DECEMBER 15, 2023

Top on the lists of the deficient airports is the Murtala Muhammed International airport where most of the facilities there are below standard

BY  Shola Adekola, Nigerian Tribune

NIGERIAAVIATION

“Reasons for infrastructure challenges could be lack of knowledge or transparency to develop or expand the airport. If you want to expand your aviation industry, you need to improve your infrastructure and remove bottlenecks on the aviation industry”.

The above position of the Vice President of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) in Africa and Middle East region, Kamil Al-Awadhi can be attributed to the poor services air travelers are being subjected to at international airports across the country.

Top on the lists of the deficient airports is the Murtala Muhammed International airport where most of the facilities there are below standard.

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For a passenger coming from other climes where airports have become a global village, offering speedy services to passengers, such a passenger is bound to be taken aback with the shenanigans that are abound at the airports.

Passengers coming and going out of the country particularly through the Lagos airports have continued to lament the negative impact of the poor facilities on their desire to enjoy their coming home through the airport.

Some of the passengers who spoke to the Nigerian Tribune came hard on the government for failing to upgrade the facilities at the Lagos airport despite the huge funds the airport generates from the same travellers that are being subjected to terrible experience at the airport.

Justina who flew into the country through the Lagos airport from France last Friday, was full of anger against the airport authorities following the experience she faced while waiting to collect her luggage at the baggage reclaim point.

Justina who said her flight touched down at exactly 10.45pm, narrated how she could not leave the airport until after 12 midnight as she had to wait on her feet for almost three hours to get her luggage.

According to her, majority of passengers who arrived on the same flight suffered the same fate due to the epileptic functioning of the conveyor belt.

It was the same story the following Sunday where there were reports of the conveyor belt breaking down which led to long and endless waiting for the passengers.

At the height of the hopelessness, airlines caught in the regular challenges were reported to have approached the officials of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to come to their aid.

Among the text messages sent to FAAN stated: “There’s is a serious crisis here please come to our rescue the belt we are told to use is also epileptic. We need urgent attention on the situation of this belt please. We need urgent assistance, please. Belt is not moving”.

Lamenting, an affected passenger declared: “It’s an ugly situation we have here. Passengers who just landed Lagos Airport are here waiting to get their luggage only for the process to be suspended because the conveyor belts are in bad condition”.

Many passengers who were affected by the poor facilities at the airport have also expressed their worries on what to expect in days ahead as the Yuletide draws nearer when the Nigerians in the diaspora will be rushing home with the huge loads to celebrate the festive period in the country.

Meanwhile, FAAN, the government agency at the center of the crisis has called on Nigerians to feel confident to travel through the airports this Yuletide season stating how it the has consistently taken measures to upgrade her security apparatus to ensure safety of life and property of the travelling public .

FAAN, in a statement issued early in the week, enjoined all travellers to be at the airport early enough to reduce rush as well as not to miss their flights .

FAAN in the statement declared: .”The FAAN has expanded the screening area at the airports in order to give passengers a better flying experience. Keep an eye on your valuables while passing through screening. A joint task force at the land side is working relentlessly to ensure the free flow of traffic.

Ensure that you park your vehicle properly at the car park to avoid it being towed away. The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria wishes all Nigerians and our teaming visitors a very pleasurable holiday in and out of our country. ”

DECEMBER 15, 2023

BY  Pete McKenzie

Across the Pacific, island nations are leaning into tourism to reboot their economies after the pandemic. But tourists cause significant greenhouse gas emissions and waves of waste: major threats to the islands.

Experts have advice on how tourists can limit those impacts on their holidays. They recognise while preventing the worst effects of climate change requires systemic change, individual impact still matters. And they believe that some small shifts in mindset can make a difference – without compromising a trip.

Closer the better

The most important decisions tourists make are where to go and how to travel.

“Travel closer to home,” says Apisalome Movono, senior lecturer of development studies at Massey University in New Zealand. “Don’t go to Europe, come to the Pacific.”

Related: Paradise cost: the Pacific islands changing the future of tourism

The closer the destination, the lower the emissions to get there. For tourists from Australia, it will be more environmentally-friendly to travel to New Caledonia than French Polynesia. A New Zealander, meanwhile, could opt to travel to the Cook Islands instead of Hawaii.

The cruise industry produces significant emissions; one 2019 study said on a daily basis, a cruise ship can have carbon footprint greater than 12,000 cars. “The monsters in the room are cruise ships,” says Movono. “These are the big emitters in our region.”

