Nigeria's Maple Aviation Logistics eyes domestic pax ops
Maple Aviation Logistics (Lagos) has announced plans to venture into the scheduled domestic Nigerian passenger services market.
Chief Executive Officer, Folarin Adesemowo, said in a press release the carrier, which has thus far operated in the business charter niche, would lease an ERJ-135 from an unspecified local operator of the type for use on flights from Lagos to each of Abuja and Port Harcourt Omagwa.
“The current economic downturn in the country has forced many company executives to cut down their travel costs and look for a less expensive but comfortable and reliable way to fly within the country," he said. "This travel solution offers similar boarding facility as a private jet that is on timely departure, no queues at check-in and take off is at private jet terminals.”
No further information was disclosed concerning the date of the flights' launch.
According to the ch-aviation aircraft database, there are four operators of the ERJ-135 in Nigeria: Bristow Helicopters Nigeria (BHN, Lagos), MaxAir (Nigeria) (VM, Katsina), Prime Air Services (Kaduna), and Skyjet Aviation Services (Kaduna).
Chief Executive Officer, Folarin Adesemowo, said in a press release the carrier, which has thus far operated in the business charter niche, would lease an ERJ-135 from an unspecified local operator of the type for use on flights from Lagos to each of Abuja and Port Harcourt Omagwa.
“The current economic downturn in the country has forced many company executives to cut down their travel costs and look for a less expensive but comfortable and reliable way to fly within the country," he said. "This travel solution offers similar boarding facility as a private jet that is on timely departure, no queues at check-in and take off is at private jet terminals.”
No further information was disclosed concerning the date of the flights' launch.
According to the ch-aviation aircraft database, there are four operators of the ERJ-135 in Nigeria: Bristow Helicopters Nigeria (BHN, Lagos), MaxAir (Nigeria) (VM, Katsina), Prime Air Services (Kaduna), and Skyjet Aviation Services (Kaduna).
Closure of Abuja Airport runway will be counter-productive- Aviation unions
Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja
Unions in the aviation sector yesterday kicked against the plan by the federal government to close the runway of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja for repairs.
The unions said the planned closure of the airport scheduled to begin from March 8 for a six-week period would be counter-productive for the country’s economy.
They made their position known in an open letter to President Muhammadu Buhari and obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
The letter, jointly signed by Olayinka Abioye, General Secretary, National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Frances Akinjole, General Secretary, Air Transport Senior Staff Services Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) and General Secretary of the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE), Aba Ocheme, read in part: “Your Excellency, we hasten to use this open medium to draw your attention to the proposed closure of the Abuja Airport for turnaround maintenance of the runway for six weeks out of the six months that work shall continue at the said airport. “The necessity for the proposed exercise could not only be due to the audit findings against our country, but more importantly, as a long overdue safety measure, which we appreciate.
“While we accept that the Abuja runway has turned bad and requires a quick fix, our unions are of the opinion that total closure of the airport should be the last ineluctable option in repairing the international airport’s runway.”
The stakeholders said they were not carried along by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) before the decision to close the airport was taken and suggested that instead of a total closure, an additional runway should be effectively considered for construction as a long term measure, while the subsisting one continues to be put in use, under some phased reconstruction.
“Skeletal repairs of the runway could be adopted by allowing the airport for use, likely between 6a.m. and 6p.m., while fixing of the major damaged portions of the runway continues during the nights.
“This has been done in several parts of the world. Why should Nigeria’s case be different?
“Our opinion is premised on the fact that the proposed exercise, being a reactive formula, can be achieved without total shutdown of the international airport.
“The consequential effect of such total closure will impact so negatively on the already dire economic environment of Nigeria, given the dependence of several low and middle income earners on aviation business in and around Abuja airport,” they said.
The unionists said aviation agencies would also be deprived of their internally generated revenue during this period, while some low business operators would lose their businesses completely and forever.
“We do not wish to believe that your government will set out to jeopardise the livelihood of its citizens at such dire time as this.
