Aviation

NCAA threatens to sanction domestic airlines over N19bn debt

Published

2 years ago

August 31, 2022

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority says it will sanction domestic airlines over N19 billion debt owed the Federal Government on ticket sales.

The authority said this on Tuesday in Abuja at a meeting organised by the Ministry of Aviation and its agencies with airline operators and ground handlers.

Director General of the NCAA. Musa Nuhu, said he had appealed to the airlines to pay their debts.

He said the airlines owed about N19 billion on ticket charges collected from passengers but refused to remit to the agency.

He also said sanctions would be taken against any defaulting airlines if they refused to pay within a month.

“The airlines must enter an MoU on how they will pay their debts in the next 30 days from August 30, 2022, or their licences will be suspended at the expiration of the deadline,” he said.

Nuhu said he was not satisfied with the recent letter written by the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) to Hadi Sirika, minister of aviation, demanding a review of multiple charges from aviation agencies.

He added that all the charges met best practices as obtained all over the country, adding that many neighbouring countries even charge higher than Nigeria.

“We cannot provide services and you want the government to grant a waiver. How can the agencies manage to survive?

“The NCAA sustains on internally generated revenue (IGR) without any money from the federal government.

“We have not increased our charges in 13 years. We are still collecting the same charge. So, nothing like a burden on airline operators.”

On his part, Matthew Pwajok, acting managing director, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), said local airlines ought to be considerate in their dealings.

According to him, the local airlines were owing the sum of N5.73billon as of June 30, for both terminal navigation charges (TNC), and enroute navigation charges (ENC).

He added that the domestic airlines were also indebted to NAMA on international operations to the tune of 9,086,401.78 dollars as of June 30.

Pwajok said the agency may suspend the provision of its services to any airline still owing and refuses to pay on time.

“NAMA is 100 percent self-funded from its internally generated revenue for salaries, running costs, training, and capital projects, and 25 percent of the revenue generated by the agency is deducted at source by the federal government,” he added.

Also speaking on the matter, Rabiu Yadudu, managing director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), said such debts will go a long way in improving the standards in the airports.

He also urged the AON to strengthen their collaboration with aviation agencies to collectively develop the industry.

“Sitting down to work together will rapidly help the growth of the aviation sector. No airline has ever come to FAAN and has been turned down by FAAN. We reason together,” Yadudu said.

“Collaboration is the way of the aviation industry. There is absolutely no reason to undermine one another. We need one another. We need to respect and protect each other.”

Responding to the appeal, Kashim Shettima, chief executive officer, Skye Jet, said the NCAA is also not “perfect”, and issues raised could be resolved amicably.

“Yes, airlines owe money but the airlines are also deeply challenged because they can’t get fuel or access dollars freely. They buy dollars in the black market. We must come together to resolve our problems,” he said.

In addition, Allen Onyema, AON vice-president, and CEO of Air Peace, appealed to all domestic airlines that were indebted to any of aviation agencies to pay their debts.

Aviation

FAAN begins sale of e-tags at airports

Published

4 days ago

May 17, 2024

Trends Admin

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

Published

5 days ago

May 16, 2024

Trends Admin

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

Published

1 week ago

May 11, 2024

Trends Admin

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.