Nigerian Aviation News

[Joebond]

[qymekkam]

Pilgrims to Be Lifted From Gombe Airport



Gombe — Gombe, the Gombe State capital is agog as Nigeria's 2008 Amirul Hajj and Speaker of House of Representatives, Honourable Oladimeji Bankole, Sultan of Sokoto Alhaji Sa'ad Abubakar, Secretary General of Islamic Affairs in Nigeria Alhaji Aresekola Alao and many other top government functionaries are billed to be in Gombe today for the historic launch of the first airlift of this year's Muslim Pilgrims at the new Gombe International Airport.

Daily Champion reports that there has been high expectations and excitement since last Monday afternoon, when a large crowd of the residents of the state capital and surrounding villages trooped to the airport to have a glimpse of the first Boeing 747 aircraft from Kabo Airline which landed at the airport on a test flight of the facilities at the airport.

The large crowd, including Governor Mohammed Danjuma Goje couldn't hide their excitement when the aircraft landed at the airport around 12 noon on Monday as they shouted in celebration of a new airport and the assurance that the pilgrims from the state would be airlifted from the airport.

Attention in the last couple of weeks in the aviation industry in the country had shifted to Gombe International Airport as many of the aviation bodies, NCAA, NAMA and FAAN had at different times inspected facilities at the airport where they all gave it a clean bill of health to start flight operation.

Other bodies that visited the airport and the hajj camp to appraise its readiness for the airlift, included the National Hajj Commission led by its Director of Operations, Dr. Badmus Yusuf.

The airport project which was started in 2004 and commenced operations with smaller flights in 2005, has gulped the state government about seven billion naira, according to the State Commissioner for Works, Professor Istifanus Williams. The flight operations had to be stopped in 2007 to allow for the upgrading of facilities at the airport.

[qymekkam]

Lagos Airport Rated 9th in Africa

Among the top 20 busiest airports in Africa, the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Lagos has been rated 9th with passenger traffic of 4,450,000.

The South African Johannesburg airport topped with 19,457,498 passenger traffic.

According to the Airport International Council (ACI) report for 2007, Murtala Muhammed Airport recorded an increase of 15.8 percent in growth, ranking it 6th in terms of percentage growth.

Also the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja is 17th with 2,200,000 representing 9.4 percent.

Two South African Airports, the OR Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg with 19,457,498, and Cape Town International Airport, Cape Town, with 8,426,618, came first and third respectively, while Cairo International Airport, Egypt with 12,577,524 is second.

Other airports are Sharm el-Sheik International Airport 4th position, Egypt, Sharm el-Sheik, 6,424,851, Hurghada International Airport, Hurghada, Egypt fifth position; 5,947,616 and sixth placed Mohammed V International Airport, Casablanca, Morocco.

Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Nairobi 4.8million; Durban International Airport, South Africa 4.7 million; Monastir International Airport, Tunisia 4.2 million; Carthage Airport 3.9million; Houari Boumedienne Airport, Algeria 3.8 million and Marrakech-Menara Airport 3.03million.

others are Bole International Airport , Ethiopia 2.8 million; Sir Seewoosgur Ramgoolam, Mauritius 2.56million; Djerba-Zarzia Airport , Tunisia 2.55 million; Tripoli International Airport , Libya 2.13 million; Yoff Airprot , Senegal 2.1 million and Luxor International Airprot 1.9million.

[Nsukka]

Render for Katsina's new Hajj/passenger Terminal

[Nsukka]

Asaba Airport being constructed

[friendsofthecity]

How many airports are actualy being constructed Nigeria by now?

[Nsukka]

THE LEKKI AIRPORT

Currently there are no details as to the size or capacity of the Lekki International Airport. However, at this stage is can be surmised that the airport will provide international, national and regional connections and is likely to provide a viable alternative to Murtala Muhammed International Airport, due to the frequent congestion experience traveling through Lagos en route to or from the airport. It is thought that the future population numbers within Lekki Peninsula would be more than sufficient to support an independent International airport.

The new airport is also positioned to provide freight services to the LFTZ and any associated sea-port. Air freight services are vital to the success of the LFTZ in order to move freight quickly and economically to regional and global markets and to bring in goods and workers.

