MARCH 18, 2023

BY  Chinedu Eze

Nigeria’s foremost carrier, Aero Contractors, has scored another first by introducing the latest technology for quick boarding process, known as Pro-Ranger Boarding Pass Mobile Scanners.

The airline in a statement explained that mobile scanners would expedite the boarding procedures, “thereby enhancing On Time Departure (OTP) and the scanners would allow passenger data gathered at the check-in counter to be verified at the boarding gate, thus reducing time spent to board passengers and prevent passengers with invalid boarding pass access to the aircraft.

“It will also enable production of valid and comprehensive passenger flight manifest in addition to enabling remote check-in (Mobile check-in device). This enhances efficient passenger facilitation. Aero Contractors known for its safety record and on time performance, is introducing the latest technology to improve service delivery to her customers. “ 

Meanwhile, as Aero Contractors expands its operations since resumption of service last year, it has introduced new schedule to take cognisance of adjustments on existing destinations.

Reacting to the development, the Managing Director and CEO of Aero Contractors, Captain Ado Sanusi said: “Aero strives to remain ahead by always finding ways to make its customers comfortable through easy facilitations, hence the introduction of the Pro-Ranger Boarding Pass Mobile Scanners. This is a new technology recently introduced in the industry in Nigeria. It will enable passengers; especially light travellers to avoid long stay on queues during boarding process. It will also reduce the pressures encountered during boarding.

“In addition, we have introduced new flight schedule putting into consideration the preferred travel times by our customers. We have over the years built invaluable goodwill with our customers who enjoy our high safety record and derive comfort in our flights. We are poised to render the most efficient service and urge our customers to always take advantage of our enviable in-flight service.”

Explaining how the device works during a press conference held at Aero headquarters at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, the company’s Head of Ground Operations, Mr. Peter Omata, said: “This is one of the products that will enhance our mode of operation. As you are all aware, one of the cardinal things in aviation is passenger facilitation. So, we acquired the mobile Pro-rangers to improve our facilitation.It is a device that aids facilitation and it has other functionalities that make the working process seamless and will make passengers enjoy their stay or their travelling through Aero Contractors. And one of the important functions of this software is that it quickens the boarding procedures. And once the boarding procedure is enhanced, invariably our on-time performance will be efficient and there will be no delays. And it also allows the company to capture passengers’ data from the checking point at the boarding gate in an on-time manner and aggregate information.”

According to him, “The security aspect of it is that it will detect passengers if they are avoiding passes at the boarding gate; thereby enabling us to have appropriate profile for our passengers.

It also enables us also to produce a comprehensive manifest. As you all know manifest is a key part of aviation and one of those things required. So, the total number of passengers onboard must tally with what we have in the document checked in; so one other key functions of this product is that you can check-in remotely. You can check-in from any part of the airport.

“So, you mustn’t go and stand at Aero counter, we can take people off line, especially people without baggage and check them in, it makes it faster. So, by doing that we are making facilitation seamless for the traveling public. And we have started using the product, we have commenced the usage and it is user friendly and we will look at other products that will enhance the success of Aero Contractors.”

Omata said the device remained very reliable, noting that it is a web-based device. “So, if you login, once you login with your code, you can open up any flight wherever in the country.  So you will get the list of flights and the passengers on it. So, by the time we simulate it, you will see if it is 121 passengers leaving Lagos for Abuja, you will see passengers who are booked on it. And so, as you assign the seat, you will see the seat there and all the information.”

Omata further said: What this device does is that at the boarding gate, the boarding pass has a barcode, so you scan the barcode and it captures it on this system. So, you have authentic boarded passengers are the boarding gate. Like for airports like Abuja where you don’t have a definite boarding gate, you see people coming from the presidential wing, from the VIP.”

We have designed it in such a way that if you do the boarding, we swipe it at the foot of the aircraft, so we have a central point rather than staying at the foot of the aircraft and people coming from several areas to board and at the end you keep on trying to reconcile your passengers. By the time they do that at the foot of the aircraft, the manifest prints itself out,  Omata explained.

