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Kenyan first female Boeing 787 Dreamliner Captain

By admin

 

 

Captain Irene Koki Mutungi, Africa’s first female Boeing 787 Dreamliner Captain. She is Kenya Airways’ first female Pilot and Captain, she commanded first father/daughter flight and first all female flight crew in Africa.

Her father was a Pilot at Kenya Airways, flying with him from a very young age ignited her passion to became a Pilot and she never looked back.

At age 17, she attended flight school at Nairobi’s Wilson Airport, where she obtained her Private Pilot’s License. She went to obtain her Commercial Pilot’s License from the Federal Aviation Administration, USA.

After obtaining her Commercial Pilot’s License, Captain Irene Koki Mutungi returned to Kenya and was hired by Kenya Airways, as their first female Pilot and she has been with the airline for more than 2 decades.

She is currently commanding a Boeing 787 Dreamliner at Kenya Airways.

“My first flight was just few days before I turned 18 and it was the most amazing experience. My most memorable flight was the one I got to do with my father, it was his last flight in the airline, he chose to retire early and wind up his career with a flight he did with me and that was very memorable,” said Captain Irene Koki Mutungi.

Patoma Admin by — July 1, 2022 in Aviation 0
43,008 pilgrims for airlifting to Saudi July 3 – NAHCON

*Hajj: We’ll complete airlifting of 43,008 pilgrims to Saudi July 3 – NAHCON reassures*

_By Luminous Jannamike, Abuja_

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), has concluded plans to finish the airlifting of all 43,008  pilgrims to the Holy Land for this year’s pilgrimage by July 3. 2022.

This excludes the pilgrims airlifted by private tour operators across the country.

The Saudi government had allocated 43,008 slots to Nigeria, out of which licensed tour operators, under the aegis of Association of Hajj and Umrah Operators of Nigeria, got 9,032.

NAHCON’s Executive Chairman, Alhaji Zikirullah Kunle Hassan, who disclosed these while briefing journalists in Abuja on Thursday, said the Commission had contracted three airlines to fly the pilgrims to Saudi Arabia.

He was reacting to fears in certain quarters that barely three days to the commencement of this year’s Hajj ceremony, thousands of Nigerian pilgrims may miss the exercise because they have not been airlifted to the Holy Land.

“So far, everything is smooth. We are back to full Hajj operations after two-year interregnum. We have everything in place. We expect to finish flight operations by July 3,” he assured.

“Over  22,000 pilgrims have been airlifted from 23 states and the Armed Forces with Kano and Kaduna State having the highest number of pilgrims.

The Executive Chairman further confirmed that NAHCON’s request for additional slots from Saudi Arabia had been turned down by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.

He also said it was true that the request to have some officials who are above 65 years to travel because of their experience in hajj operation was also not granted.

Nonetheless, Hassan blamed the initial hiccups in the airlifting of the pilgrims on the short notice of the Saudi authorities for countries to mobilise their pilgrims for this year’s Hajj.

He, however, regretted that while the contracted airlines were ready to fly the pilgrims to the Islamic capital of the world for the religious expedition, most of the state pilgrims’ boards were not ready with their people for airlifting.

On the challenges faced by nearly 3,000 pilgrims of licensed tour operators, who made deposits to NAHCON’s Treasury Single Account domiciled in the Central Bank of Nigeria, but whose accounts in Saudi Arabia were yet to be credited to enable them process their accommodation in Makkah and Madinah and pay for other services, Hassan assured that the Commission was working with the relevant authorities in Saudi Arabia to address the issue.

Patoma Admin by — June 30, 2022 in Aviation 0
Nigeria regrets N1.25trn losses to MRO in 2021

By Favour Nnabugwu

 

 

Nigeria may have regretted losing $2.5 billion (about N1.25 trillion) in Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul, MRO investments to neighbouring countries as it was notfavourable to Nigeria

Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) services are essential for any industry that uses machinery to run operations. In the aviation sector, the term MRO aviation refers to all the activities that are aimed at ensuring that the aircrafts remain ready to fly at all times.

The Chief Executive, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Captain Rabiu Hamisu Yadudu who said this, stressed it shows the country’s potentials and capacity are grossly underutilized

The Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika on this premise described the aviation sector in Nigeria as a gold mine, with lots of latent potentials waiting to be explored.

