Monday 31 October 2016

Is the Boeing 737 going extinct? Lufthansa bids good bye to its 737


The Boeing 737 aircraft was called and known as the Lufthansa City Jet, not just for the fancy of it, the aircraft had the speed, good interior decor, resilience to turbulence and portable to the admiration of every passenger.

All that came to an end 29th October, when the Boeing 737 fleet of Lufthansa carried out its last commercial flights. At 7:53 pm in the evening, the last B737-300 with registration D-ABEF (christened “Weiden in der Oberpfalz”) landed at Frankfurt Airport with 131 passengers on board.

For Captain Ulrich Pade and his crew, this last flight was a special and moving occasion. The passengers applauded after landing and they had the opportunity to take photos in the cockpit afterwards. Carsten Spohr, Chairman of the Executive Board and CEO of Deutsche Lufthansa AG, didn’t miss the chance to be there in person to thank the crews.

Shortly before this, three further B737 aircraft had also landed, arriving from Stuttgart, Geneva und Leipzig/Halle.  As a sign of honor they were led by “follow-me” cars to the parking position in front of terminal 2. A crowd of aircraft fans and plane spotters could take a final look at the planes from the Visitor’s Terrace.

Lufthansa looks set and determined to be among world's best airliners as it continues to add new aircraft to its fleet.



Etihad Airways launches 787 Dreamliner on Riyadh route


Etihad Airways’ latest Boeing 787 Dreamliner route was launched yesterday with the state-of-the art aircraft touching down in Riyadh, capital of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The occasion was marked with an official welcome ceremony attended by the airline’s senior management led by Hareb Almuhairy, Etihad Airways Senior Vice President Corporate and International Affairs, together with Mohammad Al Bulooki, Etihad Airways Vice President UAE and GCC Commercial, Sultan AL Mansoori, GCC Country Manager, Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) and Adel Al Ragadi Terminal Operation Manager, King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh.

The Dreamliner offers more seats and features the airline’s award-winning interiors in a two-class configuration – 28 Business Studios, each providing aisle access and equipped with an in-seat massage and air cushion control system, and 271 Economy Smart Seats with unique ‘fixed wing’ headrests.

The aircraft operates on one of the twice-daily flights between Abu Dhabi International Airport and Khalid International Airport.

Mohammad Al Bulooki, Etihad Airways Vice President UAE and GCC Commercial, said: “Since its launch in 2004, the route has seen consistently strong passenger growth, and to date, we have carried more than 2.5 million guests between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi. 

The airline's decision to offer additional capacity on this important route will undoubtedly be well received in the market. Linking the two capitals of the UAE and Saudi Arabia, with the Boeing 787 further underscores the importance of Riyadh and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to our operations.”

Riyadh becomes Etihad Airways’ newest B787 destination this year following the induction of the aircraft on flights to Perth, Dusseldorf and Shanghai, with Abu Dhabi – Johannesburg set to become a Dreamliner route on 1 November. Etihad Airways’ current fleet of nine B787s also operates to Singapore, Washington DC, Brisbane and Zurich.


The flight schedules provide optimal timings for guests in Abu Dhabi and Riyadh, and convenient connections to and from destinations across key markets in Europe, the Indian subcontinent, North America, Asia and Australia.

The aircraft is equipped with full mobile and Wi-Fi services as well as the latest Panasonic eX3 in-flight entertainment system featuring seven satellite channels of live TV including BBC World News, Sport 24 and CNN to name a few. 

“To experience our world class product, Etihad Holidays and the Hala Group offer our Saudi guests exciting holiday packages which cater to a broad range of interests and include visits to some of the region’s finest beaches, luxury hotels, and the city’s many cultural and sporting attractions,” Mr Al Bulooki added.

To mark the launch of the new Boeing 787 to Riyadh, Etihad Holidays is offering fantastic rates on hotel packages with return flights starting from as low as AED 2350 per person including three nights’ accommodation on twin sharing basis until 30 November, 2016. Guests can enhance their travel experience with one or more attractions including Hala Abu Dhabi Signature City Tours, Ferrari World, Yas Water World and many more.