On adjusted flight schedule of the airline, the Head, Commercial Department, Aero Contractors, Mrs. Chika Ubendu said: “For the schedule, it is not that we increased frequency; it is just that we have made it more in tune with what the passengers should have. I will give you an instance as a listening airline. Asaba for instance is one destination that we had late afternoon flights. We listened to the customers who said that they prefer morning flights, so we had to tweak our schedule to sooth that. So, we might not necessarily have more frequencies or more destinations but what we want to achieve is that whatever we have is what passengers will be comfortable with. Our interest is the customers’ interest.”

MARCH 18, 2023

Virgin Atlantic has announced that it has formally joined SkyTeam, the global airline alliance.

The accord was reached at a signing ceremony in London Thursday. The move means Virgin Atlantic becomes SkyTeam’s first and only UK member airline, enhancing the alliance’s transatlantic network and services to and from Heathrow and Manchester airports.

Virgin Atlantic customers would now benefit from a consistent, seamless customer experience, across 1,000 global destinations in over 170 countries. Customers can conveniently book every SkyTeam member flight on a single ticket, checking in with baggage just once through to their final destination.

Flying Club members have more opportunities to earn Virgin Points and Tier Points across all member airlines, accelerating both their rewards and tier status. Additionally, Flying Club members will be able to redeem hard-earned points on SkyTeam member airlines, alongside joint venture partners Delta & Air France-KLM, which include Aerolíneas Argentinas, Aeromexico, Air Europa, China Airlines, China Eastern, Czech Airlines, Garuda Indonesia, ITA Airways, Kenya Airways, Korean Air, MEA, Saudia, TAROM, Vietnam Airlines and XiamenAir.

The airline’s Flying Club members will receive host of benefits, which will enhance their journeys across the SkyTeam network. Virgin Atlantic Silver Card holders are recognised as SkyTeam Elite Members, whilst the airline’s Gold Card members have become Elite Plus.

MARCH 18, 2023

OTTAWA, March 17 (Reuters) - Canadian home prices fell 0.3% in February from January, as prices dropped in seven of the 11 major markets, Teranet–National Bank National Composite House Price data showed on Friday.

The index, which tracks repeat sales of single-family homes in major Canadian markets, showed that the monthly decline - led by price drops in Toronto and Calgary - was smaller than the 1.1% decrease recorded in January over December.

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The prices - which are not seasonally adjusted - rose in four cities including Vancouver and Victoria, both in the western province of British Columbia.

Home prices fell by 4.7% in February compared to February 2022, marking the second consecutive year-over-year decline, National Bank of Canada economist Daren King said in a statement.

The Teranet index tracks closings, so it typically lags realtor sales data by three to five months.

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Reporting by Ismail Shakil in Ottawa, editing by David Ljunggren and Sandra Maler

MARCH 22, 2023

BY  Lisa Pham and Irina Vilcu, Bloomberg News

(Bloomberg) -- Europe is in the midst of a health-worker crisis that must be addressed soon as the region grapples with an aging population and a surge in chronic illnesses, according to the World Health Organization. 

“The health workforce crisis in Europe is no longer a looming threat — it is here and now,” said Hans Kluge, WHO’s regional director for Europe. “If the current climate of industrial action, burnout and brain drain are anything to go by, then our health systems are in deep trouble.” 

Kluge spoke at an event in Romania where countries across Europe adopted a plan — known as the Bucharest Declaration — to help protect and support health workers, as strikes over working conditions and insufficient resources continue to ripple through the region.

More than 100,000 doctors and nurses in France walked out in November, while thousands of health-care workers in Germany went on strike last summer. In the UK, health-care workers have staged a series of industrial action since mid-December. 

The walkouts not only reflects “growing frustration and concern” among health workers across the region but are an impediment to attracting fresh talent too, said Kluge. 

“As we enter the fourth year of the pandemic, our health workers are tired, overburdened and often under-paid,” he said. “If we hope to face the multiple health challenges that lie before us, from an aging population to climate change to antimicrobial resistance to another pandemic, we need a large, well-trained and motivated health workforce.” 

A regional report published by WHO in September warned of a “ticking timebomb” threatening health systems in Europe and Central Asia and said there could be imminent collapse in key areas unless quick, concrete political actions were taken. 

