Travel News

By Shola Adekola - Lagos

The House of Representatives Committee Chairman on Aviation, Honourable Nnolim Nnaji has appealed to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to prevail on its member airlines to show understanding as the various organs of government were making efforts to ensure that their tickets proceeds are duly remitted.

Nnaji made the appeal while playing host to the IATA Regional Vice President for Africa and Middle East, Mr Kamil Ala Wadhi who paid him a courtesy call in his office on Tuesday.

The committee Chairman reminded his guest that the prevailing situation was in consonance with the global economic meltdown assuring him that the Federal Government through the Central Bank of Nigeria,  (CBN) had put in place a mechanism for the liquidation of the blocked funds.

Earlier in his speech, Mr Ala Wadhi had acknowledged the interest shown by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and its Committee on Aviation, Honourable Nnolim Nnaji towards finding solutions to the member airlines’ blocked funds in Nigeria.

He disclosed that within his region, “a total of $1.1 billion airlines’ funds are blocked and half of these funds ($550,000,000) are held in Nigeria. I do appreciate your interventions and l urge you to continue to do more so that it can be quickly resolved.”

It would be recalled that the House of Representatives Leadership had in the heat of the crisis intervened by bringing, the Minister of Aviation, Senator Had Sirika, the CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele and IATA representative including some of the affected foreign airlines to discuss the way forward.

The intervention led to the phased remittances deployed by the CBN to gradually liquidate the backlog of the trapped funds. https://tribuneonlineng.com/fo...

Medical and Dental Consultants’ Association of Nigeria (MDCAN), has said that Nigeria only retains 30 percent of the 4,000 doctors produced annually in the country and about 30 per cent of those retrained on an annual basis.

President of the association, Dr Victor Makanjuola, disclosed this yesterday at the MNCAN Medical Education summit, titled Stopping/Reducing Brain Drain, in Abuja.

He said, “From the data presented this morning, we probably retain just about 30 percent of those retrained on an annual basis and we are retaining about 30 percent of about 4,000 produced annually.”

Makanjuola said the country is already in crisis, it will go into deeper crisis unless there is a mechanism of increasing the 4,000 annual production to 8,000 annual production then to 12,000.

He said, “If we retain 30 percent of 12,000, it’s better than 30 percent of 4,000 and if we train about 12,000, 30 percent of that is far better than the current state of about 4,000 and with that we think we can still support the system, not optimally but at least keep the system going.”

The president also said that Increasing medical school only will not save the situation but the federal government must be commended for responding to that need that have been we identified that we are not producing enough, saying in respect to that, new medical schools are set up which requires new lecturers, except they are going to take from the existing ones, then depleting those ones and the quality reduces.

“So, we need to find a way of staffing those medical schools and also setting up virtual schools but staffing those medical schools is almost an impossible task with the number of medical operators that are in the country, the existing ones are losing their members to the international community, how much more a new medical school starting out, it’s going to be a challenge if we don’t do things differently in terms of staffing those now schools.

“It’s a globally competitive market for healthcare workers not just for doctors, nurses as well radiographers and the rest, so the world is competing for the few available.

“It displeases us to lose our own to other countries but what it takes to retain them is not huge, it’s basically making their lives livable in the country by providing them with basic amenities, security and the likes, so when they are faced with security threats, they have no choice but to go but we can easily reduce the number of people going by making staying an easy decision by providing security, increasing remuneration for those people that you have invested in their training and by training them in a special way by making them more useful and creating an environment where their work is appreciated and basic equipment to carry out their duty.

“We are encouraging government to do their part, the situation of an average medical practitioner has to improve, wages has to go up, it’s a globally competitive market, no one would based on patriotism alone leave a situation where they will be paid 10times more what you are currently being paid and provided with several other positive living condition and decide to stay in a place where you are paid 10times less, sometimes 50times less that’s the challenge that we are having that’s why we are encouraging the government to do it’s part while we do our part on increasing the numbers that are produced and also working on their patriotic sentiment to stay and assist the health system of the country.

More than half of Nigerian air passengers chose Ibom Air and Air Peace as their choice airlines, while 16.24 per cent have no preferred airline, FUNMI FABUNMI writes

A Phillips Consulting Limited survey puts Air Peace and Ibom Air as the most preferred airlines in Nigeria.

According to the survey, Air Peace, with 31.67 per cent and Ibom Air with 19.58 per cent, jointly control half of the domestic passengers’ market share, Arik ranks as the third most preferred airline by passengers.

However, 16.24 per cent of the passengers do not prefer any airline.

Almost half of the respondents, 47 per cent, identified Air Peace, Arik Air, and Aero Contractors as their least desired airlines. 41 per cent selected Dana, Azman, Overland, United Nigeria, Max Air, Ibom Air, and Green Africa as their least preferred airlines.

