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Air controllers plan to withdraw services from Airlines

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LAGOS – The aviation sector may yet again be thrown into another round of crisis as air traffic controllers have concluded plans to withdraw their services from airlines following huge debts running into several billions of naira owed by the carriers for air traffic services.

If they make good their plans, the country’s aviation may witness a situation similar to last year when Arik Air and some airlines were shut down by aviation agencies over debts.

The group is equally irked by other debts owed the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the Nigeria College of Aviation Technology (NCAT) said to be 5 per cent remittances on all tickets sold by airlines, popularly referred to as Tickets Sales Charge (TSC).

Aviation minister stella oduahAir traffic services are under the control of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) and this is a recurring problem between the airlines and the agency, which alleged that its operations are hampered by lack of remittance of navigation charges by the airlines.

A few years ago, former Minister of Aviation, Mrs. Fidelia Njeze had brokered truce between the operators and NAMA on how outstanding debts estimated at over N3 billion could be spread over two years to ensure that there were no disruptions in flight operations.

Njeze also introduced the pay-as-you-go policy to make sure that operators pay in advance for services rendered to eliminate accumulated debts, but nobody knows if the policy was rescinded immediately after she vacated office. Also, nobody knows exactly what the airlines owe NAMA currently.

Sources told The Guardian that the debts could be as high as N4 billion for airlines that are still in operation while others may have been written off for airlines that have gone into extinction.

The air traffic controllers under their umbrella body, Nigerian Air Traffic Controllers’ Association (NATCA) yesterday called on the Federal Government and well-meaning Nigerians to prevail on all domestic airlines to remit their outstanding Ticket and Cargo Sales Charges TSC to aviation agencies without further delay to enable them meet their obligations.

President and scribe, Victor Eyaru and Banji Olawole, respectively noted that indebtedness by domestic airlines to various aviation agencies have crippled funding of their facilities and operations in a bid to ensure continuous air safety.

While expressing deep concern over the looming danger to air safety, in the country as a result of non remittance of TSC running into several billions of naira collected on behalf of aviation agencies, NAMA, NCAA, NIMET and NCAT by domestic airlines, NATCA said these organisations require huge funds to procure and maintain, train their manpower and to be able to discharge their functions reliably well.

“It is obvious that non-remittance of this fund by domestic airlines would jeopardize the ability of the agencies to finance their safety critical functions. This is unsafe to air navigation within the Nigerian airspace and calls for serious actions”

NATCA vowed to support any legitimate means adopted to ensure remittance of the outstanding charges and prompt remittance of subsequent collections adding that air safety cannot be toyed with stressing that anything done to achieve this on daily basis was highly desirable”.

The duo stated that failure to remit these monies is depriving the agencies their major source of funding and a direct disaster, adding that now is the time to act.

The group declared that NATCA as a major stakeholder in the provision of safety services in the aviation industry would not hesitate to withdraw the service of its members to any defaulting and non cooperating airlines.

– THE GUARDIAN

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Aviation

Accra Bound Aircraft Loses Engine Mid-Air After Departing NAIA, Abuja

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An Abuja-Accra flight experienced technical difficulties mid-air on Friday, forcing it to return to Abuja, shortly after departure.

The Nigerian Safety Investigation Board (NSIB) made the disclosure in a statement, adding that it has launched investigation into what it described as a serious accident.

Director, Public Affairs and Family Assistance, NSIB, Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji stated that preliminary investigations revealed the aircraft experienced an engine number two indication issue.

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It was gathered that the aircraft, with registration number 5NKAL which was operating a flight from the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja (DNAA), to Kotoka International Airport, Accra (DGAA).

She explained that four persons were onboard when the incident occurred. The crew immediately requested for a diversion back to Abuja due to the engine indication.

Oladeji added that the crew managed to safely land the aircraft at Abuja Airport at 18:16 UTC.

There were no injuries reported, and all individuals on board are safe.

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Aviation

FG Secures 12 Pre-Owned Alpha Jets to Bolster Nigeria’s Air Power

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Nigeria has acquired 12 pre-owned Alpha Jets from the French Air Force as part of efforts to enhance the operational capacity of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF).

The deal, facilitated through SOFEMA, a French military and aeronautics company, was announced by Olusegun Dada, Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on via X on Thursday.

He said, “All the 12 aircraft are ready for shipping.”

The Alpha Jet, a product of Franco-German collaboration, is a versatile military aircraft designed for light attack and advanced training missions.

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Equipped to carry bombs, rockets, and missiles, the aircraft also features a gun pod for close air support.

The NAF already operates 11 Alpha Jets, but this latest procurement signals a significant boost to its fleet.

Dada also confirmed that the Air Force is expecting 24 M-346FA light attack aircraft, ordered during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

The first batch of these Italian-made aircraft is expected to arrive early next year.

Air Chief Marshal Hasan Abubakar, the Chief of Air Staff, described the acquisitions as a testament to President Tinubu’s commitment to bolstering the armed forces.

“This renewal of our aircraft fleet reflects the government’s commitment to ensuring the safety and security of Nigerians,” Abubakar said.

The announcement comes on the heels of President Tinubu’s three-day state visit to France, where he met with French President Emmanuel Macron.

The visit, which took place from November 27 to November 30, highlighted deepening ties between the two nations.

To ensure the sustainability of its expanding fleet, the Air Force has proposed establishing a local maintenance hub.

Speaking in October, Abubakar noted that six units of the M-346FA aircraft were already in production, with the initial batch of three expected to be delivered in early 2025. The full fleet is projected to arrive by 2026.

“These developments underscore the importance of creating a domestic support system for the long-term upkeep of our aircraft,” Abubakar added.

 

 

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Aviation

Festive Season: Aero Contractors Slashes Ticket Prices To N80,000

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As the holiday season draws near, Aero Contractors has introduced a minimum ticket price of N80,000 for all local flights.

The move, which will last until January 2024, aims to ease the financial burden on Nigerians amid the high cost of living.

Ado Sanusi, Managing Director of Aero Contractors, made the announcement on Tuesday during a press briefing, describing the fare reduction as a gesture to help Nigerians celebrate Christmas and the New Year without the stress of steep ticket prices.

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Sanusi said, “We understand the economic hardship Nigerians are facing, especially with high ticket prices, and we know the holiday season is nearby.

“In the spirit of Christmas, Aero Contractors has introduced what we call pocket-friendly Christmas prices. These fares, starting at N80,000, will apply to all our destinations, allowing Nigerians to travel without excessive costs.”

As of Tuesday afternoon, an economy class ticket from Lagos to Abuja was priced at N99,643, while business class tickets were being sold for N189,167.

Sanusi further explained that the initiative was designed to make it easier for families to reunite during the holidays.

“This is a way for us, as an organization with a long history of serving Nigerians, to give back to our loyal customers. We want to make it possible for families to meet their loved ones during this festive season without worrying about exorbitant travel costs,” he added.

 

 

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