The Bucharest Declaration urges governments to carry out a number of measures such as improving the recruitment and retention of staff, increasing public investment and implementing better planning.

MARCH 22, 2023

Canada’s population grew 2.7 per cent in 2022, the fastest expansion among advanced economies and on par with many African nations.

The country added a record 1,050,110 people over a one-year period to Jan. 1, bringing the total population to 39,566,248, Statistics Canada reported Wednesday in Ottawa. International migration accounted for 95.9 per cent of the growth.

It marks the first time the immigrant-friendly northern nation grew by more than a million people in a year. If sustained, that growth rate would lead to Canada doubling in size in about 26 years, the statistics agency said.

The record-setting population growth is the result of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s plan to add about half a million new permanent residents annually. The government has consistently raised its immigration target to expand the workforce and boost economic growth, but that also threatens to worsen shortages of housing and health-care workers.

Still, recent polling by Nanos Research Group for Bloomberg News shows 52 per cent of respondents say Trudeau’s plan will have a positive impact on Canada’s economy. That compares with 38 per cent who see the increase as a negative.

While there is broad public support for the open-door policy, rapid population growth in urban centers has sent rents soaring and forced many people to leave major cities to search for affordable housing elsewhere.

With assistance from Erik Hertzberg.

MARCH 23, 2023

Canada’s population grew 2.7 per cent in 2022, the fastest expansion among advanced economies and on par with many African nations.

The country added a record 1,050,110 people over a one-year period to Jan. 1, bringing the total population to 39,566,248, Statistics Canada reported Wednesday in Ottawa. International migration accounted for 95.9 per cent of the growth.

It marks the first time the immigrant-friendly northern nation grew by more than a million people in a year. If sustained, that growth rate would lead to Canada doubling in size in about 26 years, the statistics agency said.

The record-setting population growth is the result of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s plan to add about half a million new permanent residents annually. The government has consistently raised its immigration target to expand the workforce and boost economic growth, but that also threatens to worsen shortages of housing and health-care workers.

Still, recent polling by Nanos Research Group for Bloomberg News shows 52 per cent of respondents say Trudeau’s plan will have a positive impact on Canada’s economy. That compares with 38 per cent who see the increase as a negative.

While there is broad public support for the open-door policy, rapid population growth in urban centers has sent rents soaring and forced many people to leave major cities to search for affordable housing elsewhere.

With assistance from Erik Hertzberg.

MARCH 23, 2023

The naira, on Wednesday, appreciated to N746 per dollar at the parallel section of the foreign exchange market.

The figure represents an appreciation of N6 or 0.8 percent compared to the N752 it traded three weeks ago.

Currency traders known as Bureaux De Change operators (BDCs), who spoke to TheCable in the Victoria Island area of Lagos said there was low demand for the greenback in the street market.

The traders put the buying price of the dollar at N740 and the selling price at N746, leaving a profit margin of N6.

“No demand. We have dollars to sell but people are not coming to buy,” a trader simply identified as Abdullahi told TheCable.

Meanwhile, the local currency appreciated by 0.11 percent at the official market to close at N461.50 on Wednesday, according to details on FMDQ OTC Securities Exchange, a platform that oversees official foreign exchange trading in Nigeria.

Data from the platform showed that while the market opened with an exchange rate of N461.56 to the dollar, the highest price recorded was N544.50/$ within the day’s trading before it settled at N461.50.

A total of $431.77 million was traded in foreign exchange at the official investors and exporters window (I & E) window.

On Tuesday, the CBN monetary policy committee (MPC) resolved to raise the benchmark interest rate by 50 basis points to 18 percent.

Godwin Emefiele, governor of the apex bank, who addressed journalists at the end of the MPC meeting, said the apex bank would sustain a tight monetary policy to rein in inflation.

MARCH 23, 2023

(Bloomberg) -- Virgin Orbit Holdings Inc. said it’s targeting “an incremental resumption of operations” after temporarily halting activities last week in the wake of a failed satellite launch a few months ago that threw the ambitious space program off course.

