Aviation
Nigeria’s air travel figures expected to drop significantly
LAGOS – Industry experts say by the time Nigeria’s domestic air travel figures for 2013 are compiled, they will likely drop significantly from 2012 figures. They suggest that the case might be similar or worse for 2014 if nothing is done to address the local aviation sectors problems.
The effect of shortage of airplanes on the fleets of Nigeria’s domestic airlines was vivid during this holiday season with hundreds of passengers often stranded at airports around the country.
Jude Okechukwu, a Lagos based businessman said: “I could not get a return ticket to Asaba for my Christmas journey from Lagos even though I went to book three days ahead. I was told they could take me to Asaba but could not guarantee a seat back to Lagos before the new year. And now the prices have gone up from N35,000 to N75,000 for a return ticket”.
Another traveler said he was afraid to purchase a Kaduna-Lagos ticket, as he was told that he could not be assured of a seat back before yesterday December 31, 2013.
Dung Pam, an industry analyst said: “It is unfortunate, the problem has degenerated to this level, the airline operators themselves should have foreseen this and done the needful by either self consolidation before they started going down gradually from almost 15 airlines to three.”
“Apart from Aero and Arik Air, the others do not qualify to be called airlines, so we can only boast of two airlines now, that will salvage the situation,” Pam added.
Analyst say the sector needs at least 100 short to medium range aircraft to meet the current demand.
Industry experts estimate that about 250,000 Nigerians with cash in their pockets that could have traveled by air over the Christmas and New Year periods in 2013 choose other options due to bitter experience of flight delays, unreliable schedules and outright unavailability of aircraft to cover the routes. Many other could not find seats due to low capacity of domestic carriers.Half of Nigeria’s domestic airlines went out of service in 2013 alone. In January 2013 the country had ten domestic airlines. As at December, only five were still flying.
Local airlines operating in the country as at January 2013 were Arik Air, Dana, Aero, Medview, Chanchangi, IRS, Afrijet, FirstNation Airways, Overland Airways and Associated Aviation . Of these, only Arik, Aero, Medview,Fist Nation and Overland are still operational.
The 73 aircraft on the fleets of the airlines at the beginning of 2013 have consequently depleted to 46.
The problems of the industry, experts say, include lack of operational funds, unavailability of major maintenance facilities, high cost of aviation fuel, as well as comparatively heavy taxation by the country’s aviation agencies.
Experts say also that the local industry has difficulties raising funding, as a result of low investor confidence arising from poor safety records, among others.
Foreign aircraft leasing companies are also not willing to let out their aircraft, for the same reasons, it is said.
The situation is so bad now (during the New Year rush) that some airlines delay flights by up to five hours because of aircraft shortages, leaving the departure halls brimming with disappointed passengers, many of whom eventually resort to road transportation.
In 2012, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) recorded 14.3 million passenger traffic, as against 14.9 million in 2011.
Long delays at airports across the country since three days to Christmas and up till yesterday were reported.
“Some of the airlines do not need to operate so many routes because of their low capacity. There is no route planning, hence the delays and cancellations. Because one airline operates to Port-Harcourt does not mean that all others have to follow suit”, an analyst said.
– ETURONEWS
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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