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Restoration of flights between Nigeria, UAE : Air Peace resumes Dubai flights Dec 1

By Favour Nnabugwu

 

Air Peace airline has announced the resumption of flights to Dubai through Sharjah with effect from December 1, following the restoration of flights between Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates, UAE

A statement from the airline management yesterday read : ” Air Peace is delighted to inform the flying public that it will be resuming its Dubai service via Sharjah on December 1, 2021.This is consequent upon Federal Government’s lifting of the ban on flights from and to the UAE.”

” Customers are urged to comply with all established COVID-19 protocols governing international air travel and cooperate with airport staff in this regard.”

Recall the federal government and United Arab Emirates, UAE, on Friday agreed to restore flights between both countries. Flights were suspended in March following disagreement over covid-19 protocol.

The Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika who disclosed the latest development on Friday night in Abuja said that the ban was lifted after Emirates airlines removed its stringent conditions slammed on Nigerian travellers.

Also the United Arab Emirates, in its latest Coronavirus protocol released on Saturday dropped the Rapid Antigen Test (RDT) for COVID-19 as prerequisite for travelling to the Middle East country for Nigerians and some other countries.

A statement dated November 26, 2021, issued by the Aviation Business Management Team-Dubai Airports, indicated that ” RDT would no longer be required for all flights effective from Saturday November 27, 2021 at 00.0 hours, for passengers travelling to Dubai from the following countries: the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Republic of Uganda, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Republic of Zambia.”

Patoma Admin by — November 28, 2021 in Aviation 0
FG, UAE agree to restore flights between both countries

By Favour Nnabugwu

 

The federal government and United Arab Emirates, UAE, have agreed to restore flights between both countries. Flights were suspended in March following disagreement over covid-19 protocol.

The Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika who disclosed the latest development  on Friday night in Abuja said that the ban was lifted after Emirates airlines removed its stringent conditions slammed on Nigerian travellers.

Also the United Arab Emirates, in its latest Coronavirus protocol released yesterday, dropped the Rapid Antigen Test (RDT) for COVID-19 as prerequisite for travelling to the Middle East country for Nigerians and some other countries.

A statement dated November 26, 2021, issued by the Aviation Business Management Team-Dubai Airports, indicated that ” RDT would no longer be required for all flights effective from Saturday November 27, 2021 at 00.0 hours, for passengers travelling to Dubai from the following countries: the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Republic of Uganda, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Republic of Zambia.”

According to the statement inbound passengers, who are eligible to travel to Dubai…should comply with the following conditions: “The passenger(s) shall present a valid negative COVID-19 test certificate that is issued within the valid time frame, namely, (72) hours from the time of collecting the sample and from the approved health service that uses QR code system.

“Passenger(s) shall undergo a PCR (Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction) upon arrival at Dubai Airports.

“No approval is required from the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) or from General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) for the passengers from the aforesaid countries, to enter Dubai. No rapid PCR test report is required.

“The airlines shall ensure and/or verify the compliance of the above requirement(s) prior to passenger(s) boarding the aircraft and shall not accept any passenger(s) who does not fulfill the aforesaid condition(s) and/or requirements,” the statement said.

It  further stated that ” air carriers that fail and or neglect to comply with the measures set out in this decision would be subjected to the fines and measures stipulated in Clause 37 of Schedule No (7) the Executive Council Resolution No. (4) of the 2017 Approving Fees and Fines of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA), considering that adherence to the provision of DCAA circular No. (1) of 2021, is strictly required for airlines to continue practicing air transport activity arriving to or transiting through Dubai.”

With the new protocol, UAE has dropped the RDT test, which caused a disagreement between Nigeria and the Arab country thus forcing Emirates to stop operating to Nigeria when the federal government insisted that it must not conduct RDT on Nigerian passengers four hours before their flight as well as insisting that the 72 hours PCR test must be accepted by the airline.

