Aviation
Nepal Govt asks CAAN to improve Nepal’s aviation safety record
KATHMANDU— The government has expressed its commitment to making gradual progress toward ensuring compliance of aviation safety standards and on keeping non-compliance rate of Nepal below the world average of 39 percent by significantly reducing air accidents within six months.
Speaking at a function organized to mark International Civil Aviation Day (ICAD) 2013, Minister for Agricultural Development Tek Bahadur Thapa Gharti, who is also looking after the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoCTCA), said safety, security and sustainability are the three major challenges facing civil aviation communities and that Nepal is putting in best efforts to develop its civil aviation system in line with the international standards.
The minister has directed the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) to play a key role in improving Nepal´s safety track record to a desirable level and urge the European Union (EU) to lift the recently imposed ban on Nepali Airlines in the European Union skies.
International Civil Aviation Day is marked all over the world to commemorate the establishment of the International Civil Aviation Organization on December 7, 1944. This year the UN Civil Aviation body announced the 2013 ICAD theme as ´Evolving to Meet the Challenges of 21st Century Air Transport´.
“This theme recognizes the significant re-evaluations which ICAO and the entire air transport sector are now undertaking, as aviation seeks to forge wider consensus and practical strategic planning to address its imminent challenges,” remarked ICAO´s Council President Roberto Kobeh González in a statement.
Highlighting the role of ICAO in regulating the civil aviation sector of Nepal, Ratish Chandra Lal Suman, director general of CAAN, said Nepal has already identified weaker areas and drafted a long term program to correct the deficiencies within six months.
In commemoration of Late Captain Prabhu Saran Pathak, who lost his life in Agni Air crash in Jomsom on May 14, 2012, Usha Pathak, wife of late Pathak at the function announced “Captain Prabhu Saran Pathak Prize” which will be awarded to the best pilot every year.
Rameshwar Thapa, president of Airlines Operators´ Association of Nepal, claimed unhealthy business competition between China and the EU has resulted in the ban on Nepali airlines in the European skies.
“We have never compromised on safety issues despite the topographic difficulty of Nepal and we can compete with any airlines in the world in terms of safety,” said Thapa, adding that any international agencies can come and audit and monitor the safety standard of airlines operating in Nepal.
Sushil Ghimire, secretary of MoCTCA said key issues like air traffic management technologies and procedures, airport infrastructure development, financing and tariff, aviation safety and security aircraft environmental issues and environmental sustainability at airports and general aviation development, among others, are critical to an expanding aviation structure. “We need collaborative effort between the government and private sector to address these issues,” added Ghimire.
Mashahi Ogawa, ambassador of Japan to Nepal, said that with joint effort of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Nepal government, construction of radar will begin next year which is expected to complete by mid 2015. “The modern radar will help to control air traffic,” said Ogawa.
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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