Tourists can also reduce their impact by choosing certain kinds of plane or by travelling economy class. The International Air Transport Association (Iata) has a useful calculator that compares the carbon impact of different journeys. Based on data shared by airlines, the calculator tracks the level of emissions output by model of aircraft, cargo, airplane configuration and whether a traveller goes economy or business class.

“When flying is unavoidable, travelling in economy class is far less carbon intensive than business class,” says Christian Schott, associate professor of tourism at Victoria University of Wellington.

That’s largely because business class passengers take up more space than those in economy, making flights less efficient. “For one person to travel in business class produces on average 3.5 times as many CO2 emissions than in economy class,” Schott says.

Do offset schemes work?

Many airlines and cruise companies now offer carbon offsetting for climate-conscious travellers. But the effectiveness of these schemes has been questioned. Analysis has shown many international carbon offset projects exaggerate their impact and underestimate potential harms.

Often, says Movono, “with the data coming out of these offsetting schemes, there’s no follow-up” to ensure that promised reductions are taking place. Accordingly, he says, the best way to reliably address travel emissions is to reduce them by taking fewer and shorter flights.

If tourists do use offsets, Movono encourages them to verify their reliability. Schott says visitors should seek out trusted local companies that give back to communities.

Related: ‘First line of defence’: mangroves – and mitigation - lost in Fiji’s tourism development

Minimise your footprint

Once a tourist has arrived in the Pacific, there are several ways to limit their footprint.

“I have a young family: I know big hotels are great and easy,” says Kalara McGregor, sustainability consultant and doctoral candidate in sustainable tourism at Griffith University. But she encourages tourists to consider hotels or smaller tourism operators that may not have “all the perks and treats of home,” like air conditioning, swimming pools, or hot showers, all of which consume large amounts of energy and water.

For many tourists, cutting out those amenities may be a stretch. Movono points to other indulgences that are easier to eliminate, like imported food, which create significant emissions when flown or shipped in.

“Try out the local cuisine,” he says. “I find it irritating when someone comes all the way from New Zealand [to a Pacific island] to enjoy a lamb shank from New Zealand.”

Interactive

Schott says tourists can look to avoid taxis or hiring cars, which significantly increase their environmental footprint. Many islands are small enough to travel around by foot or bike, while larger islands often have effective travel alternatives that give tourists a more authentic experience.

“In Vanuatu, there’s shared taxis. You might share the taxi with five or six other people, but it’s a much more sustainable way of getting around,” says Schott. Meanwhile, “In Fiji they’ve got great buses going around many of the large islands.”

Be more mindful of waste

Many Pacific Islands are battling to control waste. Given their size, there are few places to dispose of this garbage. Since they have to import so many goods, the flow of rubbish continues to grow.

“That waste problem is a huge issue,” says McGregor. “But the assumption is that’s what the tourist wants, so we’ve got to provide that.”

As a result, she says, “tourists need to be open to not having everything wrapped in plastic, and asking for water bubblers (and) … locally made handicrafts over cheap imported trinkets.”

Related: Paradise divided: French Polynesia wrestles with lure of mass cruise tourism

Most of all, McGregor encourages tourists to be proactive about what they use and throw away. “Do you really need to have twenty bottles of water today, or could you just bring a water bottle?”

Make it count

Fundamentally, emphasises Movono, all tourism causes emissions. “To give advice about being environmentally conscious is a bit of an oxymoron,” he says of tourists. Given that, he encourages travellers to focus on maximising the economic benefit from their carbon impact.

As an example, he encourages tourists to “look beyond Denarau”, a major Fijian resort. By supporting locally owned tourism operators, who are more likely to use local staff and supplies, or travelling to less-frequented places like Fiji’s Vanua Levu island, tourists “are putting money into people’s pockets,” says Movono, “because the economy is more circular.”

“You’ve taken a big journey and generated those emissions to get there,” agrees McGregor. “Once you’re there, it’s more that mindset shift of: what can I do to give back?”

DECEMBER 15, 2023

By Gbenga Oloniniran

The Nigeria Immigration Service has said it is investigating the alleged extortion of a United States-based Nigerian Professor, Moyo Okediji, by men of the service.

Okediji had on Tuesday taken to his Facebook page to post about how he gave $40 to some immigration officers who accosted him at the Seme border and demanded to be “settled” after they conducted a search on him.

