NOVEMBER 11, 2023

ANKARA (Reuters) - Turkish Airlines (THY) on Saturday held talks with Airbus to discuss a potential order of 355 new aircraft, the state-run Anadolu news agency said.

During the meeting, which took place in Istanbul, officials from Turkish Airlines discussed buying 75 wide-body A350-900 and 15 wide-body A350-1000 aircraft as well as 250 narrow-body A321neo aircraft and five A350F cargo aircraft, in addition to 10 A350-900s for which terms have already been agreed.

If the parties agree, the order will be the largest in the airline's history.

In May, Turkish Airlines chairman Ahmet Bolat said the company was planning to order a total of 600 new aircraft in June and they would be delivered within 10 years. Part of the order would be optional and the final order would depend on a government decision, expected in two months, he said in June.

Turkish Airlines officials also held talks with Rolls Royce for engine maintenance services and spare engines for the wide-body A350 aircraft, Anadolu said.

(Reporting by Huseyin Hayatsever; Editing by Kevin Liffey)

NOVEMBER 13, 2023

*Returns 177 passengers to Nigeria

BY  Chinedu Eze

Saudi Arabia has cancelled the visa of all the 264 passengers airlifted by Nigeria’s major carrier, Air Peace, on arrival in Jeddah from Kano and insisted that the airline should return them back to Nigeria.

It later allowed 87 passengers to remain and insisted 177 should follow the Air Peace flight back to Nigeria.

The flight took off from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos via the Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano on Sunday night and arrived Saudi Arabia’s major city, Jeddah Monday morning without issues but on landing, the Saudi Arabia authorities announced that all the passengers’ visas were cancelled.

Informed source told THISDAY that all the passengers and the airline personnel were shocked at the cancellation of the visas because during check in of the passengers, they went through Advanced Passengers Prescreening System (APPS), which were also monitored by the Saudi Arabia authorities before the flight left Nigeria.

The source wondered whether what happened was a strategy to discourage the airline from operating to the destination because since it started the operation it has been recording high load factor and even the flight expected to leave on Tuesday to Jeddah was already fully booked.

THISDAY learnt that the Nigerian embassy waded into the matter, prompting  Saudi authorities to reduce the number of passengers that would be returned to 177 from 264.

THISDAY also learnt that Saudi Air had been operating directly from Nigeria to Saudi Arabia and since Air Peace started flight service to the Middle East nation at relatively lower fares, it had been receiving high patronage and as Nigerian carrier, it helps to conserve foreign exchange for the country.

A source from the Nigerian embassy in Jeddah disclosed that even the Saudi Immigrations  personnel said that they didn’t know who cancelled the visas but that they were cancelled when the airline’s flight was already airborne to Jeddah.

The source said, “The airline was exonerated in all this as the Advanced Passenger Prescreening System which is live between both countries would have screened out any invalid visa and its passenger. The system accepted all affected passengers and passed them on.”

Those deported were 177 passengers and Air Peace has already left with them back to Nigeria.

“They are on their way to Nigeria now,” the source said.

When contacted, spokesman of Air Peace, Stanley Olisa, confirmed the incident and said that the airline would issue statement after getting full details of what happened.

Industry observers attributed this to aero politics, noting that it is a way to force the Nigerian operator out of the route; unless government intervenes, adopting the principle of reciprocity.

In his reaction to the incident, industry expert and the CEO of Centurion Aviation Security and Safety Consult, Nigeria, Group Captain John Ojikutu, attributed the action of the Saudis to aero politics and diplomacy and urged that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs should step in immediately and intervene in the case.

He said what happened showed why it was important for the Nigerian government to stand strongly with any Nigerian carrier designated to operate international destinations.

Ojikutu said Nigeria should designate Nigerian airlines approved to operate out of the country as flag carrier, noting that the United States had no national carrier but all the airlines are supported by the government and are designated as flag carriers.

“The action of the Saudi Authorities is shocking. There is aeropolitics there and there is also diplomacy. There is  the need for the Nigerian government to stand firmly with Nigerian carriers and also designate them as flag carriers; so that other countries will know that they represent Nigeria.