Sirika in his good will message at the ongoing FAAN National Aviation Conference with theme “Advancing the Frontiers of Possibilities for Safe, Secure and Profitable Air Transport” where he lauded FAAN for putting together a great assembly of aviation professionals to discuss challenges militating against the efficiency of this industry, as well as proffering long lasting solutions to the challenges.

“Core variables driving air transport globally is safety and security thus stressing that the industry must continue to discuss issues that bother on these variables while ensuring the industry operates profitably, so as to be able to achieve efficiency and sustainability.

On the part of Government, our doors are open, and we are always willing and ready to discuss business, and partner with investors to bring the desired growth and development to the industry. I therefore implore well meaning Nigerians and foreign investors alike to come on board and take advantage of these business opportunities, with limitless potential for huge returns on investments.

Speaking on the capital flight funneled through a lack of an MRO in the country, the FAAN helmsman argued that with such investment as $2.5 billion in Nigeria, vast employment opportunities would have been created, as revenue generated would have spiked as well as increasing manpower as more technical personnel would be trained. 

“As we commence the process of rebounding, it is imperative to come together to identify and analyze the positives from these challenges, with a view to consolidating on them and fostering sustainable development in our industry

“Furthermore, we have assembled a crop of seasoned faculty who have distinguished themselves globally in various fields of aviation: from regulation, operation, financing, among other critical areas, to bring these issues to the fore, and also proffer lasting solutions.

Yadudu said, “At this juncture, let me state that our potentials and capacity in the global air transport industry is grossly underutilized. If we are desirous of attaining the status of a major player in the global aviation sphere, this is the time to reposition and move the industry forward.

“The focus is on Nigeria because we have the largest fleet of aircraft within the subregion. As at 2021, it was reported that Nigeria lost $2.5 billion (about N1.25 trillion) in MRO investments to neighbouring countries. Having such investments here would have created more employment opportunities for Nigerians, revenue generation and training of technical personnel for maintenance of aircraft.

He canvassed a repositioning of aviation in the world’s most populous black nation stressing that if Nigeria is desirous of attaining the status of a major player in the global aviation sphere it needs to get its acts right and such is the reason why the country stakeholders and experts need to develop a workable plan of action that will make Nigeria aviation more robust

“By the end of the conference, the conveners will come up with a working document that would be transmitted to all the stakeholders for immediate and sustained action. It will be a living document.

Patoma Admin by — June 14, 2022 in Aviation 0
Air travel soars high with 116% passenger traffic

Air travel soars high with 116% passenger traffic

By Favour Nnabugwu
Passengers traffic across Airlines in Africa increase with 116.2 per cent rise in April 2022, when compared to March 2021.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) on yesterday as Nigerian commercial airlines flying across Africa space include, Air Peace, Arik Air.
African airlines’ traffic increase is better than the 93.3 per cent year-over-year increase recorded in March 2022.
While month on month, April 2022 figure was up 65.7 per cent and load factor climbed 15.7 percentage points to 67.3 per cent
Commenting on the development, IATA’s Director-General, Willie Walsh, stated that, “With the lifting of many border restrictions, we are seeing the long-expected surge in bookings as people seek to make up for two years of lost travel opportunities.
“April data is cause for optimism in almost all markets, except China, which continues to severely restrict travel.
“The experience of the rest of the world is demonstrating that increased travel is manageable with high levels of population immunity and the normal systems for disease surveillance. We hope that China can recognize this success soon and take its own steps towards normality.”
The report further noted that, European carriers’ April international traffic rose 480 percent versus April 2021, substantially up over the 434.3 per cent increase in March 2022 versus the same month in 2021. Capacity rose 233.5 per cent and load factor climbed 33.7 percentage points to 79.4 percent.
While Middle Eastern airlines had a 265.0 per cent demand rise in April compared to April 2021, bettering the 252.7 per cent increase in March 2022, versus the same month in 2021. April capacity rose 101.0 per cent versus the year-ago period, and load factor climbed 32.2 percentage points to 71.7 per cent.
For North American carriers’ April traffic rose 230.2 per cent versus the 2021 period, slightly above the 227.9 per cent rise in March 2022 compared to March 2021. Capacity rose 98.5 per cent, and load factor climbed 31.6 percentage points to 79.3 per cent.
Asia-Pacific airlines saw their April international traffic climb 290.8 per cent compared to April 2021, significantly improved on the 197.2 per cent gain registered in March 2022 versus March 2021. Capacity rose 88.6 per cent and the load factor was up 34.6 percentage points to 66.8 per cent, still the lowest among regions.
Latin American April capacity rose 189.1 per cent and load factor increased 16.8 percentage points to 82.3 per cent, which easily was the highest load factor among the regions for the 19th consecutive month.
Latin American airlines experienced a 263.2 percent rise in April traffic, compared to the same month in 2021, exceeding the 241.2 percent rise in March 2022 over March 2021.
Patoma Admin by — June 10, 2022 in Aviation 0
2022 Hajj: FlyNas Airline, Azman Airline & Max to fly pilgrims out from today

