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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
Emirates Airbus A380 return to J’Burg, Spain, Brazil, three other routes from Sunday

By Favour Nnabugwu

 

Emirates is continuing to grow its Airbus A380 network. With the changeover to the IATA winter timetable planned for Sunday, October 31st, six more routes are set to welcome the Airbus A380 once more.

The returning flights will allow Emirates to exceed 1,000 rotations with the giant of the skies in November.

Emirates is hard at work, proving that the Airbus A380 still has a place in the post-pandemic aviation industry. With the airline’s entire 777 fleet already busy for some time, the airline has to use the A380 to add capacity now. By the end of the year, it hopes to have reactivated around 50 A380s and restored 70% of its capacity.

Six more A380 routes

Emirates will relaunch A380 flights to six destinations on Sunday. Some of these have seen the A380 since the height of the pandemic but have lost the jet again somewhere along the way. According to schedule data from Cirium, the A380 will return to the following routes:
AMS – Amsterdam – The Netherlands; GRU – Sao Paulo – Brazil; HAM – Hamburg – Germany; JNB – Johannesburg – South Africa; MAD – Madrid – Spain and MXP – Milan – Itlay

Each of the routes will operate daily through November, except for Milan, which has just 22 rotations scheduled for the month. With the addition of the above routes, Emirates will fly the Airbus A380 to 25 destinations from its Dubai home.

Increased capacities on other routes
While the A380 is returning to these routes, other routes will see increased capacities from Sunday. Frankfurt will be to welcome a double-daily Airbus A380 from Sunday. Meanwhile, Vienna’s capacity will increase, with 38 rotations planned for November, up from a daily A380 rotation in October.

Patoma Admin by — October 29, 2021 in Aviation 0
FAAN trains 121 Aviation Security officers from 12 states

By Favour Nnabugwu

 

 

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has announced completion the training of 121 aviation security officers drawn from twelve (12) airports including Abuja, Maiduguri, Yola, Jos, Gombe, Dutse, Sokoto, Zaria, Kaduna, Kebbi, Makurdi and Katsina.
The Aviation Security officers were taken through the mandatory 6 weeks STP 123 Basic Course, which was both intellectual and physical.

Some of the topics taken during the course includes; Overview of legislation, Access Control, People & Vehicle, Airport emergency (Basic fire prevention), Screening procedures, X-ray image interpretation, Effective communication, Protection of parked aircraft, Cargo and mail security, First aid training amongst others.

In accordance with the requirements of the National Civil Aviation Security Training Programme (NCASTP), the trainees all attained the 70% pass mark before graduating.

Patoma Admin by — October 8, 2021 in Aviation 0
FAAN temporarily close drop off zone for canopy installation

By Favour Nnabugwu

 

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has announced a temporary closure of the regular Drop Off Zone at the departure frontage of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos from October 6, 2021

FAAN informed passengers, airport users, stakeholders and the general public that effective Wednesday, October 6, 2021 that temporary closure is to allow for the completion of the ongoing canopy installation works at the concourse of the old international building.

In a Statement signed by Mrs Henrietta Yakubu, General Manager, Corporate Affairs, to ease vehicular and human facilitation around the area, the Authority has temporary opened the Drop Off Zone of the new international terminal to serve airport users, while the project would last.

She also said covered walkways have been put in place to link the old and the new terminal. The Authority will also open the new departure bridge to serve as an exit to motorists.

While appealing to airport users to bear with us while this project will be completed, we will like to appeal to passengers and other stakeholders to please comply with directives from security and traffic agents that have been deployed to ensure orderliness.

Patoma Admin by — October 6, 2021 in Aviation 0
Seven Years Of Operations: The Story Of Virgin Nigeria Airways

By Jake Hardiman

 

 

The Virgin Group is a far-reaching conglomerate with its fingers in many pies. Among these over the years have been several airlines. Some, like Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Australia, are active today, while others no longer grace the world’s skies. One such carrier was Virgin Nigeria Airways, which flew for seven years in the 2000s and 2010s. This is its story.

In the beginning

When Nigeria Airways ceased operations in 2003, the country needed a new national airline. This came to fruition a year later, in 2004, when a group of Nigerian investors collaborated with the Virgin Group to form Virgin Nigeria. Its base was Murtala Muhammed International Airport (LOS) in Lagos, and its frequent flyer program was known as Eagleflier.

