Category: Travel

The Federal government has denied reports that Nigerian airlines have been banned from the US airspace by the American government.

A report emerged on Sunday, September 1, that Nigeria had been delisted from the United States Federal Aviation Administration Category One Status (USFAA CAT 1) In­ternational Aviation Safety Assessment Programme (IASA).

According to the report, following this removal, no Nigerian air­line, including Air Peace, which planned to commence direct flight from Lagos to New York “soon,” can operate directly to any city or airport in the US until the country is re-audited and re-certificated by the FAA and returned to its former status.

On Monday evening, the NCAA released a statement clarifying the situation.

“The attention of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has once again been drawn to a publication about the purported ban on Nigerian airlines by United States. Due to the wrong impression such news could create, it has become expedient that we put this report in its proper perspective.

“To operate into the United States of Ameria, Nigeria like most countries must satisfactorily pass the International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) Programme and attain Category 1 status.

” Upon attaining this status, Nigerian airlines would be permitted to operate Nigerian registered aircraft and dry-leased foreign registered aircraft into the United States, in line with the existing Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA).

“The first time Nigeria attained Category One Status was in August 2010. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) conducted another safety assessment on Nigeria in 2014. A further safety assessment was conducted on Nigeria in 2017, after which Nigeria retained her Category One status.

“However, with effect from September, 2022, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) de-listed Category One countries who, after a 2-year period, had no indigenous operator provide service to the U.S. or carrying the airline code of a U.S operator.

“Also removed from the Category One list were countries who the FAA was not providing technical assistance to based on identified areas of non-compliance to international standards for safety oversight.

“No Nigerian operator has provided service into the United States using a Nigerian registered aircraft within the 2-year period preceding September, 2022 so it was expected that Nigeria would be de-listed as were other countries who fell within this category. Nigeria was, therefore, de-listed since 2022 and was duly informed of this action in 2022.

“It is important to clarify here that the de-listing of Nigeria has absolutely nothing to do with any safety or security deficiency in our oversight system. Nigeria has undergone comprehensive ICAO Safety and Security Audits and recorded no Significant Safety Concern (SSC) or Significant Security Concern (SSeC) respectively.

“It is furthermore necessary to add that a Nigerian operator can still operate into the U.S. using an aircraft wet-leased from a country who has a current Category One status.

“The NCAA continues to adhere strictly to international safety and security standards and respects the sovereignty of States, including the United States of America, as enshrined in Article One of the Convention on International Civil Aviation. This provision gives States complete and exclusive sovereignty over the airspace above their territories.

Furthermore, it is in full realisation of this situation that has since prompted the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Olorogun Festus Keyamo, SAN, to embark on an aggressive international campaign to empower our local operators to access the dry-lease market around the world which culminated in the visit to AIRBUS in France earlier this year and the MOU signed with BOEING in Seattle, Washington just last week.

” The Honourable Minister has also done a lot of work to make Nigeria comply fully with the Cape Town Convention which will bring back the confidence of international lessors in the Nigerian aviation market.

” We are confident that with these steps of the Honourable Minister, it is only a matter of time that Nigeria, not only regains, but can sustain its U.S. Category One status.

The Nigerian government on Monday, issued a travel alert to its citizens planning to visit the UK.

This was contained in a statement signed by the spokesperson to the Minister of Interior, Amb. Eche Abu-Obe.

It noted that “There is an increased risk of violence and disorder occasioned by the recent riots in the UK.”

It advised Nigerians travelling there to “be extra vigilant and take measures.”

These measures include avoiding political processions, protests, rallies and marches.

Nigerians have also been warned to avoid crowded areas and large gatherings.

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has suspended 10 private jet operators over failure to commence the recertification process.

A statement signed by NCAA’s Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, said the suspension was rooted in its Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations 2023 Part 18.3.4 which forbids holders of Permit for Non-Commercial Flights (PNCF) from using their aircraft for carriage of passengers, cargo or mail for hire or reward which is commercial operation or charter service.

The suspended operators are Azikel Dredging Nigeria Ltd, Bli-Aviation Safety Services, Ferry Aviation Developments Ltd, Matrix Energy Ltd, Marrietta Management Services Ltd, Worldwide Skypaths Services, Mattini Airline Services Ltd, Aero Lead Ltd, Sky Bird Air Ltd and Ezuma Jets Ltd.

The authority also warned that engaging PNCF holders for commercial purposes is illegal.

It said, “And It will not hesitate to initiate enforcement actions against any PNCF holder found guilty of illegal operations.”

In April, the NCAA suspended three private jet operators’ permits for commercial flights.

The Acting Director General of the NCAA, Chris Najomo, at the time, said the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, gave marching orders for the cessation of the use of private jets for commercial purposes in 2023 but the operators continued in such act.

“Subsequently, in March 2024, the NCAA had issued a stern warning to holders of the permit for non-commercial flights, PNCF, against engaging in the carriage of passenger-cargo or mail for hire and reward,” Najomo stated.

“The Authority had also deployed its officials to monitor activities of private jets at terminals across the airports in Nigeria.

“As a consequence of this heightened surveillance, no fewer than three private operators are involved in violation of the annexure provision of their PNCF and Part 9114 of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations 2023.

“In line with our zero tolerance for violation of regulations, the Authority has suspended the PNCF of these operators.”

The regulator had also directed that all non-commercial flight permit holders be re-evaluated on or before April 19, 2024.

