Aviation
NCAA deploys aircraft tracking system
By Oyise OGHENE
JERUSALEM: NCAA deploys Aircraft Automated Flight Information Reporting System to improve air safety
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) is set to deploy Aircraft Automated Flight Information Reporting System to improve air safety in the Nigerian airspace in the year 2013.
This was disclosed recently by the Director General of the NCAA, Dr Harold Demuren during an interview with Journalists at the Christmas service held at the Garden Tomb in Israel, where he (prayed for) was praying for the safety of the Nigerian airspace and passengers.
Dr. Demuren explained that the Aircraft Automated Flight Information Reporting System will alert the authorities if there is any problem on board an aircraft, whether the aircraft is missing or not.
In his words, ‘’if anything happens on board, whether it is recorded or not, once it happens, automatically it would record on data based on hours and it would alert you that there is problem and it would stream those data to us. Whether the aircraft is missing or not, you still get and see the data. The good thing is that this data can be easily animated and you will see it in real life how it happened, what occurred, so that there will be no speculation, you can log from it, you can learn from it and then correct it, that is all about that and that is the good news coming from us.’’
According to him, aviation is safe, is very unfortunate that we have that tragic accident and for that to happen, you must not forget that this is why we gave thanks to God that from 2006 to June last year , we have carried 50m Passengers, we have operated 4m flights not a single accident and then suddenly that accident happened.
So our prayers and thoughts are with those families that lost their lives in that crash and those of the military helicopter that God will grant all peace and joy.
Speaking on the year 2012 and expectations for 2013, Demuren noted that, ‘’ my message to Nigerians, and expectations in the year 2013 as it relates to air safety is to
pray that the lord God almighty, our lord Jesus Christ will bring perfect peace and safety in the air transport of Nigeria and is very crucial, you have to remember that unless God builds the house, the labour is in vein that build the house, unless God keep the city, the watch men watched but in vein, is God that gives permanent safety and we pray God should use us as an instrument to give our travelling public a safe and accident free aviation industry in Nigeria, and that is our prayer.’’
On the recent call by the House of Representatives for his resignation, Demuren said, “the National Assembly members are politicians, we are not politicians, we are professionals doing our job, the truth will come out and when the truth comes out, it will set everybody free”
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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