By Favour Nnabugwu

 

 

Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN. has listed three airlines FlyNas Airline, Azman Airline and Max Air are to fly pilgrims out from today, Friday

This is as the agency assured pilgrims and the general public of her readiness to seamlessly conduct the 2022 hajj operations

Speaking during an inspection tour at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, FAAN, Managing Director, Rabiu Yadudu , stated that the 2022 hajj operations will kick off at Maiduguri on the 9th June, with 3 major carriers viz; FlyNas Airline, Azman Airline and Max Air already licensed to airlift pilgrims at Lagos and Abuja airports from Friday, June 10, 2022.

He said: “Pilgrims should get to the airport early to avoid missing their flights

“Every requirement aimed at ensuring the safety, security and comfortability of pilgrims have been met already.

“We are confidence that the hajj operations will be successful, as he wished all pilgrims a successful pilgrimage. FAAN remain committed to her core values of Safety, Security and Comfort.”

Patoma Admin by — June 10, 2022 in Aviation 0
FG to clear shortchanging of passengers at airports

By Favour Nnabugwu

 

 

The Federal Government is making moves to clear any art of shortchanging passengers at airports, conducted a verification of measuring scales at the nation’s airports.

This is coming against the backdrop of complaints by travellers of being shortchanged following poor measuring facilities.

The Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, FMITI, also advised the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to recalibrate some of the weighing machines across the various airports in the country.

The exercise was undertaken by the Weights and Measures Department of the FMITI at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.

Speaking at the sideline of the exercise, Director, Weights and Measures Department, FMITI, Mr Hassan Ejibunu, said that the exercise was in response to public complaints of alleged manipulation of weighing equipment at the airport.

In his words: “Travellers complain that their luggage that were weighed from home and shown to be within approved weights will weigh higher at the airport, and charged for excess luggage.

“Our department is saddled with the responsibility of ensuring that all commercial transactions involving measurement are fair, accurate and legal with a view to protecting consumers.

“A memo was sent to the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, to verify the weighing equipment at the airport.

“Beside complaints of being shortchanged, safety is involved.

“There’s a capacity that an airline should take because if there’s turbulence in the air, the pilot might not be able to control the aircraft.

“That’s why we are here at the airport to ensure that all the weighing instruments being used are fair and accurate and do not cause overload of aircraft.”

Ejibunu noted that the exercise was also to protect the interest of the travellers and assure them of accurate weighing.

“We have done a random sampling of the weighing equipment from number one to 62 and what we have seen so far is that they are within tolerable level. They are okay.

“So, members of the public should discontinue the notion of being shortchanged whenever they come to the airport,” he said.

He, however, advised the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to recalibrate some of the weighing machines whose edges fell short of accurate measurement.

“When we placed our dead weight of 20kg on the knife edge of some machines, they read 19.8, 19.2kg, which is not accurate. All edges should read 20kg,” he said.

The director noted that after recaliberating the machines, FAAN should invite the weights and measures department for verification and certification.

Ejibunu noted that weighing scales bearing the department’s certification sticker would instil confidence of fairness and accuracy in travellers.

Patoma Admin by — June 9, 2022 in Aviation 0
FCT hands over 12,000 hectares to Aviation Ministry

By Favour Nnabugwu

 

The Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Mr. Muhammed Musa Bello has handed over the Certificate of Occupancy for 12,000 hectares of land in Abuja to Aviation Ministry.

The 12,000 hectares of land is for the actualisation of the aviation roadmap projects of President Muhammadu Buhari led administration was handed over to the Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika.

According to the Director-Planning Research and Statistics of the Federal Ministry of Aviation who represented the Minister, Engr. Mohammed Kabiru Shehu, said one of the key projects to be executed on the land is the second Runway project for the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

The MD/CE expressed appreciation to the Buhari led Administration and the Hon. Minister of Aviation for promises kept.

