Business

UAE writes Hadi Sirika, seeks review of Emirates flight frequency

Published

3 years ago

December 12, 2021

Hadi Sirika, Minister of Aviation

The United Arab Emirates has faulted the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority‘s action to limit Emirates’ flights to one per week, describing it ss unjustifiable.

It stated this in a letter dated December 10 and addressed to the Hadi Sirika, minister of aviation, and signed by Abdulla Bin Touq Al Mari, minister of economy and chairman of the UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA).

TheCable in a report quoted the GCAA as stating in the letter that the action taken by the NCAA regarding the Air Peace’s approval at Sharjah was “not in line with the spirit of the agreed air services arrangements between our two Nations.”

On Friday, Emirates announced the suspension of operations between Nigeria and Dubai until both countries resolved the fresh diplomatic row.

In a travel notice on its website on Friday evening, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) flag carrier said the suspension will start on Monday until when Nigeria and the Arab nation “solve the ongoing issue”.

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Al Mari said Air Peace, which initially operated at Sharjah Airport, had shifted to Dubai Airport and then returned to Sharjah Airport, saying the airport authority cannot keep their slots after the airline left.

“It would be unreasonable for an airline to expect any airport to maintain their slots when they ceased operating at that airport,” the GCAA chairman said.

“The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) presents its compliments to the Federal Ministry of Aviation of Nigeria and has the honour to refer to the letter Ref. No. NCAA/DG/AIR/11/16/329 dated 9th December of 20921, whereby Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) notified the country manager, Emirates Airline (EK) in Nigeria, regarding the withdrawal of the ministerial approval granted to that airline with respect to their Winter Schedule.”

“The NCAA further advised EK that his withdrawal become effective on Sunday 12, 2021, and hence EK is granted approval to operate only one weekly passenger frequency to Abuja on Thursdays.

“The GCAA has the honour to highlight that such a decision by the NCAA is totally unjustified especially, at it has come to our attention that their action is being taken against the background of Air Peace not securing all 3 slots at Sharjah Airport which they desire.

“Air Peace initially operated at Sharjah Airport, shifted to Dubai Airport, and then returned to Sharjah Airport. It would be unreasonable for an airline to expect any airport to maintain their slots when they ceased operating at that airport.”

The UAE aviation authority further said Sharjah Airport is currently operating at 140 percent slot capacity — and that the country had made goodwill by accommodating Air Peace with one slot of the three requested.

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It, however, urged NCAA to review the decision and restore the approval of the Emirates Airline Winter Scheule, as filed.

“We wish to kindly advise you that Sharjah Airport is currently operating at 140% slot capacity, but with goodwill and tremendous efforts on their side, this Airport was able to accommodate Air Peace with 1 of the 3 slots that this airline requested,” the letter adds.

“The GCAA wishes to stress that the action being taken by the NCAA is obviously not in line with the spirit of the agreed air services arrangements between our two Nations.

“As we are both aware, the relations between our two brotherly countries are vintage in nature, one hallmark being the recent visit of the President of Nigeria to the UAE, which certainly mirrored the status of the positive relations.

“Finally, we suggest that Air Peace should consider flying their two flights to any UAE airport at which there are available slots. As expected, the GCAA will support Air Peace in this activity, where required.

“Your Excellency, your kind support is anticipated so that the NCAA reviews their decision and restores the approval of the Emirates Airline Winter Scheule, as filed. In this regard, we wish to reiterate that this is purely an operational matter between Air Peace and Sharjah Airport, and in any case, it should have absolutely no implication for Emirates Airline.”

Related Topics:Emirates Featured flight frequency Hadi Sirika UAE

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Naira exchanges N1,650/$ in parallel market

Published

29 minutes ago

January 1, 2025

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Naira exchanges N1,650/$ in parallel market

Yesterday, the Naira appreciated N1,650 per dollar in the parallel market, compared to N1,655 on Monday.

Similarly, the Naira appreciated to N1,535 per dollar in the official foreign exchange market.

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Exchange rate ends 2024 at N1,535/$1, marking a 40.9% depreciation

Published

13 hours ago

December 31, 2024

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Exchange rate ends 2024 at N1,535/$1, marking a 40.9% depreciation

The exchange rate between the naira and the dollar ended the year at N1,535/$1 representing a 40.9% depreciation for 2024.

The official exchange rate between the naira and dollar closed in 2023 at N907.11/$1 thus depreciating by 40.9% for the year which compares to a 49.1% devaluation at the end of 2023.

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Nigeria introduced several foreign exchange policies in 2024 as the central bank expanded on market-friendly forex policies to attract foreign investors.

Meanwhile, on the parallel market where the exchange rate is sold unofficially, the naira exchanged for N1,660 to the dollar when compared to N1,215/$ according to Nairametrics tracking records. This represents a 26.8% depreciation.

Exchange rate ends 2024 at N1,535/$1, marking a 40.9% depreciation

Business

Warri refinery: Marketers hopeful of further petrol price drop

Published

1 day ago

December 31, 2024

Trends Admin

Warri refinery

Warri refinery: Marketers hopeful of further petrol price drop

There was excitement on Monday as the Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company (WRPC) commenced partial production.

This is coming after nearly a decade of dormancy as the 125,000 barrels per day refinery was confirmed to be working at 60 per cent capacity, according to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).

The refinery, inactive since 2015 due to prolonged repairs, reportedly began refining activities last Saturday at its Area 1 plant, where crude oil was successfully pumped into the system.

This was coming about a month after the commencement of operations at the 60,000-barrel-per-day-old Port Harcourt Refinery.

The NNPCL Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, announced the resumption of operation at the Warri Refinery during a tour of the facility on Monday.

Kyari was seen in a video posted by Channels TV addressing a tour team, which included the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Farouk Ahmed.

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Earlier, Kyari explained that the inspection aimed to show Nigerians the level of work completed so far.

He said though the repairs on the facility were not 100 per cent complete, operations had commenced.

He said, “We are taking you through our plant. This plant is running. Although it is not 100 per cent complete, we are still in the process. Many people think these things are not real. They think real things are not possible in this country. We want you to see that this is real.”

With the addition of Warri Refinery, Nigeria’s refining capacity has further increased with marketers anticipating a further reduction in price of premium motor spirit (PMS).

The 650,000-barrel Dangote Refinery has commenced production in addition to the Port Harcourt Refinery with a total capacity of 210,000 barrels per day (bpd) comprising 60,000 bpd for the old plant and 150,000 bpd for the new plant.

It’s good for business, prices may reduce – Marketers

Major Energy Marketers’ Association of Nigeria (MEMAN) and the Independent Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) welcomed the revival of the Warri refinery, saying it would deepen competition, diversify supply and ultimately resort to price reduction.

Executive Secretary of MEMAN, Clem Isong in a chat with our correspondent stated that the Warri Refinery is the shortest route to the North, describing its revival as good news.

“The market becomes more competitive and we are diversifying supply,” he said.

On whether it would lead to price reduction, he stated, “There are many factors that affect price, competition is always good and you can always get your product at the best price.”

National Public Relations Officer of IPMAN, Alhaji Olanrewaju Okanlawon in a chat with our correspondent said, “If there is excess supply, it will keep bringing down the price. We now run a free market and it is about demand and supply. It will continue bringing down the price. It will decongest Lagos.”

Energy expert, Dr. Ayodele Oni said the resumption of Warri Refinery would boost the local refining capacity in addition to enabling the country to sell to other neighbouring countries.

“We can refine more and even have some to sell. We now stop being hewers of wood and drawers of water. We add value to what we produce and can make/ do more with our base resources. This is very pleasant news,” he said.