Okediji, a Professor of Arts and History at the University of Texas, United States, wrote that after he was released by the men of the Immigration, whom he said “were many”, he discovered that $500 had also gone missing from his luggage.

He further said his ordeal was compounded when suspected officers of the Nigeria Police in the FESTAC area of Lagos allegedly harassed him.

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He wrote, “Without the intervention of a crowd of young Igbo men who saved me from the hands of the Nigeria Police attached to the FESTAC Mile Two station, I would be a dead man today (Tuesday).

“I arrived Lagos today (on Tuesday). I came in through Ghana and decided to enter Nigeria by road so I could see the lagoon landscape, riding a Jeep that I hired to drive me down. Everything went well in Ghana, Togo, Benin Republic, until I stepped into Nigeria. The first immigration checkpoint that we encountered was at the Seme border, on the Nigeria side.

“One of the immigration officers took a look at me, and said, ‘Come down, oga.’ To cut a long story short, they robbed me of $500. There were many of them, and they invited me to their shed. They took my hand luggage, with all the money that I brought from the US.”

He said the official’s excuse was that they wanted to search his luggage to see if it contained contraband.

“They asked for my Nigeria passport. I told them it had expired and I was in Nigeria to renew it. They said it was an offence for me to enter the country with an expired passport. I apologised. But they wanted none of that. They said I had to ‘settle’ them. They had my wallet containing the money I brought to spend in Nigeria.

“They saw two twenty-dollar notes and said I needed to give them these notes, otherwise they would seize all the money in the wallet, and take me to their office to make a statement. I had heard stories of visitors to the country ending up dead when the police invited them to their offices to clear some issues. So, I eagerly gave them the forty dollars. They gave me back my things. But when I counted my money later, $500 was missing,” he said.

The don narrated that when he further got to the FESTAC Mile Two motor park, “three gun-toting police officers appeared.”

“They (the policemen) asked for identifications. I gave them my driving licence, the university-issued ID card, my US passport and my Nigeria passport. They took them from me. By that time, about 10 police officers had descended upon me.”

“Before you could say ‘Ki lo de?’ (what happened?), the police officers searched me thoroughly.

He said he was “rescued” by some Igbo boys at the park, numbering up to 100 before the policemen allowed him to go.

When contacted, the spokesperson for the NIS, Dotun Aridegbe, said on Thursday that “the situation is being investigated.”

On his part, the Divisional Police Officer, FESTAC, Balogun Gboyega, noted that the lecturer ought to come forward for a report so he could properly identify the suspected officers who allegedly harassed him.

Gboyega said, “The following day (of the incident), you (the lecturer) can take the pain to see the DPO or the Area Commander to make a case and identify these boys, for which we will do an identification parade of every one of them. Every one of them (officers) denied it because there was no complaint.”

Gboyega noted that policemen could search anyone but not to intimidate, harass, or embarrass such a person.

“The man feels that police officers harassed him, he can come and make a complaint,” the DPO added.

He disclosed that the police could not identify if the officers were men of the Area Command or the division because there was no evidence before the police yet.

“Only he (the lecturer) can identify those who did it,” he said, “if he can come, let’s do an identification parade for these people.”

DECEMBER 16, 2023

by Biola Azeez

Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has disclosed that the International Passport will henceforth be processed and collected within two weeks of registration.

The NIS Comptroller General, Caroline Adepoju, represented by DCG Saadatu Hassan, made the information known during the commissioning of the NIS Passport Front Office in Offa at the weekend.

“We are now in the era of getting passport within two weeks, unlike in the past when people waited for weeks before they could get their passport.

“This development started since the appointment of the present Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Ojo, whom the Almighty has used to perform the good work, for the benefit of Nigerians,” Adepoju said.

The Comptroller General, who said that the passport with 32 pages and which is to expire after five years, is meant for minors while the one for 64 pages, and valid for 10 years, is specifically for adults.

She advised applicants to report any problem encountered during the period of registration, by informing them physically or through their available website and not complain on social media.

“We have people that receive complaints in the office, also report through our website, Facebook page and other official channels, but don’t drag our name on social media, just to gain attention,” she said.

Adepoju also advised applicants to ensure that all their National Identity Number (NIN) information tallies with information on International Passport, saying it should be arranged accordingly.

“This is one of the major things that caused delays in collection of passports and make many people complain of the time taken to process passport,” she explained.