These results, according to PCL, contradict the results of Air Peace and Ibom Air being the most preferred airlines.

According to the majority of respondents, Air Peace was their least preferred airline because of the carrier’s poor communication and high pricing, and it was rated as the most expensive domestic airline to travel.

The poor communication issue is exemplified in the clash between the Emir of Kano and Air Peace in February 2022.

As for Dana, 36 per cent of respondents who chose Dana as their least preferred airline were wary of the airline’s poor communication of information and low safety standards, citing the damning NCAA report on the airline.

The airline is expected to resume flight operations on November 9, 2022, after its comprehensive audit by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority.

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority on Wednesday, July 20, 2022, suspended Dana’s Air Transport Licence and Air Operator Certificate indefinitely.

The NCAA’s statement partly read, “The decision is the outcome of a financial and economic health audit carried out on the Airline by the authority, and the findings of an investigation conducted on the airline’s flight operations recently, which revealed that Dana Air is no longer in a position to meet its financial obligations and to conduct safe flight operations.

 “The NCAA acknowledges the negative effect this pre-emptive decision will have on the airline’s passengers and the travelling public and seeks their understanding, as the safety of flight operations takes priority over all other considerations.”

Recall that the Accountable Manager/Chief Operating Officer of Dana Air, Ememobong Ettete, while announcing the Airline’s return to operations said, “The audit for us was a re-engineering and restructuring process and have successfully concluded the audit and an extensive one at that for the second time, and with a new management team fully in charge, we are now well positioned despite the current challenges and hostile economic environment, and concentrating fully on strengthening our operations efficiently for sustainable growth while still offering safe, reliable and exciting flying experience to our loyal guests.

“As a proudly Nigerian brand with Nigerians at the helm of affairs and with over 14 years of service to the Nigerian flying public, we remain eternally grateful to our customers, travel partners, clients and vendors for keeping faith with us while the audit lasted and we would never take your loyalty and support for granted as it means a lot to us.”

He lauded the NCAA for the painstaking Audit process and the professionalism exhibited by the team of inspectors and also the management personnel who are determined to see that the organisation does the proper thing.

Ettete further mentioned, “This audit has repositioned us as a vibrant and resilient brand and its turned out really good for us and for the industry at large. This is also highly recommended for all domestic airlines for the good of the industry.

“For customers with unused tickets, and as a little token for our short absence from the market, we have extended their validity for one year, a transfer option is also available to them and we shall be offering competitive fares as always, and gifting free tickets onboard our flights for the next 30 days from November 9.”

Air Peace, on the other hand, has stopped flight services to Johannesburg, South Africa. The airline’s Johannesburg operations were suspended for two weeks before they were resumed on October 8, 2022.

The carrier in a statement said the development was regretted but has become inevitable due to the delayed issuance of South African visas to travellers, worsening forex crunch, and the increasing cost of aviation fuel as well as its scarcity.

Having informed the South African High Commission in Lagos of the effects of the difficulty in getting South African visas by Nigerians, which consequence is the abysmally low passenger loads on its flights to and from Johannesburg, the carrier believed that the situation would have improved within the next 60 days.

Aero, Max Air, Arik, and Ibom Air also received criticism for poor communication, which made them part of the least preferred airlines.

United Nigeria Airline and Azman were picked by respondents as the least preferred airlines for their poor record of timeliness and poor communication.

The survey shows that more than half, 56 per cent, of respondents, chose the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos as their most frequent point of departure.

 The Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport was chosen by more than a quarter, 30 per cent, of respondents, whereas just four per cent of respondents use the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport.

Furthermore, just 10 per cent of respondents utilize the eastern region-based airports, which are Calabar, Enugu, and Port-Harcourt airports.

On a positive note, over half of the passengers were satisfied with the availability of baggage trolleys and the ease of crowd control at all the airports.

However, most passengers experienced difficulties with ground transportation, shuttle services, and parking facilities at various airports in Nigeria.

Also, travellers with physical disabilities or health conditions were considerably more likely to have difficulties in navigating airports and flying.

The Managing Director of Phillips Consulting Limited, Rob Taiwo, said the report was divided into three parts, namely the global aviation industry overview and outlook, the Nigerian aviation industry, and the Nigerian customer satisfaction survey.

For the global aviation industry overview and outlook, the MD PCL admitted that the global aviation industry was yet to fully rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic due to its more prolonged-than-expected impact.

Taiwo added that the recovery observed in early 2021 was interrupted by the Omicron virus, which led to new travel restrictions, preventing the sector from scaling up.

“In 2023, while we anticipate the global aviation industry to sustain the growth trajectory, the ongoing Russian-Ukraine crisis will potentially undermine full recovery. The International Air Transport Association forecast that by 2040, global passenger traffic will still be 6 per cent below the pre-pandemic forecast, underscoring the long-lasting impact of the pandemic crisis,” he said.