“Government must come out and intervene. Government must be behind Air Peace now to ensure that it is not denied its rights as contained in the Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) between the two countries. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs must not keep quiet. Nigeria must not keep quiet. Ideally, government is expected to stand behind any of the country’s airline that it designates to fly overseas,” Ojikutu said.

NOVEMBER 14, 2023

BY  Ifeoma Okeke-Korieocha 

Airfares on the Lagos-London route are expected to reduce as local carriers prepare to commence operations from Nigeria to London.

The coast is clear for Nigerian airlines to fly to the United Kingdom and Europe following the Third Country Operator (TCO) certificate obtained by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) for airlines.

With the TCO, the airlines designated to the UK or some of the EU nations can apply to operate without much hassle.

Two weeks ago, Air Peace disclosed that if has secured a Foreign Carrier Operator Permit (FCOP), which allows airlines from other regions to fly to Europe and (TCO-UK) which enables airlines to operate to UK.

Onyema said that to obtain these permits, the airline went through stringent audits to ensure that it met the high safety status, capacity and standard conditions; so, it is now qualified to fly to the United Kingdom.

Omni Blu Airline, another Nigerian carrier also secured the TCO, even as United Nigeria Airlines (UNA) had also been designated to fly to the UK.

Stakeholders in the industry have said this move is expected to create fierce competition between local carriers and big players on routes such as British Airways (BA), Virgin Atlantic and others.

They assured that Air Peace and other local carriers which will sell tickets in naira, will help to reduce ‘dollarisation’ of the economy, minimize pressure on the naira and earn foreign exchange for the country.

In addition, seeing an indigenous airline fly to and fro Heathrow Airport, London will be a thing of national pride.

However, other stakeholders has raised concerns that just as Arik Air faced aero politics and lacked the know-how on how to sustain the Lagos-London route, if Air Peace and other local carriers do not deploy the right equipment and don’t get needed support on the route, they may not be able to sustain the route when they commence flight operations.

Sindy Foster, principal managing partner, Avaero Capital Partners, told BusinessDay that while the plan should be to offer a competitive fare for a new direct flight to London, the airlines will need to have tighter control of their costs.

According to Foster, increasing available seat capacity by itself won’t necessarily reduce fares immediately because the supply of seats has been limited for so long and pricing will need to reach its equilibrium, adding that it is likely over time, market forces will see competitor behaviour reducing prices on the Lagos-London route.

She said In the end, it will come down to how well Air Peace can control its costs and market its product at the best price.

“Predatory pricing will be viewed dimly by the NCAA, but there will no doubt be a competitor response. But we have also seen how some countries have used the visa system to protect their airlines and destabilise foreign airline passengers and/or operations.

“It would be very unfortunate if this tactic was used in this way on the route. The Nigerian backlash would be severe so that I would caution its use here,” she said.

Read also Dubai flights could resume December as airlines’ trapped funds more than halves

To sustain the Lagos-London route, she said If they do the right things – control their costs, maximise revenue, and operate a reliable on-time schedule, there is no reason they should not be able to maintain this popular high yield route.

“It’s a big ask, but with consistent application of the fundamentals, they will sustain the route. The London route is very popular, with more indirect traffic than direct traffic accessing this route it provides a good opportunity for Air Peace and other Nigerian airlines to make an impact. Saving time to get to London, at a lower fare, will be an attractive proposition for many,” she said.

An operator who would not want to be mentioned said the news that Air Peace will soon fly to London is good news for the general public but it’s not the first time a Nigerian carrier tries to be successful on that route.

“There are a few facts that must be remembered is Lagos to London by BA and Virgin are daily. This is very convenient and gives a wide choice to passengers, BA and Virgin flight to London does not carry passengers only to London, especially BA. BA will have probably more than 60 percent of the passengers on that flight connecting to another destinations.

“BA and Virgin are very reliable. If they cancel their flight they will put the passengers on other airlines, BA and Virgin have a huge customer base. If you rely only on London passengers to fill the flight, it will have to be attractive with either better frequencies, service or fares,” the operator explained.

He said for Air Peace to attract international passengers, it has to be the fares, adding that while their service isn’t bad but international passengers tend to prefer known brands.