The second Runway project was awarded to the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation Nigeria Limited (CCECC) and the site was handed over to the company on the aforementioned date.

Other projects that would be executed as part of the aviation roadmap include: Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) Centre; Aviation Leasing Company (ALC); Agro-Allied Cargo Terminals; Aerotropolis or Airport City; National Carrier; Africa Aerospace and Aviation University (AAAU); second Runway of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, amongst others.

Some of the benefits that would accrue to Nigeria at the completion of the projects are: employment opportunities for Nigerians; enhanced transfer of technology; increase in foreign exchange earnings/increase in GDP contribution; backward integration of aircraft maintenance and repair facilities for both domestic and international carriers; improvement in Ease of Doing Business in Nigeria; reduction in capital flight; increase in Bilateral Air Services Agreements with other countries, amongst others.

Present at the hand over ceremony were the MD/CE-Capt. Rabiu Hamisu Yadudu represented by the Director of Human Resources-Honorius Anozie; Acting Director of Aerodrome Development of the Aviation Ministry Engr.C.Awogbami; Team Lead of the Federal Capital Development Authority, Executive Secretary-Engr. Shehu Hadi Ahmad; Regional General Manager (North Central)/Airport Manager,Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja – Kabiru Mohammed; other officials of the Ministry of Aviation, FAAN and FCDA amongst other dignitaries.

Patoma Admin by — June 9, 2022 in Aviation 0
FG picks CCECC to construct N92bn second Abuja runway

FEDERAL Government has handed the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation Ltd, (CCECC), the construction site of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja second runway for N92 billion.

This was contained in a tweet by the Federal Ministry of Aviation.

Just Monday the Federal Capital Territory( FCT) made available a total of 12,000 hectares of land reserved in the land bank allocated for aviation facilities purposes of which the runway is part of.

The Abuja runway project is expected to be completed within the next 12 months.

The runway according to the Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika became necessary in view of the fact that it was as critical as the economy of the country

Patoma Admin by — June 9, 2022 in Aviation 0
Proudly Nigerian: First Nigerian woman to fly Boeing 787

By Favour Nnabugwu

 

 

A Nigerian-born, Adeola Ogunmola, Sowemimo is the first Nigerian woman commercial pilot to fly with Qatar Airways.

The aviation industry is a typical example of such areas where the female gender has been under-represented in the past. However, Adeola Ogunmola Sowemimo has presented herself as a true reflection of a woman who has succeeded in a profession that is dominated by the male gender.

Adeola, is the first Nigerian female Boeing 787 pilot and the first Nigerian female pilot to fly for Qatar Airways. The pilot is known for her focus and persistence which helped her rise to great heights and become a pioneer in her chosen field.

While we are still in the week of International Women’s Day, where the world celebrates women all over the globe and what they represent in the society, we take a look at the journey of Adeola Sowemimo as an inspiration for Nigerian and African females in “breaking the bias”.

Early academic career

Adeola Sowemimo hails from Oyo State. She was born on the 16th of October, 1990 in Kaduna State to the family of Ogunmola Ademola and Aweni Deborah Ogunmola as the last out of three children.

She attended four primary schools, starting out at Brighton International School Kaduna, after which she attended King International School Rigasa, Kaduna. From there, she attended First Baptist Church Primary School Kaduna.

She finished her primary education in the year 2000 at Temitope Nursery and Primary School in Ibadan after relocating due to the religious crisis in Kaduna at the time.

She started her secondary school education at Orita Mefa Baptist Model School, Ibadan, Oyo State before going back to Kaduna to finish at First Baptist Model High School Angwan Boro, Kaduna State in 2007.
Journey into aviation

After her secondary school education, she applied for a pre-degree course at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, (LAUTECH), Oyo state, but couldn’t wrap up the course as she had to proceed to the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Zaria Kaduna to start her standard aviation course.

She did her Standard Aviation Course from 2009 to 2010. In 2011 she concluded her standard pilot course at Sunrise Aviation Inc. Florida, USA.
After her course at Sunrise Aviation, she applied for a part-time course with LAUTECH to study Transport Management, where she has received her Bachelor’s degree

Career as a pilot

After her education, she went on to start what would become an impressive career. She joined Medview Airlines, a Nigerian airline based in Lagos in 2013 as a First Officer on Boeing 737 classic, and was later upgraded to Boeing 767-300ER.