Patoma Admin by — November 28, 2021 in Aviation 0
Air Peace acquires two Airbus 320 Aircraft to boosts operations during yuletide

By Favour Nnabugwu

 

West and Central Africa’s largest carrier, Air Peace, has taken delivery of two Airbus 320s to boost its domestic and regional operations, especially as Yuletide approaches.

The two 162-seater aircraft, with 12 Business Class seats and 150 Economy seats each, arrived the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, around 20:00hrs on Thursday, November 25, 2021.

Spokesperson of Air Peace, Stanley Olisa,  who confirmed the acquisition said: “The two A320s will be deployed to boost both domestic and regional connectivity for our esteemed customers, as the Yuletide draws near”.

He added that the new A320s will help the airline in its drive to meet the growing travel demand in the Nigerian and larger West African markets while it expects to take delivery of more Embraer 195-E2 airplanes.

Olisa stated: “Air Peace is committed to reducing the air travel burden of Nigerians and these new airplanes are a testament to this commitment”.

Recently, Air Peace had assured the flying public of ample flights as it will be rolling out schedules for the festive period very soon, adding that more aircraft are coming in- both those on maintenance and a brand new Embraer 195-E2 jet.

The airline had also revealed that it will be deploying its wide-body Boeing 777 aircraft to meet the increased demand characteristic of the festive period.

Air Peace currently services 19 domestic routes, 6 regional routes and 2 international destinations, including Johannesburg, while it boasts of a varied fleet of 30 aircraft, the latest being four brand new 124-seat capacity Embraer 195-E2 jets.

Patoma Admin by — November 26, 2021 in Aviation 0
Nigeria Air Carrier to commence flight April 2022

By Favour Nnabugwu

 

Plans have reached the top on the new national carrier, Nigerian Air which is said  will take off April 2022.

The Minister of Aviation Hadi Sirika made it known at the end of the virtual Federal Executive Council, FEC, meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The Minister explained that in the new national carrier, the federal government will have not more than five percent equity shares, Nigerian entrepreneurs 46 percent equity shares, while the would be international strategic partners will have 49 equity shares.

He explained that the Fedecal Executive Council gave approval for the new national carrier, adding that the new carrier in few years time when it becomes operational, would generate about 70 thousand jobs which he said is higher than the total federal civil servants in the country.

Sirika recalled that over 400 thousand Nigerians participated in choosing the name which was launched in 2018.

Details later..

Patoma Admin by — November 24, 2021 in Aviation 0
Man commit suicide in a plane toilet

By admin

 

A Russian tourist committed suicide on board a plane travelling from the Egyptian resort of Sharm El Sheikh to Samara, Russia.

During takeoff, when passengers and crew took their seats and buckled themselves, 48-year-old Alexander Dokshin got up and made his way to the toilet.
Flight attendants noticed the man’s disappearance after about 15 minutes and went in search of him.
They tried to open the toilet door, but the latch was blocked.

Passengers helped the cabin crew to remove the door from the hinges and they found the man unconscious.

Three medical doctors on board tried to resuscitate the man but failed.

The plane then made an emergency landing at the nearest airport in Cairo and paramedics who arrived pronounced the father-of-one dead.

Passengers seated near the deceased man before his death said that he was acting strangely and talking to himself during the flight.

Passenger kills himself in airplane toilet during flight from Egypt

The man’s relatives subsequently confirmed that he did have mental problems after he had had a car accident in Thailand.

Passenger kills himself in airplane toilet during flight from Egypt

Police were summoned leading to a five hour delay as the death was investigated before the man’s body was loaded into the luggage compartment of the plane and the flight continued to Samara with his body and other passengers.

Russia’s transport investigative committee has launched a probe into Dokshin’s shocking death.

Patoma Admin by — November 24, 2021 in Aviation 0
NAMA Abuja Airport Operation Manager died at work

By admin

 

Nigerian Airspace Management Agency ( NAMA) has announced the death of one of its Air Traffic Controllers (ATCO), Aniekan Effiong, while on duty on Monday.

