Aviation
Rep. seeks special forex intervention for local airlines
Rep. Nnolim Nnaji has urged the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to approve a Special Forex Intervention Retail Sales for airlines in the country.
Nnaji, who is the Chairman, House Committee on Aviation, made the call during the 25th Annual Conference and Awards Ceremony, orgainsed by the League of Aviation and Airports Correspondents (LAAC) in Lagos on Friday.
Nnaji said that the forex intervention by the Apex bank would ensure easy access to Forex by the airlines to settle their obligations and reduce airfares.
The lawmaker said the operators had been complaining about their inability to access the required Foreign Exchange to settle the backlog of their obligations which had adversely affected their operations.
He said the access to forex was important because aviation sector was critical to the nation’s economy.
Nnaji said that the CBN should take the right decision that would strengthen existing airlines and inspire confidence in aspiring operators.
He said: “We have succeeded in getting zero duties for the airlines for the purchase of spare parts. Another issue that they are battling with is the issue of forex.
“Since they buy most of the aircraft spare parts abroad, it is important that they have access to forex.
“This is because the aircraft need to be in the sky all the time because the more you move, the more money you make so that you can pay their bills.
“We would want the Central Bank of Nigeria to create a window for Forex because it will help reduce the airfare in the long run.”
Nnaji said he did not know how the ban on Forex to Bureau De Change would affect airlines, but he had learnt that the black market rate had gone up.
According to him, the federal government did not do much in terms of bailout for the airlines.
He said that the cost of the engine of a Boeing aircraft was close to $10 million and what the government provided for all the local airlines was about N4 billion.
“When you compare what our airlines got to other countries, you will find out that they didn’t do much for the industry.
“The aviation industry is a very expensive business and most people do not break even.
“What they just succeed in doing is to just keep the business going because everything about the industry is offshore and that is a challenge,” he said.
…Says Tinubu’s travelling in chartered aircraft, a national embarrassment
An aviation expert, Dr Godwin Emmanuel, has expressed grave concerns over recent developments that caused President Bola Tinubu to travel abroad on chartered flights.
Emmanuel, who said that the public shame that befell Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, as its President flew abroad for engagements in chartered flights was unquantifiable, urged the Presidency to prepare a supplementary budget providing new aircraft for the president and Vice President Kashim Shettima, and pass it to the National Assembly for legislative approval without delay.
Speaking in Lagos on Thursday, Emmanuel said President Tinubu’s trip on chartered flights had reduced his personality, image, and security, as Nigerians could not guarantee the safety of the hired aircraft.
He said, “Nigeria must not toy with the safety of the president.
“It is on record that most of the planes in the Presidential Air Fleet are already old, and some of them are in deplorable condition.
“The 23-year-old Gulfstream GV is said to be due for major engine overhaul, while Falcon 7x, which is 13 years old, is undergoing C check, as two of the three engines are in the engine shop for an overhaul.
“Nigerians must also note that the 19-year-old B 737 is also undergoing major maintenance.
“It is a national shame and disgrace that the Presidency has no functional aircraft.
“It’s on record that the president cannot use the aircraft in the fleet for his regular foreign trips to woo investors, build goodwill, and communicate with the external world in Nigeria’s interest.
“Of late, the vice president, who was going to the United States of America, had to shelve the trip because his plane developed technical faults.
“The President’s wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, suffered a similar fate. This is a terrible development.
“God forbid that bad things should happen to the president, vice president, or their spouses.
“The president and vice president represent the image, integrity, and symbol of the Nigerian government, and we should save ourselves from this shame by ensuring that they have functional aircraft.”
Emmanuel, who added that no one should toy with the safety and security of the president as it would de-robe and detract from Nigeria’s standing in the comity of nations, said that the president should be able to travel when the need arises, in order to build bridges and guarantee Nigeria’s development and well-being.
By Umar Akilu Majeri, Dutse
Barely over five years after Overland Airline suspended its flight to Dutse international Airport of Jigawa state, the Airline now has resumed its operation after signing the memorandum of understanding with the State Government.
Speaking to newsmen one of the board members of Jigawa State Invest Commission, Barrister M Tahir said, they deem it necessary to engage with Airlines to resume services in the state to ease travelling and related challenges faced by local and foreign investors who have an interest in the state.
“Airlines service is the major key for modern business, so we have to make sure the availability of such services in Jigawa state improves our enabling environment for investors.
“Jigawa is one of the must Investors Friendly States in Nigeria, and to sustain such a position we must keep on addressing the remaining gaps and improve our strength and comparative advantage for better chance to have more investors in the state,” Barrister Tahir said.
According to him, “Jigawa State Invest is a body saddled with responsibilities of promoting investment in the state by encouraging the local and foreign investors to come to the state and provide, formulate incentive, policies, and programs that can attract them.”
Barrister Tahir added that Dutse International Airport has potentiality that can guarantee customers to Airlines due to its strategic location and peaceful atmosphere of the state.
He noted that, based on the MOU the Airline will fly in Dutse international Airport three times in a week, that is Monday Wednesday and Saturday
By Seun Ibiyemi
Ethiopian Aviation University has graduated close to 800 aviation professionals including international trainees from eight African countries and one from Asia.
The graduation ceremony which took place at the university’s facility, last week 2024 was graced by Ambassadors and Officials from African countries including Ethiopian Airlines Group executives, families and friends of the graduates.
The graduates were trainees in Ethiopian Aviation University’s Pilot, Aviation Maintenance, Cabin Crew, and Commercial Training programs.
Congratulating the aviation professionals, Ethiopian Airlines Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Mesfin Tasew, said, “We are delighted to witness the fruits of our effort in realising a self-sufficient Africa, in terms of aviation professionals supporting the industry within the continent.
“We believe in the potential of Africa’s youths to shape the continent’s aviation and continue to educate them at our centre of excellence.
“Training globally competitive professionals, today, we graduate 308 aviation maintenance, 142 pilots, 297 cabin crew, 25 electro-mechanical professionals, and 15 ticket agents. I urge Africans to invest in training their youth for the future of aviation at Ethiopian Aviation University.”
Since its establishment in 1956, Ethiopian Aviation Academy, upgraded to a university level recently, has been offering various aviation courses to local and international trainees.
The university currently offers undergraduate and postgraduate programs in aerospace and hospitality including BSc in Aeronautical Engineering, Aviation Maintenance Engineering, Aviation Management & Operations, BA in Tourism & Hospitality Management, MSc in Data Science, and MBA in Aviation Management.
Ethiopian Aviation University continues to offer diploma and certificate programs in aircraft maintenance technician, pilot training, cabin crew, commercial training, leadership, career development, catering training, ICAO courses, and online courses. In addition to its facility at Addis Ababa, Ethiopian offers aviation training in regional cities, including Hawassa, Dire-Dawa, Bahir-Dar, and Mekelle.
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