Etihad Airways’ flights to Riyadh, Jeddah, Medina and Dammam are complemented by Saudi codeshare partner flynas, whose dedicated services between Abu Dhabi and both Riyadh and Jeddah provide travelers with even more choice.

Etihad Airways currently operates 14 weekly non-stop flights to and from Riyadh; 21 weekly services to Jeddah; 21 weekly flights to Dammam, in addition to a daily operation to Medina. Other Boeing 787 Dreamliner routes in Etihad Airways’ global network, include: Washington DC, Zurich, Dusseldorf, Shanghai, Singapore, Perth and Brisbane. Effective 1 November 2016, the B787 will operate daily on the Abu Dhabi – Johannesburg route, followed by Abu Dhabi – Tokyo, from 1 December 2016.

Abu Dhabi – Riyadh flight schedules:


Flight No.
Origin
Departs
Destination
Arrives
Aircraft
EY315
Abu Dhabi
01:55
Riyadh
02:45
Boeing 777
EY316
Riyadh
04:15
Abu Dhabi
07:00
Boeing 777
EY317
Abu Dhabi
10:15
Riyadh
11:15
Boeing 787
EY318
Riyadh
16:25
Abu Dhabi
19:10
Boeing 787
Zambia to salvage economy through tourism
…commits to UNWTO


Zambia’s Tourism and arts minister, Honourable Charles Rommel Banda has pledged government commitment towards making the tourism sector a key contributor to the country’s economy, poverty alleviation and job creation.

Hon. Banda disclosed this during a high level meeting with United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) Secretary General Dr. Taleb Rifai in the resort city of Luxor in Egypt on Sunday. The Hon. Minister is in Egypt attending UNWTO 104th Executive Council meeting.

During the meeting the Minister briefed the Secretary-General on the re-election of His Excellency President Edgar Chagwa Lungu and his announcement made to transform the Ministry of Tourism and Arts from a social to an economic Ministry.

The Minister informed the Secretary-General that it was within the ruling Patriotic Front Party’s development agenda as announced during the opening of the current sitting of Parliament by President Lungu to develop the tourism sector and use it as a means of poverty alleviation and wealth creation.

“Our aim to increase the tourism sector’s contribution from the current four (4) percent contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to about eight (8) percent. The tourism sector can play a big role in employment creation, poverty alleviation and economic development,” Hon Banda said.

The Minister also briefed the UNWTO chief on the tourism policy changes that the government is implementing.


Zambia’s new tourism policy, the revision of the Tourism and Hospitality Act No. 23 of 2007 and the Zambia Tourism Board Act No. 24 of 2007, and that the two Acts had been merged to form the new Tourism and Hospitality Act No. 13 of 2015. The new Act had brought about a new marketing wing with additional functions of licensing, inspection, grading and classification of tourism enterprises, functions previously performed by the Department of Tourism in the Ministry of Tourism and Arts.

The Hon. Minister also briefed the Secretary-General on the transformation of the former Zambia Wild Life Authority into the Department of National Parks and Wildlife in the Ministry of Tourism and Arts. This change is meant to ensure that the institutions that looks after Zambia’s wildlife operates efficiently and effectively. This has been done by Parliament passing the Zambia Wildlife Act No. 14 of 2015 and further disclosed that the National Parks and Wildlife policy of 1998 was also under review.

The Hon. Minister also thanked the Secretary General for his unwavering support to Zambia especially the technical and financial support received through the UNWTO/ST-EP initiative.


And Secretary-General Dr. Rifai has congratulated Hon. Banda on his appointment to the tourism portfolio and reiterated his continued support for Zambia.

The UNWTO chief hailed the policy direction Zambia had taken and supported the move as an effective approach in addressing challenges of unemployment and poverty alleviation.

