Aviation
Flight diversion: Worrisome development, says Pilots’, Aircraft Engineers’ Association president
…Air traffic controllers flays FLIDAN on development
The President of National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE), Engineer Abednego Galadima has described as worrisome a situation in which an aircraft dispatched to Abuja found itself in Asaba, the Delta State capital.
Galadima said such development not only puts Nigerian aviation in a negative light , but constittute serious safety and security tendencies and breach for the country’s travel space and eco- system.
This is just as the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) has warned the Flight Dispatcher Association of Nigeria (FLIDAN) against making allegations that would impede the investigations of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) into the flight diversion that occurred on Sunday, November 26th involving a United Airlines Flight NUA 0504 departing Lagos to Abuja.
NATCA’s National President Mr. Yomi Agoro, accused FLIDAN of demonstrating ignorance on the matter , because a flight plan is subject to amendment.
He said NATCA would not respond to the allegations but would wait for the outcome of the investigation by the NCAA.
“They are ignorant of this fact: Are they aware that a flight plan is subject to amendment? The investigation is on course. Let us not preempt the exercise. They have exposed their conduct and at the appropriate time, NATCA will speak,” he said.
Speaking in an interview, Galadima revealed that development has exposed the underbelly of the influx of foreign pilots operating in the Nigerian airspace, a trend the pilots/aircraft engineers’ association has consistently kicked against.
Galadima said: “We see it as a flagrant disregard of the expatriate quota. I will see it as a situation whereby because some people have Air Operators’ Certificate, they will just go and enter a lease agreement, they call Aircraft Crew Maintenance Insurance (ACMI) with nothing other than the commission they get on their routes.
“But nothing accrues to Nigeria. The Nigerian pilot doesn’t gain in terms of training or improvement of the skills or type rating, the engineers do not gain. “They just come with their aircraft with everything and begin to do business without regard or interface with our own professionals. I don’t think it is accepted.”
On the controversy over the flight plan filed by the flight dispatcher of United Nigeria Airlines, Galadima said the problem of diversion could have emanated from the error in the code of the document sent.
He said : ” . Instead of using the IATA call sign of ADB there was a change from V to B. But you begin to ask yourself questions. Flight plan is one document, there is what they call loadership, that gives you the number of passengers onboard and other things. And then, the information we had was that the controller that gave the start up reminded the captain that look, the flight plan is planned for Abuja but the pilot said no, it is Asaba.
“You ask yourself what was the company’s programme when the pilot came in that morning. Was there any change in the company’s programme? So there are more questions unanswered that we need to know.
“Another critical thing is the fact that when the controller reminded the captain that the flight plan before him was Abuja, why didn’t he refuse to give him start up. And that is why the human factor is highly emphasised in Nigeria.
” If it were to be a Nigerian crew, that would never happen. Before now, there was a programme that was put together for Foreign pilots. It was called the Environmental Familiarization Course in NCAT.
“Over time it was jettisoned but this is what we are seeing. That programme needs to be reintroduced with immediate effect so that they will get to know the Nigerian Airspace and there should be a way to evaluate that they really know it. There was also a policy of 60: 40 crew.
“What happened to that? We have been crying about disregard for the expatriate quota in this country.”
He further said : ” I commend the Minister for taking swift action on ensuring that every flight will have a Nigerian pilot but we want to see the details.
” The details should be such that the Nigerian pilots are not subjugated under these foreign pilots because he is also a professional in his own right. Sometimes, the expatriates that comes to this country are not the best out there. Nigerian pilots are better and doing very well and are abroad too. They shouldn’t be relegated to the background.
” They can have a pilot in command and issue us a monitoring pilot. We commend the NCAA but the programme should be returned. The issue of the human factor must be corrected.”
On the poor destination, weather cited by United Nigeria Airlines, Galadima said : ” Denial is not a strategy. It is condemnable to have issued a statement attributing it to weather to confuse the public. It is not good for a safety critical sector like aviation. Safety has to do a lot with trust.”
Galadima also spared a thought for over 200 jobless indigenous pilots. He said : ” There are over 200 jobless pilots in Nigeria. The truth of the matter is that like you see, wet lease is done to bridge a gap for the carrying capacity. The airlines don’t have it. Most of their aircraft are either outside or in one of the maintenance issue or that.
