Connect with us

Aviation

FAAN debunks borrowing US $500m to acquire aircraft for domestic airlines

Published

on

By Oyise OGHENE
General Manager Corporate Communications of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mr. Yakubu Dati yesterday debunked the rumours making the rounds that the agency had borrowed $US500 million from China to acquire aircraft for domestic airlines operating in the country.

Mr. Dati who affirmed that FAAN had not borrowed any amount of money whatsoever either from China or from any other country stressed that the agency was not saddled with the responsibilities of acquiring the 30 aircraft as acclaimed by those peddling such rumours around.

“FAAN has not borrowed $US500 million from China nor any country for that matter. Furthermore, FAAN is not acquiring aircraft, as claimed in the statement. FAAN is a service provider in the industry and is presently occupied in translating the transformational aviation master plan into concrete realities”.

“At present, the Authority is focused on the reconstruction of 22 airports across the country as initiated by the Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah. The Lagos terminal 1, popularly known as GAT has since been commissioned while the remaining airports are at different stages of completion” Dati said.

He however pointed out that it is the Ministry of Aviation that is saddled with the responsibilities of making arrangements to facilitate the acquisition of the 30 aircraft to boost the operations of domestic airlines.

According to him, “the modalities are being fine-tuned, to checkmate the abuse of the aviation intervention fund. This strategy will plug the loophole that allows fortune seekers free access to these funds.
Other strategies are being deployed to grow the domestic airlines”

Mr. Dati further noted that the ministry of aviation was also making frantic arrangement towards the construction of brand new airports in 2013.

“The year 2013 will witness the construction of brand new airport terminals in Abuja, Lagos, Kano and Port Harcourt, and the commencement of the Aerotropolis project; a concept that involves building cities around airports, and thus connecting businesses, suppliers, executives and goods to the aviation global world. The transformation of the aviation sector is on course” he stressed.

He however cautioned the writer of the piece whom he identified as, Capt Dele Ore thus describing him as being “on a wild goose chase” to stop giving  unfounded allegations as it could send wrong signals to the international aviation community and hurt Government’s sincere efforts to rejuvenate the ailing industry.

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Aviation

NCAA Cracks Down On Pilots Working For Multiple Airlines

Published

on

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has announced stringent measures against pilots and crew members who work for multiple airlines concurrently, a practice it describes as a serious safety violation.

In a letter dated November 6, 2024, Acting Director-General, Chris Nojomo warned that pilots operating for more than one airline without specific safety protocols pose significant risks to Nigeria’s aviation sector.

READ MORE: Obasanjo Visits Ondo Gov, Offers Support Ahead of Election

The directive, titled “Prohibition of Ad-Hoc Flight Operators for Multiple Airlines,” noted that NCAA surveillance reports revealed multiple cases of unauthorized cross-airline work by flight crews, which the agency now plans to address.

According to the NCAA, simulator and proficiency checks endorsed on a pilot’s license are valid only for the specific airline and training program under which they were issued.

The letter stated, “With effect from the date of issuance of this directive, all operators and holders of pilot licenses are informed that this action will be treated as a violation of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations.”

The NCAA’s new policy, effective November 11, 2024, warns that violators will face strict enforcement actions. Moving forward, simulator renewals will also be filed directly with individual operators, further tightening the agency’s oversight.

 

Continue Reading

Aviation

Akwa Ibom Boosts Ibom Air Fleet With Two New Aircraft

Published

on

In a bold step to strengthen Akwa Ibom’s position in Nigeria’s aviation industry, Governor Umo Eno announced the addition of two new Bombardier CRJ900 aircraft to the fleet of the state-owned airline, Ibom Air, on Friday.

The two aircraft, registered as 5N-CED and 5N-CEE, mark a milestone in the state’s commitment to strategic investment, with the governor stressing that the acquisitions were fully funded by state resources without loans from financial institutions.

READ ALSO: FCTA Allocates N9.8bn To Upgrade Abuja Airport’s Presidential Wing

At a welcoming ceremony attended by local officials and residents, Governor Eno emphasized his administration’s mission to drive revenue-generating ventures for Akwa Ibom rather than relying on debt.

He called the move a step toward breaking the cycle of government investments that only serve to pay off loans, vowing that the state’s funds would go towards projects that bring returns to the people.

The governor challenged Ibom Air to turn a profit by 2025, stating that the airline’s management should ensure routes in and out of Uyo remain dependable to prioritize the needs of Akwa Ibom travelers.

