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Virgin Atlantic records $911m pre-tax lost for 2020

By Favour Nnabugwu

 

Virgin Atlantic in its financial results for 2020 lost $911m pre-tax for 2020 ddueto the conditions of the pandemic, figures are down compared to 2019.

Across Virgin Atlantic, Virgin Holidays, and Virgin Atlantic Cargo, the reported revenue for the year is £868 million (~$1.2 billion). While this figure might seem like a lot, this is down from £2.9bn (~$4.01bn).

Notably, Virgin Atlantic has been going through a billion-dollar restructuring plan. This privately funded plan was completed in September 2020 and was based on borders opening in time for spring 2021.

With the aviation industry still heavily restricted in the new year, the airline has also been in talks this year about a £160 million (~$223m) support package with its shareholders and creditors, which followed a $230 million financing on two Boeing 787s.

The airline previously stated that it looks to expects to return to profitability in 2022. Until then, it is confident that it has sufficient liquidity to trade through until restrictions ease and passenger activity increases. Nonetheless, 2020 has been Virgin Atlantic’s most challenging year.

“At the start of 2020, we were on course to return to profitability, however, few could have predicted the scale and impact of the global crisis that the Covid-19 pandemic would bring. Ongoing travel restrictions, border closures and country-wide lockdowns reduced demand for travel and drove unprecedented levels of customer refunds, with over £600 million processed by Virgin Atlantic during 2020,” Virgin Atlantic CEO Shai Weiss shared in a statement.

“While we welcome the adoption of a risk-based traffic light framework and that progress is being made towards the resumption of international travel at scale from 17 May, it doesn’t go far enough, given that economic recovery and 500,000 UK jobs are at stake. Now we need certainty that the framework will allow for a phased removal of testing and quarantine.”

 

Patoma Admin by — May 2, 2021 in Aviation 0
Qatar Airways expand to Africa, begin Côte d’ Ivoire route from June 26

By admin

Doha-based Qatar Airways announced it would operate three flights per week to the Côte d’Ivoire capital Abidjan via Accra in Ghana starting from June 16, 2021.

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Abidjan will be the fourth new African destination served by the Gulf state carrier. On the route, Qatar Airways will deploy one of its state-of-the-art Boeing 787 Dreamliner configured with 22 seats in business class and 232 seats in economy class.

Abidjan is the economic capital of Côte d’Ivoire and one of the most populous French-speaking cities in Africa, with a population of around 4.7 million people. After gaining independence from France in 1960, Abidjan expanded quickly to become one of West Africa’s most important seaports.

Abidjan is also served by Félix-Houphouët-Boigny International Airport (ABJ) and is a 1 hr 5min flight from Kotoka International Airport (ACC) in Accra, Ghana.
ABJ is new for Qatar Airways
When speaking about the new Abidjan flights in the Qatar Airways statement, Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said:

The airline in a statement last week said, “We are delighted to be launching flights to Abidjan, our fourth new destination in Africa since the start of the pandemic. At Qatar Airways, we remain committed to the African market, expanding our network across the continent and offering seamless connectivity to the largest network of destinations across Asia-Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, and North America”

“We are thankful to the Côte d’Ivoire Government for their support to launch these flights, providing an opportunity to reunite family and friends with their loved ones across the globe. We look forward to working closely with our partners in Côte d’Ivoire to steadily grow this route and support the recovery of tourism and trade in the region.”

Flights to Abidjan (ABJ) from Doha (DOH) via Accra (ACC) will operate on a Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

Qatar Airways flight number QR1423 will depart DOH at 02:20 and arrive at ABJ at 09:10

Qatar Airways flight number QR1424 will depart ABJ at 17:20 and arrive at DOH at 06:10 +1

To help promote flights from Africa, Qatar Airways offers passengers a new baggage allowance of 46 kilos spread over two bags in economy and 64 kilos spread over two bags in business class.

Seven new destinations
Despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic Qatar Airways has managed to remain active flying thousands of people to various destinations worldwide. The state-owned carrier has also added the following seven destinations from its home at Hamad International Airport (DOH):

Patoma Admin by — May 2, 2021 in Aviation 0
Nigeria to fine airlines from Brazil, India, Turkey $3,500 for violating travel advisory

By Favour Nnabugwu

 

The Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19 after carrying out a risk assessment of countries with cases with high incidence, fatality rate of the virus and has issued a travel advisory for passengers arriving Nigeria from Brazil, India and Turkey with a $3500 fine on airlines that violate the travel protocols set for the specific countries.