The NIS boss thanked the Olofa of Offa, Oba Muftau Badamasi Esuwoye II, for his kind gesture in donating the NIS Passport Office and providing all necessary things for the structure.

“Offa is one of the few states in Nigeria that has two passport offices and I am happy for them as it will spring up lots of opportunities and help to increase economic activities in Offa Town,” she said.

State Comptroller of Immigration, Compt. Aminu Shamsuddin thanked the Organization of Development Union (ODU) in Offa, most especially the Olofa of Offa for his kind gesture, human friendliness and determination.

Shamsuddin said that Olofa had always wanted to ease the stress of his subjects and so, immediately he suggested NIS Passport Front office to him, he was ready to sponsor it.

He also thanked Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq for the good work of his administration, most especially the Minister and CG for the approval and assistance rendered towards making it successful.

Earlier, Olofa of Offa, Oba Muftau Badamasi Esuwoye II said that delay in passport collection and lots of complaints from his subjects and other people prompted him to sponsor the establishment of a passport office in Offa.

He further said that with the assistance of the hardworking Minister of Interior and NIS CG, the project became a reality and a dream came through.

“Many people complained that it takes months to collect passport abroad, but things have changed for good, as those in diaspora now get their passport within a month.

“While those in Nigeria now have the opportunity to get their passport within two weeks,” he said.

Olofa, who said that demand for passport had increased, added that the effort of the Minister and CG to open up more Passport Front offices was commendable.

He further said that the presence of Passport Front office in Offa would save his subjects from travelling to other states to get passports done as well as increase productivity.

The first class traditional ruler urged all Nigerians to maximize the opportunity and get their passport, saying that the new NIS office belongs to the whole nation and not only for Offa people.

 

DECEMBER 17, 2023

BY   Wole Shadare

Nigerians, accustomed to a certain range of airfare prices, are now grappling with the shock of exorbitant costs for domestic flights. The price of air tickets, especially for routes from Lagos and Abuja to other parts of Nigeria, has witnessed an alarming 100 percent increase in the past few weeks. In recent times, the skies above Nigeria seem to be soaring to new altitudes, not just in terms of flights but also in the cost of air travel. Passengers are feeling the pinch in their pockets as air ticket prices hit an all-time high, leaving many to wonder about the factors driving this upward trend.

While operators appear constrained, aviation experts emphasize the need for proactive solutions to address the challenges and alleviate the burden on travellers. One-way tickets, once relatively affordable, now command prices exceeding N100,000, leaving travelers in disbelief and discontent. While many have likened the high fares to exploitation, few others have made a case for the airlines, coupled with the principle of demand outstripping supply, making carriers to go for a kill; on the routes to both the South East and South South of Nigeria.

In 2021 and 2022, fares from Lagos to Abuja approximately cost between N25,000 and N30,000. But as of today, one one-way ticket on the same route, which is popular amongst Nigerian travelers now goes as high as N100,000 and N120,000 depending on the time of purchase. This is between 300 and 400 percent increase in the price of air tickets in less than two years. This festive season, particularly the month of December, sees a significant spike in travel demand. As families plan reunions and vacationers seek holiday destinations, the increased demand naturally influences ticket pricing.

Airlines, aware of the heightened demand, adjust their fares to N150,000 and more to high-demand routes like Owerri, Enugu, Anambra, Port-Harcourt, Benin, Calabar, and Uyo to maximize profits during this peak period. Experts, however, are of the view that ticket prices on many routes will remain the way they are even after the Yuletide because of the devaluation of the Naira, high cost of operations, and inflation which have made the carriers raise airfares in four months by 100 per cent.

The Managing Director of ValueJet, Captain Omololu Majekodunmi, looked back with great nostalgia when fares were affordable, stressing that even at the cost of what it is today, airlines may not be charging the appropriate fares because of the weakness of the Naira when it comes to the exchange rate. He disclosed that the Naira to Dollar exchange was N126/$1 when tickets sold for N25,000 a few years back. The Naira exchanges at about N1,000 to $1 at the parallel market.

He, however, stated that the economic situation has restrained the airlines from charging the right fares. Secretary, of Aviation Round Table (ART), Mr. Olumide Ohunayo, said he noticed that fares have increased by 300 per cent, stressing that it is a reflection of the rate of exchange since the floating of the Naira which made the products needed in aviation expensive. “Look at aviation fuel price. Most times, it has crossed the N100,000 per litre price. Aviation fuel is a major cost in aviation and because of the hike in jet fuel, occasioned by Forex scarcity, it has badly affected ticket pricing. Again, the leasing of aircraft during this season is more than thrice the cost it would have been without the season.

