Aviation
Mounting debts worry airlines, discuss N22bn repayment plans with NCAA
Airlines owing the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority a total of N22bn have held a meeting with the agency on reconciliation and plans for payment.
The Director-General, NCAA, Captain Musa Nuhu, said this when the House of Representatives Committee on Aviation led by Nnolim Nnaji paid him a visit on Wednesday.
Apart from the devastating effects of COVID-19 on businesses, airlines say the recent rise in naira-to-dollar rate has exposed them to more financial needs.
Except workers’ salaries and ticket sales, everything other thing in the aviation business is denominated in dollars.
A chief operation officer of one of the local carriers said the major worry was the high cost of maintenance.
For instance, according to him, the C-check, which is required every 18 months, now costs an average of $2m per commercial aircraft.
On the meeting with airlines, Nuhu said, “Under your guidance, we have carried on that agreement that we had. We had a meeting with the operators on the issue of the debt collection and agreed to notify each airline on the level of debt that they have.
“We will sit down with them and do the reconciliation. We will then implement a payment plan. We do not expect everyone to pay all their money at a go because of the difficulties in the industry and economic downturn.”
He said the agreement would be a win-win for all parties at the end of the day.
Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, had in November given the total debt airlines owed the agency over a period of 10 years as N22bn.
Experts have said unless the Federal Government bail out the airlines and give them a special forex window, airfares might continue to rise and become unaffordable for the travelling public in the festive season.
It was observed last week that many of the local airlines had raised their fares by about 100 per cent due to high exchange rate that hit N500 to $1 at the black market.
This has seen an average one-hour economy class seat of N33, 000 rise to N75, 000 over the counter of some airlines. And average return trip variants also climbed to N121, 000 from about N60, 000 two weeks ago.
Aviation
FAAN begins sale of e-tags at airports
FAAN begins sale of e-tags at airports
The Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) on Friday commenced the sale of electronic tags (e-tags) at airports.
The initiative, it said in a statement, was in line with the presidential directive that mandating the use of e-tags for accessing the nation’s federal airports.
“Following the presidential directive that all citizens are mandated to pay for e-tags at all the 24 federal airports across the country, we wish to inform the general public that the e-tags are available for sale from Friday, 17th May, 2024 at the following locations,” FAAN said.
“Lagos: Murtala Muhammed International Airport Lagos, Terminal 1, 5th Floor) Office of HOD Commercial. Contact: 08033713796 or 08023546030.
“Abuja: Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, HOD Commercial Office (General Aviation Terminal) Contact: 08034633527 or 08137561615.”
FAAN however said there would be an option to pay in cash at the access gates for motorists without e-tags.
On May 14, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, announced that everyone, including the President and Vice President, would pay tolls at the airports.
Keyamo said the government was losing over 82 per cent of the revenue it should have earned from the access fee.
Aviation
Updated: We’ll resume Lagos-Dubai flights on October 1, says Emirates
Updated: We’ll resume Lagos-Dubai flights on October 1, says Emirates
Emirates Airlines on Thursday announced that its flight operations to Nigeria would resume on October 1, 2024.
It said this in a statement, “The service will be operated using a Boeing 777-300ER. EK783 will depart Dubai at 0945hrs, arriving in Lagos at 1520hrs. The return flight EK784 will leave Lagos at 1730hrs and arrives in Dubai at 0510hrs the next day.
“Tickets can be booked now on Emirates.com or via travel agents.”
It quoted Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer, Adnan Kazim, as saying the Lagos-Dubai service has traditionally been popular in Nigeria.
“We thank the Nigerian government for their partnership and support in re-establishing this route and we look forward to welcoming passengers back onboard,” Kazim said.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, on Wednesday said the Emirates Airlines had given a definite date to resume flight operations to Nigeria and would make the announcement in a matter of days.
Emirates Airlines suspended flight operations to Nigeria in October 2022 over its inability to repatriate its $85 million revenue trapped in Nigeria.
Aviation
Dana Air lays off workers amid govt audit
Dana Air lays off workers amid govt audit
Dana Air has sacked some of its workers amid an operational audit being conducted and by the Nigerian regulatory authorities.
Dana disclosed this through its head of corporate communications, Kingsley Ezenwa, in a statement on Saturday, May 11.
The audit coming after some incidents is to ensure the airline complies with necessary standards and regulations.
Ezenwa stated, “In light of the ongoing audit, Dana Air has made the decision to temporarily disengage some staff members pending the conclusion of the audit.
“This decision has been made to ensure efficient management of resources and to facilitate a thorough review of operational procedures.”
He said the management appreciated the sacked workers’ resilience and dedication and recognised the difficulties they had faced.
Ezenwa also said that the airline pledged to provide updates and support for its staff members throughout the audit process.
He said the airline had commenced talks with lessors and was engaging stakeholders on the progress made so far.
“Dana Air therefore urges for calm and understanding from our very dedicated staff for their altruism,” he added.
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) recently suspended the Air Operator Certificate (AOC) of Dana Air after one of its aircraft skidded off the runway at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos State.
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