Tag Archives: Operations

Nigerian Airline Aero Contractors Resumes Operations Today

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After almost four months of suspension of flight operations, the management of Aero Contractors has announced the resumption of scheduled flight operations from today

The airline had suspended flight operations on August 31, 2016, following the self-inflicted crisis, which culminated in the quick reduction of its 15 fleets of aircraft to just two in less than a year.

A statement by the media consultant of the airline said that the airline decided to suspend flight operations as a result of a strategic business realignment to reposition it and return it to the part of profitability.

The statement hinted 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 would be reopened.

The statement quoted the Chief Executive Officer, CEO, of Aero, Capt. Fola Akinkuotu as saying that: “We are delighted to inform our esteemed customers that our schedule operation is back. Full flights will commence on Thursday, December 22, 2016, with consistent passenger demand despite the suspension of schedule services. This patronage reinforces the strength of our brand and the quality of our service.
“We are aware of the impact the four months suspension had on our staff and our highly esteemed customers. Hence our move to return to operations is to continue to offer the most reliable, safe and secure operations, which the airline is renowned for.”

Akinkuotu urged the airline’s clients with existing tickets before the suspension to contact its Ticket Desks/Call Centre to rebook their tickets free of charge, adding that those who would prefer a refund may send in their refund requests from the 9th of January, 2017.

It would be recalled that the airline had announced the suspension of operation on August 31, 2016, after almost five years of been in murky waters primarily caused by diversion of funds and inflation of aircraft price by the management.
The airline, which was taken over by the Asset Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON), made the crucial decision when its current management led by Capt. Fola Akinkuotu as the Chief Executive Officer could not rescue the airline from going further down.

A source close to the airline had confided in our correspondent that AMCON debt in the troubled airline had grown to N20 billion from the initial N 11 billion in 2011 at the takeover.

The source said that with the initial N14 billion, AMCON had 60 per cent shares in the airline and with the current N20billion, the source said AMCON had taken over the running of the airline entirely and decided to liquidate it.

Besides, the source told our correspondent that the Federal Government through AMCON had engaged the services of a reputable accounting firm to undertake a forensic audit of the airline’s accounts in the past five years and eventually liquidate it.

Aviation Unions React To Aero Contractor’s Suspension Of Operations

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Leaders of aviation workers’ union have expressed different views on Aero Contractors’ to suspend flight operations from September 1.

Isaac Balami, president, National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers, applauded the decision.

Mr. Balami, while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said the decision of the airline was necessary in order not to destroy the safety records it had maintained over the years.

He said it was not reasonable to continue to fly when safety could not be guaranteed, adding that the airline had not carried out proper checks and maintenance because of lack of funds.

According to him, Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) has been providing lifeline for the airline but has since stopped putting in money.

“Due to the shortage of foreign exchange, about six or seven Aero aircraft have not undergone C-check for sometime now which is a serious safety issue.

“There is also the issue of high cost of aviation fuel which has also contributed to the non-profitability of operation.

As a professional in the industry, I believe that safety comes first,” he said.

On the other hand, Banjamin Okewu, president, Air Transport Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSAN), said the management of Aero did not carry its members along before taking the decision.

Mr. Okewu said that the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment had recently asked them to go into negotiation with the airline on the matter.

He said the airline unilaterally took the decision to suspend its operation without consulting the union.

According to him, it is not possible to take such decision without engaging their members.

“We have asked our people to come to work tomorrow while we meet to decide on what to do,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the airline had on Wednesday announced the suspension of its scheduled flights citing economic reasons.

Credit: NAN

Another 140,000 bpd Shut In As Agip, AITEO Close Operations In Bayelsa

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Nigeria’s crude oil production capacity has again dropped by 140,000 barrels per day (bpd) from the renewed activities of the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA), a new militant group in the country’s Delta region.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported in Abuja yesterday that while the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) has shut its Bayelsa production facility which produces 65,000bpd, indigenous operator, Aiteo, which operates the Nembe Creek Trunk Line, has also stopped its 75,000bpd facility in Bayelsa.

According to the agency, earlier attacks on NAOC oilfield on May 18 and 24 resulted in the shutdown of some 5,200 barrels of its equity share of oil output.

It said a spokesperson for Agip confirmed the development in a short e-mail response to it.

“The total deferred production due to the attack is 65,000 barrels of oil equivalent daily,” read the e-mail sent to NAN.

It further said: “I can confirm that. There is no further impact on production, since all production from the swamp area has already been stopped days ago.”

According to crude production figures provided by the oil firm, the country is losing about $3.12 million in revenue each day its facility remains out of production.

Also, Shola Omole, spokesman for Aiteo, said the Nembe Creek Trunk Line, which conveyed crude to Bonny export terminal but came under attack by NDA on May 28, had been shut.

Omole explained that 75,000bpd of oil was deferred as the line remained out of service.

Credit: Thisday

Intensify Mop-up Operations In Northeast, Obasanjo Tells Military

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Nigeria’s former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, has urged the military to intensify mop up operations in liberated villages in northeast Nigeria, as displaced persons prepare to return home.

The former president, who is in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, on a two-day familiarisation visit in the University of Maiduguri, said although the war against insurgents was far from over, there was evidence that the Nigerian Army was winning.

Obasanjo’s last visit to Maiduguri was in September 2011 at the heat of the six year old insurgency.

He believes that security in the troubled town has greatly improved compared to the situation during his last visit.

“We are not out of the woods yet but it will appear we can see the light beyond the tunnel.

“There is no doubt that with the combined efforts of the local, state, federal and the community level that our security forces are on ascendency over the forces of destruction.” Obasanjo told the State Governor, Kashim Shettima, in a meeting held at the Government House.

The octogenarian is positive that “at this rate all Internally Displaced Persons should have vacated makeshift camps and return to their towns by December this year”.

Credit: CahnnelsTv

Reps Pass Motion To Stop Refineries Operations

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The House of Representatives has passed a motion urging the executive to stop the operations of all refineries in Nigeria due to the huge debts being incurred despite the fact that they are barely functioning.

The motion was passed on Wednesday.

It pointed out that the inability of the refineries to serve local consumption is responsible for the country’s dependence on imported refined products and resultant fuel scarcity across the country.

The House has also called for the issue of privatization of the refineries to be revisited and urgently considered.

Credit: ChannelsTV

Banks To Resume Operations As Fuel Deadlock Ends

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Some banks that have suspended operations because of crippling fuel shortages will resume operations after workers in the fuel sector suspended their strike. It is expected the suspension of the industrial action as announced on Monday would improve the supply o fuel.

Prior to the announcement, some banks had halted operations but checks by CAJ News established the banks would resume operations on Tuesday.

“We are pleased to inform you that from tomorrow, Tuesday, 26th of May 2015, all our branches nationwide will resume normal banking hours of 8am – 5pm for all your banking services, as the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) have announced the suspension of the petroleum product strike,” a notice from Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) to its customers read.

The bank also apologized to its customers for inconvenience during the early closure period.

Credit: CAJ News