I flew to Owerri last year on a wet-lease aircraft and I checked on the internet that the same ticket to Owerri on economy flight is N200,000. You can see that the capacity is not there.” “Some of them could not lease aircraft like they did last year to augment the seasonal flights and the expected crowd. The high insecurity in the East of Nigeria has discouraged people from travelling by road as people will pay the high fares than be kidnapped and expect to pay N20 million for ransom.

This increase is strictly for this season and for South-South and South-East. Fares to Abuja and other northern parts are somehow stable”. In a bid to address the challenges, The Managing Director of Aero Contractors, Capt. Ado Sanusi, proposed increased capacity and canvassed for additional airlines to join the existing operators. But he observed that the new regulation by the NCAA, which limited start- up airlines to a minimum of six aircraft, may further compound the present challenge and allow for more exploitation by the existing carriers as the Yule- tide draws nearer.

He said: “I believe that there are some exploitative prices. I believe so, especially on the monopoly routes. The Eastern routes are somehow monopolised and come with exploitative prices. “It’s the capacity. If we have more airlines coming into the country and the NCAA allows more airlines to fly, then it will bring the price down. The more airlines we have flying, the more competitive it becomes and the more the prices will go down but since we make regulations that are so hostile to start- up airlines, then, the prices will always go up.”

DECEMBER 17, 2023

BY  Benedikt Kammel, Bloomberg News

(Bloomberg) -- Deutsche Lufthansa AG is resuming flights to Tel Aviv early next month after suspending the service in the wake of the conflict between Hamas and Israel, becoming one of the first major carriers to return to the country.

The German carrier will start flying from Jan. 8 with four weekly trips from Frankfurt and three from Munich, it said in a statement. Austrian Airlines, a Lufthansa subsidiary, is planning eight weekly connections, while the Swiss airline unit will provide five flights, Lufthansa said. 

Read More: Governments Send Planes to Israel to Repatriate Citizens (2)

Most international airlines suspended service shortly after the attacks by Hamas on Israel in early October and the subsequent counteroffensive in Gaza by Israeli troops. The conflict has also led to many airlines flying wider detours to stay clear of any potential danger zones, extending flight times. 

Lufthansa said on Oct. 9 that it would suspend flights to Israel and carried out evacuation services for citizens in the next few days. In the week that followed, most other international airlines — from Turkish Airlines to American Airlines Group Inc and other big US carriers — followed suit, leaving local flag carrier El Al Israel Airlines as the only major air link to the country.

“The Lufthansa Group continues to monitor the security situation in Israel closely and is in close contact with the local and international authorities,” the airline said. “Possible flight schedule adjustments must be expected due to changing conditions.”

In total, the Lufthansa Group will provide 20 weekly connections to and from Tel Aviv, equal to about 30% of the regular schedule. The company will deploy Airbus A320 models on the route, it said. 

Lufthansa said that it also resumed previously suspended flights to Beirut on Dec. 15.

DECEMBER 19, 2023

By Temitayo Jaiyeola

The import of kerosine-type jet fuel fell by 26.58 per cent to N358.08bn in the first nine months of 2023, underscoring foreign exchange scarcity in the aviation sector.

This is a N129.65bn decline from the N487.73bn that was spent in the corresponding period of 2022 according to data from the National Bureau of Statistics. In the first quarter of 2023, N70.16bn was spent on jet fuel, it increased to N143.96bn in Q2 and N143.96bn in Q3.

In Q1, 2022 the amount spent on jet fuel was N292.56bn. It fell to N102.14bn in Q2, then N93.03bn in Q3. Domestic airlines recently decried how lack of access to FX is affecting their business when they met with the new Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo.

The airlines under the aegis of Airline Operators of Nigeria asked the Federal Government to allow them to procure the requisite licence for the importation and distribution of aviation fuel, and dedicated access to FX from the Central Bank of Nigeria.

 The President, AON, Abdulmunaf Yunusa, said, “There is an urgent need to facilitate the liberalisation, procurement, and distribution of JetA1 nationwide and allow AON to procure requisite licence for product importation and distribution and also an immediate review of all industry taxes, fees and charges to determine applicability in line with cost recovery model.”