Like the Dubai and Tinapa, the Lekki Free Trade Zone (LFTZ) will be jointly developed, operated and managed by Nigerian and Chinese investors, focusing mainly on manufacturing and processing industries. The LFTZ covers an area of 165 km2. The Concept Master Plan for LFTZ has been completed and development of the LFTZ is proposed to be undertaken in the following phases:

1. The Immediate Term (Phase I) – the southwest area of the south Lekki Peninsula will be developed as the ‘China-Nigeria Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone (CNETCZ)’ and will cover 10km2. This is the area of the LFTZ with the best existing access to Lagos via the Lekki coast expressway.

2. The Mid Term (Phase II and III) – Phase II and III will develop the remaining southern LFTZ area and will include additional logistics and warehousing facilities, a seaport, a petrochemical industrial park and other industrial and manufacturing parks. This will cover 62km2.

3. The Future Term (Phase IV and V) – development of the northern area of Lekki Peninsula, including the construction of bridges across Lekki Lagoon to link the north and south peninsulas. This phase will include building more residential developments, culture, tourism, and entertainment facilities in order to develop a modern city as well as an economic development zone. This will cover an area of 86km2.

The Concept Master Plan puts the total workforce population within the LFTZ at 85,400 with a total population (workers plus family members) of 111,600. The Lekki Master Plan will need to ensure the LFTZ area is provided with adequate transportation links to and from the LFTZ to the rest of the Lekki Peninsula and through into Lagos as well as infrastructure and utilities where necessary (i.e. water, electrical power etc). However, land will be provided for a gas power plant, water plant, and sewage treatment plant within the LFTZ.

The planning standards project to establish the structure of proper residential areas and their support facilities services (health, education, civic, commercial and infrastructure) According to these standards, the residential areas are to be divided according to a hierarchy based on the community size, density and location into four categories as follows:

1. Local Centre: (Kindergarten community unit) this is the basic residential unit which Comprises about 1,500-3,500 people. The Local Center usually comprises a kindergarten or a day care center for working families, few shops or local market, a garden with children play area and an optional community hall.

[Skyprince]

Emirates will increase Dubai-Lagos flights to 2X daily from Feb 2009

--->http://www.asiatraveltips.com/news08/512-Emirates.shtml

[friendsofthecity]

Good news, skyprince.

[qymekkam]

Originally Posted by Skyprince

Emirates will increase Dubai-Lagos flights to 2X daily from Feb 2009

--->http://www.asiatraveltips.com/news08/512-Emirates.shtml

and abuja

[GAR3TH]

Global credit crunch: Foreign airlines eye Nigeria for survival

he global financial crisis may soon steer a positive direction and influence on the Nigerian aviation sector in a way. As OYETUNJI ABIOYE reports, some of the global mega airlines were being forced to find survival opportunities in the Nigerian aviation sphere in 2009.

As the global financial crisis continues to tighten the noose around the operational necks of corporations – with a tremendous decline in business travel worldwide – a positive trend on the Nigerian and African aviation scene appears to be in the offing in 2009. According to top sources in the aviation ministry and within the industry, quite a number of foreign mega airlines are already filing papers towards commencing operations in Nigeria in 2009.

While more foreign airlines are already applying to come, existing ones are already applying to the ministry of aviation for additional entry points and frequencies.

Emirates Airlines, Qatar Airways Air France, Kenya Airways and Ethiopian Airlines have all increased their frequencies into the country in the last few months, while new airlines, like Etihad, Air Arabia and a host of others will start flying in next year.

Local aviation experts have also predicted a massive influx of mega airlines across the globe into the country and the continent. According to these experts and analysts, the global mega airlines, pressured at home by declining business volume and high cost of operation, are bound to look out to countries with low operating indices for diversification as a survival strategy this year, which would definitely include Nigeria and other countries in Africa. The experts and analysts have, therefore, charged Nigerian carriers as well as others on the continent to be prepared to embrace the influx of the mega foreign carriers, which according to them, will start to come in 2009.

The International Air Transport Association report for 2008 shows a serious decline in passenger traffic resulting from the decreasing demand for business and pleasure travels as a result of the global credit crunch.

According to the analysts, foreign carriers looking for a way to cushion the effects of surge in oil price that came during the first half of 2008 and the current credit crunch, are already eyeing emerging markets in Africa and Nigeria in particular, where demand is still relatively high for survival.

[Nsukka]

Originally Posted by GAR3TH

Global credit crunch: Foreign airlines eye Nigeria for survival

he global financial crisis may soon steer a positive direction and influence on the Nigerian aviation sector in a way. As OYETUNJI ABIOYE reports, some of the global mega airlines were being forced to find survival opportunities in the Nigerian aviation sphere in 2009.

