Tag Archives: FLIGHTS

Like the US, Britain is set to ban passengers from carrying laptops, tablets on flights

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Britain on Tuesday said that it is set to ban passengers from carrying most electronic devices on flights from certain countries in the Middle East.

This it said followed similar measures that were introduced in the U.S.

The U.S. imposed restrictions on electronic devices bigger than cellphones on planes coming from 10 airports in Muslim-majority countries in the Middle East and North Africa in response to unspecified security threats.

According to security sources, the details of the British ban, which might differ from the U.S. measures, would possibly be confirmed later on Tuesday.

The British government had no immediate comment as at the time of this report.

In a related development, EgyptAir said it received instructions from U.S. transport authorities imposing restrictions on electronic devices carried by incoming travelers and will bring them into effect on March 24.

A spokesperson said: “Based on the instructions coming from transport authorities in the U. S. regarding placing electronic devices in the hold beneath the plane and not the cabin, EgyptAir will implement this decision on all travelers heading to the U.S. as of Friday, March 24.”

The devices include laptops, tablets, cameras, E-readers, portable DVD players, electronic games units, travel printers, and scanners from cabin luggage on certain flights originating from eight countries in the Middle East and North Africa.

The biggest carrier in the Middle East, Emirates Airline, from Dubai, said in an e-mailed statement the directive comes into effect on March 25, and is valid until October 14.

The new rule, which took effect on Tuesday, applies to nonstop U.S.-bound flights from 10 international airports in the cities of Cairo in Egypt, Amman in Jordan, Kuwait City in Kuwait.

Others are Casablanca in Morocco, Doha in Qatar, Riyadh and Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, Istanbul in Turkey, and Abu Dhabi and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.

 

Source: Reuters/NAN

Foreign airlines operating in Nigeria ponder flight suspensions over planned 6-week closure of Abuja airport

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Foreign airlines are considering suspension of their services over government’s decision to close down Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja runway for six weeks due to planned construction work.

The Guardian learnt that the option by some of the major European and American carriers was in lieu of the plan to divert air traffic to Kaduna Airport considered as “very unsafe for foreigners.”

And should the airlines carry out their threats, concerned stakeholders said that inbound and outbound travellers would be faced with lesser flight options, hike in fares and loss in revenue to government agencies.

Bankole said instead of foreign airlines suspending operations, the Federal Government should rather divert foreign traffic to Lagos, while domestic operators go to Kaduna airport.

Head of Operations at the Abuja office of a popular European carrier, who preferred not to be mentioned, said their consular office was already working out a better option.

The operator said: “All I can say is that safety is paramount to us and I’m sure it is a primary consideration for our counterparts too. From what I heard from our home country, our aircraft would not fly to Kaduna, come what may.

“In some days to come, the final decision would be taken on the matter. A temporary suspension of Abuja operations is tough, but it will be a sacrifice for the safety of crew and passengers,” the source said.

Aviation Security Consultant, Group Capt. John Ojikutu (rtd.) had said that with the security issues in the northern parts of the country, none of the foreign airlines would want to fly to Kaduna.

Ojikutu said: “For them (FG) to want to use Kaduna for foreign airlines, I have my doubts that the airlines will go there. It is for security reasons. The way security is built in the north is different from how we have built it here.

President of NANTA, Bankole said that the civil unrest in Kaduna worries the foreign airlines and their affiliated travel agencies, leaving none satisfied with the said security arrangement of the Federal Government.

In a related development, Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika, has disclosed government’s plan improve on electricity and fully address power outages in all the Nigerian airports with 2017 budget.

This is against the backdrop of the increase power outages witnessed in most of the airports in recent times, disrupting airline operations.

Sirika said that government was exploring alternative power supply for the airports and ensure improved power generation.

Lufthansa flights grounded for third day.

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Lufthansa pilots extended their pay strike into a third day on Friday, with domestic and European flights worst hit and the travel plans of over 100,000 passengers affected.

The Vereinigung Cockpit (VC) pilots’ union threatened to ground flights on Saturday as well.

The 14th round of strike since the dispute began in April 2014, has resulted in some 2,500 flights being cancelled over the past three days, affecting 315,000 passengers.

VC has refused to enter into arbitration as called for by the company.

On Saturday, it plans to target the German flagship carrier’s long-haul flights leaving from German airports.