“These aircraft come and there is no serious value addition in terms of employment for Nigerians. Agreed that they have gotten more aircraft but how has it enhanced the life of Nigerian people. We are saying that the operators are looking for ready made hands. And these people we are talking about can’t even afford the type rating that is very expensive. Most of them are young graduates.
” Airlines can only be strengthened by proper regulation, they should not be over regulated. The NCAA should be on top of their game. They should investigate any violation that we bring to their notice. And we are ready to work with the government and the regulator especially in the areas of pilots and engineers employment so that we can fashion a way where they can retain currency and be more marketable. Some are now going abroad and some of the good hands are already moving to the Middle East and they are doing very well. We need to be forward-looking so that we have a succession plan because we have aging manpower.
“The thing we need to do is to invest more in the instructors to train and retain them. You do that by motivating and giving them commensurate compensation. “It is not only in NCAT, it is happening in NCAA, and others because what the industry is paying is far far higher than what government organizations are paying.”
Access Holdings Plc has announced the resignation of Mr. Roosevelt Ogbonna, a Non-Executive Director, from its Board of Directors.
Ogbonna stepped down from the board after three and a half years of service.
The announcement was made in a disclosure filed on the Nigerian Exchange, NGX and signed by the Company Secretary, Sunday Ekwochi.
In the statement, the Holdings explained that although Mr. Ogbonna is retiring from its board, he will continue to serve as the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Access Bank Plc, the Group’s banking subsidiary.
His resignation is aimed at ensuring compliance with the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Corporate Governance Guidelines for Financial Holding Companies (2023), which stipulate that no more than nine directors can sit on the board of a financial holding company.
The board expressed its gratitude for his contributions, noting: “The board appreciates Mr. Ogbonna for his outstanding and continued contributions to the Access Group.”
Aviation
Afrijet-FlyGabon appoints Noutchemo as Country Director, launches new route connecting Douala to Port Harcourt
…partners Naija Diaspora Magazine
Afrijet-FlyGabon, a prominent airline recognized for its regional connections across Central and West Africa, has officially launched a new flight route connecting Douala, Cameroon, to Port Harcourt, Nigeria. This new route, set to begin operations this month, will provide a direct air link between these two bustling cities, enhancing both business and leisure travel opportunities in the region.
As part of its commitment to expanding its footprint in Africa, Afrijet-FlyGabon has appointed Fadimatou Noutchemo Simo as the new Country Director for both Cameroon and Nigeria. With extensive experience in aviation management and international relations, Ms. Noutchemo Simo will oversee the airline’s operations, growth, and strategic partnerships in these key markets.
In preparation for the new route, the Country Manager of Afrijet-FlyGabon, along with Ms. Noutchemo Simo, visited the Consuls General of Nigeria in Douala and Buea earlier this month. The purpose of the visits was to inform the consuls about the launch of the new route and to seek their support for strengthening bilateral ties and regional connectivity. These engagements highlight Afrijet-FlyGabon’s dedication to fostering diplomatic relations and collaborations across the Central and West African regions.
Fadimatou Noutchemo Simo
Additionally, in a strategic move to broaden its customer base, Afrijet-FlyGabon has entered into a partnership with Naija Diaspora Magazine. This collaboration aims to engage Nigerians, as well as other nationals, encouraging them to take advantage of the newly introduced Douala-Port Harcourt flight and explore the services provided by Afrijet-FlyGabon. The partnership will leverage the magazine’s wide readership within the Nigerian diaspora, fostering greater awareness and patronage of Afrijet-FlyGabon’s expanding network.
To celebrate the launch of the new route, Afrijet-FlyGabon will host a press conference cocktail event later this month, bringing together key stakeholders, media representatives, and members of the diplomatic community. This event will showcase the significance of the new route, discuss the airline’s vision for further regional expansion, and highlight the growing collaboration between Afrijet-FlyGabon and Naija Diaspora Magazine.
The new Douala-Port Harcourt route is expected to significantly boost trade, tourism, and cultural exchange between Cameroon and Nigeria. This direct flight service promises increased convenience for business travelers, as well as enhanced opportunities for tourism and cross-border collaborations. Through the leadership of Ms. Noutchemo Simo and the strategic launch of this route, Afrijet-FlyGabon continues to reaffirm its dedication to improving regional connectivity and supporting economic growth across Central and West Africa.
For more information on flight schedules and bookings, please visit Afrijet-FlyGabon’s official website.