The year after being founded, Virgin Nigeria commenced operations in June 2005. Its inaugural flight took passengers from its own hub in Lagos to a key Virgin Atlantic base, namely London Heathrow. The plane used was an Airbus A340-300 which the new carrier leased from Virgin Atlantic. In fact, it retained its G-VBUS registration while at Virgin Nigeria.

To begin with, Virgin Nigeria enjoyed periods of fast expansion. Indeed, it took just two years for the airline to carry its millionth passenger and 4,000th ton of cargo. As growth continued, it planned to open a second base elsewhere in Nigeria, specifically Abuja.

Virgin Nigeria’s fleet

Despite operating for a relatively short period of time, Virgin Nigeria flew an interesting and diverse range of aircraft. As we have established, the airline’s early years saw it lease two Virgin Atlantic A340s, which, according to data from ATDB.aero, it returned in 2007. Other widebodies at the carrier included two A330-200s and three Boeing 767-300.

In terms of single-aisle aircraft, Virgin Nigeria’s most common narrowbody was the 737 family, from which it operated 12 737-300s and a single -400. Less numerous were the A320-200 and 757-200, of which Virgin Nigeria flew two and one respectively.

Regional aircraft also had a role to play at Virgin Nigeria. As far as jet-powered aircraft were concerned, it flew two Embraer E190s, as well as canceling the acquisitions of two E170s. Turboprops were also present in the form of the ATR 42 and the Fokker F27.

The end of the line

After five years of operations, the Virgin Group withdrew its branding from the airline, which then became known as Nigerian Eagle Airlines. Despite the name change, Virgin retained its stake in the airline, although it had been looking to sell it since 2008. A year later, in June 2010, a change in the carrier’s ownership structure brought about another name change.

This saw it take on the rather simpler name of Air Nigeria. Two more years followed before safety checks in June 2012 grounded the airline. September 6th that year saw the firing of its management on the grounds of disloyalty, and operations ceased fully four days later. There were 13 aircraft in Air Nigeria’s fleet at the time of its collapse.

Patoma Admin by — October 5, 2021 in Aviation 0
FAAN marks 61st Independence celebration with passengers at four international airports

By admin

 

International airports today wore a celebratory look as the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) thrilled arriving passengers to music and dance as they made way into the country October 1, 2021, Independence Day.

Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja; MallamAminu Kano International Airport, Kano and Port Harcourt International Airport Omagwa came to life with music and dance while staff of FAAN handed flags to passengers.

Passengers also joined the celebration,dancing and celebrating as they received flags and balloons.

Some expressed surprise, pride and joy at the concept  FAAN pulled off. Mrs Annamarie who spoke to NigerianFLIGHTDECK at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport said,” Well, this is relatively new and nice, to be welcomed like a hero to your country. It’s exciting and I think should be done  at all the airport not just Lagos.

A passenger who was impressed with the whole idea and couldn’t stop dancing told our reporter that,”…look we are alive. hard times come and so hard times will go.

General Manager Corporate Communication, FAAN, Mrs. Henrietta Yakubu when asked the reason for the atmosphere around the nation’s airport said:

” We decided to appreciate our passengers. In spite of the hardship,In spite of the situation in the country, Nigerian are still able to afford to fly. We are celebrating passengers who use our airports for making it lively and operational because without them we wouldn’t have any airport. So we just thank our passengers for keeping our airports open, in spite everything some were happy,some danced with us.”

Patoma Admin by — October 2, 2021 in Aviation 0
Emirates to add 11 Airbus A380 destinations in November

By Favour Nnabugwu

 

 

Dubai-based carrier Emirates will add 11 Airbus A380 destinations to its growing network by the end of November.

The airline hopes to send the giant of the skies to 27 destinations, up 65 percent from the 16 currently served by the carrier. The aircraft will be added to both leisure and business-focused routes

.Emirates is the odd one out when it comes to Airbus A380 operations. While most airlines have scrapped their jets or are keeping them grounded for the time being, Emirates is pushing ahead with the giant’s return to service. More than a quarter of the airline’s 119 aircraft fleet is now operational once more.