He added, “We call on the Federal Government to establish and provide a dedicated support line for domestic airline operators to have unfettered access of foreign exchange through the Central Bank of Nigeria at the official I & E window in support of local and international transactions.”

This has led to a spike in airfares as operators’ source for FX in the parallel market putting pressure on their cost of operation.

The spokesperson of AON, Prof Obiora Okonkwo, recently told The PUNCH, “The foreign exchange and aviation fuel costs were responsible for over 99 per cent of aviation components.”

He added, “The actual or reasonable cost should be higher in the actual sense. There is no doubt that it will put pressure on the operation funds because it will require more money in exchange and everything in aviation is 99 per cent and a half per cent foreign components.

“So, we are hoping that the government would find a good reason to come up with some measures that would mitigate that by creating access to capital for the operators.”

DECEMBER 19, 2023

By Hope Abah Emmanuel

The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) yesterday described as alarming the number of its beneficiaries in foreign institutions who have absconded.

The Fund’s Executive Secretary, Arc. Sonny Echono, stated this while answering questions from journalists during the TETFund performance review meeting in Makurdi, the Benue State capital.

He noted that TETFund has a database of those who abandoned their programme in foreign institutions and is doing everything lawful to correct the abnormality.

“We have a database now, which we are refining each time because the institutions are the ones submitting the report, although it is a difficult thing to get the accurate report.

“I can tell you that even the security agencies are also becoming interested and they are looking at that.

“I don’t want to give figures because it’s alarming. Sadly, this opportunity is being abused.

“Others have returned home but did not complete the minimum of their bond before deciding to relocate.

“If you are supposed to do four years on your bond before you become free and you do only two, we take you as having absconded,” Echono said.

He, however, said the TETFund was collaborating with Nigerian embassies, the embassies of the country where they (beneficiaries) are and the institutions to enforce the terms of the agreement.

Echono further said Tetfund has expended nearly N320 billion on projects in tertiary educational institutions nationwide in 2023.

DECEMBER 20, 2023

By Terhemba Daka, Abuja

President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday announced a 50 percent cut as a discount for luxury bus travellers and train services on all routes in the country beginning tomorrow, Thursday.

This, Tinubu said, is aimed to provide succour to citizens who are heavily weighed down by the prevailing high cost of transportation commuting across the country, especially during the yuletide.

Announcing this at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake said, “From tomorrow, Nigerians wishing to embark on inter-state travel to any part of the country from Abuja, Lagos, Kano, Kaduna, Enugu, Port Harcourt, Owerri, Ibadan, Akure, Maiduguri, Sokoto and other major inter-state transportation hubs will be able to do so at half the cost.

“The Federal Government under the leadership of President Tinubu is working very hard to make sure Nigerians have a memorable and happy holiday season.”

He explained that the presidential intervention is to bring down the cost of public transportation to allow the citizens who want to travel to visit their loved ones and hometowns to do so without stress and the extra burden imposed by the high cost of transport around this period.

Alake who is the Chairman of the 6-man Interministerial Committee on Presidential Intervention, further explained that “the President is well aware of the recent increase in cost of inter-state transportation and even for air travel.

“Traditionally, our people love to travel during Christmas and end of year to be with families and friends and this has been the practice for ages.”

DECEMBER 20, 2023

By Justice Okamgba

Nigeria’s aviation sector has been facing persistent flight delays and cancellations occasioned by aviation fuel scarcity, grounded planes due to forex shortages, and high operating costs, Justice Okamgba writes

On Monday, December 19, 2023, around 3:30 pm, the Murtala Muhammed  Airport, Lagos was buzzing with activity as passengers flowed in and out. There were long queues at the departure hall of the airport. The scene painted a picture of exhaustion as travellers, whose flights had been rescheduled, could be seen occupying whatever space they could find.

Some of the passengers took refuge in the few available steel chairs, while those who could not find seats had to stand. Amid the sea of faces, an Abuja-bound passenger, Dora James, reflected the collective frustration of the travellers.

Sharing her experience with our correspondent at the airport, James stated that she arrived early, eager to board her Ibom Air flight to Abuja. But it turned out to be a different story.

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“I arrived at the airport at 7:30 am, excited about my 11:00 am Ibom Air flight to Abuja. But fate had different plans for me,” she lamented.

She was disappointed when she learnt that her flight had been rescheduled to 6:30 pm.

