Aviation
Medview Airline to commence UK flights at N149,000
LAGOS-MEDVIEW Airline, one of the fastest growing domestic airlines, will on November 20, 2015, begin direct flight services to London at N149,000 per seat.
By this development, Medview has joined Arik Air as indigenous airlines that now operate the lucrative London route, which had been dominated by British Airways and Virgin Atlantic Airways, UK carriers that for years introduced exploitative fares, which in comparative terms, are the highest in West Africa.
With two Nigerian airlines operating to London, it is hoped that fares to Europe’s busiest city would crash in coming months.
Specifically, the airline’s managing director, Muneer Bankole, said at news conference in Lagos that the flight fare will start with N149,000 (Economy) and N599,000 (Business class) with a 32kg (2-piece) baggage allowance for economy and a 32kg (3-piece) baggage allowance for Business class.
He said the airline has also secured slots at Gatwick Southern Terminal in London with additional services such as Limousine service for Business class travelers and bus connections to Victoria station and various points in central, south and East London.
“The Lagos-London route has remained one of the busiest in the world yet remained the most expensive, it is against this backdrop that Medview airline is entering the route as a Nigerian flag carrier to supply the missing link- capacity, reasonable fares, good customer care ad excellent in-flight entertainment.
“Our introductory fare on Economy is as low as N149,000, in addition, African/continental meals will be served on board with a variety of music and films to compliment, the B767 aircraft has been configured in 30 Business class and 191 Economy cabin. We are starting with four weekly flights on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays”, he said.
Bankole, who disclosed that Medview has entered into partnership with Ethiopian airline and Boeing on maintenance of its aircraft, said the airline would operate from the second busiest airport in London, Gatwick. He added that it would by the first quarter of 2016, attain its International Operational Safety Audit (IOSA), a benchmark for global safety management in the airline industry.
Bankole said since it started operation Medview has trained many personnel as pilots, engineers and others and because of the airline’s commitment to manpower development, Medview has provided pilots, engineers and others to other airlines in the country; this Bankole said, makes him happy for that invaluable contribution to the development of air transport in the country.
Also speaking at the event, media consultant and CEO of Belujane Konsult, Chris Aligbe said Medview operations to London would crash the fares on that route, noting that Nigerians have always been cheated there has not been reasonable competition on that route.
“If you check what a passenger pays for one kilometer in other countries in West Africa and other sub-regions in the continent and compare it to what Nigerians pay to international carriers you will realise that we have always been cheated,” Aligbe 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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