He said while the fares to London might take a dip for a short time, he doubts that BA or Virgin are very concerned.

“The same happened to Jo’burg. Air Peace started with many flights. The fares went down, but eventually the service didn’t seem reliable and passengers moved to South African Airways (SAA). SAA is now back at almost daily and Air Peace once a week,” he added.

An economy flight booked for November 15 from Lagos to London lasting 6hrs, 35mins costs $2608, at $396/hr.

However, a flight from Accra, Ghana, with the same specification and time, costs $1158 at $176/hr.

But a flight from Abuja to London costs $961 at $147/hr.

A flight from London to Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) lasting 7hrs,10mins, costs $1797 at $251/hr.

Airlines often explain that the fewer the available seats, the more expensive the fares.

Mbanuzuo, former Chief Commercial Officer, Green Airways explained that on Lagos-London route and Accra-London routes, BA could charge the same fare.

“Let’s say $700 both flights fill equally. If both are 100 percent full, they are leaving money on the table. So they then raise the fare in increments of $100. At about $1000, they will find that demand on the Accra-London route will taper off and load factor will start dropping. So they have found some kind of equilibrium.

“But I bet the Lagos-London flight will keep departing full long after $1000 is past. A tapering effect might only be felt around $1300 or $1500. With more seats and a generally stable market size, the equilibrium fare could be much lower.

“Some might say BA is ‘exploiting us’ but as a private enterprise and if I was a shareholder, I would prefer they maximise my value,” he said.

John Ojikutu, industry expert and the CEO of Centurion Aviation Security and Safety Consult, Nigeria said Nigeria needs one or two national flag carriers to compete with the foreign airlines on Nigeria’s Bilateral Air Service Agreements (BASA) routes since the country cannot agree with those in the administration of government and the management of the agencies to establish a national carrier.

“We don’t even need a national carrier but flag carriers which is more or less the global practices now. Once there are competitions on the BASA routes, sure there would be price competitions on the Routes. What Air Peace must do is to make the higher classes (Business/First Classes) not just affordable but comfortable.

“Abacha once banned the BA from Nigeria and the Airline had to be operating from Accra. Government Officials under Abacha and on Official Government Sponsored Trips would fly to Accra to board the BA even when there was the Nigeria Airways. This is one reason why we must ensure that there is no National Carrier to compete with the Flag Carriers and the foreign airlines are restricted to Lagos or Abuja and not to Lagos and Abuja.

“Our flag carriers can however operate from any of our international airports. Foreign Airlines can have complementary airports from the alternative geographical area to their choice between Lagos and Abuja and make multiple frequencies to their choices,” Ojikutu explained.

He said if these can be done and nobody in government is taking interest in a national carrier to compete with the flag carriers, the benefits of commercial aviation will sustain the BASA routes, a Commonwealth, and its market earnings for the Nigeria People.

NOVEMBER 14, 2023

(Bloomberg) -- South Africa’s employment rose above the level it was before the coronavirus pandemic struck, as finance and community and social service sectors added jobs.  

The number of employed people stood at 16.7 million in the three months through September, exceeding the number before the pandemic struck, data released by Statistics South Africa in the capital, Pretoria showed on Tuesday. That’s as the official jobless rate decreased more than expected to 31.9% in the quarter from 32.6% in the prior three months. The median estimate of five economists in a Bloomberg survey was 32.5%. 

Unemployment according to the government’s expanded definition, which includes people who were available for work but not looking for a job, stood at 41.2%, compared with 42.1% in the June quarter.

Persistently high unemployment poses a threat to social stability in Africa’s most-industrialized economy and complicates efforts to collect more taxes, reduce the budget deficit and slow debt growth. 

It’s also made it harder for the National Treasury to stop funding a social relief grant — a welfare payment the government started providing to low-income households during the coronavirus pandemic.

In its medium-term budget policy statement on Nov. 1, the Treasury allocated 33.6 billion rand ($1.8 billion) for the 350 rand monthly stipend to be extended to March 2025, while warning that any further extension or replacement would require new revenue sources or reprioritization of other spending items.

