Aviation
Qatar Air Blocked From Plying Kano Route
ABUJA – According to information made available to reporters, The Ministry of Aviation has blocked Qatar Airlines from flying the Kano route.
This makes it the fourth foreign airline to be so barred from the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport.
Qatar Airlines had applied to be permitted to fly to Kano and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja, Daily Trust has learnt.
Earlier in the year, the ministry had blocked three foreign airlines – Emirates, Turkish and Etihad – from extending their commercial flights to Abuja and Kano, apart from Lagos where they currently operate.
Though Qatar Air officials declined comments, documents obtained by Daily Trust show that Qatar Air had sought additional landing permits from Nigerian aviation authorities to extend its flight operations from Lagos to Kano and Abuja since the past four months but the ministry declined the request, and instead advised it to consider flying to Enugu and Port Harcourt airports as alternative entry points in Nigeria.
Joe Obi, the media assistant to the aviation minister said he had no comment to make on the matter.
However, details of a Bilateral Air Services (BASA) negotiation meeting between Qatari officials and Nigerian aviation officials held between June 24 and 25, 2013 in Doha on review of the existing BASA agreement obtained by Daily Trust indicate that the Qataris presented two options to the Nigerian side to be granted additional landing permits in Kano and Abuja.
The meeting comprised 10 representatives from each side with the Nigerian delegation led by Mrs. Precious P. Mbukpa while the Qataris were led by Mr. Saleh Abdullah Al-Haroon, the director of Ari Transport Affairs department of the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority.
The first option involves the adoption of an open skies policy which will provide unlimited passenger, freight and cargo services with full freedom traffic rights on any immediate and beyond points while the second request was for 21 weekly frequencies to Lagos and 14 weekly frequencies to both Kano and Abuja.
However, the Nigerian delegation led by Mrs. Mbukpa, a deputy director in the aviation ministry rejected the request, arguing that the existing BASA agreement between Nigeria and Qatar made provision for the designated airlines to operate 14 weekly frequencies to Lagos but instead, asked them to reduce the 14 weekly flights to Lagos to seven while the other seven should be routed to Kano.
“The Nigerian delegation informed the Qataris that additional frequencies could be grated to Qatar Airways on BASA rights if they operate to Enugu and Port Harcourt as entry points,” the document read.
“We asked for 39 additional landing permits apart from the existing 14 which we operate on the Lagos route to enable us extend flights to Kano and Abuja, making it 49 weekly flights into Nigeria but the Ministry of Aviation denied us the permission and instead they asked us to go to Enugu and Port Harcourt. But we told them that we accept the offer of Enugu and Port Harcourt as additional entry points only for future use”, an official of the Qatari embassy in Nigeria said.
During the meeting in Doha, it was equally agreed that the Nigerian delegation communicate with their Qatari counterparts after further consultation with their principals within a period of 90 days as the deadline but the Qataris said they were yet to be communicated to the by the Nigerians.
The Qatari official who does not want to be named because he was not authorized to speak on the issue said, “How can we be asked to reduce our 14 weekly landings in Lagos to seven and take the remaining seven to Kano? We were categorical in our request that we need additional 39 slots, 21 in Lagos and 14 to Kano and Abuja each. But they are telling us that if we agree to go to Enugu and Port Harcourt, the permission could be granted.”
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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