“Hon. Minister, a lot of countries have depended on raw materials and mineral exports which eventually run out, we welcome the policy your government has taken because tourism lasts forever as long as you take care of it.” Said Dr. Rifai.



Hon. Banda’s delegation to the 104th Executive Council meeting includes his Permanent Secretary, Mr. Stephen Mwansa, Deputy Permanent Representative to UNWTO, Mr. Joe Kaunda from the Zambian Mission in Paris France and two technical officers from the Ministry and the Zambia Mission in Paris France.
Akwaaba sets stage with traditional pomp and pageantry

L-R: NANTA President, Bernard Bankole, Mr. Talal Alsuwaidi, Manager, Dubai Tourism, Deputy Minister, Zimbabwe Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Annastacid Ndlouv, Mr Ikechi Uko, organiser Akwaaba African Travel Market; Mr. Omror Alal, Dubai Immigration, and Rwanda High Commissioner to Nigeria, Amb. Stanislas Kamanzi at the official opening of 12 Akwaaba holding in Lagos.

It was all colourful at Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos, the venue for this year’s edition of Akwaaba African Market. The event was declared open on Sunday October 30th with the usual traditional pomp and pageantry as visitors, exhibitors and special envoys of different countries were ushered to their stands in African style.

The celebrity of the day was the Deputy Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry of Zimbabwe, Anastasia Ndlovu, who led the way by officially cutting the four-cord ribbons.

The chief organizer of the event, Mr. Ikechi Uko, accompanied by Ndlovu and other dignitries, did a formal introduction of each stand and encouraged all participants to showcase their worth and patronize one another as they deem fit and necessary.

There were exhibitors from South Africa, Uganda, Rwanda, Benin, Dubai, Namibia, Kenya and, of course, Nigeria.

Others were Ethiopian Airways and tourism, Ghana’s African Airlines, Emirates and travel agents across the world.

Dubai Tourism superimposed its presence at the event along with 10 other partners across family entertainment, airlines and DMC’s, showcasing its worth as a first choice destination to all travelers.

Other dignitaries that were present at the opening ceremony of the event include NANTA President, Bernard Bankole, Mr. Talal Alsuwaidi, Manager, Dubai Tourism, Mr Ikechi Uko, organiser Akwaaba African Travel Market; Mr. Omror Alal, Dubai Immigration, and Rwanda High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ambassador Stanislas Kamanzi, among others.

The second day of Akwaaba is dedicated to aviation as travel experts will chart the way forward for the much troubled African aviation industry.



Saturday 29 October 2016

Qatar Airways increases frequency to Saudi Arabia


Qatar Airways has announced an increase in services to Dammam and Riyadh, connecting travelers from Saudi Arabia to more than 150 worldwide destinations through the award-winning Hamad International Airport in Doha.

From 30th October 2016, Qatar Airways will add another eight flights a week to Riyadh and one more daily flight to Dammam, increasing its frequency to the two major Saudi cities. Through its hub in Hamad International Airport, Qatar Airways will operate four flights a day to King Khaled International Airport in Riyadh, and five daily flights to King Fahad International Airport in Dammam.

Qatar Airways Senior Vice President of Commercial Middle East, Africa and Pakistan, Mr. Ehab Amin said: “There has been significant demand for our services in the Kingdom within the last year, and we have stepped up our services to provide our passengers with the flights they need to make traveling more convenient.

“By adding more flights, we are offering our travelers more choice to connect to our extensive network. With the increase in services to 158 weekly flights from eight points in the Kingdom, Qatar Airways will also have more First Class seats available, allowing even more passengers to experience the airline’s award-winning premium class service.”

The additional flights take Qatar Airways’ total connectivity within the Kingdom to 158 flights a week, serving eight destinations: Riyadh, Jeddah, Madinah, Dammam, Hofuf, Gassim, Taif, and Abha.