South Africa’s unemployment rate has now been above 30% since the height of the pandemic in 2020, stoked by rolling power cuts instituted by Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd. and logistics constraints, which have hobbled economic growth.

--With assistance from Simbarashe Gumbo, S'thembile Cele and Paul Richardson.

NOVEMBER 14, 2023

(Bloomberg) -- British children should be offered chickenpox vaccinations under new recommendations by a panel of experts.

The vaccine, which would be free but not mandatory, should be offered to all children in two doses at 12 and 18 months of age in the UK, according to a statement Tuesday from the UK Health Security Agency. The decision marks a reversal for the UK and will bring it into line with Australia, Germany, Japan and the US. 

Bloomberg News reported earlier in the year that the UK’s Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunization was edging closer to recommending the chickenpox vaccine.

Read More: UK Moves Toward Embracing Chickenpox Vaccine in Policy Reversal

The virus responsible for chickenpox, varicella-zoster, can cause shingles by reactivating years later. The shot itself is a live vaccine — an inoculation that contains a weakened version of the virus — and a small number of children develop a mild chickenpox rash and fever after receiving it.

“We now have decades of evidence from the US and other countries showing that introducing this programme is safe” and effective, said Andrew Pollard, a professor who chairs the JCVI.

The JCVI submitted its recommendations to the Department of Health and Social Care which will take a final decision.

NOVEMBER 16, 2023

This transformative initiative not only dismantles the inefficiencies of the analog era but also establishes a robust, digitally fortified railway system

BY  Adedigba David, Nigerian Tribune

IN the heart of Nigeria’s digital revolution, a monumental leap has been taken to redefine the nation’s railway experience. On the 31st of October, 2023, the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) introduced its groundbreaking e-ticketing system, catapulting the country’s transportation sector into a new era of efficiency, convenience, and unprecedented security. This transformative initiative not only dismantles the inefficiencies of the analog era but also establishes a robust, digitally fortified railway system, setting new standards for seamless travel in the 21st century. Gone are the days of frustrating long queues and cumbersome ticketing processes. With the advent of e-ticketing, passengers now have the power to effortlessly book their journeys online, curate their travel preferences, and select seating categories with just a few clicks. This streamlined process not only saves invaluable time but also empowers travelers with unparalleled freedom and control over their travel plans. The railway system, once plagued by inconvenience, has now become a realm of hassle-free exploration and seamless connectivity.

At the heart of this revolutionary transformation lies the E-Ticketing system’s unparalleled ability to enhance security and thwart fraudulent activities. By ingeniously linking each ticket to the passenger’s identity through their NIN number, this system creates an impenetrable digital fortress. Manipulation and counterfeit ticketing attempts are met with insurmountable resistance, ensuring airtight security for all passengers. This dynamic fusion of technology and security not only safeguards passengers’ interests but also illuminates a path towards a transparent, trustworthy railway system. In the broader context of Nigeria’s digital metamorphosis, the integration of e-ticketing in the railway system stands as a testament to the nation’s commitment to modernization and progress. As various sectors enthusiastically embrace digital solutions, the railway system emerges as a beacon of technological prowess. It serves as a living embodiment of how innovation can elevate essential services, marking a significant stride towards a more connected, efficient, and digitally advanced nation. To guarantee the perpetual success of the e-ticketing system, vigilance becomes paramount. Implementing periodic monitoring and evaluation mechanisms ensures that any potential challenges are swiftly identified and promptly addressed. This proactive approach not only optimizes passenger convenience but also keeps the system adaptable, ready to embrace emerging technologies and evolving needs. It is a testament to Nigeria’s resilience and dedication to providing its citizens with a world-class travel experience.

Moreover, the e-ticketing policy paves the way for the creation of a comprehensive passenger database, a cornerstone in the realm of national security. In an era where accurate information is synonymous with paramount importance, this database becomes an invaluable asset. It empowers law enforcement agencies to track passenger movements, analyze travel patterns, and respond swiftly to any security concerns. The amalgamation of technology and security creates a synergy that fortifies the nation’s safety net, reassuring passengers and bolstering their confidence in the system. In commendation, the initiative to introduce e-ticketing in Nigeria’s railway system echoes a resounding call for progress and innovation. It not only elevates the travel experience for passengers but also sets a transformative precedent for other sectors to embrace digital solutions wholeheartedly. However, the sustainability of this initiative lies in the collective efforts of the government, railway authorities, and the public. Embracing the digital shift with unwavering enthusiasm, combined with the unyielding commitment of the government and railway authorities, will ensure the system’s perpetual enhancement.

