Aviation
Nigeria set to Launch National carrier
ABUJA – The Supervising Minister of Aviation, Dr Samuel Ortom, said on Friday that the country would soon launch a national carrier.
He said that necessary contacts and plans had been concluded to ensure the quick realisation of the goal.
Ortom spoke during ceremonies to mark Kenya Airways inaugural flight operation to Abuja.
He said the commencement of Kenya Airways direct flight operations to Abuja was a landmark achievement for the airline in its network expansion programme and the effort of the ministry for providing the travelling public more travel options.
Ortom said that the operations of Kenya Airways and other international airlines into Nigeria’s major airports justified the huge financial commitments made in remodeling terminals and construction of state of the art facilities across the country..
He said that the initiatives were designed to improve safety, security and ease air transport services in accordance with government transformation agenda.
“Very soon, the national carrier will start operations. We are making necessary contacts and putting everything together to ensure that we have a national carrier of our own.
“We know that this is a transformation government; for the first time we are witnessing transformation in all sectors of the economy; with this desire, very soon we will launch our own carrier,’’ Ortom said.
He said that Nigeria and Kenya had developed good economic, social and political relations leading to the signing of so many bilateral agreements between the two countries.
He said one of such agreements was in the aviation sub-sector, where Bilateral Air Services Agreements were made.
“I believe that this will go a long way in promoting trade, investment and other commercial activities that will further boost the economies of the two countries,” Ortom said.
The Kenya Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Mr Michael Kamau, said that Kenya’s government was committed to boosting relations with Nigeria.
Kamau said that the government of Kenya in conjunction with Kenya Airways was keen to promote tourism opportunities between the two countries.
“We are all excited that Kenya Airways, our national carrier, has today made its maiden direct flight to the capital city of Nigeria as we seek to enhance our relations further.
“Kenya’s government has firmly undertaken to ensure that we grow the volume of trade between our two countries as a measure to increase intra-African trade,’’ Kamau said.
He said that it was unfortunate that intra-Africa trade accounted for less than 12 per cent of overall trade volumes, while trade with Europe and America took the lion’s share of Africa’s trade opportunities.
Kamau said that in spite of Africa’s massive potential and diversity, it accounted for less than two per cent of global airline passenger traffic and about one per cent of global airlines cargo.
According to him, such figures clearly justify the need to join hands as African states to facilitate a pan-African renaissance through the breaking of air transport barriers.
“We acknowledge that the lack of convenient air transport links have been one of the key trade barriers and one that needed to be immediately addressed on a bilateral level.
“For this reason, Kenya Airways has also committed to expand its services offering beyond passenger services to freighter services in coming months.
“This commitment which is subject to normal commercial considerations is one of the key pillars to facilitating trade through the fast growing Nairobi Air transport hub.
– NAN
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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