Qatar Airways, the official sponsor of Al-Ahli Saudi FC and F.C. Barcelona recently announced hosting a friendly football match bringing together both teams to play at Shiekh Thani Bin Jassim Stadium (Al-Gharrafa Stadium) on Tuesday, 13 December, 2016.

“The new increase in our services to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will enable fans of both teams to travel to Doha for the match in December, or travel directly to the clubs’ home town for matches, with more flight options making their journeys easier,” Mr. Amin said.

Travelers from Saudi Arabia can take advantage of the increased frequencies to visit the new destinations that Qatar Airways has announced this year, which include exciting cities all around the globe, such as Los Angeles and Atlanta in the USA, Adelaide in Australia, Auckland in New Zealand, and numerous others in Europe, Asia, and Africa.

Flight schedule:

Doha – Riyadh:
QR 1168  Daily  DOH RUH 19:15 20:35
QR 1169  Daily  RUH DOH 22:05 23:25

Riyadh-Doha:
QR 1236  Daily DOH RUH 08:40 10:00
QR 1237  Daily  RUH DOH 11:15 12:35


Doha- Dammam
QR 1162   Daily DOH DMM 18:40 19:40
Dammam – Doha
QR 1163   Daily DMM DOH 21:30 22:30
Nigeria, Portugal sign Bi-lateral Air Service Agreement
…set to begin air services soon

Nigeria's Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika

Nigeria and the Republic of Portugal are set to commence the implementation of a Bi-lateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) as part of government efforts towards establishing and asserting the nation as leader in air transportation on the African continent. 

This was disclosed by the Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika at a meeting with the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Portugal, Mrs. Theresa Ribeiro. 

She was accompanied by the Head of Mission of Portugal in Nigeria, Anthonio Pedro Rodrigues da Silva, and the Director, Sub-Saharan Africa of the Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Miguel Cruz Silvestre in his office. 

According to the Minister, the new BASA will open a new page in the hitherto cordial diplomatic relationship between Nigeria and Portugal, while also deepening business relationships between the people of the two nations.

A statement signed by James Odaudu, Deputy Director, Press and Public Affairs, Ministry of Aviation, said Sirika also disclosed that the Ministry had designated two of its carriers, Medview and OmniBlu airlines to service the Abuja-Lisbon and Lagos-Lisbon routes, ahead of the formalisation of the agreement during the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Air Services Negotiation Conference billed for Nassau, Bahamas in December. 

He equally charged the Portuguese authorities to also designate their own carriers immediately in to ensure a seamless implementation of the Agreement. 

The Portuguese Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation in turn told the Minister that the Nigerian airspace was not completely new to Portuguese airlines, as some of them had been closely collaborating with Nigerian carriers especially during pilgrimage operations and said the airlines to service the routes would be named in due course.

According to the envoy, Nigeria remained the giant of Africa, no matter the current challenges and that Portugal was delighted to enter into the Bilateral Air Services Agreement with Nigeria and expressed the hope that it would go a long way in cementing the long and cordial relationship between the two nations, while also opening new vistas of cooperation.

The agreement to commence direct air services between Nigeria and Portugal is expected to be finalised during the forth-coming ICAO Air Services Negotiation Conference holding in Nassau, the Bahamas in December.


Culled from The Travel Port.com
Etihad and partners contribute $3.6bn to African economy


Etihad Aviation Group (EAG) and its equity airline partners will support almost 425,000 jobs and are expected to contribute US$3.6 billion GDP to the African economy in 2016, as Abu Dhabi becomes a key hub for business travel both into and out of the continent. 

A report released by leading international research organisation Oxford Economics Group reveals that EAG and its partners make a substantial contribution to economic prosperity in Africa and throughout the global economy providing vital connections between leading commercial centres and emerging markets.

EAG and its partners will deliver a core economic contribution of US$1.1 billion and a tourism contribution of US$2.5 billion, said the report. In turn, they will support 117,000 jobs through core operations, with another 308,000 jobs supported through the tourism contribution. 

