York JFK, Chicago, Singapore, Bangkok, Tokyo, Mumbai, Hong Kong and Johannesburg.

    Eurowings had already announced last week that it would be expanding its basic program at the airports of Düsseldorf, Cologne/Bonn, Hamburg and Stuttgart and gradually adding 15 further destinations within Europe from May onwards. With flights to Spain, Greece, Portugal and Croatia, the focus is on destinations in the Mediterranean region. Furthermore the island of Mallorca will again be offered from several German Eurowings gateways

    Brussels Airlines plans to resume its flight operations with a reduced network offer as from 15 June

    When planning their trip, customers should consider the current entry and quarantine regulations of the respective destinations. Throughout the entire trip, restrictions may be imposed due to stricter hygiene and security regulations, for example due to longer waiting times at airport security checkpoints. The catering services on board will also remain restricted until further notice. 

    In addition, passengers will continue to be asked to wear a nose-and-mouth cover on board during the entire journey.

  • Aeronautical Information Service (AIS) automation is fully on course-NAMA

    Aeronautical Information Service (AIS) automation is fully on course-NAMA

    The attention of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has been drawn to a release making the rounds in the media to the effect that the agency had abandoned the implementation of Aeronautical Information Service (AIS) automation. The said release by the Aeronautical Information Management Association of Nigeria (AIMAN) was quoted as saying that “NAMA management has neglected the implementation of the AIS Automation, thereby exposing personnel to Covid-19 pandemic.”

    In fact, nothing can be farther from the truth! While we use the opportunity of the World AIS Day celebration to congratulate our hardworking staff across the country for their dedication to duty, it is pertinent to put things in proper perspective for the benefit of unsuspecting stakeholders in the sector and the general public.

    The AIS Automation contract was signed since 2009 and without prejudice to previous efforts, we would like to state that the current administration of President Muhammadu Buhari through the dedicated leadership of the Honourable Minister, Sen. Hadi Sirika has made remarkable interventions targeted at actualizing the AIS Automation project.

    These interventions came by way of granting and approval of funding for the project which never happened in the past. The agency on its part has never relented in its bid to actualize this dream. For instance, the installation of VSAT nodes necessary for the transmission of data to remote locations is currently ongoing with 8 important nodes already running.

    The joint pilot briefing offices where the AIS Automation will operate from are simultaneously being installed with 8 offices fully completed. 

    Just yesterday, another batch of equipment for installation landed at the seaport and is being cleared in Lagos. 

     Following management’s desire to fast-track the automation project, the contractor was recently mandated to air-freight Kano and Kaduna master VSAT equipment for immediate installation instead of shipping. Kano VSAT is already up and running while that of Kaduna has been cleared to NAMA stores for immediate installation.

     Furthermore, the Aeronautical Message Handling System (AMHS) and AIS database have been manufactured and are ready for shipment 

    The point must also be made that management has vigorously pursued the training and retraining of different categories of AIS staff preparatory to the takeoff of automation. While several batches of personnel have undergone factory training at different times, other AIS staff have equally been trained at the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, (NCAT) Zaria to ensure they are at par with their colleagues worldwide.

    It is pertinent to note that the ongoing project is huge and all-encompassing, even as it seeks to address many gaps in the sector including the automation of AIS processes which had remained unattended to in the past.

    However, with the current level of support from President Mohammadu Buhari and Sen. Hadi Sirika as well as the avowed commitment of NAMA management, we are delighted to note that the AIS Automation project will soon be completed to the delight of all.

  • FAAN Refutes Post-COVID-19 Travel Guideline

    FAAN Refutes Post-COVID-19 Travel Guideline

    The Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) says post-COVID-19 travel guideline is still in the works. This was made known in a statement released on Saturday by Henrietta Yakubu, General Manager for Corporate affairs.

    She disclosed that the attention of FAAN was drawn to a statement released by a certain Tayo Olu to the effect that the Federal Government of Nigeria through FAAN has released a post-COVID-19 travel guideline for air travelers.

    Yakubu said, “although FAAN is carefully and seriously working on a guideline, however, the release did not emanate from the organization as deliberations are still on”.

    She further added that, “the Authority will like to enjoin air travelers and the general public to disregard the content of the said release.”

    She promised that at the appropriate time, FAAN will release the post-COVID-19 travel guidelines through its official communication medium. She also stressed that FAAN is committed to her core values of safety, security and comfort.

  • Women Aviators donate items to NAMA

    Women Aviators donate items to NAMA

    In a bid to contribute towards flattening the Coronavirus curve especially in the aviation sector, professional women aviators in the industry under the aegis of International Aviation Women’s Association (IAWA) in Nigeria have donated face masks and hand sanitizers to the Nigerian Airspace management Agency (NAMA).

    Speaking while presenting the items on behalf of IAWA at the agency’s headquarters in Lagos, NAMA Legal Adviser, Dr Anastasia Gbem said as working mothers who have put in several years in different areas of specialization, their intervention was inspired by the fact that the health of personnel in the aviation industry remained central to the growth and advancement of the industry itself.

    Gbem also noted that as a global organization of professional women advancing their  careers and promoting Nextgen professionals, “IAWA has a strong affiliation and has been networking with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), International Air Transport Association (IATA), Boeing and other critical stakeholders in the sector towards moving aviation forward.”   

    Receiving the items on behalf of the agency, Managing Director of NAMA, Capt. Fola Akinkuotu recalled that from the inception of aviation, the contribution of women in the sector had been legendary, stressing that over time, women had broken several barriers and made useful impacts and contributions which have remained invaluable to the growth and development of the industry. While appreciating the gesture on behalf of management, the NAMA boss assured that the items would be judiciously used for the benefit of staff in the different directorates and departments of the agency.