Aviation
FLYING IN TROUBLE: Kenya Airways faces $1 million demand from Nigerian family over alleged botched Christmas trip
According to Nairametrics, a Nigerian family has urged Kenya Airways Limited to pay $1 million as general damages and compensation over an allegedly botched Christmas trip involving their daughter, a “minor.”
The family, represented by Donald Ibebuike of the Creed & Brooks Partners law firm, addressed the airline in a letter dated December 21, 2024.
The firm accused the airline of allegedly exposing the entire family of its client (Akhanememeh Joseph Osikhena) to unplanned expenditure and disruption of family plans following the botched trip of their daughter (a minor).
Allegations by Creed & Brooks
According to the letter addressed to the Managing Director of Kenya Airways Ltd in Lagos and copied to the airline’s Nairobi office, the family purchased and was issued return tickets for their trip by the airline through Wakanow.com Ltd. on August 31, 2024.
The family intended to take the trip to celebrate Christmas and New Year together, visit friends and close relatives across the United Kingdom, and explore tourist attractions and historical monuments before departing the UK for Nigeria on January 5, 2025.
The lawyer added that in line with the planned itinerary, the client and his family began their UK trip at Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, on December 16, 2024.
He stated that the travel documents of his client and his family members, including the minor (Ms. Gabriella Ikhianosimeh Akhanemeh), were duly checked by Kenya Airways in Lagos, and they were issued with boarding passes for the flight to Heathrow, London, with a stopover at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Nairobi, before proceeding to London Heathrow.
However, he added, the airline allegedly refused to allow the minor to board its airplane at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Nairobi, citing “clerical errors” on her travel document, which had already been processed and accepted in Lagos, Nigeria, by the airline.
“Apparently, the passport numbers referenced as accompanying the parents were inadvertently and incorrectly entered by one digit each, but the names were correctly stated by the UK Border Agency.
“Given that our client’s daughter, Ms. Gabriella Ikhianosimeh Akhanemeh, is a minor and in order to attend to her bruised emotions and psychological stability, our client had to discontinue his journey while his wife, Mrs. Rita Nwamaka Akhanemeh, continued and completed her trip to London Heathrow with their other two children, Ms. Brenda Ekhaosi Akhanemeh and Mr. Jordan Eghoghor Akhanemeh,” the letter reads in part.
The lawyer contended that the airline should not have abandoned the family’s daughter halfway, regardless of the clerical errors, as the family had been cleared by the airline’s Nigerian office.
He added that the airline insisted his client and his daughter return to Nigeria.
Ibrahim further claims that the airline advised his client and his daughter to pay over $4,000 before they could be returned to Lagos, Nigeria, describing the development as an alleged “infamous and ill-conceived decision,” which exposed his client to unplanned expenditure and trauma in Nairobi, Kenya.
“Take notice that, owing to this and other associated reasons, our client has instructed us to demand and we hereby demand that you immediately continue and complete our client and Ms. Gabriella Ikhianosimeh Akhanemeh’s journey to London Heathrow, or return them to Lagos, Nigeria, at no cost, without any delay, and pay damages and reparation to him, his daughter, and the entire family in the sum of USD 1,000,000.00 (One Million United States Dollars) within seven (7) days of receipt of this letter,” the letter demands.
The law firm urged the airline to comply with its demands in the interest of justice.
Nairametrics contacted Kenya Airways for a response, but the airline had not replied at the time of publishing this report.
In the spirit of the Yuletide, Nigeria’s oldest aviation company, Aero Contractors, has slashed its fares to an average of N80,000 for local flights.
The airfare reduction came at a season when airfares have continually skyrocketed, due to high aviation fuel and maintenance costs.
Speaking on the reduction at a press conference on Tuesday, the Managing Director of the Airline, Ado Sanus, said the ticket price would apply to all Aero’s routes.
Aero Contractors ply, Abuja, Asaba, Benin City, Calabar, Kaduna, Kano, Enugu, Lagos, Owerri, Port Harcourt, Uyo and Sokoto.
Sanusi stressed that the reduction was the company’s way of appreciating Nigeria’s flying passengers during the country’s challenging time, which also coincided with the Yuletide.
The gesture, according to him, has commenced and is expected to end in mid-February 2025. The company aims to give back to Nigerians and support them during the Christmas and New Year season.
Airlines displayed different ticket prices for Nigerian routes on their various purchasing websites. Many passengers have abandoned flying because of the exorbitant airfares in the country.
Sanusi said, “We have understood the pains Nigerians have been going through because of the economic hardship, the high prices of tickets, and the holiday season is nearby.