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The introduction of e-ticketing in Nigeria’s railway system is not merely a milestone; it is a testament to the nation’s visionary stride into a digitally empowered future. As we celebrate this monumental achievement, let us be reminded that this journey is not just about trains and tickets; it’s about embracing progress, igniting innovation, and crafting a future where every citizen can travel with unprecedented ease, security, and pride. Together, let us embark on this digital odyssey, ensuring that Nigeria’s railway system remains a shining beacon of innovation, setting an example for the world to follow.

NOVEMBER 16, 2023

By Biodun Busari

Most of the universities in the United Kingdom have been experiencing reduced admissions from international students including Nigerians over the dependant visa ban policy.

UK’s Dependant visa ban

Recall that the UK Home Office under the sacked interior secretary Suella Braverman introduced the dependant visa ban policy that restricted Nigerians and other migrants from bringing family members with them starting from January 2024.

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The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery, while speaking on the policy in June said it was implemented to avoid overburdening the British economy’s s housing infrastructure and to control the inflow of migrants.

Recounting the repercussions of the policy, the universities and business schools said they cannot meet the admission targets for the year 2024, according to a report by 023 Chartered Association of Business Schools (CABS) Annual Membership Survey.

“In what appears to be an early signal of the impact of an important change to UK visa policy, nearly half (44%) of the country’s business schools are reporting that they will miss their non-EU recruitment targets this year,” the report said.

“When reporting on performance against non-EU recruitment targets for the 2023/24 academic year, nearly three in ten responding institutions (29%) said they had either significantly or moderately exceeded their goal. Another 27% said they had met their recruitment target. 

“But the remaining 44% said that they fell short of their recruitment goals, of which 22% reported being “significantly below” their target enrolment. 

“The survey report adds: ‘There is significant variation in the results by level of study for non-EU international enrolments, as at undergraduate level nearly half of the schools either significantly or moderately exceeded target compared to one-third of schools at postgraduate level. 

“At postgraduate level nearly 50% of schools reported recruitment that was either significantly or moderately below target for non-EU international students, compared to 21% at undergraduate level.’”

It added, “Survey respondents reported that they were seeing some of the most significant increases in non-EU enrolment from India, Pakistan, and Ghana. “All these countries had more business schools seeing increases in enrolments for the new academic year than decreases,” notes the report. “Growth in enrolments from Nepal and Saudi Arabia were also cited by several schools. None of the schools cited decreases in enrolments from Nepal, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.”

Nigerian and Chinese foreign students

Affected by the dependant visa restriction policy, the report disclosed that Nigerians and Chinese have reduced their admissions to British universities, as it said, “the most frequently cited countries for declining enrolments were China and Nigeria, which could suggest a reversal in the growth in recruitment from these key countries in recent years.

Canada and Australia benefitting from UK’s dependant visa ban

The report further said that the number of international students seeking admission to study Master in Business Administration (MBA) has reduced in number, especially from Nigerians and Chinese. It further said these foreign students have turned to Canadian and Australian universities which are now migrant-friendly destinations.

In May 2023, the British government announced that international students would be prevented from bringing dependants with them as of January 2024 (unless students are in postgraduate programmes with a research focus). 

The Home Office said at the time that almost half a million student visas were issued in 2022 while the number of dependants of overseas students has increased by 750% since 2019, to 136,000 people. The move to limit accompanying dependents was explicitly done to curb net migration, and was described by the Home Secretary as the “single biggest tightening measure a government has ever done.”

The vast majority of respondents to the CABS survey said that they expect to see negative impacts on non-EU enrolment arising from the policy. 

