Aviation
FG plans new air terminals to boost farm export
LAGOS: The Federal Government is building cargo terminals at 12 airports to help boost export of farm produce, said Yakubu Dati, general manager, public affairs, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).
“Our airports are being rebuilt to provide means for exporting perishable and non-perishable agricultural output to remove waste, save time” and increase farmers’ income, Dati said, according to Bloomberg.
FAAN is working with farmers’ groups and airlines to identify and serve foreign markets, he said.
After building the terminals, private investors will provide refrigeration services, air transport and other facilities for export, helping to support agriculture, according to Dati. Products expected to benefit include peanuts, tomatoes, lettuce, peppers, mangoes and carrots, he said.
The country is seeking to reduce dependence on oil exports, which account for about 80 percent of government revenue and more than 95 percent of export income.
Nigeria plans to increase food production by 20 million metric tons by 2015 by providing land, funding and infrastructure and save the $10 billion spent on food imports every year, according to the Ministry of Agriculture.
The Federal Government wants to increase cargo throughput at its airports, now dominated by passenger traffic, as part of efforts to increase airport revenue threefold, Aviation Minister, Stella Oduah, said on January 21.
Cargo transported through the nation’s 22 airports declined 11 percent to 78.6 million kilogrammes (173 million pounds) for the six months through June 2012, compared with a year ago, with exports representing 22 percent, or 17 million kilogrammes, according to the most recent data obtained from FAAN. Passenger movement declined 4 percent to 6.8 million with 3.5 million, or 58 percent, leaving the country.
“We have a situation at present where cargo planes fly into the country and fly out empty,” Dati said. “FAAN has created a cargo department which underscores the importance it attaches to the project.”
Apart from building cargo terminals, the aviation ministry and FAAN plan to reconstruct all the airports in the country and build five new international airport terminals this year, each meeting the International
Civil Aviation Organisation standards, 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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