Tag Archives: flight

Nigerian Airline Aero Contractors Fails To Recommence Flight Operations

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Aero Contractors, the troubled local Nigeria airline which was widely expected to return to the skies on Thursday, has yet to do so.

Our correspondent who visited the operational bases of the airline at the Murtala Muhammed Airport Two (MMA2) and the General Aviation Terminal (GAT), at the same airport, found that although the counter staff of the airline were at their duty posts, the airline was not selling tickets to interested travelers or flying anywhere.

A source close to the airline told our correspondent that the management was awaiting some papers and approvals from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) before flight operations can recommence.

Confirming that situation, NCAA spokesman Sam Adurogboye stressed that before the airline can fly again, it must obtain the approval of the regulatory agency, and that the agency needed to recertify the airline before it can resume operations.

In addition, Adurogboye said, NCAA’s inspectors would still check the aircraft to be used for flight operations to ensure they are airworthy, and maintenance base also certified for operations.

“We are still on it,” he said.  “When we are through, they would be released for operations.”

It would be recalled that Aero had in a statement yesterday assured the travelling public that it would resume flight operations today.

The airline had suspended flight operations on August 31 after a series of crises in the airline.

The statement hinted that the airline decided to suspend flight operations because of a strategic business realignment to reposition it and make it profitable again.

The statement specifically explained that the airline would re-launch scheduled services to Lagos, Abuja, Warri and Port Harcourt, using its Boeing 737-400/500 and the Dash8-Q400, with the expectation that as more aircraft return to service, more routes will be reopened.

It is unclear why Aero management made yesterday’s announcement when it had yet to fulfill the industry’s regulatory requirements.

First Nation Resumes Flight Operations

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FirstNation Airways says it will resume operations on Sunday evening, one month after it suspended flights to enable the aircraft fleet undergo engine maintenance.

The airline made the announcement through its Twitter account which stated that it would resume flights by 4 p.m. on Sunday.

NAN reports that the airline announced the suspension of its flights on August 17, a development some people said created panic in the aviation sector.

However, Capt. Chimara Imediegwu, the airline’s Director of Flight Operations, on September 6, told newsmen that a team of engineers were coming to Nigeria to service the planes.

Imediegwu had debunked the claim that the airline was on the verge of folding up, stressing that it voluntarily grounded the aircraft to await the arrival of the manufacturer’s team.

He said “the FirstNation management planned well ahead and kept the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority informed of the progress of the maintenance of its aircraft.

“The airline planned this maintenance action well ahead. We notified passengers and flights are currently loaded online, effective September 15.

“This will ensure that passengers continue to enjoy safe and reliable services that the airline is reputed for.”

It would be recalled that another airline, Arik Air, resumed operations on September 14, after suspending its flight operations for 24 hours over issues relating to aircraft insurance renewal.

Chidoka Advocates Private Sector-driven National Carrier

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The Minister of Aviation, Mr Osita Chidoka on Friday said a private sector-driven national carrier would be the best way forward for Nigeria.
Chidoka stated this when he spoke with newsmen during the official inauguration of the Pilot and International Protocol Lounge at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

He said that he would share the idea with the major players in the industry, adding that the country needed flag carriers because of its strong domestic market.
“One of the things we are proposing is that Nigeria does indeed need flag carriers so to say because we are a country that has strong domestic market and have local airlines operating.
“We believe that national carrier that is private sector- driven will be the way to go for Nigeria and we are looking forward to that,’’ he said.
Chidoka said that the Federal Government was determined to end discrimination against Nigerian pilots by making sure that every airline operating in the country had at least a Nigerian pilot.
He said that the measure, which would take effect from June 1, would encourage Nigerian pilots and give them flight experience.
The minister said that the ministry had been working with the Ministry of Interior to ensure that before any airline could bring in foreign pilot, it must have employed a Nigerian pilot.

“Before any quota permission is given for a foreign pilot, the Ministry of Aviation must be contacted by the Ministry of Interior to give a no-objection.
“This is to be sure that such airline has fulfilled the obligation of employing a Nigerian pilot and also has a training plan to keep training Nigerian pilots.
“With that in place, we will then agree for them to bring in foreign pilots,’’ he said.
Chidoka said that all the projects initiated under the current administration were on course, adding that those yet to be completed would be completed by the incoming administration.
He said that the projects in the aviation sector were projects that would enhance the future of the industry, adding that anybody that had the interest of Nigeria would complete them.
“The completion time is still about 18 months away and I believe that the incoming government would put everything in process to complete them,’’ he said. (NAN)