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Another 1st..from AIRBORNE...Get Fly!
Tuesday, 24 July 2012
Wednesday, 4 July 2012
Foreign lessors set to repossess Air Nigeria planes
Renowned United States-based aircraft leasing company, General Electric Commercial Aviation Services, has written Air Nigeria stating its intention to repossess four Boeing 737-300 planes currently in the carrier’s fleet.
The Chief Executive Officer, Air Nigeria, Mr. Kinfe Kahssaye, who made the disclosure in a telephone conversation with our correspondent on Wednesday, said the move followed the grounding of the airline’s domestic and regional operations by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority.
The aviation industry regulator had about two weeks ago stopped Air Nigeria’s domestic and regional operations over allegations of financial distress.
Kahssaye, who said the airline had given GECAS permission to go ahead with the repossession, however said the airline owned eight other airplanes, which would be used for its operations as soon as the NCAA lifted the suspension order on its domestic and regional operations.
He said, “GECAS has written to us, telling us they want to repossess their four Boeing 737-300 planes in our fleet. And we have told them no problems, they could go ahead. You know GECAS has been so concerned that our planes have been on the ground for too long following the grounding of our domestic and regional operations by NCAA about two weeks ago.
“So, they are in the process of repossessing the planes. You know the Cape Town Convention allows foreign lessors to repossess their planes whenever they want to. So, they are in the process of doing that.”
“We have 12 planes in our fleet. There are eight other planes still in our fleet. So, we can still work with these,” he added.
Air Nigeria had claimed that the suspension was not affecting its international operations, specifically its Lagos-London service.
It said the international flights, being operated in partnership with Egypt Air, were still in operation.
Asked if the reduction in the number of planes would mean some employees would be laid off, the Air Nigeria CEO said yes.
He, however, said he did not know the number of employees that would be affected as a result of the development.
“Definitely, when there is reduction in the number of planes, there will be reduction in staff number. So, we are in the process but we don’t know the number of people that will be laid off,” he said.
A statement later released by the airline also confirmed the development.
The statement, signed by the Media Relations Manager, Air Nigeria, Mr. Sam Ogbogor, read, “Subsequent to the temporary suspension of Air Nigeria’s regional and domestic flight operations by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, our lessors have been requesting to repossess some of the aircraft in our fleet and we are fully cooperating to return their aircraft.
“GECAS, one of our lessors, is already in the process of calling back four of its Boeing 737-300 aircraft and Air Nigeria is fully cooperating in line with the Cape Town Convention to expedite the repossession process.”
The statement added, “Air Nigeria plans to acquire state-of-the-art aircraft to fill the reduction in capacity and is currently finalising plans to resume normal flight operations across the regional and domestic routes as soon as possible.
“We will also like to inform that the scheduled Lagos-London-Lagos flight operation is not affected by the temporary suspension directive of the NCAA and passengers are, therefore, encouraged to proceed with their confirmed itinerary, while intending customers can make their reservations.”
Aviation Ministry sources had earlier confirmed that the foreign lessor was in the process of repossessing the four leased planes.
Culled from http://www.punchng.com/
Wednesday, 27 June 2012
Two security officials arrested for stealing $20,000 from a passenger’s baggage
AVIO Security news...
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) is a government organisation enmeshed in corruption has again been confirmed following the arrest of the organisation's two security officials by the Inspector General of Police monitoring team on Wednesday for stealing $20,000 from a passenger's baggage.
The security officials, who have been flown to Abuja on the order of the Inspector General of Police, Muhammed Abubakar, were said to have stolen the money from the baggage of an airline operator during the screening of his baggage at the screening point of the Murtala Muhammed Airport terminal one.
According to the airline operator who does not want his name in print for now, trouble started when he was to board a 6.5 a.m. flight on First Nation to Abuja to perform a national exercise.
Getting to the screening point of the departure hall of the MMA2 terminal, as expected, he positioned his hand luggage on the screening machine and walked through the screening being conducted on passengers by the FAAN security officials.
When the flight was announced, he took his hand luggage and proceeded on board without knowing that the security officials had removed $20, 000 from his luggage
Culled from:
AVIATORS MAGAZINE...for the world traveller
www.aviatorsmagazineng.com
Follow us on twitter@aviatorsmag
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) is a government organisation enmeshed in corruption has again been confirmed following the arrest of the organisation's two security officials by the Inspector General of Police monitoring team on Wednesday for stealing $20,000 from a passenger's baggage.
The security officials, who have been flown to Abuja on the order of the Inspector General of Police, Muhammed Abubakar, were said to have stolen the money from the baggage of an airline operator during the screening of his baggage at the screening point of the Murtala Muhammed Airport terminal one.
According to the airline operator who does not want his name in print for now, trouble started when he was to board a 6.5 a.m. flight on First Nation to Abuja to perform a national exercise.
Getting to the screening point of the departure hall of the MMA2 terminal, as expected, he positioned his hand luggage on the screening machine and walked through the screening being conducted on passengers by the FAAN security officials.