11 Airbus A380 routes planned

With stability and demand gradually returning to the aviation industry, Emirates is starting to plan slightly further afield when it comes to the return of its Airbus A380 fleet. Over the coming two months, many destinations will see a return of the giant, while some will even see it for the first time.

The A380 network increase will be kicked off by Istanbul on October 1st. This is a special route as it isn’t just new to Emirate’s giant. It will actually be the first time a passenger Airbus A380 flight has been operated to Turkey, let alone Istanbul. Unfortunately, Emirates can’t claim the first A380 flight to Turkey, as Hi Fly’s charter aircraft flew to Istanbul for a technical stop shortly before its retirement.

Patoma Admin by — September 28, 2021 in Aviation 0
Ethiopian Airlines to commence flights to Enugu on October 1

By Favour Nnabugwu

 

 

Africa’s largest airline, Ethiopian Airlines has announced that it will resume flights to Enugu Airport from the 1st of October, two years after the east African giant suspended flights to the southeastern state of Nigeria.

This was disclosed in a statement by its General Manager, Shimeles Arage, in Lagos on Sunday, stating that every week there would be a flight on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, with B787 Dreamliner, according to the News Agency of Nigeria.

“Oct. 1 is Nigeria’s Independence Day and the flight to Enugu on that day will reinforce Ethiopian Airline’s good relations with Nigeria since the first flight to Nigeria in 1960,” Arage said.

He added that flights were suspended from Enugu due to renovations of the airport done by the FG to improve the runway.

“Before the closure of the airport for runway repairs, Ethiopian was the only international airline flying to Enugu,” he added.

Patoma Admin by — September 23, 2021 in Aviation 0
AIB submits interim report on Air Force plane crash in Kaduna

By Favour Nnabugwu
The Nigeria Accident Investigation Bureau, AIB, has submitted interim report on the accident involving a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) King Air -350 aircraft at the vicinity of Kaduna Civil Airport on 21 May 2021,  that killed the former  Chief of Army Staff to the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Oladayo Amao .
Recall Air Marshal Amao  had directed that a joint investigative body consisting of experienced NAF safety officers and the Accident Investigative Bureau (AIB) be constituted to investigate the circumstances surrounding the air crash.
Speaking while submitting the report at NAF Headquarters in Abuja, the Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of AIB, Engr Akin Olateru said the submission of the report is coming three months after the accident.
Engineer Olateru revealed that the  submitted report is organized into three sections namely; ” the information obtained in the course of the investigation; analysis of data collected in view of the Board’s Terms of Reference; and the conclusion, which covers the initial findings and immediate recommendations”.
” It should be noted that at this interim stage, a total of 27 initial findings and 8 immediate safety recommendations were made for the convening authority as well as other aviation related agencies for immediate implementation”.
” It is expected that the final report will contain the flight data recorder readout, the reviewed operator’s and service provider’s standard operating procedures as well as other detailed analysis”, the Commissioner said.
 While receiving the report, the  Chief of Air Staff, CAS, said the report is the main essence of activating the ‘joint investigative’ clause contained in the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between the NAF and the AIB on 1 July, 2020.
 According to him, ” the successful collaboration is a clear indication of the potency of collaboration in aircraft accident investigation, which must be encouraged.”
 Air Marshal Amao also noted that ” such collaborative efforts make accident investigations more transparent and open. The outcome of the investigation is not necessarily aimed at punitive measures but essentially at generally improving safety in the aviation industry. “
The Chief Executive Officer of AIB, Engr Akin Olateru also used the occasion to reveal that the joint investigation with the NAF was its first direct involvement in military air crash investigation in Nigeria and second investigation outside its mandate having also assisted Sao Tome and Principe in the past.
He also stated that copies of the report, with the endorsement of the CAS, will also be submitted to the Hon. Minister of Aviation and Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to ensure that the recommendations addressed to aviation agencies are implemented.
The Commissioner also stated that although the accident involved a military aircraft and crew, it happened at a civil airport adding that the involvement of AIB in the investigation by the Nigerian Air Force would help in closing the gaps on the civil aviation
Patoma Admin by — September 16, 2021 in Aviation 0