“So, Aero Contractors has decided to announce a Christmas initiative, we call them, pocket-friendly Christmas prices. These prices are designed to allow Nigerians to travel to all our destinations without paying too much.
“And this is in the spirit of giving, which is the spirit of Christmas. We believe that as a company, this is just a very old history of understanding its customers. We believe it’s time for us to give back to our customers.
“Our prices will start from 80,000 to all of our destinations, and we intend to make it affordable to the flying public. And this is to allow the flying public/families to meet their loved ones during this Christmas season.”
The airline boss further said the company did not just take the reduction decision without delight checks, assuring that the new price would still leave a profit for the company.
He emphasised that with the company’s three aircraft, it would sufficiently operate all its routes adding that Aero intends to “continue to be modestly reliable”.
Aviation
Again, Air Peace plane suffers malfunction, windshield shatters upon landing at Abuja airport; officials cover up incident
A potentially hazardous incident occurred earlier on Monday involving an Embraer ERJ 145 aircraft operated by Air Peace Airlines
As the plane descended into Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, the windshield shattered.
Fortunately, despite the alarming nature of this event, the flight, which had departed from Akure in Ondo State at 8:30 am, landed at 9:40 am without further incident.
Notably, among the passengers on board was human rights advocate Omoyele Sowore, who was travelling to Abuja to attend a scheduled court trial.
Although the flight crew opted not to disclose the incident to the passengers, sources close to the matter revealed that it sparked significant concern within the aviation industry, given the rarity of such occurrences.
SaharaReporters further learnt that following the incident, Air Peace cancelled its Abuja to Lagos flight and also its planned Akure to Lagos flight.
“Although the crew did not inform the passengers, it created serious panic in the industry because this is very rare. But they’re covering it up,” the source said.
However, efforts made by SaharaReporters to reach the Managing Director/Chief Executive Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Bunmi Onabanjo Kuku, for comments failed as she did not answer her calls.
She also did not reply to a text message sent to her.
Mrs. Ijeoma Nwosu-Igbo, FAAN General Manager, Public Affairs and Protocol and Passages, said she was not authorised to offer any comment.
Efforts to reach the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) also failed as its Director, Public Affairs, Wunmi Oladeji, did not answer her calls or reply to a text message sent to her.
However, a staff member of Air Peace, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told SaharaReporters that it was only a crack that was detected, and it was promptly repaired.
The Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc (NAHCO) has secured the bid to provide passenger and cargo ground handling services for Emirates Airlines at Lagos International Airport, as the United Arab Emirates carrier ramp up efforts to resume flights into the country.
Emirates Airlines halted flights into Nigeria in October 2022 because it could repatriate funds accruing from ticket sales held in the country.
The carrier will resume flight on October 1, 2024 after a two-year hiatus.
In a statement, signed by its Assistant General Manager, Corporate Communications, Mr Tayo Ajakaye, NAHCO said the renewed contract underscores the company’s unrelenting commitment to delivering exceptional ground handling services and highlights its role as a critical partner in Nigeria’s aviation industry.
The agreement with Emirates Airlines, Ajakaye said reinforces NAHCO’s position as the trusted service provider to some of the world’s leading airlines.
“We are honoured to welcome Emirates Airlines back to Nigeria and to continue our longstanding relationship with this important Airline. Securing this renewal is a testament to NAHCO’s consistent quality of service and the trust our partners place in us. We look forward to further strengthening valued partnerships and continuing to set the standard for ground handling in Nigeria,” said Dr. Seinde Fadeni, Chairman of NAHCO Plc.
Prince Saheed Lasisi, Group Executive Director – Commercial & Business Development at NAHCO Plc stated, “Our successful renewal of this contract with Emirates Airlines is a reflection of the hard work and dedication of the entire NAHCO team.
“We are proud to be the preferred ground handlers once again for Emirates as they resume their flights to Nigeria. Our focus remains on delivering world-class services that meet and exceed the expectations of our airline partners.”
Mr. Indranil Gupta, Group Managing Director /Chief Executive Officer of NAHCO PLC noted that it was a privilege to have been chosen once more by Emirates Airlines for their ground handling needs at Lagos Airport, and to extend the company’s successful partnership with one of the world’s leading Airlines.
He expressed optimism about the company’s future and reaffirmed NAHCO’s commitment to supporting the growth of the company’s airline partners in Nigeria.
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