EXPERTS in the aviation sector have said that the recent takeover of Arik Air by Asset Management Company of Nigeria, AMCON, and failure of majority of airlines in Nigeria is due to the country’s harsh operating environment. This has reduced the number of operational airlines from 15o in 2000 to less than nine airlines in 2017.

Aviation stakeholders are of the view that a good foundation has been laid by the out going DG for Prof Mashi to build on and make NiMET the envy of the Africa region

THE National President of National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies (NANTA) Mr Bankole Bernard has said the current challenges facing airlines operating in the country have had negative effects on travel agents in the country and impacted tourism.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) on Wednesday suspended three air traffic controllers, including one who fell asleep while on duty, for causing delays of two flights.

THE Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, has said the Kaduna International Airport, Kaduna, “is fit and ready” for 24 hours local and international operations. The agency also said Ethiopian Airlines (ET) will be the first scheduled airline expected to arrive the Kaduna International Airport upon the closure of Abuja Airport.

AIR Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, ATSSAN, and Warri branch staff of Overland Airways said they decided to picket the premises of Landover Company, operators of Overland Airways because of non-remittance of taxes, anti-labour practices and unjust sack of their members by the management.

The Ethiopian airlines on Wednesday opened route for daily International flight operations at the Kaduna international airport, hours before the plan shutdown of the Abuja International airport scheduled for 12: 00 midnight on Wednesday.

Air Peace has deployed its staff to the Kaduna International Airport in readiness for diversion of Abuja-bound flights to the facility from March 8.

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has sets up anti-corruption and transparency committee to ensure that the management and staff of the agency adhere to the rules and regulations of the Authority.

Arik Air has released a new schedule for its Kaduna operations following the planned closure of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja and the diversion of traffic to Kaduna Airport.

MANAGING Director of Skyway Aviation Handling Company Limited, SAHCOL, Mr. Rizwan Kadri has said the refusal of foreign airlines to use Kaduna Airport as alternate airport to Abuja during the proposed closure of Abuja airport for six weeks will make SAHCOL lose much revenue.

THE new Director General of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NiMet, Professor Sani Abubakar Mashi, has revealed that improved staff welfare will be his priority as that is the only way the agency can attain world standard.

THE Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, NAMA, has set up a committee to commence the immediate review of the nation’s Aeronautical Information Procedure, AIP. The review, the agency said, is intended to capture facilities that have been upgraded at the airports including fire cover, lighting systems, aerodrome layout, airfield lighting facilities, navigational facilities and visual aids.

MANAGING Director of Merchant Express Cargo Airlines, Capt. Shina Akinfenwa has blamed the non-existence of specialized airline managers for the early death of most airlines in Nigeria as aviation is a technical sector and running of airlines requires specialized training which being just a pilot or aeronautical engineer does not confer that competence on the person.

FOREIGN Airlines have started giving notification to the federal government of their intention not to operate from Kaduna airport after the closure of Nnamidi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja for repair works on the runway. The airport will be closed for six weeks with effect from March 8.