Aviation
Emirates, Lufthansa Plan to Fly Airbus A380s to India
NEW DELHI — Emirates Airline and Deutsche Lufthansa, two of the biggest operators of Airbus Group’s jets—expect to start flying the aircraft into India after the nation’s government recently lifted a ban on the superjumbos.
Executives at the two airlines said they would make a final decision on flying the A380—the world’s biggest passenger jet—to India depending on their studies of the ability of the nation’s airports to handle them.
“We look forward to launching the Airbus A380 services in India soon as it is one of the most important intercontinental markets for Lufthansa,” said Frank Puettmann, director of corporate communications for Asia-Pacific at Lufthansa.
The German carrier is currently “evaluating the new possibilities, for example when and where to deploy the aircraft in India,” he said, but wouldn’t give a timeframe on the decision.
The Indian government on Jan. 27 lifted an unofficial six-year ban on A380 flights, allowing airlines to start flying them to four major airports in the country. Authorities had previously expressed concerned that the large carrying capacity of the jet, which could reach as many 853 passengers in an all-coach configuration, would put Indian airlines at a competitive disadvantage.
“We will be reviewing our existing operations, and look forward to serving Indian travelers with our flagship aircraft in the near future,” said Essa Sulaiman Ahmad, Emirates’ vice president for India and Nepal.
Lufthansa and Emirates were among several foreign airlines that had previously urged the Indian government to let them use the double-decker A380 on high-density overseas routes to and from the country. The airlines had argued that the aircraft would help to ease congestion at Indian airports and allow them to cut costs.
Under the recently-liberalized norms, foreign carriers can now launch A380 flights to the airports in Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and Hyderabad–which the government considers capable of handling such large planes. Nine out of 10 international airlines that operate the A380s have scheduled flights into India.
Dubai-based Emirates, which operates 44 A380s, has 185 flights per week to 10 cities in India. Lufthansa, which has 10 A380s, operates 64 flights per week to five Indian cities.
– WALLSTREET JOURNAL
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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