The committee has also from Tuesday May 4th, 2021 reduced the validity period of pre-boarding COVID-19 PCR test for all Nigeria bound passengers from 96hrs to 72 hours henceforth stating that PCR test results older than 72 hours before departure shall not be accepted.

A statement signed by Secretary to the Government of the Federation/ Chairman, Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19, Boss  Mustapha stressed that  Nigeria has been monitoring with concern, the increasing trend of COVID-19 cases in several countries over the last few weeks.

He stated that the Government of Nigeria deeply empathizes with the citizens and governments of these countries, and assures them of our commitment, unflinching support and solidarity at this time of need.

Mustapha said that in an effort to continue to safeguard the health of the Nigerian population, as well as to minimize the risk of a surge in the number of COVID-19 cases in Nigeria, the Presidential Steering Committee carried out a risk assessment of countries with high incidence of cases.

The risk assessment took into consideration the epidemiology of cases, prevalence of variants of concern and average passenger volume between Nigeria and each country amongst other indicators.

He said,” Of the countries assessed, this interim travel advisory applies to three (3) countries in the first instance. These precautionary measures are a necessary step to minimize the risk of a surge in COVID-19 cases introduced to Nigeria from other countries, while national response activities continue.

“Nigerians are strongly advised to avoid any non-essential international travels to any country at this period and specifically to countries that are showing rising number of cases and deaths. The Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19, after due consideration has therefore approved the implementation of the following measures:

“(i) Reduction of the validity period of pre-boarding COVID-19 PCR test for all Nigeria bound passengers from 96hrs to 72 hours. Henceforth PCR test results older than 72 hours before departure shall not be accepted;

(ii) Guidelines Specific to Brazil, India and Turkey

“a. Non-Nigerian passport holders and non-residents who visited Brazil, India  or Turkey within Fourteen (14) days preceding travel to Nigeria, shall be  denied entry into Nigeria. This regulation, however, does not apply to passengers who transited through these countries;

“b. The following measures shall apply to airlines and passengers who fail to comply with (i) and (ii) a above: i. Airlines shall mandatorily pay a penalty of $3,500 (Three Thousand Five Hundred dollars) for each defaulting passenger; and ii. Non-Nigerians will be denied entry and returned to the country of embarkation at cost to the Airline;

“c. Nigerians and those with permanent resident permit who visited Brazil, India or Turkey within Fourteen (14) days preceding travel to Nigeria shall be made to undergo seven (7) days of mandatory quarantine in a Government approved facility at the point-of-entry city and at cost to the passenger. The following condition shall apply to such passengers:

  1. Within 24 hours of arrival shall take a COVID-19 PCR test; ii. If Positive, the passenger shall be admitted within a government approved treatment centre, in line with National treatment protocols; and iii. If Negative, the Passenger shall continue to remain in quarantine and made to undergo a repeat PCR test on Day-7 of their quarantine.

(iii) Passenger(s) arriving in Nigeria from other destinations: a. Must observe a 7-day self-isolation at their final destination; b. Carry out a COVID-19 PCR test on day 7 at selected laboratory; and c. Shall be monitored for compliance to isolation protocol by appropriate authorities.

2.(iv) False declaration:  a. Passenger(s) who provided false or misleading contact information will be  liable to prosecution; and b. Person(s) who willfully disregard or refuse to comply with directions of Port Health staff, security agencies or evade quarantine shall be prosecuted in  accordance with the law;

(v) State Governments are required to ensure that all returning travelers from all  countries are monitored to ensure adherence to the mandatory seven-day self isolation period and the repeat COVID-19 PCR test on the seventh day after arrival;  and (vi)We urge members of the public to adhere to all COVID-19 preventive measures in  place including adherence to the national travel protocol, proper use of face mask,  regular hand washing and physical distancing.

This travel advisory shall come into effect from Tuesday, 4th day of May, 2021. The guidelines provided in this document shall be subject to review after an initial period of 4 weeks.