Khalid Emele, NAMA spokesman, confirmed the sad news in a statement in Lagos on Monday.

Mr Emele said Mr Effiong died on duty at the approach radar control site of NAMA Total Radar Coverage of Nigeria (TRACON), Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

The ATC officer, until his death was an Assistant General Manager, Operations at NAMA.

Mr Emele, mourned the sudden death of the NAMA official, saying “he was a hardworking and dedicated staff(er) who died at the prime of his career.

“Effiong reported to duty at the Abuja Approach Radar Control (TRACON) on Nov. 21 at 6p.m. without any sign of illness whatsoever.

“He was to close by 7a.m. the next day (Monday). However, at about 4 a.m. this morning, he experienced difficulty in breathing.

“FAAN ambulance was called to evacuate him to the nearest medical facility.

“He was immediately taken to the Air Force Base clinic where he died.

“Effiong was a hardworking and dedicated staff who died at the prime of his career.

“He will be missed by the entire NAMA community,” said the statement. NAN

Patoma Admin by — November 23, 2021 in Aviation 0
Qatar Airways flies World Cup above 8 Stadiums on special Boeing 777

It’s only one year until the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 begins. Providing a crucial role in carrying spectators and personnel to the highly-anticipated global football tournament, Qatar Airways has been busy gearing up for demand.

This weekend, one of the flag carrier of Qatar’s Boeing 777s took to the skies with the World Cup trophy and flew above the eight stadiums hosting the games.

With a special flight number of QR2022, the 777-3DZER took off from Doha on Saturday morning to navigate the east side of Qatar before landing back in the capital 79 minutes later. Two-time World Cup winner Cafu was there to witness the twinjet spectacle. The former Brazil International was also joined by a Qatar Legacy Ambassador.

Last November, Qatar Airways revealed a special livery with the words FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 livery painted on its 777 aircraft. It’s estimated that 1.5 million additional international passengers will arrive in Qatar for the tournament.

As the official airline of FIFA, the airline is ensuring it’s got everything in place ahead of the big event

Qatar is ready to welcome fans from across the globe to its shores for this exciting, world-class event and, as the World’s Best Airline, we are eagerly anticipating the arrival of travelling fans on board as we expect amazing things from the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022,” Qatar Airways Group CEO Akbar Al Baker shared in a company statement.

“With just one year to go until the big event, the upcoming FIFA Arab Cup is the perfect showpiece tournament for both the State of Qatar and the airline to display our readiness. This global occasion represents what it means for us to be the Official Airline and Official Partner of FIFA, while seamlessly connecting people from around the world to our nation.”

Patoma Admin by — November 22, 2021 in Aviation 0

By Favour Nnabugwu

 

Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted low weather visibility of below a thousand over some parts of the northern region on November 20, 2021 stating that dust haze are expected to affect Borno, Yobe, Jigawa, Kano, Katsina and environs .

The Dust haze originated from the Faya Largeau in Chad Republic – a major dust haze source region for Nigeria and indeed the West African Sub-region.

The value scale of significant visibility deterioration over the northern cities on the 20th as stated above would range from 2000-5000 metres with isolated cases of visibility below 1000 metres. Most parts of the central states are expected to be partly cloudy with sunny intervals while the southern states are expected to be cloudy with prospects of isolated thunderstorms

Consequently, motorists are advised to drive with caution especially in the extreme northern parts where reduction in visibility is envisaged. More attention is expected especially during the early morning period when horizontal visibility is mostly impaired.

Hot and dry atmospheric condition associated with harmattan could result in heat exhaustion and dehydration, hence keeping the body hydrated by drinking water is crucial to avoid heat stroke, however temperatures at night could be very low, adequate clothing is therefore essential. The expected reduction in visibility may disrupt flight operations through cancellation and delay of flights; this is for the safety of air travellers.