Lufthansa said some 830 more flights would be cancelled, but that long-haul flights would be “carried out virtually according to schedule” during the week.

“Domestic and short-haul flights within Europe would be worst hit ahead of the weekend,’’ the company said.

German airports, including the main hubs at Frankfurt and Munich, were reported to be quiet.

Chaos was avoided by many Lufthansa passengers simply staying away from airports.

The company was providing updated information on its website and arranging alternatives for stranded passengers.

No more Business Class flights for DGs, MDs – Federal Government.

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The Federal Government has directed all Director-General, Managing-Dirctors and Executive Secretaries of agencies to start flying economy class, TheCable reports.

In a circular dated November 2, 2016, the government said the decision was as a result of financial challenges Nigeria is facing.

It read, “In view of the ensuing budgetary and fiscal challenges faced by the Federal Government arising from low oil revenue, it has become necessary to review the Guidelines for Local and International Travels as provided for in Circular Ref. No. SGF. 6/S.2/X/545 of 31st March, 2016 with a view to further prune recurrent expenses on travels and tours.

“Accordingly, Government has decided that all Civil and Public Servants in the rank of Directors and below in Federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies as well as Chief Executive Officers (Managing Directors, Executive Secretaries, Directors-General, etc) of Federal Government Parastatals, Agencies  and Institutions are henceforth to travel on Economy Class for both Local and International travels. Similarly, all non-executive Chairmen and members of Federal Government Boards of Parastatals are henceforth to travel Economy Class.”

A directive had earlier been issued barring minsters from flying Business class.

Nigerian airlines delayed 7,722 flights in 90 days.

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The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has said domestic airlines operating in the country recorded 7,722 cases of delayed flights in the third quarter of 2016.

This is contained in a document issued by the NCAA’s Consumer Protection Department which was obtained on Monday by NAN in Lagos.

The document indicated that 13,097 flights were operated by eight domestic airlines during the period under review, while 253 flights were cancelled.

It said the airlines in operation were Aero Contractors, Arik Air, Air Peace, Azman Air, Dana Air, First Nation, Med-View and Overland.

Arik, which operated 4,882 flights, topped the chart of delayed and cancelled flights with 2,824 and 128 respectively.

This was closely followed by Air Peace, which recorded 1,383 delayed flights and 16 cancellations out of its 2,754 flight operations.

Dana Air operated 1,665 flights with 1,160 incidences of delayed flights and one cancellation.

The airlines had attributed the delays and cancellations to the lingering scarcity of aviation fuel in the country.

However, in a recent meeting with airline operators, Hadi Sirika, the minister of state, aviation, assured them that the government was working assiduously to end the scarcity of the product.

As part of the move, Sirika also held a meeting with oil marketers who informed him of their challenges regarding the importation, supply and distribution of aviation fuel to the airlines.

No Plan To Reduce Nigerian Flights- Lufthansa

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An international carrier, Lufthansa Airline, yesterday said it had no plan to reduce its flight operations in Nigeria.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the airline’s Media Consultant, Mr. Hakeem Jimoh, made the disclosure to aviation correspondents in Lagos.

Two foreign airlines, Emirates and Kenya Airways , recently announced the suspension of their flights to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.

While Emirates Airlines said it would stop flights to Abuja from October 22, Kenya Airways said its flights to the nation’s capital would be suspended from November 15.
Both airlines attributed the decision to the economic downturn in the country, foreign exchange challenges, and the shrinking passenger traffic.

Jimoh said Lufthansa Airline, which operates flights to Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt International Airports, would not be following a similar path for now.

“Yes, there has been challenges, particularly with the issue of forex, but I can tell you that Lufthansa has no plan for now to reduce flight operations in Nigeria,” he said.

Jimoh said Lufthansa had been operating in Nigeria for over 50 years, adding that the country was important to the airline’s operation, especially in West Africa.

The efforts of the current administration in the aviation sector have received a boost with the coming in of Airbus Group of France to set up an office in Nigeria.

Read More: thisdaylive

Airlines Cancel Flights Over Aviation Fuel Scarcity

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The scarcity of aviation fuel, which has affected the industry over the past few days, became worse on Sunday as a number of domestic airlines cancelled their evening flights out of Lagos, while others simply rescheduled them.

