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
Search teams locate wreckage of P’Harcourt crashed helicopter
Aviation
NCAA insists airlines must compensate for flight disruptions, baggage loss
NCAA insists airlines must compensate for flight disruptions, baggage loss
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has affirmed that passengers are entitled to compensation for flight delay, cancellation, luggage delay, missing or loss by airlines.
Michael Achimugu, the NCAA director of public affairs and consumer protection stated this at a news conference on Thursday in Abuja.
According to him, passengers are entitled for first needs payment of N10,000 on domestic flights when passenger’s luggage is missing and 170 U.S dollars on international flights while the luggage is being searched for.
“For domestic flights, the airline has one day to seven days to search for the missing luggage while on international flights, the airline has one day to 21 days to search for the luggage.
“A luggage is said to be lost if not found after seven days search on domestic flights and 21 days search international flights.
The process for compensation for missing g luggage commences after the said luggage is declared missing. Any fees paid for that luggage must also be refunded,” he said.
The director said the refunds for tickets on cancelled or delayed flights should be paid immediately, if payment was made in cash or within 14 days if it was by bank transfer or any means other than transfer.
According to him, refunds via means other than cash must be made within 14 days. However, some delay might be experienced from submission of required documents for the passenger.
READ ALSO:
- NERC holds public hearing on frequent power grid collapse
- Libyan FA ‘admits’ guilt, prepares next step ahead of CAF verdict on airport saga – Reports
- Lookman, 2 other Nigerians nominated for Men’s CAF awards
Contributing, the NCAA director of special duties, Horatius Egua, urged passengers to know their rights regarding the aviation sector.
He stated that challenges the authority encountered included, lack of awareness among passengers, limited enforcement of consumer rights, inadequate infrastructure and corruption.
“NCAA has emphasised increased passenger education and awareness, strengthening of regulatory agencies, improved airline customer service and enhanced infrastructure development
“By knowing your rights as a consumer, you can advocate for better treatment and services in Nigeria’s aviation sector,” he said.
On her part, Ifueko Abdulmalik, the senior special adviser to the NCAA acting director general, Capt. Chris Najomo, said the airline ought to provide clear terms and conditions and also ensure timely departure and arrival.
According to her, airline obligations are to provide adequate baggage handling, offer compensation for delays, cancellations, or overbooking and maintain safe and secure aircraft.
“Passengers have rights to know flight schedule, fare, and baggage allowance; right to compensation for flight delays; right to refund for unused tickets (within 7 days) and right to baggage protection.
“Common Issues from the passengers include, flight delays and cancellations, baggage loss, damage, or delay, overbooking and denied boarding, refund and compensation disputes,“ she said.
NCAA insists airlines must compensate for flight disruptions, baggage loss
(NAN)
Aviation
Qatar Airways launches world’s first Boeing 777 Starlink-equipped flight
Qatar Airways launches world’s first Boeing 777 Starlink-equipped flight
Qatar Airways has elevated the future of in-flight connectivity by flying the world’s first Starlink-equipped Boeing 777 from Doha to London. On Tuesday, October 22.
This achievement establishes Qatar Airways, the World’s Best Airline as voted by Skytrax in 2024, as an industry leader in introducing advanced technology onboard.
The airline is the largest and first carrier in the MENA region to provide passengers with Starlink ultra-high-speed, low-latency internet. Starlink is free for all passengers and runs from gate to gate.
The national carrier of the State of Qatar is also set to exceed its initial target of three Starlink-equipped aircraft by introducing 12 Boeing 777-300s upgraded with this innovative service by the end of 2024.
Qatar Airways has further committed to rolling out the technology on its entire Boeing 777 fleet in 2025, one year ahead of schedule with the Airbus A350 fleet following in the summer of 2025.
This significant move highlights Qatar Airways’ commitment to bridging the gap between the skies and the ground by offering ultra-high-speed, low-latency internet.
READ ALSO:
- Food inflation persists as prices of bread, others increase – NBS report
- Canadian lady jailed 11 years for importing 35.20kg cannabis to Nigeria
- Dangote refinery begins sale of petrol directly to marketers
Engineered by SpaceX, Starlink is the world’s first and largest satellite constellation using a low Earth orbit that will provide passengers reliable, high-speed internet so they can stay connected with friends and family, stream their favourite entertainment, watch live sports, play online games, or work efficiently at 35,000 feet – all for free and with a simple ‘one-click-access’.
Commenting on the development, Qatar Airways’ Group Chief Executive Officer, Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, said: “We are thrilled to launch our first Starlink-equipped flight, proving once again why Qatar Airways is at the forefront of the aviation industry.
“This milestone, paired with our commitment to rapidly roll-out Starlink across our entire modern fleet, demonstrates our relentless pursuit of offering passengers an in-flight experience that transcends the constraints of traditional air travel.
“By providing Starlink reliable, seamless internet on board, we are connecting people to the things they love the most even at 35,000 feet, making every journey with us a memorable one.”
Leveraging advanced satellites with its deep experience with both spacecraft and on-orbit operations, Starlink delivers internet access around the world, including over oceans and other remote locations previously unreachable by traditional cell or Wi-Fi signals.
In his remarks, SpaceX CEO, Elon Musk said: “Overtime you’ll find it just gets better and better. This is the minimum and it only gets better from here”.
Qatar Airways launches world’s first Boeing 777 Starlink-equipped flight
-
metro3 days ago
Breaking: Tinubu orders immediate release of minors facing trial
-
News1 day ago
Breaking: Tinubu announces death of Chief of Army Staff Lagbaja at 56
-
International1 day ago
Trump wins US election, Netanyahu, Starmer react
-
Education3 days ago
FG removes tertiary institutions from IPPIS platform
-
International2 days ago
Harris, Woman For Whom United State’s Presidential Door Opened in 1984
-
International1 day ago
US Election: Michigan Muslims shun Harris over Mideast turmoil
-
metro2 days ago
Breaking: Freed #EndBadGovernance protesting minors, others in Presidential Villa
-
News19 hours ago
Lagbaja: National flag at half-mast as Remi Tinubu visits widow
You must be logged in to post a comment Login