Patoma Admin by — November 18, 2021 in Aviation 0
Ibom Air Orders 10 Airbus A220s

By Favour Nnabugwu

 

 

Nigeria’s Ibom Air has placed an order for 10 Airbus A220s. The order is broken down between the types, with the A220-300 being delivered from 2023, with the A220-100 to follow.

The order pushes Airbus to an even stronger lead in terms of orders placed on day three of the Dubai Airshow, as well as the total orders for the Dubai Airshow so far.
While Boeing took an early lead in the Dubai day three order book, it was quickly overtaken by rival Airbus when the Middle Eastern carrier Jazeera Airways placed an order for up to 28 new jets from the Airbus A320neo family, worth more than $3.3 billion.

For now, Ibom Air’s order os comprised of three of the larger Airbus A220-300, and seven of the smaller A220-100s. However, while the numbers of aircraft have been set, the split between the two types remains fluid, meaning we could see more of one type, and less of another.

The airline isn’t totally new to the Airbus A220. Instead, it is already wet leasing two Airbus A220-300s from fellow African airline, Egyptair. Wet leasing means that Ibom Air is paying Egyptair to provide the aircraft, fuel, and crew.

All-A220 operator airBaltic is currently showing off one of its shiny Airbus A220 aircraft at the Dubai Airshow. Unlike airBaltic, Ibom Air isn’t eyeing an all A220 fleet. According to ch-aviation.com, the airline already has five Embraer CRJs.

During the press conference, Mfon Udom said that the Airbus A220 order would complement its existing fleet, rather than replace it. The airline is owned by the Akwa Ibom state government, and as such, both its CEO and the Governor of the state, Udom Emmanuel.

Airbus’ chief commercial officer, Christian Scherer, commented that the aircraft is ideally suited to the Nigerian aviation market. By the end of October, the Airbus A220 had already clocked 643 firm orders from customers around the globe. While many aircraft were impacted by the global pandemic, the A220 has already exceeded its pre-pandemic schedule, as was previously shown by Simple Flying’s analysis

Patoma Admin by — November 17, 2021 in Aviation 0
Plane tickets set to increase due to rising oil prices – IATA

By admin

Plane tickets are set to become more expensive as a result of rising crude oil prices and labour costs, warned head of the International Air Transport Association, IATA.

“The issue that will impact fares in the short to medium-term will be the high price of oil, that continues to remain stubbornly high and increased charges by ANSPs and airports,” said Willie Walsh, the director general of AITA.

“Higher oil prices will reflect in ticket prices,” Mr Walsh said. “Where airlines have made huge losses in recent years, it’s impossible to absorb increases and will have to be passed on to consumers and will have to be reflected in the pricing, he said during an online media briefing monitored by Persecondnews.com

Mr Walsh said. The industry has no choice but to reflect this into plane ticket prices.”

Rising oil prices will add pressure on airlines’ costs, forcing them to pass on some of that burden to passengers by raising air fares, but will not stall the recovery of carriers, according to the head of the

Global airlines, already battered over the past 20 months by the Covid-19 pandemic that has hit their revenue, are facing stronger oil prices of about $80 per barrel and increasing fees from air navigation service providers (ANSPs) seeking to recoup their own losses.

Oil prices have hit multi-year highs with global supplies constrained while demand is rising as developed economies rebound faster than expected from the coronavirus-induced slowdown. Brent, the global benchmark under which two thirds oil trades, has gained more than 60 per cent since the start of the year and was trading at $82.87 a barrel at 3.30pm Nigerian time on Wednesday.

Fuel typically makes up 25 per cent of an airline’s cost. Global carriers will shoulder total accumulative losses of $201 billion in the period between 2020 to 2022, as a result of the pandemic that brought air travel to a halt, according to Iata’s latest industry report in October.

The higher pricing will reflect airlines’ cost of operations, rather than a supply-demand dynamic, Mr Walsh said.

Patoma Admin by — November 5, 2021 in Aviation 0