Saturday, 8 October 2016
Travelex sells $1/N356 to travellers
Travelex, a global foreign exchange dealer, on Friday resumed sale of dollars directly to travellers at N356 to a dollar.
The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that the firm’s office inside the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos terminal was besieged by hundreds of travellers.
Some Bureaux de change operators within the terminal were also selling from N470 to N472 to a dollar to travellers.
Travelex, which recently got the approval of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to sell dollar, however, gave stringent conditions for the transaction.
The requirements include presentation of valid international passport, visa to destination, Biometric Verification Number, BVN, card, airline boarding pass and signed copy of transaction.
The firm also directed that cash would only be handed over to the traveller at the boarding gate after security and immigration checks.
According to the firm, these conditions are to ensure that dollar is sold to only genuine travellers, and discourage racketeering.
Consequently, some of the travellers were unable to buy dollars from Travelex because they could not produce their BVN cards.
One of them, Uche Ikediashi, told NAN that he was hearing about the card for the first time.
“Yesterday I bought dollars from a BDC at N470. Today I was told that Travelex is selling at N356; that is why I came here, but they said I needed to bring my BVN card and I don’t have it,” he said.
Another traveller, Samson Uduak, commended the CBN for the initiative which, he said, had created easy access to forex for travellers.
The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that the firm’s office inside the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos terminal was besieged by hundreds of travellers.
Some Bureaux de change operators within the terminal were also selling from N470 to N472 to a dollar to travellers.
Travelex, which recently got the approval of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to sell dollar, however, gave stringent conditions for the transaction.
The requirements include presentation of valid international passport, visa to destination, Biometric Verification Number, BVN, card, airline boarding pass and signed copy of transaction.
The firm also directed that cash would only be handed over to the traveller at the boarding gate after security and immigration checks.
According to the firm, these conditions are to ensure that dollar is sold to only genuine travellers, and discourage racketeering.
Consequently, some of the travellers were unable to buy dollars from Travelex because they could not produce their BVN cards.
One of them, Uche Ikediashi, told NAN that he was hearing about the card for the first time.
“Yesterday I bought dollars from a BDC at N470. Today I was told that Travelex is selling at N356; that is why I came here, but they said I needed to bring my BVN card and I don’t have it,” he said.
Another traveller, Samson Uduak, commended the CBN for the initiative which, he said, had created easy access to forex for travellers.
www.flatimes.com
Saturday, 1 October 2016
Hope still for Nigeria at 56
Written by the Editorial Board of The Guardian Newspaper:
The Independence Day of a country, as the qualifier suggests, is a triumphant expression of liberation. As always, it is a day of soulful national reflection and commemoration of the gallant attempts to lead the people away from the stranglehold of oppression and subjugation and to orientate them towards the best possible attainment of their destiny. However, as Nigeria marks 56 years of Independence tomorrow, any celebration, pomp and merry-making on Independence Day may be hollow, if proper stock-taking of the people’s national life is glossed over.
Despite the increasing hopelessness, confusion and lethargy occasioned by the present economic recession and seeming rudderless leadership that is unveiled in the perception of the common Nigerian, Independence Day enables all to reflect on the enormous challenges facing the country. Yet, it does more than that. It also points towards the future; it extricates us from lamentation and points us to genuine liberation.
Truly, Nigerians are justified to be angry and confused. In the last one year, the challenges have been overwhelming. Widespread insecurity has threatened national cohesion and promoted mistrust; the absence of sound economic policies and projections has put the nation in dire financial straits; nearly all states of the federation are unable to pay salaries. The lack of foresight, financial recklessness, imprudence, and the lack of will to consummate projects have been the bane of our nation. Nigerians have a right not to celebrate.
Notwithstanding these enormous challenges, this year’s Independence Day, the second for the Muhammadu Buhari administration, should also make us remember that countries pass through difficulties in order to become stronger and more prosperous. Nations get stronger, more viable and more respected only after they have genuinely withstood the throes of historical shortcomings thrust upon them by social needs. Given this truth about development dynamics, the commemoration of Nigeria’s Independence speaks to all Nigerians to review the present precarious existence with some hope.