As the global financial crisis continues to tighten the noose around the operational necks of corporations – with a tremendous decline in business travel worldwide – a positive trend on the Nigerian and African aviation scene appears to be in the offing in 2009. According to top sources in the aviation ministry and within the industry, quite a number of foreign mega airlines are already filing papers towards commencing operations in Nigeria in 2009.

While more foreign airlines are already applying to come, existing ones are already applying to the ministry of aviation for additional entry points and frequencies.

Emirates Airlines, Qatar Airways Air France, Kenya Airways and Ethiopian Airlines have all increased their frequencies into the country in the last few months, while new airlines, like Etihad, Air Arabia and a host of others will start flying in next year.

Local aviation experts have also predicted a massive influx of mega airlines across the globe into the country and the continent. According to these experts and analysts, the global mega airlines, pressured at home by declining business volume and high cost of operation, are bound to look out to countries with low operating indices for diversification as a survival strategy this year, which would definitely include Nigeria and other countries in Africa. The experts and analysts have, therefore, charged Nigerian carriers as well as others on the continent to be prepared to embrace the influx of the mega foreign carriers, which according to them, will start to come in 2009.

The International Air Transport Association report for 2008 shows a serious decline in passenger traffic resulting from the decreasing demand for business and pleasure travels as a result of the global credit crunch.

According to the analysts, foreign carriers looking for a way to cushion the effects of surge in oil price that came during the first half of 2008 and the current credit crunch, are already eyeing emerging markets in Africa and Nigeria in particular, where demand is still relatively high for survival.

Humm, Now knowing this.. a wise and focused government would immediately put into place a project to begin immediately expanding the size of their largest international Airport in which will be the entry point for most of this expected air traffic increase. Lagos's international airport terminal should be going under construction for expansion within the next few months, being that the design for the expansion has been ready for over 2 years now. Let's see if the Naija gov. is smart enough to do what they must in this regard.

[qymekkam]

how do u know the terminal will be going under construction within the next few months?

[Nsukka]

Originally Posted by qymekkam

how do u know the terminal will be going under construction within the next few months?

I don't. I said if the gov. was smart they'd start the project rolling with in the next few months.

[friendsofthecity]

Originally Posted by Nsukka

I don't. I said if the gov. was smart they'd start the project rolling with in the next few months.

Let's hope they wil engage this and embark on the expansion of the airport. In fact Lagos airport is long due for expansion.

[qymekkam]

10 years overdue

[qymekkam]

VIRGIN NIGERIA ANNOUNCES SUSPENSION OF LONG HAUL FLIGHTS
…To consolidate and expand domestic / regional operations


Virgin Nigeria announces that effective 27th January 2009, flights to London Gatwick, United Kingdom and Johannesburg, South Africa will be suspended.

The decision to suspend both services is to enable us to review our entire long haul operations including our product offerings on these routes. In the mean time, our focus is on consolidating and continuing to expand our profitable domestic and regional flight operations.
Once the long haul product review has been finalised, we are certain to return to the long haul routes.

Loyal customers on our eagleflier scheme who have acquired miles from our long haul flights are assured of the validity of the miles as the eagleflier scheme remains in place.

We apologise for any inconvenience that the suspension may cause our esteemed customers. However plans have been put in place to re-protect affected Customers on other carriers at no extra cost to the customer.

We trust our loyal passengers will bear with us as we suspend and review these long haul routes so that we can come back with a truly competitive product offering.

[ufookoro]

Originally Posted by qymekkam

VIRGIN NIGERIA ANNOUNCES SUSPENSION OF LONG HAUL FLIGHTS
…To consolidate and expand domestic / regional operations


Virgin Nigeria announces that effective 27th January 2009, flights to London Gatwick, United Kingdom and Johannesburg, South Africa will be suspended.

The decision to suspend both services is to enable us to review our entire long haul operations including our product offerings on these routes. In the mean time, our focus is on consolidating and continuing to expand our profitable domestic and regional flight operations.
Once the long haul product review has been finalised, we are certain to return to the long haul routes.

Loyal customers on our eagleflier scheme who have acquired miles from our long haul flights are assured of the validity of the miles as the eagleflier scheme remains in place.

We apologise for any inconvenience that the suspension may cause our esteemed customers. However plans have been put in place to re-protect affected Customers on other carriers at no extra cost to the customer.

We trust our loyal passengers will bear with us as we suspend and review these long haul routes so that we can come back with a truly competitive product offering.