On the Nigerian aviation industry, Taiwo said following the global trend, the COVID-19 pandemic also negatively impacted the country’s aviation sector, stressing that the local aviation sector recorded negative growth of 36.98 per cent in 2020 from a Gross Domestic Product growth of 13.2 per cent in 2019 on the back of the air travel restriction in March 2020.

He, however, noted that the aviation sector grew by 19.7 per cent, returning to its pre-pandemic growth level upon fully reversing the travel restriction in 2021.

By Lilian Ukagwu

The management of Air Peace has announced possible flight delays as a result of scarcity of aviation fuel popularly known as Jet A1.

The airline disclosed this in a statement via its official Instagram handle obtained by our correspondent.

The statement reads, “Please anticipate delays on our service as we are grappling with fuel scarcity, which is causing us multiple delays.

“We hope the situation will restore to normal soon. We regret the impact of this on your plans.”

LAGOS, Dec 12 (Reuters) - Nigeria on Monday removed COVID-19 testing requirements for international travellers and it was no longer mandatory to wear masks on flights and inside airport buildings, the airlines regulator said.

In a notice to airlines, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority said travellers to and from Nigeria did not need to undergo COVID-19 irrespective of their vaccination status.

The authority said travellers above 60 years and those with comorbidities were encouraged to use face masks.

Nigeria has recorded 266,381 COVID-19 cases since the start of the pandemic and 3,155 deaths.

Reporting by MacDonald Dzirutwe

As Nigeria and other African countries continue to explore alternative sources of revenues to meet developmental challenges, President of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina says diaspora remittances to the continent should be acknowledged, respected and further explored.

Adesina’s observation is based on the fact that the value of remittances from the African diaspora doubled from $37 billion in 2010 to $87 billion in 2019 reaching $95.6 billion in 2021.

The AfDB President further said, “yet, official development assistance to Africa in 2021 was $35 billion or 36 percent of the remittances from the diaspora.’’

According to him, Egypt and Nigeria are among the top 10 remittance recipients globally with $31.5 billion and $19.2 billion in 2021 respectively.

He stated this at a recent event on ‘’Development Without Borders, leveraging the African Diaspora for Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Development in Africa’’, organised by the bank in collaboration with the African Union Commission, the International Organisation for Migration and the African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat.

In a statement made available to The Guardian yesterday, in Abuja, Adesina insists that African diaspora has become the largest financier of the continent adding, “and it is not debt, it is 100 per cent gifts or grants, a new form of concessional financing that is the key for livelihood and security of millions of Africans.”

He noted that while remittances have helped to meet financial, food, education and health needs as well as serve as countercyclical sources of finance and social protection; much can be done to better tap into these remittances for Africa’s development.

‘’We must eliminate the ‘’Africa –premium’’ charged on remittances, as the cost of remitting funds to Africa is twice what it is for South Asia. We must tap the massive opportunities offered by diaspora bonds. Diaspora bonds are effective instruments to harness remittances for the development of Africa but despite its great potential, only four African countries —Ethiopia, Kenya, Ghana and Nigeria have successfully issued diaspora bonds often with mixed results because the flow of remittances to Africa is high, rising and stable, it offers huge opportunities to serve as collateral to secure financing for African economies.”

According to him, African countries should securitize remittances to promote investments, especially for infrastructure on the continent stressing that the diaspora can offer a lot more than remittances and investments.

“This is why all governments in Africa should prioritize affairs of the diaspora. African countries should establish ministries of diaspora to give policy priority to the specific needs of the diaspora as well as expand the investment opportunities for them through special incentives’’.

As Nigeria and other African countries continue to explore alternative sources of revenues to meet developmental challenges, President of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina says diaspora remittances to the continent should be acknowledged, respected and further explored.

Adesina’s observation is based on the fact that the value of remittances from the African diaspora doubled from $37 billion in 2010 to $87 billion in 2019 reaching $95.6 billion in 2021.

The AfDB President further said, “yet, official development assistance to Africa in 2021 was $35 billion or 36 percent of the remittances from the diaspora.’’

According to him, Egypt and Nigeria are among the top 10 remittance recipients globally with $31.5 billion and $19.2 billion in 2021 respectively.

He stated this at a recent event on ‘’Development Without Borders, leveraging the African Diaspora for Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Development in Africa’’, organised by the bank in collaboration with the African Union Commission, the International Organisation for Migration and the African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat.

In a statement made available to The Guardian yesterday, in Abuja, Adesina insists that African diaspora has become the largest financier of the continent adding, “and it is not debt, it is 100 per cent gifts or grants, a new form of concessional financing that is the key for livelihood and security of millions of Africans.”

He noted that while remittances have helped to meet financial, food, education and health needs as well as serve as countercyclical sources of finance and social protection; much can be done to better tap into these remittances for Africa’s development.