According to the report, “It is anticipated that enrolments for MBA programmes will be most affected as MBA students tend to be older and often wish to bring their family with them. Other post-experience programmes, such as Executive Education programmes sponsored by a company, are also expected to be more adversely impacted due to students being more likely to have children.

“Many [respondents] mentioned that the change has prompted them to reassess their school’s strategy which includes shifting MBAs and Master’s programmes to online delivery if not already offered in this mode, and focusing on growing international student numbers at an undergraduate level instead. There is also a sense that the recruitment of business schools in competitor countries such as Australia and Canada is already benefitting from the UK’s decision to ban visas for dependents of students.”

The revenue impact

The survey found overall that UK universities remain highly dependent on business school tuition revenue, and that, with the downward pressure on non-EU enrolments for this year in particular, the financial outlook for the year ahead is weakening. 

“While 28% and 49% of respondents in 2022 stated that they expected significant and moderate increases in income respectively, these numbers have fallen to 9% and 36% in this year’s edition of the survey. 30% of business schools expect a decrease in income compared to only 2% in last year’s survey,” it added.

NOVEMBER 17, 2023

A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the remand of Godwin Emefiele, former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), to Kuje Correctional facility pending the ruling on his bail application.

The Federal Government had arraigned the former bank chief on a six-count amended charge, accusing him of alleged procurement misconduct.

The original charge, which was 20 counts to the tune of N6.5 billion, was reduced to six, to the tune N1.6 billion.

Emefiele was arraigned before Justice Hamza Muazu on Friday due to the nationwide strike, which stalled his arraignment on Wednesday.

Mathew Burkaa, SAN, his counsel, had moved the application for his bail but Rotimi Oyedepo, counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), opposed it on behalf of the Federal Government.

After listening arguments, Justice Muazu said he needed a little time to study the exhibits supplied by Emefiele to support his request for bail.

He thereafter adjourned the case till November 22, 2023.

Emefiele’s travail began after President Bola Tinubu suspended him on June 9, 2023, and ordered a probe of the apex bank under his watch.

Tinubu later appointed a Special Investigator to probe CBN.

Amid this probe, the apex bank released its audited financial statement, which showed that it was owing JP Morgan and Goldman Sachs a combined sum of $7.5 billion as of the financial year ended December 2022.

After months in custody of the secret police, he was transferred to the EFCC, which arraigned him in court and he was granted bail.

NOVEMBER 18, 2023

(Bloomberg) -- Wealthy Americans are holding off on booking trips to Paris as the war in the Middle East and its wider repercussions dent demand for tourism.

Sales of premium class airfares for trips between New York and Paris jumped 44% in the three weeks prior to Oct. 7 compared to the same period in 2019, the last normal year before Covid-19 disrupted air travel patterns. That number slid to 4% in the three weeks that followed the attacks, according to ForwardKeys, a travel analytics firm.

“The numbers show that many wealthy Americans who can afford to fly premium and above have held off from booking trips between New York and Paris,” once the conflict broke out, says Juan Gomez, head of market intelligence at ForwardKeys. Premium class tickets refer to premium economy, business and first classes.

Since the Oct. 7 attacks by Hamas against Israel, France has raised its terror alert to the highest level, a decision highlighted by the US embassy, which urged its citizens to “remain vigilant of their surroundings” while traveling in the country and in particular to avoid areas where demonstrations are taking place.

France also saw the fatal stabbing on Oct. 13 of a teacher which was described as an Islamist terror attack by President Emmanuel Macron. Airports and landmarks such as the Louvre and the Chateau de Versailles have also been evacuated following bomb alerts. 

France is the most visited country in the world and its capital is a major shopping destination with some of the biggest flagship stores worldwide. Luxury giants LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE and Hermes International are headquartered in Paris. 

“We know from tour operators and the high-end hospitality players that they’ve started seeing some cancellations in European capitals,” amid fears of terrorism, Bain partner Claudia d’Arpizio tells Bloomberg. D’Arpizio looks after luxury industry clients.