One of the threatened values which Independence Day brings to mind concerns the unity of the country. Inherited structures of British colonisation that consolidated a forced unity as a people, and yet enabled us to carry on for the good of all Nigerians, are crumbling before our eyes. These structures, which include the armed forces, the civil service, among others, are being destroyed to our national peril. Independence Day, therefore, draws attention to a glorious past that gave Nigeria its greatness through these structures.
Besides this significance of unity, there is also the gargantuan image which Nigeria projects for the African and Black people in general. The success of Nigeria is a symbolic proposal of accomplishment for Africa and the Black race. Nigeria’s global exploits signal hope and promise for the Black people. As we mark this year’s Independence anniversary, Nigerian leaders and all should be cognizant of the challenge and responsibility that come with this impression: Nigeria is at the forefront of leadership in Africa, and if Nigeria disintegrates or is splintered, it will weaken the prospect of the Black race.
However, fostering this unity and sustaining a prestigious global image amount to nought if they are not determined by performance of the people. The well-being of Nigerians, their self-image, how Nigerian authorities govern their people, how Nigerians situate themselves in the scheme of global affairs, must reflect the powerful, united country and Africa’s iconic Big Brother which Nigeria connotes.
Although Nigerians expected too much from this administration given the excesses of the last regime and the promises of this ruling party are far from fulfilled, it would be uncharitable to dismiss the modest achievements of this government. True, Nigeria faces economic recession, and hunger stalks everyone in the land; yet, the progress made in the fight against Boko Haram is a commendable signature of this administration. The gains from the fight against Boko Haram and insurgency should not be sacrificed on the altar of hunger pangs. That the government is making frantic efforts to address insecurity of that magnitude is something Nigerians can leverage upon.
October 1, Nigeria’s Independence Day, is also another opportune moment to improve on such gestures. The ‘Change’ mantra of this administration and its militaristic anti-corruption drive, is a principle that Nigerians can refine to move on to greatness. But to get this done would require the right people, with the right knowledge to do the right thing.
In short, it would require the requisite personnel and manpower to turn innumerable good policies into measurable and realistic frame-works for action towards the common good. This demands the harnessing of knowledgeable, talented, skillful, nationalistic and selfless Nigerians who would get things done by solving problems; those who have the wherewithal for home-grown solutions and who can stimulate the modalities for job-creation or wealth creation along those lines.
These sorts of people abound in Nigeria; they run the stable economies abroad. If Nigeria is to attain its destined goal, these are the people Nigeria needs in foreign affairs to mop up our battered image abroad. They are the ones Nigeria needs in agriculture, and not armchair theoreticians occupying positions just because they are party cronies. They are the ones who should manage our defence, and other areas of our national life in need of attention.
The message for tomorrow on Independence is this: That Nigeria is blessed with such manifold socio-economic transformers should give us hope. This, therefore, points to the fact that our present economic condition is not an indication of the end for Nigerians.
Tuesday 27 September, 2016
Happy World Tourism Day:
Since 1980, the United Nations World TourismOrganiza
This year the World Tourism Day theme commenced as “Tourism for All promoting universal accessibility.”
“Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world.” – Gustave Flaubert
“Only the traveling is good which reveals to me the value of the home and enables me to enjoy it better.”
“Once a year, go someplace you’ve never been before.”
“See the world. It’s more fantastic than any dream made or paid for in factories. Ask for no guarantees, ask for no security.” -Ray Bradbury
“Twoflower was a tourist, the first ever seen on the discworld. Tourist, Rincewind had decided, meant ‘idiot’.” -Terry Pratchett
“The journey is the destination.” -Dan
“Stop worrying about the potholes in the road and enjoy the journey.”
“Tourists don’t know where they’ve been, travelers don’t know where they’re going.”
“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.”
“Take only memories, leave only footprints.”
“Once a year, go someplace you’ve never been before.”
“In any case, a little danger is a small price to pay for ridding a place of tourists.” -Tahir Shah
“To travel is to discover that everyone is wrong about other countries.” » Aldous Huxley
“The more I traveled the more I realized that fear makes strangers of people who should be friends.”- Shirley MacLaine.