Patoma Admin by — May 2, 2021 in Aviation 0
NCAA lifts suspension on Azman Air for correction, compliance

By Favour Nnabugwu

 

Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has lifted the suspension placed on Azman Air since March 25, 2021 over safety related issues after the airline has complied with its recommendations and carried out Corrective Action Plan (CAP) effectively.

The airline was the first to hint this on its social media handles on May 1st this was confirmed by a top official of the NCAA.

Azman Air in a recent tweet stated that it is back to operations and would be releasing it operational schedule soon, urging its clients to prepare for schedule rollout.

In a recent interview, the Director General of the NCAA, Captain Nuhu Musa said the CAA’s responsibility and duty to guide and work with the operators and assist them to ensure they are in compliance with our regulations

He stated that Azman Air is responding to the corrective action plan that followed the regulators audit stressing that the airline would come out better for it  and that the NCAA too has learned from the incident and would improve on all perceived deficiencies.

“I must tell you the response from Azman the last couple of times is very encouraging and very positive and they are taking our advice, now they understand and it is even better for them as it will improve their business modem and I have seen a shift”

“I can guarantee you by the time Azman complies; the public will see a different Azman that is our whole purpose we are not here to kill anybody, we are not here to ruin any airline but to guide them to operate safely, efficiently and provide the necessary services too.”

Patoma Admin by — May 2, 2021 in Aviation 0
FG extends NIN deadline to May 6, 2021

By admin

The Federal Government has extended the deadline for linking Subscriber Identification Modules, SIM with valid National Identity Numbers from April 6 to May 6, 2021.

It announced the extension on Friday in a statement issued in Abuja by the spokesperson of the National Identity Management Commission, Kayode Adegoke.

The deadline was extended from April 6, 2021, to May 6, 2021, after participants at the meeting of the Ministerial Task Force on NIN-SIM data linkage agreed to have an extension of the process.

The statement read in part, “The meeting took place on Thursday, April 1, 2021, and approval was given to extend the period of the NIN-SIM linkage to the 6th of May, 2021.

“The request for the extension was presented to President Muhammadu Buhari and he endorsed it.”

The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, chaired the meeting.

The meeting was attended by key stakeholders, including the NIMC, Nigerian Communications Commission, National Information Technology Development Agency, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Nigeria Immigration Service and the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria.
Others include the managing directors of MTN, Airtel, EMTS (9Mobile), NTEL, Spectranet and SMILE, as well as the chief operating officer of Glo.

The statement also stated that based on the updates of the NIN registration process, over 51 million people had been assigned NINs.

Patoma Admin by — April 2, 2021 in Technology 0
FEC approves N10.5bn for airport management solution in Abuja, Lagos, Kano, P/Harcourt, Enugu

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved the sum of N10.5 billion to supply Airport Management Solution to Nigerian international airports at Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Port Harcourt and Enugu.

The Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika made this known at the end of the Council meeting, chaired by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo in Abuja yesterday.

He said the project would be completed in 12 months and subject to 7.5 percent Value Added Tax (VAT).

According to him, “Today in Council, the Ministry of Aviation had a memorandum that was approved and this is a contract for the provision of Airport Management Solution for the international airports of Abuja, and that of Lagos and Kano, Port Harcourt and Enugu. It is awarded in the sum of N10,594,057,618.20”..

Sen. Hadi Sirika is a former pilot and a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He represents Katsina North Senatoriat District under the platform of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC).

Sirika was previously Vice-Chairman of the Millennium Development Goals Standing Committee of the Nigerian Senate. He became a senator in 2011. Before then, he served as a member of the House of Representatives between 2003 and 2007 on the platform of the ANPP.

He was General Manager of Katsina State Transport Authority from 1999 and 2000 and iwas  the Minister of State for Aviation and currently Minister of Aviation

Patoma Admin by — April 1, 2021 in Aviation 0
Air Passengers groan over depleting airlines

By admin

The decreasing number of domestic airlines and their limited fleet size is giving air travellers a cause for concern, with the cost of air tickets, number of flight delays, and cancellations on the rise.

Despite the limited number of airlines in the country, the figure has been decreasing over the years. Major commercial airlines operating in the country as at today are about six carriers: They are Air Peace, Arik Air, Aero Contractors, Dana Air, Max Air and Overland, and most of them are functioning with small aircraft fleet size.