Read more: Personal Luxury-Goods Market Set to Grow 8% in 2023: Bain

Indeed those cancellations are not limited to the French capital. Jack Ezon, founder of the luxury travel agency Embark Beyond, says his company has seen cancellations for 53% of its planned trips to Europe from the US over the next two months, including itineraries to Paris, London and Rome. Besides fears of antisemitic attacks, he says, “The top reasons that clients are canceling are Islamophobia, fear of getting stuck abroad if there is a war, feeling uncomfortable about being ‘put in danger’ with chaos everywhere, and the worry that many people abroad are not just anti-Jewish but also anti-American.”

In conversations at the World Travel Market convention in London in early November, Maria Elena Rossi, marketing director at the Italian National Tourism Board also tells Bloomberg the war in the Middle East had led to cancellations in Italy’s hospitality industry and has become a source of concern.

The observations are echoed by exclusive Parisian hotels such the Plaza Athénée and Le Meurice, which have seen cancellations from US customers since the attacks, a person familiar with the hotels’ bookings told Bloomberg this month. A representative for the Dorchester Collection, the group behind Plaza Athénée and Le Meurice declined to comment. 

The luxury palace hotel Le Bristol also saw a “small wave of cancellations” which lasted for about ten days following Oct. 7, according to Catherine Hodoul-Baudry, who oversees sales and marketing. New reservations made up for these cancellations with the overall performance of October described as a “record,” she says. Americans are the hotel’s largest market source by nationality, representing around 35% of its clientele.

NOVEMBER 20, 2023

By Philip Shimnom Clement  Abdullateef Aliyu

• 
  

Hopes of Emirates resuming flights to Nigeria brightened over the weekend as the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo, revealed that the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) carrier has concluded plans to return to the Nigerian airspace.

However, the details of the resumption were being finalised to “avoid the pitfalls of the last presidential engagement” with authorities in the Arab country, it was learnt.

Spokesman of the ministry, Odutayo Oluseyi, in a statement yesterday, stated that Emirates made a commitment to resume flights operations when Keyamo attended the 2023 Dubai Airshow in the UAE.

The statement reads in part: “The Emirate’s government has granted approval to Nigeria’s carrier, Air Peace, to fly direct into and out of the prime airport in Dubai.

“Similarly, the minister met with the management of Airline Executive, led by its CEO, Dana Hatcic, a company that indicated interest in establishing an MRO facility in Nigeria.”

The minister expressed the possibility of holding a maiden edition of the Nigeria Air Show sometime in November, 2024, thereby becoming the first African country to organise such.

Furthermore, he visited the pavilions of leading aviation and aerospace industries in the world to inspect modern technologies that could be of use in driving his five-point agenda for the aviation industry in Nigeria, particularly on the improvement of infrastructure and promotion of innovation and creativity in cutting-edge technologies relating to civil aviation.

Sources revealed to our correspondent yesterday that the airline might announce flight resumption in the first week of December.

It was also learnt that this would be preceded by the lifting of the visa and work permit bans slammed on Nigerians which are some of the requests from the Nigerian government.

It is exactly a year, two months and 20 days today that Emirates suspended flights to Nigeria, citing inability to repatriate its funds from Nigeria estimated at that time at over $85m.

It is part of the $800m funds belonging to foreign airlines which they are unable to repatriate to their home countries.

A cross section of Nigerians living in UAE had cried out to the federal government to resolve the issue of trapped Emirates’ funds which they said was the basis of the “unfriendly” posture of the UAE authorities to Nigerians.

One of the Nigerians in UAE, Enifome Elijah, stated that resolving the Emirates’ trapped funds was key to resolving the row and lifting of the work permit.

Aviation stakeholders however called for due diligence in reaching an agreement with the UAE.

Speaking with our correspondent, aviation analyst, Group Capt. John Ojikutu said, “The Airline and any other like it should no longer be going to Lagos and Abuja but to Lagos or Abuja and to any other in the alternative geographical location to the airport of their first choice. However, they should be allowed to make multiple frequencies to these airports of their choice. Wherever the frequencies are more than the frequencies in the BASA, the airlines should pay an approved rate or charges for the differences in the BASA.”

Also, Capt Ibrahim Mshelia, Chief Executive Officer at West Link Airlines urged the Minister to review previous agreements to deepen reciprocity.