“As long as I remain governor, we will continue to use state funds for the benefit of all, not for private gain,” he said, noting that his administration aims to ensure that public investments deliver real value to the state.

Governor Eno also provided updates on several ambitious state projects, including an 18-story commercial complex underway in Lagos and an upcoming 4-star hotel in Abuja, both designed to generate revenue for Akwa Ibom.

Plans for an international market in Ikot Ekpene and the phased opening of a new terminal at the Victor Attah International Airport were also announced, with the airport terminal set for partial operation by December and full activation in early 2025.

Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Udeme Otong, commended Eno’s financial management, highlighting that the administration has avoided seeking loans over the past 18 months despite launching significant development projects.

Ibom Air’s Chairman, Pastor Imoabasi Jacob, expressed appreciation for the state’s investment in the airline, which has seen its fleet grow to nine aircraft.

Jacob credited the governor’s support with enabling Ibom Air to boost flight capacity, meeting demand on popular routes such as Uyo-Lagos-Abuja.

Captain Mfon Udom, CEO of Ibom Air, stated that the expanded fleet will improve efficiency and allow the airline to scale up its operations in time for the Christmas travel season.

Udom also noted that the airline anticipates the delivery of nine additional Airbus planes, which will further strengthen Ibom Air’s market presence.

Traditional leaders, including HRM Edidem Ita Edet Okokon III of Okobo Local Government Area, lauded the governor’s leadership, pledging continued support from the traditional institutions.

Anie Essienette, Group Manager for Marketing and Communications at Ibom Air, noted that demand for the airline’s services has surged nationwide, with the new CRJ900 aircraft helping meet this increasing need while the airline awaits further fleet expansion.

 

 

Continue Reading

Aviation

BREAKING: Private Air Strip Owners Pay Handsomely – Keyamo

Published

on

 

Nigeria’s Minister for Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo is of the view that there’s no cause for alarm over the approval of a private airstrip for a religious organisation, which attracted the attention of the House of Representatives.

He took to his verified handle on micro-blogging site, X, on Friday morning to shed light on the subject, and explained that it could be a great source of revenue for Federal Government.

Keyamo asserted that the issue was raised by an honourable member at plenary, out of ignorance, but was “unanimously referred to the Aviation Committee to look into.”

ALSO READ: Why Foreign Airlines Must Patronise Nigerian Caterers – Keyamo

Keyamo expressed confidence that by the time his Ministry  was done enlightening them, “they will be satisfied”.

He added that “the privates air strip owners pay the Federal Government handsomely for these services.”

Keyamo wrote, “I think this is not correct. The House of Reps. as a body did not call on the Minister to revoke the license of any private airstrip.

“I think what happened is that someone moved a motion in that regard and it was unanimously referred to the Aviation Committee to look into it.

“Whilst the intention of the Hon. Member who moved it is very patriotic, it was based on a complete lack of knowledge of the aviation sector.

“By the time we explain to them how private air strips work and the processes they undergo by our agencies before the final approval, they will be satisfied.

“The responsibility of the owners of private air strips is just to build the runway and terminal building. But after they build the control tower in particular, it is completely handed over to the Federal Government through NAMA (Nigerian Airspace Management Agency) which is in complete control of the entire airspace in Nigeria. An MOU is usually signed with NAMA in this regard before the airstrip is approved for operations.

“It is NAMA that provides the Air Traffic Controllers and Engineers in ALL AIRPORTS and AIRSTRIPS IN NIGERIA. And the privates air strip owners pay the Federal Government handsomely for these services.

“No object flies into Nigeria without the prior clearance by NAMA and without filing a clear flight plan, eg, where it is taking off from and where it intends to land.

“And I have recently directed that all aircraft coming into the country MUST first land at our international airports where they would be properly processed and checked before they make their local flights into whatever airport or airstrip they intend to go. So, it is COMPLETELY AND TOTALLY impossible for any private airstrip owner to just jump on an aircraft and fly in and out of the country through that facility. The Federal Government does not permit that. You will not be cleared for take off or landing without prior request and authorisation.

“I thank the Member for his patriotism, but I wish he contacted us first to explain to him before rushing to move such a motion.

“I attach herewith for public consumption the NAMA Act that gives exclusive control of the Nigerian airspace to the Federal Government through NAMA.”

Continue Reading

Copyright © 2022. Biztellers, powered by Alphaxristi.