‘’We must eliminate the ‘’Africa –premium’’ charged on remittances, as the cost of remitting funds to Africa is twice what it is for South Asia. We must tap the massive opportunities offered by diaspora bonds. Diaspora bonds are effective instruments to harness remittances for the development of Africa but despite its great potential, only four African countries —Ethiopia, Kenya, Ghana and Nigeria have successfully issued diaspora bonds often with mixed results because the flow of remittances to Africa is high, rising and stable, it offers huge opportunities to serve as collateral to secure financing for African economies.”

According to him, African countries should securitize remittances to promote investments, especially for infrastructure on the continent stressing that the diaspora can offer a lot more than remittances and investments.

“This is why all governments in Africa should prioritize affairs of the diaspora. African countries should establish ministries of diaspora to give policy priority to the specific needs of the diaspora as well as expand the investment opportunities for them through special incentives’’.

Nigeria and the Republic of Seychelles have signed a Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) to operate direct flights.  The Federal Executive Council had previously approved…

By Chris Agabi

Nigeria and the Republic of Seychelles have signed a Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) to operate direct flights. 

The Federal Executive Council had previously approved the memorandum on the signing and ratification of the BASA.

With the development, direct flights can now operate from Nigeria to and from Seychelles. 

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Aviation had earlier signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and initial Air Services Agreement (ASA) with Senegal, Benin Republic, Ethiopia, Kenya, Finland, Cameroon, Morocco, Suriname, India, Sudan and Uganda, according to the statement.

The ministry also had discussions on how to further implement the open skies agreement, signed 30 years ago, with the United States.

By Vin Oliji, Abuja

The Comptroller General of Immigration Service in Nigeria, CGIS Isah Jere Idris has directed the immediate setting up of Diaspora Desks in all the nation’s international airports in order to have a seamless passport process for all Nigerians coming home and may be desirous of processing their passports this yuletide period.

In line with this, the comptroller has also directed passport offices across the country to give priority attention to such citizens living outside the country and their families bearing in mind that most of them have specific time of returning to their countries of residence.

He affirmed the commitment of the Service to continue rendering effective and efficient service delivery to all Nigerians both home and abroad, as well as non-Nigerians who are desirous of using any of the service windows.

The fast track passport process for this yuletide season, has commenced with the opening of passport offices on Saturday and will continue until 31st January 2023.

The International Air Transport Association has revealed that airlines will pay $222bn extra for fuel this year.

IATA’s Regional Vice President for Africa and the Middle East, Kamil Alawadhi, in his address to the 2022 General Assembly of the African Airlines Association taking place in Dakar, Senegal, said although oil prices have retreated from mid-year peaks, the average price of jet fuel so far this year has been $138.8 a barrel.

According to the IATA boss, this means airlines would collectively pay an extra $222 billion for fuel this year compared with 2021, adding that fuel accounts for 30% of airline costs.

However, he warned that African carriers should not compromise on safety, stressing that in 2021, the continent’s airlines on the IATA Operational Safety Audit registry had zero accidents with incidents across Africa by regional and global operators continuing to be experienced.

He said, “Regrettably the region’s accident rate remains the highest. This should serve as sharp reminders that we need to work together towards enhanced safety oversight particularly in the areas of reporting and investigation of incidents and accidents, adopting a more aggressive approach to addressing the highest recurring operational risks.”

He also stressed the need prioritise safety data and information exchange by all stakeholders in order to build an accurate picture across the continent.

According to him, this would promote the understanding of the critical importance of aeronautical information (NOTAM/AIP) to aviation safety, urging stakeholders to address it as a priority regional deficiency, with a clear commitment to improving it by all states and stakeholders.

BY  Lilian Ukagwu and Funmi Fabunmi

The Nigeria Immigration Service on Monday announced that Nigerians returning to Nigeria can be admitted into the country with their expired Nigerian passport.

This was contained in a memo addressed to all heads of missions, immigration attachés, airports comptroller and airlines.

According to the memo which was signed by the Special Assistant to the Comptroller General (Foreign Desk), DCI BM Lawal for the Comptroller-General of the Immigration Service, Muhammed Babandede, all airlines were requested to allow holders with expired Nigerian passport to board without any hindrance.

The memo reads,” I am directed to respectfully present the compliments of the Comptroller General of Nigeria Immigration Service and notify all relevant authorities that the Federal government of Nigeria has approved that Nigerians returning home can be admitted into the country with their expired Nigerian passports.

“Consequently, all Airlines are requested to allow holders of expired Nigerian passports to board without any hindrance.”

“ In addition, all Nigerian Diplomatic Missions abroad are kindly requested to circulate this information to airlines operators and border authorities of host countries for their necessary action.

“ While forwarding the above for your information, please accept the assurances of the Comptroller General of Immigration Service,” the memo added.