Among the airlines that cancelled their flights were Aero Contractors, Medview and First Nation, while Dana Air rescheduled it flights out of Lagos.

As a result, many passengers, who were due to travel from the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal 2, had their plans disrupted.

Stakeholders in the industry had recently estimated that the scarcity of aviation fuel had led to 50 per cent reduction of the carrying capacities of the local airlines.

An intending passenger, who was scheduled to fly into Abuja, explained that while some passengers made frantic efforts to make alternative flight arrangements, several others whose flights were cancelled left the airport in disappointment.

According to the passenger who was due to fly Dana Air’s flight 9J 359 from Lagos to Abuja, the 5.10pm flight was cancelled with the passengers dispersing in disappointment.

However, he later received a message from the airline’s customer service team at about 5.50pm, informing him that the flight had been rescheduled for 18.30 hours.

Credit: Punch

Airlines May Ground Flights As Fuel Scarcity Bites Harder- Report

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Airline operators have urged passengers to expect more delays or cancelled flights as the scarcity of aviation fuel, known as Jet A1, bites harder, adding that scheduled operations may stop altogether, unless more fuel is delivered in the next few days.

Since last week, domestic airlines have faced severe challenges sourcing aviation fuel for their scheduled flights.

It was gathered yesterday that Total, a major supplier of the product, imported two ships of aviation fuel, but was directed to wait until the ships with petrol were discharged. The consequence is that the scarcity of aviation fuel would linger for some time.

In response to the scarcity, foreign airlines have devised means of fuelling their aircraft outside Nigeria and only top up on arrival in the country.

It was learnt that as a result of this, many passengers might not be accompanied on their flights by their luggage, as the foreign airlines are forced to drop the luggage in order to carry more fuel, much to yhe displeasure of passengers when they arrive their destinations.

 “BA takes fuel from London and sometimes they stop in Malta so to avoid refuelling in Nigeria, even though they have a supply contract.

“The other day, Air France came to Abuja and met with Total. They normally take about 60,000 litres, but they asked for 20,000 litres, which is like a top up. That is what most foreign airlines are doing now,” an inside source said.

Another challenge the airlines are facing is the delay in trucking the product from Apapa, which could last for hours and when it arrives the airport, airlines would wait for another two hours for the product to settle so that contaminants would not get into the aircraft tanks.

Credit: Thisday

Japan’s First Commercial Jet Makes Maiden Flight

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Japan’s first commercial jet in 50 years made its maiden flight today, in a breakthrough for the country’s long-held ambition to establish an aircraft industry that can compete with some of the major players in global aviation.

The Mitsubishi Regional Jet (MRJ) took off on a one-hour return flight from Nagoya Airport to test Mitsubishi Aircraft Corp’s ability to bring the 100-seat class plane into service after three years of delays.

The unit of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, which built the World War Two-era Zero fighter, is hoping the $47-million regional jet will help it oust Canada’s Bombardier Inc as the world’s second-biggest maker of smaller passenger jets behind Brazil’s Embraer SA.

The MRJ is Japan’s first commercial passenger aircraft since the 64-seat YS-11 entered service 50 years ago.

The first MRJ is slated for delivery in June 2017 to Japan’s biggest carrier, ANA Holdings. Mitsubishi aims eventually to sell more than 2,000 aircraft in the competitive market segment.

So far it has secured 223 firm orders, most recently in January when Japan Airlines asked for 32 planes. The biggest single purchase, for 100 aircraft, was from U.S. regional airline operator Trans State Holdings.

 

Mitsubishi says the MRJ burns a fifth less fuel than aircraft of similar size, thanks to new-generation engines from Pratt & Whitney, a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp.
Japan’s last attempt to establish itself as a commercial aircraft maker ended in failure. Production of the YS-11, built by a consortium that included Mitsubishi Heavy, finished after only 182 planes were built.

That program however helped Mitsubishi Heavy and other companies forge ties with Boeing Co, turning them into major suppliers and partners of the U.S. aircraft maker and helping revive an aerospace industry that was dismantled after World War Two.

Those Japanese companies build 35 percent of Boeing’s advanced 787 carbon-composite jetliner, including the wings, the most complex part.

Japan’s biggest carmaker, Toyota Motor Corp, and largest trading company, Mitsubishi Corp, each own a 10 percent stake in the MRJ venture.

Source: Reuters