“The use of traveling is to regulate imagination with reality, and instead of thinking of how things may be, see them as they are.” – Samuel Johnson
“Travel and change of place impart new vigor to the mind.” Seneca
“Our happiest moments as tourists always seem to come when we stumble upon one thing while in pursuit of something else.”
Tuesday, 13 September 2016
AU passport and Nigeria’s tourism
Written by the Editorial Board of The Guardian Newspaper
An anticipated boost in Nigeria’s tourism industry that the proposed African Union (AU) passport is expected to engender cannot come to pass without appropriate infrastructure and conducive environment for tourism to flourish. Tourism is a service industry with established global best practices. It does not thrive in a disorganised environment, where the tourist would not get full value for money or where insecurity is rife. The Nigerian authorities should, therefore, do first things first by ensuring that the right atmosphere is created
for only then can tourists
be attracted to Nigeria, with or without an AU passport.Industry experts recently expressed high optimism over the launch of the AU passport, saying that the hospitality industry might overtake the oil sector by 2021 if the initiative is adopted by the country’s legislators. But mere adoption of the proposal would not translate to a boost for Nigeria’s tourism.
According to them, the pan-African passport would allow free movement of domestic tourists into the country and the opportunities presented by such a unified African passport supersede the threats.
While many industry experts are daily concerned about diversification opportunities to prevent the collapse of the nation’s economy, the hospitality industry has been identified as one with growth opportunity in the next five years.
Therefore, breaking the barriers of free travel for other African countries to come to Nigeria is a potent way of enhancing the growth of that industry.
By their calculation, there will be an increase in domestic tourism on the continent and this will pave way for increase in job creation. A 2015 report on travel and tourism industry in Africa, which indicated that the industry generated approximately nine million jobs directly with a growth forecast of 0.3 per cent in 2016 has appropriately been cited.
Besides, it is predicted that by 2016, the industry will account for about 11.7 million jobs directly in Africa, which is an increase of 2.5 per cent annually over the next decade. Of course, all these are comforting facts.
There is, however, too much talk about Nigeria’s tourism potential contributing much to GDP while the fundamentals are lacking. Countries that depend on tourism as a major source of revenue have the necessary infrastructure and are safe.
While tourist destinations like Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Egypt and South Africa might gain from the free intra-continental movement, the AU passport might only open the floodgate for indiscriminate immigration into Nigeria which could have far more negative consequences on the economy.
Truth is that at the moment, tourism in Nigeria is a joke. There is nothing on ground to attract tourists when compared to other tourist destinations in Africa. The West African unified passport for ECOWAS countries has done nothing to boost tourism in the country. If anything, an AU common passport would enrich only countries like Kenya and other tourist destinations.
Granted that Nigeria has the resources that could be developed into world-class tourist attractions, the required infrastructure is not available and the appropriate investments are not being made.
For example, the Obudu Cattle Ranch has no good transportation infrastructure to service it. The Yankari Game reserve and National Park, the Borgu Game Reserve and the Cross River National Park, among others, are hardly maintained.
Little is heard of the Nigeria National Park Service (NNPS), which has the responsibility of preserving, enhancing, protecting and managing vegetation and wild life in the parks. The animals are routinely poached while the trees are felled for fuel wood without restriction.
Nigeria’s airports are an eyesore. The four international airports in Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt are ranked among the worst in Africa.
They brim daily with questionable characters who have no business going to the airports but only threaten the visitors’ lives. Tourism begins from the airport. Nigeria’s airports are scary to potential tourists and information desks are poorly managed.
There is no train connection as it is in other countries while the country’s road network is a death trap.
Hotels in Nigeria are among the most expensive in the world and their services are below standard. Not all the hotels are registered and graded in line with global best practices and there are no hospitality schools where professionals are trained.
There is also insecurity, which is a critical disincentive to a tourism industry.
Above all is the negative role played by the border officials, whose unfriendly conduct at ports of entry is inimical to tourism development.