When the flight was announced, he took his hand luggage and proceeded on board without knowing that the security officials had removed $20, 000 from his luggage
Culled from:
AVIATORS MAGAZINE...for the world traveller
www.aviatorsmagazineng.com
Follow us on twitter@aviatorsmag
Judge walks out on the court.
The on-going trial of former Minister of Aviation, Babalola Borisade, took a dramatic turn on Tuesday when the judge of an Abuja High Court, walked out on the court.
Borisade is standing trial alongside a former Managing Director of the Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Rowland Iyayi; Tunde Dairo, a former Personal Assistant to Borisade and George Eider, an Austrian and Managing Director of Avsatel Communications Ltd.
The four are standing trial over the alleged mismanagement of the N6.5 billion Aviation Safe Tower contract.
They were arraigned by the EFCC on a 15-count charge bordering on bribe-taking and forging of documents relating to aviation contract on November 19, 2009.
At the resumed hearing yesterday, Justice Abubakar Umar walked out on the court for 35 minutes, as he ordered 'a trial within trial' to ascertain whether the confessional statement of Dairo (third accused) was admissible.
During the trial, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), counsel to Dairo (third accused) and Mr Sebastine Hon (SAN), EFCC counsel, engaged themselves in a heated argument.
The judge, who had earlier asked each of them to take their seats and allow one person to talk, ordered the clerk, Akinwale Akinlolu, to announce his (judge's) exit from the court when the counsel refused to stop arguing
Borisade is standing trial alongside a former Managing Director of the Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Rowland Iyayi; Tunde Dairo, a former Personal Assistant to Borisade and George Eider, an Austrian and Managing Director of Avsatel Communications Ltd.
The four are standing trial over the alleged mismanagement of the N6.5 billion Aviation Safe Tower contract.
They were arraigned by the EFCC on a 15-count charge bordering on bribe-taking and forging of documents relating to aviation contract on November 19, 2009.
At the resumed hearing yesterday, Justice Abubakar Umar walked out on the court for 35 minutes, as he ordered 'a trial within trial' to ascertain whether the confessional statement of Dairo (third accused) was admissible.
During the trial, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), counsel to Dairo (third accused) and Mr Sebastine Hon (SAN), EFCC counsel, engaged themselves in a heated argument.
The judge, who had earlier asked each of them to take their seats and allow one person to talk, ordered the clerk, Akinwale Akinlolu, to announce his (judge's) exit from the court when the counsel refused to stop arguing
Tuesday, 26 June 2012
Who steals at the Airport?
In a country with such endemic corruption as ours, theft is always around the corner. The society breeds youths with very low moral values as the generation before them have thought them 'The Way of profligacy'. This is evident in all sectors of the economy from Aviation through to Maritime (wharf rats) etc, this leads to the question "Who steals @ the Airport?"
It is safe to say that every airline has to do everything within its powers to secure check in baggages. So who steals?
Not the frontline staff - its hard for a check in agent (3rd party contractors((Nacho / Sachol)) or direct staff) to have contact with a bag after check in. So, where do the bags go after check-in?
Baggage Hall- bags of all airlines roll down the belt and get sorted by Airline then by flight number and destination before loading onto the relevant Aircrafts.
This is mostly accessible to third party contractors, security agents and a few airline staff.
In case of delays and for other reasons, bags are left in the baggage hall under the watch of 'Airline Security' as well as 'Airport Security'.
Rumor has it that a high number of bags are pilfered in the baggage hall (where Airport security cameras are) as well as Aircraft hold where bags are loaded on the aircraft. The pertinent questions should be:
1) How do they get items stolen out of peoples bags past 'The Airport security'?
2) The Airline's security team also have questions to answer, as they search every staff that goes into the aircraft hold, as well as escort bags to & from the aircraft.
3) What is the security situation of the 'Out Station', that foreign station where passengers are coming from (eg Johannesburg which is notorious for this)
A system that allows for theft to easily occur on passenger baggage is suspect, as items could also be placed in them!
Passengers are also advised NEVER to check in valuables like Cash, Jewelry, Laptops etc. Any one that falls victim can check 'The Montreal Convention' to know his/her entitlement.
It is safe to say that every airline has to do everything within its powers to secure check in baggages. So who steals?
Not the frontline staff - its hard for a check in agent (3rd party contractors((Nacho / Sachol)) or direct staff) to have contact with a bag after check in. So, where do the bags go after check-in?
Baggage Hall- bags of all airlines roll down the belt and get sorted by Airline then by flight number and destination before loading onto the relevant Aircrafts.
This is mostly accessible to third party contractors, security agents and a few airline staff.
In case of delays and for other reasons, bags are left in the baggage hall under the watch of 'Airline Security' as well as 'Airport Security'.