In 2016, Etihad Airways operates services to 117 passenger and cargo destinations around the world, and is expected to carry 19 million passengers on over 100,000 flights, among which almost 8,300 flights will be to and from Africa serving some 1.1 million passengers in the continent. 

Since launching its first service to Egypt in 2004, Etihad Airways has expanded its operations across the African continent with the opening up of outstations in a further eight countries including South Africa, Morocco, Libya, Sudan, Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda and Tanzania. 


The core contribution of US$1.1 billion includes the impact of EAG’s global operations, its capital spending in Africa, and the operational impact of its partners. Among this, EAG’s global operations alone will make a US$400 million contribution to the economy and sustain 39,700 jobs in 2016, mainly through purchases of products and services from African-based suppliers.

Culled from AFRITRAVELLER.COM
Qatar Airways trains staff on Safety and Security


Qatar Airways Group held its first annual conference on safety and security for its staff, with an agenda designed to embed the Group Policy that safety and security is the highest priority as expressed in all Corporate Values. The team members were educated on the robust processes spanning several operational areas.

Named ‘Priority 1’, the one-day conference aimed to provide company-wide awareness on how various departments are implementing best-in-class processes, to share information and enhance collaboration throughout the organisation.

Over 600 executive leaders, managers and supervisory staff from the Qatar Airways Group were in attendance and participated in 16 interactive sessions to broaden their knowledge about various safety and security best practices. 

The workshops and presentations moderated by senior business representatives highlighted risk management, emergency response, business resilience, environmental sustainability, ground, flight and cabin safety, occupational health and fire safety as well as security topics among others. Additionally, the Talent Development team showcased key elements of safety and security learning.

The conference was opened by His Excellency, Mr. Akbar Al Baker, Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, who emphasised the QR Group’s underlying commitment and complete focus on safety and security enhancement across all Qatar Airways operations network-wide, 24 hours a day out of the airline’s hub in Doha.

These continued improvements of current best practice have led to numerous company-wide achievements including a well-established integrated Safety and Security Management Programme, full safety and security audit compliance, improved carbon efficiency, successful joint emergency exercises with HIA and government emergency stakeholders and implementing centralised documentation and emergency information systems.

Remarked H.E. Mr. Al Baker: “The primary commitment we ask of each of our staff is to put safety and security as their number one priority every day, and we encourage our team members to constantly seek ways to share best practices and innovative safety methods with their colleagues.”


He added: “Together we need to actively have a socially-conscious approach to our day to day work environment; every day in every department in every activity and conversation, we make safety and security our Priority 1. Good safety and security is not just about complying with applicable laws it is also very good for business.”
Arik reaffirms its partnership with Emirates


Nigeria’s air giant of the moment, Arik Air, has re-affirmed its partnership with Emirates Airline, downplaying their recent decision to suspend Abuja service.

Clarifying the misinformation being peddled in the media about Abuja exit, Arik Air’s Chief Commercial Officer (CCO), Mr. Suraj Sundaram said “Arik Air and Emirates have a long standing partnership through an interline agreement since 2011 which enables Emirates passengers to have access to the entire Arik Air network for connections to and from within Nigerian destinations and to other West African countries.

“This means Arik Air will be able to assist with accommodating Emirates passengers from various Nigerian destinations (including Abuja) and other West African markets to Lagos on Arik Air’s flights for onward connection to the Emirates service from Lagos to Dubai,” said Sundaram.

TTW has learnt that the interline agreement between Arik and Emirates Airline increases the travel choices for customers from Nigeria and West Africa to travel to various global destinations offered by the Emirates network. Such partnership also allows Emirates passengers to tap into Arik Air’s strong network that currently serves 18 destinations in Nigeria and 10 in West and Central Africa.


Friday 28 October 2016

BON Hotels launches presence in Nigeria with nine outlets in five cities


BON Hotels, a hospitality company that owns, manages and markets hotels throughout Africa, has officially registered presence in Nigeria with 9 outlets added to its chain across 5 Nigerian cities.

