Aviation

Domestic airlines record 10,128 delays, 284 cancellations — NCAA

Published

10 months ago

July 7, 2023

By Seun Ibiyemi

Data emanating from the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and currently in public domain shows that with the 3,074 International flights and 18,288 domestic flights operating within Nigeria, delays and cancellations tops with domestic airlines having 10,128 delays and 284 cancellations.

This is just as international airlines had a total of 1,193 delays and 24 cancellations from January to March (the first quarter) of 2023.

Of airlines operating within Nigeria, Overland Airways with 91 per cent, United Nigeria Airlines has 81 per cent, Azman 73 per cent, Dana 72 per cent, Max Air 68 per cent, Aero Contractors 68 per cent, Air Peace 66 per cent, Arik 59 per cent, had bad records of flight delays.

Air Peace recorded 1,602 delayed flights out of 2,421 flights operated within the time period under review amounting to 66 per cent of its flights being delayed while Aero Contractors which operated 465 flights had 314 flights delayed.

Arik Air operated 804 flights with 473 delays; Azman operated 267 flights and recorded 195 flight delays; Dana Air operated 421 flights had 303 delays; Overland operated 281 flights had 257 delays; Max Air had 653 flights recorded 445 delays; Ibom Air had 850 flights and recorded 295.

While Green Africa operated 533 flights, it recorded 193 flight delays, Value Jet had 65 flight delays out of 297 flights operated.

Over all, 7, 518 flights were operated by all Nigerian scheduled airlines recording 4,561 flight delays.

For international operators within the continent, Egypt Air had 68 per cent of its flights delayed, while Cronos had 60 per cent.

South African Airways at 22 per cent, Kenya Airways had 57 per cent, Air Peace 55 per cent, Air Code d’Ivoire 54 per cent, RwandAir 51 per cent, British Airways 47 per cent, Ethiopian Airlines 43 per cent, Turkish Airlines, 43 per cent, Royal Air Maroc 32 per cent.

Africa World Air with 314 flights had 97 delayed flights making up 31 per cent of the total number of flight delays among international airlines to the country. AWA had no flight cancellations while TAAG Angola also had 31 per cent. From Asia, America, the middle East and Europe, Saudi Air had a poor number of flight delays amounting to 74 per cent, United States United Airlines has the least flight delays at 3 per cent followed by Lufthansa Airlines, Middle East Airlines at 13 per cent; Virgin Atlantic Airways at 14 per cent, Air France and Delta at 19 per cent, Qatar Airways at 28 per cent, making them the most two reliable airlines in terms of airlines that have fewer delays.

International airlines recorded 495, 076 outbound passengers, 375,700 inbound passengers, while domestic airlines recorded a total of 1,391,560 inbound and 1,400,031 outbound passengers.

Aviation

Aviation sector to benefit from RIDF

Published

1 month ago

March 29, 2024

NewsDirect

Aviation is set to be part of key economic drivers that will benefit from President Bola Tinubu’s proposed Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF).

In a statement by Ajuri Ngelale, the fund targets strategic sectors like agriculture, transportation, ports, energy, healthcare, and education along with aviation.

The initiative plans to inject funds into vital national projects to foster growth, bolster local value addition, generate jobs, and spur innovation.

Efficient use of low-interest loans and financing options will secure advantageous arrangements for project financing and operation.

The focus on aviation enhancement involves modernising major airports nationwide with targeted investments and infrastructure upgrades.

The statement reads, “On aviation enhancement, the focus is on the revitalization and modernization of major airports nationwide. Through targeted investments and infrastructure upgrades, major airports will undergo comprehensive refurbishment, including improvement in terminal facilities, runway expansions, and the implementation of cutting-edge technologies to enhance safety and operational efficiency.”

For agricultural infrastructure, the focus includes developing robust networks like storage facilities and irrigation systems.

In port revitalisation, the goal is to modernise facilities and attract investments to enhance Nigeria’s regional trade hub status.

“By modernizing port facilities and implementing advanced monitoring systems, the goal is to optimize efficiency, attract investments, and bolster Nigeria’s position as a regional trade hub,” the statement read.

Key road projects like Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road aim to enhance connectivity and stimulate economic growth.

Rail projects like Lagos-Kano and Eastern lines will modernise transportation networks for speed and reliability.

President Tinubu’s approval of the RHIDF absorbs the PIDF, expediting project delivery for Nigerians’ benefit.

Projects funded under the RHIDF will have a national spread, reflecting the commitment to equitable development.

Aviation

ICAO Aviation security audit team debriefs Nigeria, indicates strong outing

Published

1 month ago

March 29, 2024

NewsDirect

The Team Lead of ICAO Security Audit Programme, Callum Vine, announced Nigeria’s strong performance during a debrief after its Audit.

Nigeria recently concluded the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Security Audit Programme the continuous Monitoring Approach (USAP-CMA) according to a statement emanating from Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, FAAN, Obiageli Orah.

The USAP-CMA aims to improve aviation security compliance by analysing Member States’ performance and implementation of security standards. It focuses on Annex 17: Security Standards and Annex 9: facilitation compliance, along with associated procedures and security practices.

The event held at NCAA Headquarters saw Vine praise Nigeria’s robust policies and agencies, acknowledging their speed in addressing identified deficiencies without complaints.

He mentioned that the full audit report would be available within 60 days, followed by a 30-day period for comments.

FAAN’s Managing Director, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, affirmed using the audit results as a roadmap for continuous improvement.

She urged stakeholders to collaborate closely, share best practices, and uphold the highest security standards in the industry.

The debrief was attended by Dr. Emmanuel Meribole, representing the Minister, and Captain Chris Najomo, Acting Director General of NCAA.

Aviation

Arik Air receives Best Sustainable Airline Company award

Published

1 month ago

March 29, 2024

NewsDirect

Arik Air has bagged the award for Best Sustainable Airline of the Year, 2024 by the World Quality Alliance and Quality Standards Journal.

The airline’s Public Relations and Communications Manager, Mr Adebanji Ola, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Lagos.

Ola said the award was presented to the airline at the National Quality Summit 2024 held on March 22 in Abuja.

According to Ola, the Award General Committee of the National Quality Order of Merit, said the award was meant to celebrate leadership innovations and creativity in quality management.

Ola noted that Dr Ovie Shaka, Vice Chairman, Organising Committee of the National Quality Order of Merit Awards 2024, explained that the award was aimed at identifying, recognising and rewarding companies.

“The award also aims at rewarding personalities and products that apply quality assurance culture and quality management best practices.”

He said the award was presented by Stanley Ohenhen, on behalf of the Organising Committee and received by Arik Air’s Director of Safety, Capt. Jide Bakare.

Ola quoted Arik Air’s Chief Executive Officer, Capt. Roy Ilegbodu, as saying that the award is another testament of the airline’s fastidious adherence to operational safety standards.

Ilegbodu said Arik Air was committed to continual improvement of the management system and operational performance.

Recall that Arik Air also won the 2023 Best In-flight Service Airline by the Nigerian Aviation (NIGAV) Award.