Aviation
Etihad and Air France discuss further cooperation
ABU DHABI—Etihad Airways is finalizing investment plans that would deepen its foothold in Europe via a stake in Italy’s Alitalia and an expanded tie-up with the region’s biggest carrier, Air France-KLM, bolstering its ambition to build a global network.
The move comes just days after European regulators ratcheted up scrutiny of foreign airlines to assess whether they can exert undue power through their minority holdings.
The Abu Dhabi-based airline, which has built global ties from Australia to Ireland, is in the final due diligence phase to buy as much as 49% of Alitalia, while also reviewing changes to its 29.2% stake in Germany’s Air Berlin PLC, Etihad Chief Executive James Hogan said on Monday.
The Air Berlin stake is already subject to regulatory scrutiny under a recently initiated inquiry by the European Commission, the bloc’s executive arm. The commission is examining whether foreign carriers have gained effective control over European airlines through minority investments, including Delta Air Lines DAL -1.27% ‘ acquisition of 49% of Virgin Atlantic Airways Ltd. A potential Etihad investment in Alitalia is also under scrutiny by the commission.
Mr. Hogan has taken stakes in foreign airlines to rapidly expand Etihad’s network in competition with neighboring Emirates Airline, which has sought growth through large purchases of Boeing Co. and Airbus Group aircraft. “We can’t replicate their business model,” Mr. Hogan said at a conference in Abu Dhabi. “What we have to look at is how we build our network.”
Across Europe, Etihad also owns 4.1% of Irish carrier Aer Lingus and last year bought 49% of Air Serbia and 33.3% of Switzerland’s Darwin Airline, which it renamed Etihad Regional. The investment in Darwin Airline is also subject to the European Union’s review because Switzerland follows the bloc’s aviation rules.
Etihad wants access to a pan-European network of Alitalia, Air Berlin and Air France-KLM to fly more traffic east through Abu Dhabi, and beyond to Asia and Australasia. It also holds a stake in Jet Airways India Ltd. and Virgin Australia Holdings Ltd., as well as Air Seychelles Ltd.
The state-owned Middle East carrier said Monday it is also deepening talks with Air France-KLM to share revenues on routes from Abu Dhabi to Europe. The two airline groups aim to conclude negotiations in the next few months to create a “light” joint venture that would increase cooperation beyond a current code-sharing pact, KLM Chief Executive Camiel Eurlings said in an interview with The Wall Street Journal in Abu Dhabi.
“We need to get deeper than being code-share partners,” Mr. Eurlings said. An Etihad spokesperson confirmed the two airlines are in talks about a revenue-sharing pact. One challenge to such an accord is determining how to split funds between an airline that last year carried 78 million passengers in the case of the Franco-Dutch airline and Etihad which transported 11.5 million fliers.
The Etihad partnership is only one of several global links Air France-KLM is pursuing to expand its own world-wide reach. The group also is considering deeper partnerships with China Southern, China Eastern and Xiamen Airlines to share revenues and combine operations to cut costs, mirroring a tie-up with Delta, Mr. Eurlings said.
– 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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