The official launching, which was held at BON Hotel Stratton, Asokoro, Abuja, on 27 October, was attended by VIP guests, members of the press, dignitaries, politicians, airline executives, hotel owners, stakeholders and government representatives.
BON Hotels has seen phenomenal growth since its inception in 2012 with hotels across Africa including South Africa, Nigeria, Namibia, Ethiopia and Uganda. It is primed for significant expansion throughout the continent.

The West African arm of the group, BON Hotels International West Africa, which oversees operations in Nigeria, is spearheaded by a formidable team. Founder of Protea Hotels and the doyen of African hospitality, Executive Chairman Otto Stehlik, Bernard Cassar, ex Africa Director for Protea Hotels who pioneered the expansion of Protea Hotels in Nigeria over the past 18 years.
Another member of the team who also graced the occasion was Pieter Bekker, ex Protea Regional Director in Nigeria, and Director responsible for operations, who has lived and worked in Nigeria for over 10 years fostering relationships with hotel staff and owners.

The final board member is BON Hotels’ founder and CEO, Guy Stehlik, whose entrepreneurial nature and perceptive commercial ability has been the firm foundation of his success and for the strategic development of BON Hotels and its continued expansion throughout all of Africa.
BON Hotels is a strong contender in the African hotel management space.  “With Nigeria being more than ready for tourism and economically viable - the powerhouse of Africa, she offers huge potential in the hospitality landscape,” Guy Stehlik explained. 
The company offers expertise of an international standard in their approach to hotel management, property openings, new builds or the upgrade of existing properties, with the specific needs of hotel owners’ front of mind.
BON Hotels has been embraced for its fresh perspective in the African hospitality sector.

Gregory Ozegbe, Chairman of Africa Alliance Group, who is engaged in a joint venture agreement with BON Hotels on new projects, shared the vision for Africa: “It is our primary focus and we are positioned with the support of our shareholders and strategic partners across the world to embark on the most ambitious expansion in the history of any country in Africa, to build first class 4 and 5 star international standard hotels in thirty-seven (37) locations in Nigeria, and in at least thirty (30) locations in countries in Africa over the next 10 years.”

Over the past years, BON Hotels has undertaken an aggressive rebranding and refurbishment campaign of their hotels in Nigeria, with creative input from Delta Design Studio, a specialist hospitality interior design and procurement company.  The hotels will be positioned as international 4-star, boutique-style, full-service hotels, at affordable prices, offering personal, friendly and efficient service that is synonymous with BON Hotels’ operating standards.

The properties include:
 
BON Hotel Grand Towers
BON Hotel Stratton Asokoro, refurbished & rebranded
BON Hotel Abuja, refurbished & rebranded
BON Hotel Delta
Protea Hotel Ikeja, refurbished & operated by BON Hotels
Protea Hotel Victoria Island, refurbished & operated by BON Hotels

Three hotels under construction and due for completion in 2018, are –
 
BON Hotel Apo
BON Hotel Ekiti
BON Hotel Owerri

Commenting on the refurbishment plan, Guy Stehlik said: “Our strategy is to be competitive in our offering, service delivery and price – to create a four-star standard international Nigerian hotel chain, a tourism circuit if you will that caters to all markets - the inter-regional businessman, the international and Nigerian local traveller, tourists and the leisure sector, with alternatives, designed to meet their requirements.”

Stehlik added that they have rolled out the upgrades with minimum fuss - the hotels are operating as usual with all staff and general managers remaining in place.   The group is also committed to training and empowerment of local Nigerians and significant social investment with their BONangels platform that is focused on supporting local communities through charity drives and events.

Industry stalwart and familiar face to the African hospitality industry, Bernard Cassar, Director of BON Hotels International West Africa, said: “With many larger groups exiting their business interests in Nigeria, we believe that now is the time to support the country that has given us decades of success and we will continue to add value to the local hospitality industry, our guests, our staff, suppliers, the communities in which we serve, and of course our owners.”

