Aviation
Alabama looking to attract Boeing assembly plant
SAN FRANCISCO – Gov. Robert Bentley said Alabama will be among the states submitting a proposal next week to build Boeing’s new 777X aircraft, and the proposal will stress more than just the money the state is offering.
“We are a right-to-work state and that is vitally important,” Bentley told a county commissioners’ convention Wednesday in Birmingham.
Alabama is one of more than a dozen states that received invitations from Boeing to bid on the production of the 777X commercial airplane after Boeing’s machinist union members in Washington state rejected a proposed contract that sought concessions on pensions and health care costs.
Boeing officials visited Birmingham two weeks ago to talk with Bentley, other state officials and officials from the Huntsville area, which is seeking the plant. Bentley said Boeing officials told him that Alabama was their first state to visit. They discussed the Airbus assembly plant being built in Mobile, and Bentley said he told Boeing officials that they will remain competitors with Airbus no matter where the 777X plant is located.
Bentley said he will sit down with the state’s chief industrial recruiter, Greg Canfield, on Thursday to work on the offer to Boeing, which is due Dec. 10.
The Republican governor declined to compare the state’s Boeing offer with the package used in 2012 to lure the $600 million Airbus plant and its anticipated 1,000 jobs. For that project, state and local governments offered $158 million for bond expenses, site preparation, road improvements, building expenses, worker training and other start-up costs. They also provided tax breaks on sales, use, income and property taxes.
When Alabama’s offer is finished, Bentley said it will stress that Boeing already has land at the Huntsville airport that could accommodate the new plant. He also noted that Boeing has been a major employer in the Huntsville area for more than 50 years with more than 2,000 employees, Alabama has an abundance of skilled aerospace workers in that area, many large employers in Alabama are not unionized, and Alabama workers can’t be required to join a union.
“I think they will look at things other than money,” he told reporters after his speech.
Other states are busy preparing their offers. On Wednesday, Missouri senators passed legislation offering up to $1.7 billion of incentives over two decades. The plan still must pass the House.
Alabama law gives the governor more leeway to develop offers for new industries and sets aside money to be used for offers.
Bentley was elected on a jobs creation platform in 2010, and he’s seeking re-election next year on the same platform. Landing the Boeing plant could help his bid for a second term.
“Creating jobs is the most important thing that we can do,” he said.
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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