“Our first step will begin Thursday of this week, when we plan to return a subset of our team to focus on critical areas for our next mission,” Virgin Orbit said in a statement. “We are looking forward to getting back to our mission and returning to orbit.”

The company is continuing discussions with potential investors and exploring strategic opportunities, it said in a stock exchange filing Wednesday. It plans for a further resumption of operations on March 27, it said.

Virgin Orbit surged as much as 74%, its biggest intraday gain yet. Before today, the stock had lost 76% this year, closing at 44 cents on Tuesday.

The company said it’s preparing for its next launch, without specifying when that might occur. The update comes a week after the the Richard Branson-founded satellite launch firm said it would halt operations while attempting to secure more funding, throwing the future of the business in doubt. Almost all of Virgin Orbit’s staff were furloughed for a week.

Reuters reported that Virgin Orbit is working on a $200 million infusion from Texas-based venture capital investor Matthew Brown via a private share placement, citing a term sheet. Following a meeting by Virgin Orbit’s board on Tuesday, the two sides plan to close the deal on Friday, according to the non-binding term sheet, Reuters said.

Virgin Orbit is trying to emerge from a high-profile failure in January, when the attempted launch of nine small satellites out of Spaceport Cornwall suffered a mishap during flight. The rocket, which was released from underneath the wing of a Boeing 747, never reached its proposed altitude, leading to the loss of all satellites on board.

The company has since blamed the accident on a fuel filter that became dislodged during flight. Besides the operational and financial impact, the failure was also a blemish on the UK’s ambition to establish itself as a European force in space as the January expedition was heralded as the first orbital rocket launch from British soil.

(Updates with stock reaction in fourth paragraph.)

MARCH 23, 2023

TORONTO, March 21 (Reuters) - Canada's Quebec province on Tuesday forecast its budget deficit would narrow less than previously expected in the upcoming fiscal year as it cuts taxes and economic growth slows.

The mostly French-speaking province announced initiatives totaling C$24 billion ($17.5 billion) over the next five years, including a tax cut that will benefit 4.6 million people.

"We are introducing one of the largest tax cuts in Quebec’s history," Quebec Minister of Finance Eric Girard said in a statement. "This is a strong commitment from our government, which we are proud to honour."

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Quebec projected a C$4 billion budget deficit for 2023-24, compared to a C$2.3 billion deficit that was seen in a fiscal update in December. The fiscal year begins on April 1.

The projected deficit includes a C$1.5 billion provision for economic risks and a deposit of C$2.4 billion to the Generations Fund, which is a fund dedicated to repaying the province's debt.

Quebec's net debt-to-GDP ratio is forecast to tick up to 37.7% at the end of the 2023-24 fiscal year from 37.4% in 2022-23 but to then gradually decline to 35.8% in 2027-28 when the budget is expected to be in balance.

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The province, which is Canada's second-most populous province behind Ontario, expects economic growth to slow to 0.6% in the 2023 calendar year from 2.8% in 2022.

It sees a C$5 billion deficit in 2022-23, compared with the C$5.2 billion deficit projected in December.

($1 = 1.3710 Canadian dollars)

Reporting by Fergal Smith; Editing by Lisa Shumaker and Lincoln Feast.

MARCH 23, 2023

(Bloomberg) -- Garbage collectors in Paris will continue to strike through next Monday in protest of President Emmanuel Macron’s bill to raise the minimum retirement age.

The CGT union has taken measures to ensure that the strike will last through Monday, François Livartowski, federal secretary of the union’s public services branch, said in a text message.

For the past two weeks, streets in the French capital have been littered with overflowing trash containers. Some were even set on fire by protesters in one of the most visible signs of public frustration over pension reform.

According to city officials, around 9,500 tonnes of trash remained on the city’s sidewalks as of Wednesday, with only about a hundred garbage trucks in service, Le Parisien newspaper reported. Around 250 trucks circulate the city on normal days, Livartowski said.

READ: Paris Garbage Woes Demonstrate the Power of Sanitation Strikes

Half of the city’s arrondissements rely on municipal workers to collect trash. Since last week, authorities have requisitioned 674 workers and 11 contracting companies, Paris police said in a statement, responding to Bloomberg questions.