Rumor has it that a high number of bags are pilfered in the baggage hall (where Airport security cameras are) as well as Aircraft hold where bags are loaded on the aircraft. The pertinent questions should be:
1) How do they get items stolen out of peoples bags past 'The Airport security'?
2) The Airline's security team also have questions to answer, as they search every staff that goes into the aircraft hold, as well as escort bags to & from the aircraft.
3) What is the security situation of the 'Out Station', that foreign station where passengers are coming from (eg Johannesburg which is notorious for this)
A system that allows for theft to easily occur on passenger baggage is suspect, as items could also be placed in them!
Passengers are also advised NEVER to check in valuables like Cash, Jewelry, Laptops etc. Any one that falls victim can check 'The Montreal Convention' to know his/her entitlement.
Sunday, 3 June 2012
Striking pilots disrupt Air Nigeria flghts
Air Nigeria's domestic and regional flights were disrupted on Friday as the carrier's pilots and aircraft engineers embarked on strike.
However, the airline's international flights, especially London operated on schedule.
The pilots under the aegis National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers claimed that the decision to 'down tools indefinitely' followed the airline's failure to honour an agreement it earlier made with the union.A letter by NAAPE to Air Nigeria management on the matter listed delayed salaries among other issues as reasons for the industrial action.
Air Nigeria, however, said that the strike was embarked upon by a section of its aircraft pilots and engineers under the umbrella of NAAPE.
A statement by the Media Relations Manager, Air Nigeria, Mr. Sam Ogbogoro, said the pilots embarked on the strike without following laid down procedures.
He said, "The unfortunate action which is coming without due exploitation of the laid down avenues of negotiations have led to a temporary grounding of our domestic and regional operations."
"The strike action is uncalled for and a cheap blackmail by NAAPE as only one hour notice was given before the strike action was embarked upon. This, to say the least, is an unacceptable behavior in the aviation industry and management is of the view that NAAPE is acting under external influence."
Air Nigeria said it regretted the inconveniences the development had caused its passengers and assured that the issued would be resolved as quickly as possible.
By Oyetunji Abioye
However, the airline's international flights, especially London operated on schedule.
The pilots under the aegis National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers claimed that the decision to 'down tools indefinitely' followed the airline's failure to honour an agreement it earlier made with the union.A letter by NAAPE to Air Nigeria management on the matter listed delayed salaries among other issues as reasons for the industrial action.
Air Nigeria, however, said that the strike was embarked upon by a section of its aircraft pilots and engineers under the umbrella of NAAPE.
A statement by the Media Relations Manager, Air Nigeria, Mr. Sam Ogbogoro, said the pilots embarked on the strike without following laid down procedures.
He said, "The unfortunate action which is coming without due exploitation of the laid down avenues of negotiations have led to a temporary grounding of our domestic and regional operations."
"The strike action is uncalled for and a cheap blackmail by NAAPE as only one hour notice was given before the strike action was embarked upon. This, to say the least, is an unacceptable behavior in the aviation industry and management is of the view that NAAPE is acting under external influence."
Air Nigeria said it regretted the inconveniences the development had caused its passengers and assured that the issued would be resolved as quickly as possible.
By Oyetunji Abioye
Friday, 1 June 2012
FAAN preparing to fight with the FG
Workers of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) are preparing to fight with the Federal Government if the latter insists on concessioning the airport facilities after the ongoing remodelling process of the structures.
A top official of the Air Transport Service Senior Staff Association (ATSSSAN) told THISDAY on Tuesday that concessioning of airport facilities has failed.
The source said "it would be retrogressive, if, after this unfortunate experience, government begins to consider concessioning the facilities which are presently undergoing infrastructural renewal."
The source said the workers, through aviation unions, are preparing to paralyse activities in the industry if government insists on concessioning because "such policy has not helped the industry in the past."
"We commend the Ministry of Aviation and the Federal Government for the ongoing transformation of airports in the country. We don't want concession; in fact, we don't expect that government could be considering that after the immediate past experience. But we are not going to allow it to happen. We must stop it from happening. We have held series of meeting on that and we will not allow it to happen.
...AVIATORS MAGAZINE
www.aviatormagazineneg.com
Twitter handle@aviatormag
A top official of the Air Transport Service Senior Staff Association (ATSSSAN) told THISDAY on Tuesday that concessioning of airport facilities has failed.
The source said "it would be retrogressive, if, after this unfortunate experience, government begins to consider concessioning the facilities which are presently undergoing infrastructural renewal."
The source said the workers, through aviation unions, are preparing to paralyse activities in the industry if government insists on concessioning because "such policy has not helped the industry in the past."
"We commend the Ministry of Aviation and the Federal Government for the ongoing transformation of airports in the country. We don't want concession; in fact, we don't expect that government could be considering that after the immediate past experience. But we are not going to allow it to happen. We must stop it from happening. We have held series of meeting on that and we will not allow it to happen.
...AVIATORS MAGAZINE
www.aviatormagazineneg.com
Twitter handle@aviatormag
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