Aviation
Nigeria to receive Tucano fighter jets in Q2 2021

Nigeria will take delivery of the Tucano fighter jets it ordered in 2029 from the United States in the second quarter of 2021, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, has said.
Abubakar stated this on Friday when he appeared before the House of Representatives Committee on Air Force, to defend the 2021 budget proposal of the Air Force.
He said the Air Force would also acquire eight unmanned aerial vehicles from China and three JF17 thunder fighter aircraft from Pakistan next year.
Abubakar told the lawmakers that the Air Force had acquired 22 aircraft in recent times and was expecting 17 more, in addition to the three special mission aircraft it was expecting under the Deep Blue project of the Federal Ministry of Transportation.
He appealed for an increase in the amount proposed for the overhead cost, noting that the N8.8bn proposed for this in the 2021 fiscal year was grossly inadequate.
He said, “The overhead cost of the service has remained constant at N8.8bn despite the increase in the number of personnel and formations.
“We have acquired additional infrastructure but in spite of that, not much has changed in terms of the overhead. We have increased by about 11 units. These are located in Agatu in Benue State, Gembi in Taraba State, Damaturu in Yobe State, Ikirun in Osun State, we are expanding the unit in Ipetu Ijesa. We have also established an FOB in Birnin Gwari, Kaduna State.
”The running cost of these units is something that is weighing heavily on the Air Force. That is why we are appealing for increase in the overhead cost. In terms of personnel, the Air Force has grown to over 11,000 personnel and right now, we are recruiting an additional 1,000. So, it is huge in terms of the infrastructure.
“For the platforms we have created, we have acquired 22 aircraft and we are expecting 17 more. In addition, we are expecting to get three special mission aircraft under the deep blue project of the Federal Ministry of Transportation.
”I have intimated you of the eight UAVs we are expecting from China. With this number of platforms, the number of personnel have increased and the expansion of the units, definitely the current overhead will be inadequate. The 2021 budget proposal is tailored towards acquiring more platforms and maintaining existing platforms.
“NAF intends to intensify its procurement of spare parts, as well as arms and ammunition. Emphasis will also be placed on ongoing infrastructural development in newly established bases such as Gombe and existing NAF buildings to cater for the welfare of personnel and their families.”
Abubakar gave a breakdown of the proposed capital expenditure as “three JF17 thunder fighter aircraft that the Air Force is acquiring from Pakistan and we are proposing about N17.3bn for this, while the procurement of targeting bolts for the JF17 thunder aircraft will gulp N3.7bn.
“We have up to N2.5bn for barrack upgrade because the Super Tocano aircraft is coming to Kainji and the runway there is not in shape. We don’t want to go for contract because the cost of doing that runway will be too much.”
Aviation
Just in: FG grounds Max Air after Kano airport incident

Just in: FG grounds Max Air after Kano airport incident
The Federal Government has announced the suspension of Max Air operations, following an incident involving its aircraft at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport on Tuesday night.
A Max Air B734 aircraft, with registration marks 5N-MBD, experienced a tyre burst on landing at about 10:51pm.
However, all 53 passengers on board were evacuated safely.
This incident was the third involving a Max Air plane in just three months.
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) confirmed the incident in a statement.
The statement said the NCAA would provide support to the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) which had launched an investigation into the occurrence.
Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, stated that the cause of the incident could only be established after the NSIB’s investigation.
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Achimugu announced that Max Air would suspend its domestic flight operations for three months, effective midnight, January 31, 2025. During this period, the NCAA will conduct a thorough safety and economic audit on Max Air.
He said, “The safety audit will entail a re-inspection of Max Air’s organization, procedures, personnel and aircraft as specified by Part 1.3.3.3(b) of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations, while the economic audit will critically examine the financial health of the airline to guarantee its capability to sustain safe flight operations.
“The resumption of Max Air’s domestic flight operations will be predicated on the satisfactory completion of this audit.
“The NCAA is aware of the inconvenience this action may cause intending passengers of Max Air. However; the safety and well-being of passengers is paramount. Thus, the NCAA appeals for patience and understanding while it ensures the protection of passenger rights.”
Just in: FG grounds Max Air after Kano airport incident
Aviation
176 passengers escape death as S’Korean aircraft catches fire

176 passengers escape death as S’Korean aircraft catches fire
A passenger aircraft’s tail caught fire in a South Korea’s airport on Tuesday, forcing the evacuation of 176 people on board.
The Air Busan plane bound for Hong Kong from Gimhae International Airport in southeastern Busan caught fire at around 10:30pm local time (1330 GMT), Yonhap news agency reported.
A total of 169 passengers and seven flight attendants were evacuated down inflatable slides, Yonhap said.
It however did not provide any information about the cause of the fire.
It said one person was injured but gave no other details.
Busan’s fire authorities were not immediately available for comment when contacted by AFP.
South Korea suffered its worst aviation disaster on its soil last month when a Jeju Air Boeing 737-800, flying from Thailand to Muan on December 29, crash-landed and exploded into a fireball after slamming into a concrete barrier.
That crash killed 179 of the 181 passengers and crew members on board.
Flightradar24 lists Air Busan’s fleet as consisting entirely of Airbus aircraft.
Aviation
Four passengers, two crew members seriously injured in Lagos-US flight emergency landing

Four passengers, two crew members seriously injured in Lagos-US flight emergency landing
Four passengers and two crew members of a United Airlines flight were seriously injured when the flight made an emergency landing on Friday at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.
They were part of the 38 persons comprising 31 passengers and seven crew members injured in the Washington-bound flight.
The Boeing 787-800 was said to have returned to the Lagos airport over three hours after departure due to a technical hitch midair.
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) confirmed the incident in a statement, adding that the UA613 flight had on board 245 passengers, eight attendants and three pilots.
The Boeing 787-800 flight was en route to Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), in the United States, from Lagos.
The statement signed by FAAN Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Obiageli Orah, said all passengers and crew disembarked safely.
Orah, however, said four passengers and two crew members sustained serious injuries while 27 passengers and five crew members had minor injuries.
“The United Airlines Boeing 787-800 departed Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, at 23.59pm on Thursday, but made air return and landed safely at 3.22am on Friday,” Orah said.
“On board were 245 adults and 11 crew members.
“The team of Aerodrome Rescue and Fire Fighting Services, Aviation Medical and Aviation Security were already at the gate when the aeroplane parked for deboarding at D31 without incident, and the door was opened at 3.37am.
“While all passengers and crew disembarked safely, four passengers and two crew members sustained serious injuries, and additional 27 passengers and five crew members had minor injuries.
“The rescue team responded swiftly and effectively, having been on alert and standby.
“Aviation medical ambulances transported the injured passengers, some to the MMA Clinic and others to the Headquarters Clinic.”
Orah also said passengers with minor injuries received first aid and were discharged, while those with serious injuries were stabilised and transferred to the Duchess Hospital in Ikeja.
The director also said some passengers were taken to a hotel for accommodation, adding that the aircraft did not sustain any major damage.
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