Aviation
Turkish, Egypt, RwandAir, other foreign airlines to sell tickets in dollars from April 19
Turkish Airline, Egypt Air, RwandAir, Kenya Airways and some other foreign airlines are expected to start issuing tickets in US Dollars and no more in Naira.
This was disclosed by APG Interline E-Ticketing (IEG) via its travel advisory issued to its trade partners.
Airlines on the APG IET platform that fly into Nigeria are South Africa Airways, Turkish Airlines, Asky Airlines, Egypt Air, Royal Air Maroc, Middle East Airlines, Rwanda Air and Kenya Airways.
It stated, “Dear travel partners, warm greetings from APG. This is to bring to your notice that with effect from April 19, 2022, GP would only accept issuing of tickets in US dollars and not Naira. This is mainly due to repatriation issues and Forex situation in the country.
“This would most likely be a temporary measure till the Forex situation improves. Our sincere apologies for any inconveniences this may cause you and your business. Thank you for understanding.”
This will surely create chaos amongst travellers as sourcing foreign exchange from banks has become very difficult. This may lead to further hikes in airfares as many can only resort to the black market to source foreign exchange at an exorbitant rate.
Recall Nigeria is currently holding $283 million worth of foreign airlines’ funds in the country, as at March 22, 2022. The funds are proceeds from sales of foreign airlines’ tickets among others that are trapped in Nigeria.
This was disclosed by the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, during the commissioning of the new international terminal of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos.
According to him, the sector needs the support of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) through the directives of President Muhammadu Buhari, to aid access of both local and foreign airlines to foreign exchange.
He said, “Aviation business suffers from issues of foreign exchange by local and foreign airlines and their inability to repatriate blocked funds. Nigeria currently holds $283 million worth of foreign airlines fund in the country. I humbly ask for the support of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) through the directives of President Muhammadu Buhari, to aid access of both local and foreign airlines to foreign exchange.
“The President is aware of the recent incident the sector witnessed relating to the scarcity of Jet A1 fuel. Though, this is global but I wish to humbly request that the President should direct the NNPC to import Jet A1 in good quantity and ask the CBN to provide forex for airlines to aid supply. “ The ministry is committed to adequate maintenance for all terminal buildings across the nation.
We will ensure all passengers have access to great infrastructure anytime they use a y of the terminals.”
By Seun Ibiyemi
The International Air Transport Association IATA lauds Nigeria’s clearing 831 million USD in foreign airlines’ trapped funds.
This significant achievement marks a positive step in restoring confidence within the global civil aviation community.
IATA’s Regional Vice President for Africa and the Middle East, Mr. Kamil Al-Awadhi, gave this commendation during his opening address at the IATA Wings of Change Focus Africa conference on July 2, 2024.
He highlighted the negative impacts of trapped funds on foreign airlines in various countries and applauded Nigeria for its effective resolution of the issue.
Significantly, the decisive action by the Nigerian government has restored confidence in the country within the global civil aviation community. The commendation received widespread applause from participants and other stakeholders in global civil aviation.
Also, the Minister of Aviation, Mr. Festus Keyamo, emphasised the critical role of African Foreign Affairs Ministers in the implementation of the Yamoussoukro Declaration and the Single African Air Transport Market.
During the plenary discussion, Keyamo advocated for the inclusion of Foreign Affairs Ministers in driving the full operationalization of these initiatives.
He argued further that these ministers, who set the agenda for the African Union (AU) Summit, must prioritise the YD and SAATM to ensure they make political decisions to overcome existing challenges.
“To make SAATM work, it is not solely up to African Civil Aviation Ministers. We need to mobilise the African Union to remove domestic restrictions, as political leaders in Africa have the authority to direct their ministers on the way forward,” Keyamo stated.
His recommendation was well-received by the conference participants as a strategic approach to achieving successful implementation and growth of civil aviation across Africa.
The IATA Wings of Change Focus Africa conference, themed ‘Towards a More Resilient and Sustainable African Aviation,’ serves as a premier industry event in Africa.
It commenced on July 2 and will conclude on July 3, 2024. This event has gathered key players in the aviation sector to discuss and strategize on the future of African aviation, focusing on resilience and sustainability.
…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
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