The situation is further exacerbated by the recent suspension of Azman Air by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, (NCAA). The aviation agency had suspended the airline’s operations with immediate effect, over a series of incidents involving its Boeing 737 aircraft.

Recall that the FirstNation Airways suffered similar fate when it was also suspended by NCAA in May, 2018. The issue of First Nation Airways suspension had to do with “unauthorised and illegal operations”, according to the regulator.

THEWILL gathered that the suspension of these players and the depleting fleet size of the operating airlines are telling on domestic air travellers who are now paying higher for their flight tickets with the attendant delays and cancellations.

Narrating his experience, an air traveller, Kayode Afilaka said that his planned trip from Abuja to Lagos on the 27th March, 2021 could not hold simply because he could not procure a ticket. According to Afilaka, he went to almost all the airlines and was told that all the seats had been fully booked and that he could not get any space.

Explaining further, he said “I went to all the airlines and they told me point blank that it was impossible for me to fly since there are limited aircraft for operations. Even when I offered to pay any amount, there was no luck”.

The story of Mrs Clementina Adigu, another air traveller, is not difficult from that of Afilaka’s. According to Mrs Adigu, she had gone online one week ahead of her trip to buy a one-way ticket from Abuja to Lagos, all to no avail. She said “You can see what we are passing through even with the money; you cannot see the ticket to buy. The ticket that we used to buy N30,000 has gone to N50,000 and above.”

Mr James Ogabu was lucky to have secured a one-way Lagos-Abuja ticket at the cost of about N70 for an economy class. According to Ogabu, the issue of very few airlines is affecting a lot of travellers in terms of high cost, flight delays and cancellations. He however, advised the regulatory authorities to continue with their oversight functions as there is no room for mistakes or trial-and-error in aviation.

When THEWILL reached out to one of the major airlines, a ticketing officer who spoke under the condition of anonymity said that, it is difficult to get tickets between Lagos and Abuja routes at weekends.

According to the source, the difficulty of getting tickets is due to the fact that they are fewer aircraft these days and that has contributed to very light operations by the few airlines we have in the country.

“If you want to travel, especially between Lagos and Abuja at the weekend, just start planning as early as one month ahead, because the route is always busy at weekends”.

Reacting to the situation, the secretary general of the Association of Nigerian Aviation Professionals (ANAP), Comrade Abdul Rasaq Saidu, said that it is unfortunate that most airlines in the country have fewer aircraft than expected. Comrade Saidu wondered how pilots could practise without adequate airlines and aircraft to work with.

Saidu therefore, advised that, even with fewer airlines, there is need to give job opportunities to local pilots instead of giving the limited opportunities to foreigners. He lamented situations where foreign pilots are given jobs with the very few aircraft we have in the country.

“Whether there are enough planes or not, it is important that we give priority to local pilots because a foreigner could not enter the country and begin to fly as a pilot without endorsement from the Nigeria Immigration Services (NIS).

“Interestingly, at the global level, the situation is at variance with what is on ground in Nigeria. In some countries, the issue of unemployed pilots is not a major concern but there are fears that there would be scarcity of manpower in that area, in years to come when there will be enough airlines and aircraft to work with”, Saidu said

Meanwhile, beyond the suspension of certain airlines, aviation experts have attributed the declining fleet size of domestic airlines to the fact that most of their aircraft are still in maintenance at different locations across the world.

For instance, Air Peace which had over 20 aircraft in its fleet is left with as low as 5 aircraft currently, while the remaining ones are undergoing maintenance. Arik Air, on its own once maintained as much as 21 aircraft fleet size at some point but is now operating with fewer aircraft. As at the time First Nation Airways was suspended, the airline had about one in maintenance while the other was fully operational.

Patoma Admin by — March 30, 2021 in Aviation 0
Reps committee to investigate N27bn palliatives for airlines

By admin

The House of Representatives Committee on Aviation has said it will investigate how the Ministry of Aviation disbursed the N27 billion parliatives given by the federal government to the Aviation sector.

The committee chairman, Hon. Nnolim Nnaji made this known in Abuja today that the investigation becomes necessary following complaint by airlines operators and other stakeholders on how the money was disbursed.