There is also the need to relax visa restrictions as complaints about Nigerian foreign missions delaying visa applications or even demanding bribes before they do their job are legion.
How does a country build the tourism industry with this catalogue of inherent problems? All these must be addressed first and foremost before the AU passport can be of benefit to Nigeria.
www.flatimes.com/september 13, 2016
Saturday, 10 September 2016
Emirates bans Samsung Galaxy Note 7 on its planes
“The General Civil Aviation Authority has banned operating, charging and carrying in bags the Samsung Note 7 on board national carriers’ flights,” it said in a statement carried by the official WAM news agency on Saturday.
Samsung last week suspended sales of its latest flagship smartphone and announced a recall of 2.5 million units already sold, after faulty batteries caused
some handsets to explode during charging.
Since then, airlines or air safety agencies around the
world have warned passengers against using them on flights.
On Friday, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission urged Note 7 owners to stop using it.
Dubai’s Emirates Airline, the largest Middle East carrier, said it will comply “immediately” with the instruction from civil aviation.
“This measure is to avoid the possibility of these devices’ batteries causing fires,” it said.
Another carrier in the United Arab Emirates, Etihad Airways, has already temporarily banned the use of the Galaxy Note 7 smartphones on board its flights, and the UAE also has two low-cost airlines, flydubai and Air Arabia.
Singapore Airlines, Australia’s Qantas, and Virgin Australia have announced similar bans.
US and Japanese aviation authorities have urged passengers not to turn on or charge the large-screen phones on aircraft, while the US Federal Aviation Administration has told passengers not to stow the device in checked baggage.
www.flatimes.com/september10,2016
Saturday, 10 September 2016
Greece named best travel destination 2016: CN Traveller UK
Readers of Condé Nast Traveller UK magazine have voted and named Greece the best country in the world in the 2016 edition of the Readers’ Travel Awards.
The ongoing migrant and economic crises in Greece have done little
to deter visitors from descending on the Mediterranean paradise, with
tourists still enamored by the promise of sun-soaked islands and
postcard-perfect settings.
In fact, the country’s tourism office predicts a bumper year for
2016, with arrivals estimated to reach 25 million and 27.5 million
including cruise ship passengers.
Growth is also attributed to fears of terrorism, violence and
unrest in neighboring Turkey, Tunisia and Egypt — major resort
destinations — with holidaymakers diverting their vacation plans to
Greece.
Rounding out the best country podium is Italy and the US.
When it comes to island retreats, readers gave the Maldives the top
spot, followed by the Greek Islands and the Balearic Islands in Spain.
And the top-ranked hotel by readers of CN Traveller UK is Eden Roc –
St. Barth’s, which has hosted the likes of Greta Garbo, Howard Hughes
and the Rockefellers since opening in the 1950s.
Here are the top 10 countries in CN Traveller’s online Readers’ Travel Awards:
1. Greece
2. Italy
3. USA
4. South Africa
5. France
6. Spain
7. India
8. Australia
9. Thailand
10. Mexico
2. Italy
3. USA
4. South Africa
5. France
6. Spain
7. India
8. Australia
9. Thailand
10. Mexico
source: www.topontravel.com
Monday, 5 September 2016
Air Force to carry out counter-terrorism simulation – FAAN alerts public
The Managing Director of FAAN, Malam Saleh Dunoma made this known in a
statement issued by the General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Mr Yakubu
Datti, in Abuja on Monday.
Dunoma said that the exercise was part of strategies to sustain
international best practice, regulatory policies and world class service
delivery.He said that the exercise would consist of aerial and land manoeuvres which might create some dramatic spectacles and affect vehicular and human movements.
www.dailypost.ng
FirstNation Airways has promised its traveling passengers that the airline would return to normal scheduled flight operations by Sept. 15.2016. A statement by the Head, Corporate Affairs of the airline, Mr Rasheed Yusuff stated that the carrier’s current fleet was undergoing engine maintenance for safety operations, in line with global practice in the industry.
Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/…/firstnation-airways-returns-s…/
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