With nine hotels across five cities in Nigeria, and the potential of 36 states with their own cities and towns, Nigeria has endless opportunities.  Together with new acquisitions in East Africa – in Uganda and Ethiopia - and continued growth prospects throughout the continent to add to their South African and Namibian portfolio, the African sky is the limit!
 


Airlines to set up MRO facilities, not government -- Adeyileka


The clamour for Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facilities in Nigeria’s aviation sector has been lingering without yielding any positive result. Perhaps, the reason is because the airlines have been shying away from their responsibility while blaming the government for not being responsive to their plight.

It is estimated that Nigeria’s indigenous airline operators spend over N250 billion annually to carryout major maintenance of their aircraft overseas. The amount constitutes about 40 to 50 percent of their cost of operation, almost sapping them dry of their ticket sales.

“Had there been MRO facilities in the country, we wouldn’t be spending that much,” the airlines would always say through their mouthpiece -- Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON). But whose responsibility is it to set up the facilities; government or the airlines?

The Director, Airworthiness Standards and one time Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Engineer Benedict Adeyileka, has disabused the erroneous impression held by the airliners that government owns the responsibility to establish MRO facilities in the country. According to him, it is more appropriate for the airlines to own the facilities so that the managerial onus won’t be politicized, which may eventually lead to premature crash of the facility.

“I believe every airline knows that aircraft maintenance is crucial to its survival. It would be wise for the airlines to own MRO facilities and stop waiting for government to do everything. The danger is that government has a way of politicizing issues. One administration will come and say ‘okay, let’s have the facility’ but another one will come and say ‘no, it’s capital intensive’ and everything will crumble at that moment,” he said.

He, however, noted that government can only support the airlines by providing them loans and suitable space to build the facility. He added that such support could be tailored toward Public Private Partnership so that government won’t have much to do with managing the facility wholly.


Adeyileka said this while presenting a lecture at a forum of aeronautical engineers held yesterday -- 27th October, 2016 – at the NCAA Annex, Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.


Dwelling on the theme of his presentation – “Airline Survival in an Economic Recession: The Role of Aircraft Engineers,” Adeyileka commended the team of engineers for recognizing that their role is quite crucial to the survival airlines. He encouraged them to sustain the culture, adding that maintenance is key to survival of airlines, not just in an economic recession.

Thursday 27 October 2016

FAAN apologizes for power hitch at Lagos airport
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria has issued a public apology to airlines, passengers and concessionaires over a minor power hitch that disrupted operations at the international wing of Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos early today.
In a statement signed by the Acting General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Mrs. Henrietta Yakubu, the authority said “a spark occurred at the E-Finger of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Ikeja, Lagos, at about 11.30am on October 27, 2016 Nigerian time.
However, the authority said “the engineers successfully corrected all defaults and normalcy was restored at affected areas.

While assuring airport users of safety and security at the nation’s airports, FAAN regretted the incident and urged all prospecting passengers, airlines and the general public to dismiss any false rumour being peddled by some mischievous individuals taking advantage of the incident to tarnish the image of the authority.

Wednesday 26 October 2016

Experts to brainstorm way-forward for Nigeria’s aviation at Akwaaba


Nigeria’s aviation sector has been in the doldrums for too long without a solution in sight, no thanks to the lingering recession that bites harder on the nation’s economy. Currently, airline operators, both foreign and indigenous, are struggling to keep their schedules in the face of persistent fuel scarcity, forex restrictions and multiple taxation.

With the overwhelming challenges facing the industry and the dwindling fortunes of airlines becoming unbearable, the aviation sector will once again be on the spot light at the 12th Akwaaba Aviation Day Conference on the 31st of October 2016.

With the topic “Aviation in Africa and Why Airlines Fail,” the 2nd Aviation day at Akwaaba will draw on the experience of major players in Nigeria's Aviation sector. The most Influential Players in Aviation between 1999 and 2010 will be sharing their experience at the event.