In October 2018, she joined Qatar Airways and became the first Nigerian woman to fly the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. She also flew the Boeing 767 Aircraft across the Atlantic Ocean, and in November 2020 she started flying the new Qatar airways local Lagos to Abuja route.

She joins the league of other African history-making female pilots like Chinyere Kalu who was recorded as the first Nigerian female commercial pilot in 1978, Asli Hassan Abade of Somalia who had her first solo flight in 1976, Ghanaian Millicent Melody Danquah who flew solo for the first time in a de Havilland Canada DHC-1 Chipmunk aircraft in 1964.

Adeola as a family woman

On the 22nd of April 2017, Captain Adeola got married to Seun Funmi Olamilekan Sowemimo, and she is blessed with children, making her an inspiration to women with families who also pursue their careers.

Upon being announced as a pilot for Qatar Airways she wrote on her Facebook, “It is the Lord’s doing and it’s marvelous in my sight”. She also posted a picture of her in Sunset Aviation school Florida which she captioned “Days of little beginning … God be praised #Ihavedominion”.

Her feat attracted the attention of Arunma Oteh, a former World Bank Vice-President who recognized the captain and tweeted “Congratulations Captain Adeola Ogunmola Sowemimo, making Nigeria proud”

Adeola Ogunmola Sowemimo is a trailblazer and an inspiration to all African women young and old alike. She has shown that regardless of race, if women work hard, they are capable of achieving incredible feats and would be recognized for their hard work and determination.

Patoma Admin by — June 3, 2022 in Aviation 0
Stella Oduah gives NYSC 48hrs to retract alleged false

Just in : Non-completion of service: Oduah orders NYSC to retract allegation within 48 hours
 Forrmer Minister of Aviation and the Senator representing Anambra North Senatorial District, Stella Oduah has requested the National Youth Service Corps ,NYSC,  to retract the allegation that she did not complete her national service within 48 hours.
In the letter addressed to the Director General, National Youth Service Corps and titled, “48 Hours Notice to Retract Your Statement as Contained in Your Letter Dated 24th May 2022 Ref No. NYSC/DHQ/PPRU/783/VOL 111”, the Senator stated, “Our attention has been called to your scandalous letter referenced above in which you acknowledged that Senator Stella Oduah was mobilized for youth service in 1982 and served in the Lagos orientation camp but then concluded that she “absconded” and was not issued a certificate of discharge.”
The letter,  signed by Ezennia Nonso Chukwudebe, Director, Media/Publicity for Senator, Stella Oduah, described the allegation as reckless and stated, “That reckless statement which we consider grossly irresponsible no doubt suggests that it was procured from you for political considerations in favour of Sen. Oduah’s political detractors. We are shocked that you condescended so low to make such false and unverified conclusions which is damaging to her character and image”.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Sen. Oduah’s NYSC place of primary assignment was the popular Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA). When a similar allegation was made by her political contenders in 2017, NECA issued a letter dated 11th January 2017 Ref No: NECA/SELA/H4 confirming that she carried out her NYSC primary assignment with them.  Find attached a copy of that letter for reference as well as a photograph of our client as a youth corper “
“That issue also attended litigation and she has a court judgment in her favour in the case of Chinedu Emmanuel Emeka v. Princess Stella Oduah ,
EPT/AWK/SEN/13/2019″
“Ordinarily, one needs not be bothered about any other similar allegations in the light of the aforesaid judgment and the fact that NYSC is not a constitutional qualification to hold any public office in Nigeria, but your statement has to a large extent defamed her”
“In your exact words, ‘after the orientation course, she absconded’ It is curious how a person who had participated in all NYSC activities at the Orientation Camp can be said to have “absconded” because she left for her place of primary assignment as it was routine. It is either you chose to ignore your record or your office has failed to keep proper records.”
“You are by this letter given 48 hours to retract your statement failing which legal actions shall be commenced against you.”
“To reinforce the fact the distinguished Senator completed her NYSC, her picture where she was in her NYSC regalia was attached and a letter from NECA confirming that she served with the association.
“In fact, NECA wrote a letter dated January 11, 2017 with Ref: NECA/SELA/H4, signed by the Director General, O. A. Oshinowo and stated, “We hereby confirm that you carried out your NYSC primary assignment with NECA in 1982 during the tenure of Mr. Gabriel Okogwa (now of blessed memory). Our investigation did reveal that you were diligent and steadfast in the place of your duty.”
Patoma Admin by — May 26, 2022 in Aviation 0