According to him, “The avalanche of concerns raised by stakeholders regarding the matter were too weighty to be ignored.”

He also said that the House committee on Aviation has resolved to demand from the Ministry of Aviation the detailed disbursement of the intervention fund.

“The essence is not to witch hunt anybody but to clear every doubt over the disbursements. We want to know the detailed disbursements, airline by airline, the parastatals under the ministry and other organizations”, he said.

The chairman noted that the committee was quite aware of the challenges facing the industry due to the COVID19 impact and the genuine concerns expressed by the Honourable Minister, Senator Hadi Sirika on the need for Federal Government’s palliative to the industry.

Some airline operators, he said ” had complained that despite being asked to submit their details which they did, but up till date. Still no response.”

“They also alleged that the ministry was doing selective disbursements and that the exercise lacked transparency” and urged the committee to investigate it.

Honourable Nnaji further assured that ” though the House had already adjourned for Easter holidays, the committee will cut short its break to look into the matter because of the critical role of aviation in the overall economy of the country.”

Patoma Admin by — March 29, 2021 in Aviation 0
UAE removes Rapid Antigen test requirement for travellers from Nigeria airports…..imposes new conditions for resumption of flights between both countries

By admin

 

The United Arab Emirates, UAE, government has said its has decided to remove the Rapid Antigen test requirement for travellers from airports in Nigeria so as to restore normal flights between both countries.

This is just as the country imposes new conditions for Nigeria to meet before normal flights will resume in Abuja yesterday

Recall there has not been flights between both countries as a result of stringent covid-19 test requirements UAE imposed on travellers from Nigeria.

In a letter from the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Abuja issued yesterday with reference No.078/A/2021 among other things requested that number of passengers from Nigeria to the UAE must not exceed 200 passengers for inbound flight from Nigeria for two weeks and that only direct flights between both countries are allowed.

The letter read : ” The Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Abuja presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Protocol Department) of the Federal Re[public of Nigeria with reference to the Ministry Verbal Note No. K.521/2021 dated 16th February 2021 and the Embassy’s Note Verbal No. 049/A/2021 dated 23 February 2021.”

“The embassy has the honor to convey the response of the competent authorities in the UAE regarding the ongoing flight halt between the UAE and Nigeria as well as the travel requirements for travelers to the UAE.”

“The UAE Government has decided to remove the requirement for the Rapid Antigen test at the airports in Nigeria while demanding the following requirements:

“Number of passengers on inbound flights to the UAE must not exceed 200 passengers for two weeks. Only direct flights between the UAE and Nigeria are allowed. Passengers need to present a valid negative PCR test conducted within 48 hours before boarding.

Provide the embassy with updated list of the approved PCR test centers by the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the importance of ensuring the accuracy of the passengers’ information, contact details and place of stay during their visit in UAE.”

The federal government is yet to respond to the new conditions imposed by the UAE authority as at the time of filing this report. Stringent covid-19 test requirements by the UAE government forced the federal government to ban Emirates from operating flights out of the country.

Patoma Admin by — March 27, 2021 in Aviation 0
Domestic airlines to resume in-flight catering services

By Favour Nnabugwu

Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika has smdirected domestic airlines to resume suspended in-flight catering services, following its suspension at the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic

Sirika disclosed yesterday at the weekly media briefing of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 in Abuja

According to the Minister, “The decision was taken in consideration of the businesses involved in the provision of in-flight refreshments who have been adversely affected by the suspension”.

He said, “Modalities and protocols for the resumption of the services would be worked and rolled out by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) which will be in line with international practices.”

Sirika also reiterated the plan to resume international flight operations at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, the Akanu Ibiam International Airport Enugu and the Port Harcourt International Airport.

According to him, “Members of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 will be visiting the airports for simulation exercises to ascertain their readiness for international operations.”

He also disclosed that a technical working group comprising of of agencies involved in the facilitation of passengers has been set up to ensure that all standards required for seamless operations at the airports earmarked for resumption of international flights.

On the suspension of Emirates Airlines operations in Nigeria, Senator Hadi Sirika said discussions were on to resolve the issues involved, even as he restated the country’s position on the impropriety of the extra Covid-19 tests the airline was demanding of Nigerian travellers.

Patoma Admin by — March 22, 2021 in Aviation 0