Leading the pack, Richard Aisebeogun, Former Managing Director, Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the former COO of Overland Airways and ADC will be joined by other speakers to discuss and proffer solutions on how the sector can come out of its current dilemma.

The former FAAN boss will be joined by other notable speakers such as, former DG, NCAA, Dr. Harold Demuren; Capt Dapo Olumide former MD of Virgin Nigeria, Edmund Yomi Jones former MD of Nigeria Airways, Capt Mike Omokore a search and Rescue expert and Kenyan Female Aviator Dorcas Aketch formerly of Kenya Airways, Virgin Nigeria and lately Rwandair will be pointing the way out of the Miasma.

The Chairman of the Day will be the Director General, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Usman Muktar. CEO Belujane Konzult, Mr Chris Aligbe and COO, AWA, Samuel Thompson will also be among the panelist for the event. Akwaaba African Travel Market is a 3day Travel expo in its 12 year now.
The event will be holding from the 30th to the 1st of November at Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos. 30 speakers have been lined up to discuss Aviation and Tourism in Africa. 

Already, exhibitors from Kenya, Bahrain, Dubai, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Nigeria, Ethiopia and Benin Republic, Liberia, Namibia, Zimbabwe are booked for the 3 day expo. Obviously, these are not the best of times for Nigeria's sector as foreign and domestic airlines are being affected by the economic situation in the country. While some have pulled out their operations from the country, others have scaled down their operation.  Some Nigerian airlines have also closed shops owing to the crisis in the sector.

It is hoped that policy makers in the country will draw from the wealth of experience of experts that are lined up to discuss the issues facing the sector and take appropriate action to get the industry on the right track.


Last year, the 11th edition of Akwaaba featured rated experts like Seyi Olusanya of Once Upon a Destination, who delivered a paper on Planning a Destination Wedding, Adefunke Adeyemi of IATA Regional Head, Member and External Relations Africa and the Middle East, lectured on Transforming Intra-Africa Air Connectivity and Captain Ado Sanusi, Deputy Managing  Director, Arik Air, also delivered a lecture at the Aviation Day that attracted travel agents and tour operators in Nigeria and the West- African Coast, local and international airlines operational in Nigeria, aviation ministries and agencies in Nigeria, aviation analysts and travel, aviation and tourism journalists.

The Hospitality Day featured workshops and presentations by notable individuals in the industry, and topics like Innovation & Payment for the Modern Hotel, Online Booking in Nigeria-How does it Work, Standardizing Hotels across West-Africa were looked into. And finally rounded up by Wine Tasting lecture, titled: How to know Your Wine, delivered by Chief Jerry Rowland of Westlog Nigeria Limited.


African Travel Market is the only international Travel Fair in West Africa, a population of 270 Million people with 15 Countries, numerous Airports and the largest number of Travellers in Africa. The event takes place in Lagos, Nigeria and held at the end of October each year.

Over the years, Akwaaba Travel Market has grown to become the most important travel marketing platform in the region drawing attendance from over7, 000 to 10,000 Visitors from 20 Countries.

This Travel Fair not only boasts a large amount of visitors but also excels in the promotion of the exhibitors from the region's leading hotels, airlines, travel agents, tour operators and similar industry suppliers who participates in the event.

A vibrant must attend 3-day business to business event presenting a diverse range of destinations to Africa and international travel professionals, it is a unique opportunity for African travel trade market to meet, negotiate, network and conduct businesses with players from elsewhere.

AKWAABA, having earned approval of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) as the official travel exhibition in Nigeria, is listed by UNWTO, a partner event of ATA and the only member of ITTFA in West Africa.


Tour Operators Union of Ghana, the National Association of Nigerian Travel Agents, African Business Travel Association and the Nigerian Association of Tour Operators have all endorsed Akwaaba African Travel Market.