This did not surprise me. Saw it coming

[qymekkam]

i hope the suspension isn't permanent

[sammyjay77]

Originally Posted by qymekkam

i hope the suspension isn't permanent

Virgin Nigeria is having problems with Local Investors....Thisday Reveals

Why Virgin Suspended London, J’burg Flights

Increasing pressure from the United Bank for Africa Plc (UBA) to restructure its operations has compelled Virgin Nigeria to suspend its long haul flights to London and Johannesburg effective January 27, 2009, pending a review of its international operations.
Confirming the suspension of its international frequencies, the airline said in a statement yesterday that the decision to suspend both services is to enable it review its entire long haul operations, “including our product service offerings on those routes, while consolidating and continuing to expand our profitable domestic and regional flight operations.”
But investigations carried out by THISDAY revealed that Virgin Nigeria was forced into suspending its flights to London and Johannesburg by UBA as a result of the airline’s rising indebtedness to the bank running into several billions of naira.
This along with poor operating results, rising costs, and the increasing number of competitors on the long haul route, have made it difficult for Virgin Nigeria to meet its debt obligations to UBA, which also holds a minority stake of less than six percent in the airline.
The thinking in UBA is that if Virgin Nigeria alters its business strategy by focusing more on short haul domestic and regional flights as a low cost, no frills airline, it could increase its market share and become profitable over time.
An industry source said that the airline cannot compete against the likes of British Airway, South African Airways, other European airlines and even Virgin Atlantic.
“The larger aircraft used by Virgin Nigeria are more expensive to maintain and fuel. Other airlines have large fleets and fly to several other countries that make it possible for them to cross subsidise less profitable routes.
“But with just one frequency to London and another one to Johannesburg daily, it simply is not worth Virgin Nigeria’s while. It simply amounts to an ego massage and nothing else,” he volunteered.
In addition to the suspension of its international frequencies, part of the restructuring plan initiated by UBA compelled Virgin Nigeria to lay off some its ground operations staff recently. A total of 70 to 80 staff have been sacked by the airline so far.
Other measures include the decision by the airline not to purchase outright its brand new Embraer aircraft ordered from Brazil. Instead, UBA has advised that it leases them under a wet lease arrangement as a way of saving money.
Virgin Nigeria took delivery of the first of the Embraer aircraft in September last year. Since then, two more have been rolled off the assembly line awaiting delivery to Virgin Nigeria. The airline in 2007 placed orders for 10 Embraer airplanes.
Added to this is the recommendation by UBA to suspend the sale of 42 percent of Virgin Atlantic’s equity in the Nigerian airline, pending improvement in the economic climate.
Virgin Atlantic currently holds 49 percent in Virgin Nigeria, but indicated its desire to divest 42 percent of its equity in the company late in 2007 through a private placement.
Virgin Atlantic, however, would have continued to provide technical and management support to Virgin Nigeria under a technical services agreement.
Subsequently, Afrinvest was appointed Issuing House for the transaction in 2008. But the deal had to be put on hold owing to the global credit crunch and the downturn in the Nigerian stock market.
UBA is hoping that an improvement in economic conditions later in 2009, will enable Virgin Atlantic dispose of its holding in its Nigerian subsidiary.
In the interim, UBA has met with the management of Virgin Atlantic to review the subsisting technical services agreement it has with Virgin Nigeria.
The bank’s management believes that the terms are not favourable to the Nigerian airline and erodes its earnings.
Late last year, UBA was able to get the Board of Directors of Virgin Nigeria to sack the expatriate Chief Financial Officer of the airline who was redeployed to their Virgin Atlantic.
However, sources said his sack had less to do with the cost cutting measures being imposed by UBA, and more with the fact that he secured an $11 million dollar facility for Virgin Nigeria from a competitor bank without notifying UBA.
Providing further assurance to its customers and the public on the suspension of its international flights, Virgin Nigeria said “once the long haul product review has been finalised, we are certain to return to the long haul routes.
“Loyal customers on our eagleflier scheme who have acquired miles from our long haul flights are assured of the validity of the miles as the eagleflier scheme remains in place.”
The airline apologised for any inconvenience that the suspension may cause its customers, adding plans have been put in place to re-protect affected customers on other carriers at no extra cost to customers.
“We trust our loyal passengers will bear with us as we suspend and review these long haul routes so that we can come back with a truly competitive product offering,” Virgin Nigeria promised.