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Russian jet broke up mid-air, as over 144 bodies arrive St. Petersburg

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By Joseph BAMIDELE with Agency reports

An official of a Moscow-based aviation agency, Viktor Sorochenko, said on Sunday that Russian Airbus A321 that crashed in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula broke up in mid-air, Reuters reports. Sorochenko made the remark on Russian television from Cairo after visiting the disaster site.

This is coming just as 144 bodies have been recovered and delivered to the Russian government in St.Petersburg, while arrangements are still ongoing to ensure the arrival of the remaining bodies.

remains of the crashed Russian airliner, Metrojet at Egypts Sinai Peninsula

remains of the crashed Russian airliner, Metrojet at Egypts Sinai Peninsula

He, however, warned that it was too early to draw a conclusion on the cause of the incident, noting that investigation was still ongoing.

The jet came down on Saturday, with all the 224 people on board killed.

Russian authorities had also ordered Kogalymavia airline, which operates the plane, not to fly its jets of the same model until the causes of the crash were known.

He said, “The destruction happened in the air, and fragments were scattered over a large area of around 20 square kilometers.

“It’s too early to talk about conclusions.”

The jet, which Kogalymavia flew under the brand name Metrojet, was carrying holidaymakers from the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh to St. Petersburg when it crashed into a mountainous area of central Sinai shortly after losing radar contact near cruising altitude.

Egyptian analysts began examining the contents of the two “black box” recorders recovered from the airliner although the process, according to a civil aviation source, could take days.

However, Russian Transport Minister, Maxim Sokolov, told Russia 24 television that this work had not yet started.

A militant group affiliated to Islamic State of Iraq and Syria in Egypt had in a statement claimed responsibility for the crash, saying it brought the plane down “in response to Russian airstrikes that killed hundreds of Muslims on Syrian land.”

But Sokolov told Interfax news agency the claim “can’t be considered accurate.”

Egyptian President, Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, in a televised speech on Sunday, said it could take months to establish the truth behind the crash, adding that his country was cooperating with Russia to aid investigations.

He said, “This is a complicated matter and requires advanced technologies and broad investigations that could take months.”

Aviation

Accra Bound Aircraft Loses Engine Mid-Air After Departing NAIA, Abuja

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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.

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Aviation

FG Secures 12 Pre-Owned Alpha Jets to Bolster Nigeria’s Air Power

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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.

 

 

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Aviation

Festive Season: Aero Contractors Slashes Ticket Prices To N80,000

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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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