Aviation
Air-services Australia, Emirates deliver 10 years of fuel and time savings
DUBAI – Australia’s air traffic management provider Air-services Australia and Emirates Airline have marked the 10-year anniversary of the Flex Tracks programme for flights between Emirates’ Dubai hub and its Australian network.
The ground-breaking initiative highlights the practical benefits when airlines implement smart air traffic management and use powerful tailwinds to reduce fuel burn, CO2 emissions, and journey time.
Designed to make the best use of high altitude jet-stream winds, Flex Tracks help airlines dramatically increase an aircraft’s speed and reduce fuel consumption on long-distance flights by identifying tailwinds and avoiding strong headwinds.
Over the last 12 months Flex Tracks has saved over 3,800 tonnes of fuel on Emirates’ daily flights to Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, and Sydney and has reduced CO2emissions by more than 12,000 tonnes. The fuel saved could fill the tank of a Holden Commodore 65,000 times and the CO2 saved would fill the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall 830 times.
Air-services executive general manager in charge of Air Traffic Control, Greg Hood said, “Air-services publishes Flex Track information for airlines flying into and out of Australian airspace to enable them to make the most of prevailing weather patterns and winds. This allows aircraft to improve flight time and reduce fuel usage, delivering environmental benefits and reducing operating costs.”
Tim Clark, president, Emirates Airline, said: “Air-services Australia’s Flex Tracks solution has been an important part of our flight planning activities for ten years and continues to provide noticeable results. Commercial aviation needs practical solutions to reduce fuel burn, flight time, and CO2 emissions—not only for environmental reasons, but to ensure each flight is as cost effective as possible.
“Emirates is focused on flying efficiently, investing in the youngest fleet in skies today, and using technology, like Flex Tracks, to achieve results. Air infrastructure and policy needs to keep up with developments and enable these types of initiatives. These figures demonstrate the potential benefits that can be achieved when air navigation service providers are forward thinking.”
Air-services currently produce 17 Flex Tracks daily between Australia and airports in Asia and the Middle East. Last month, an average of 31 flights per day used the tracks, which supports the aviation industry and reduces green house gas emissions.
Emirates commenced using a Flex Track flying between Dubai and Sydney on 1 December 2003, the first airline to do so in Australian airspace at that time and since then. Air-services and Emirates Airline have worked collaboratively to improve Flex Tracks procedures which have now been adopted by other airlines and between increasing numbers of cities.
– BUSINESS DAY
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.
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.
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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