“All PNCF holders will be required to submit relevant documents to the authority within the next 72 hours.

“This riot act is also directed at existing Air Operator Certificate (AOC) holders, who utilise aircraft listed on their PNCF for commercial charter operations.”

The regulator stressed that only aircraft listed in the Operation Specifications of the AOC were authorised to be used in the provision of such charter services.

“Any of those AOC holders who wish to use the aircraft for charter operations must apply to the NCAA to delist the affected aircraft from the PNCF and include it into the AOC operations specification.”

The NCAA urged the travelling public not to patronise any airline charter operator who does not hold a valid Air Operator Certificate issued by the NCAA.

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has intensified its efforts against extortion and illicit activities by touts at Nigerian airports.

FAAN’s Managing Director, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, announced this initiative during a press briefing in Lagos on Saturday.

Kuku highlighted that numerous reports had been received about touts harassing and extorting passengers. She pledged to eliminate such illegal activities to ensure a seamless and pleasant experience for travelers.

The Director of Special Duties, Henry Agbebire, will lead a dedicated committee to combat these issues.

To enforce the zero-tolerance policy, magistrate courts will be established at international airports to expedite the prosecution of offenders.

Kuku also emphasized collaboration with all government agencies at the airports to ensure strict compliance with the new measures.

In addition, FAAN will set up dedicated phone lines and QR codes for passengers to provide feedback on their airport experience.

All airport personnel will be required to display their on-duty cards and name tags for easy identification and accountability.

This crackdown follows FAAN’s recent warning against bribes and extortion ahead of the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations, aiming to assure travelers of a smooth and secure journey.

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, on Friday, announced the temporary suspension of the controversial $300 helicopter landing fee.

The decision came after the Airline Operators of Nigeria, AON, rejected the fee, insisting that it was commercially injurious.

A statement by the spokesman of the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Odutayo Oluseyi, said a committee has been charged to look into the issues raised by concerned stakeholders and submit a report before the end of June.

The statement reads, “Following a meeting with the AON executive on the issue bordering on Helicopter landing levies collection at Aerodromes, Helipads, Air Strips, etc, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has temporarily suspended the enforcement granted Messers NAEBI Dynamic Concept Ltd, by the Federal Government, as consultants to collect such levies.

“The suspension is with effect from 30th May, 2024. This, the Minister said, is a result of clamor for review by some stakeholders in the industry.

“Accordingly, Keyamo has constituted a Committee with members drawn up from the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development and its relevant Agencies, Airline Operators of Nigeria, AON, International Oil Companies, IOCs, and Messers NAEBI Dynamic Concept Ltd who are charged to look into the issues raised by concerned Stakeholders and submit a Report on or before end of June 2024.

“Messers NAEBI Dynamic Concept Ltd was granted the exclusive right by the Federal Government as consultants to collect such levies which stakeholders have expressed their reservation on the appropriateness of the levies.

“The recommendation of the Committee would proffer a way forward.”

Emirates Airlines has confirmed its return to operations in Nigeria starting from October 1, 2024.

The airline disclosed this via its official X handle on Thursday.

“We are excited to resume our services to Nigeria. The Lagos-Dubai service has traditionally been popular with customers in Nigeria and we hope to reconnect leisure and business travellers to Dubai and onwards to our network of over 140 destinations.

“We thank the Nigerian government for their partnership and support in re-establishing this route and we look forward to welcoming passengers back onboard,” Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer disclosed.

In November 2022,  Emirates suspended flights operations to Nigeria over its inability to repatriate its $85 million revenue trapped in the country. The suspension was the second time the airline halted flights to Nigeria over its unrepatriated funds. The first time was in August, 2022.

Dana Air on Saturday announced  disengagement of some of its workers  amid ongoing operational audit of the airline.

This is contained in a statement issued in Lagos by Mr Kingsley Ezenwa, Head of Corporate Communications of the airline.

According to Ezenwa, Dana Air has made a decision to temporarily disengage some staff members pending  conclusion of the audit.

“The audit, currently underway, is a collaborative effort between Dana Air and the authorities to ensure compliance with all necessary standards and regulations.

“Dana Air reaffirms its commitment to full cooperation with the authorities to facilitate a smooth and expedited resolution of the audit process.

“In the light of the ongoing audit, Dana Air has made the decision to temporarily disengage some staff members pending the conclusion of the audit.

“This decision has been made to ensure efficient management of resources and to facilitate a thorough review of operational procedures.

“The management of Dana Air extends its sincere appreciation to all staff members for their resilience and dedication during this period of uncertainty,” he said.

According to him, the airline rerecognises the difficulties the staff have had to endure.

He gave the  assurance that efforts are being made to provide updates.

“Dana Air remains committed to providing updates and support to its staff throughout this process.

“While these challenges are being addressed, Dana Air has commenced talks with lessors and are currently engaging stakeholders on the progress made so far.

“Dana Air, therefore, urges for calm and understanding from our very dedicated staff.

“The management is working diligently to address any concerns and is preparing a re-start plan that will ensure  safe and efficient resumption of operations,” he said.

According to him, Dana Air is confident that,  with  continued support of its staff and other stakeholders, it would overcome the challenges.

Recall that, on April 23,  the airline’s aircraft with registration number 5N BKI, which took off in Abuja, veered off the runway while landing at the Murtala Mohammed Airport, Ikeja.

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, on April 24, issued a letter to the airline informing it of suspension of its operations and initiation of   investigation  to ascertain the cause of the incident.