“I am on a beneficiary ticket, and I didn’t have to pay over N100,000. Although they claimed it was because of the nature of my ticket being a beneficiary ticket that I was stuck. I will have to wait until 6:30 pm before I take off to Abuja. Because it was a beneficiary ticket, I didn’t get a message or notification. I had to meet one of the attendants to find out what was going on. But those who bought the tickets usually get messages,” James said.

She was not the one who had a sour tale of rescheduled flight to share. Another passenger in his 60s also narrated how his 5.30 pm flight on Ibom Air was delayed to 9:30 pm. He noted that the frequency of flight delays and cancellations in the country was becoming alarming.

He lamented that flight delays and reschedules had caused many passengers to miss important appointments.

“I will wait until they are ready to fly. What exactly are they saying is the issue for the reschedule? I have not experienced this lately,” he said.

Another affected Ibom Air passenger, who didn’t want to reveal his identity, shared his disappointment.

He said angrily, “In this time of economic hardship is not a period one should have his flight cancelled. Many people here are travelling for different purposes. Maybe only 10 per cent are travelling for leisure. I am not here for pleasure. In fact, my purpose of travelling to Abuja has been defeated.

“So, what is the need to travel again? A flight that was booked for 5.00 pm is now at 9:30 pm. There is no need to even share my opinion because it doesn’t change the situation. I am just disappointed, to say the least,” he added.

Air travellers have been calling on the government to look into the recurring flight delays and cancellations, which have made air travel a nightmare rather than a pleasure.

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority’s flight data for 2022 revealed 877 flight cancellations in Nigeria, with 795 by domestic airlines and 82 by international carriers.  This indicates that domestic flights had over 90.6 per cent of the cancelled flights.

According to the NCAA, in the first quarter of 2023, out of 3,073 international flights in the country, 1,193 were delayed. During this period, 55 per cent (10,128 flights) of the 18,288 domestic flights were delayed, 1.55 per cent (284) were cancelled.

Air Peace, Max Air, and Arik Air topped the list for airlines with the highest number of delayed flights. Out of the 6,521 flights Air Peace undertook during the period under review, 3,754 were delays; Max Air had 1,013 delays out of 1,565 flights, and Arik Air reported 926 delays out of 1,619 flights.

In the second quarter of 2023, United Nigeria Airlines faced flight disruptions following the suspension of leased foreign aircraft issued by the NCAA.

On November 12, 2023, Aero Contractors temporarily suspended flight operations at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, following a runway incursion.

Also, Max Air confirmed a flight cancellation incident on November 30, 2023. Its aircraft, MaxAir 5N-BBM, operating the Kano to Lagos route, experienced a windshield crack upon landing in Lagos.

The Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele also shared his experience on flight delay.

He said he was invited by the Harvard Business School Association of Nigeria to speak on “The Reform of Nigeria’s Fiscal System” at Capital Club in Victoria Island, Lagos, so he booked a 1.00 pm flight, to enable him to meet up with the 5.00 pm event.

However, unfortunately for Oyedele, his flight was delayed and he had to arrive the venue of the event around 7:51 pm.

Addressing the audience, he humorously remarked, “For some reason, I couldn’t arrive here on time. I sincerely apologise; this is probably the time to own a private jet.

“The flight that was booked for 1.00 pm was delayed about twice until 5 pm. I’m sorry for keeping you guys waiting.”

Agents, passengers’ experiences

An agent at Travel and Tours Limited, Maureen Chimaobi, who spoke with The PUNCH, showed our correspondent emails and tickets, revealing instances where domestic operators, such as Max Air Limited, Green Africa and Dana Air Limited had cancelled flights without refunding customers.

She cited the case of Simon Okure, whose July 12 flight from Maiduguri to Abuja and the return leg from Lagos was canceled.

Chimaobi stated, “Since July, we have been sending emails to get a refund; they never responded to any.”

Okure expressed disappointment and recounted the challenges he faced risking an 8-hour road journey from Maiduguri to Kano to secure another flight after Max Air cancelled his flight.

He disclosed that he had to take the risk because he had an international flight to catch in Lagos.

“It was tough. I didn’t have the time to plan. The money was not even there. I had to move at night to make sure I got to Kano. It was a risky journey. When I got to Kano, I booked another flight with Air Peace,” Okure told The PUNCH.

Okure confirmed that Max Air had not refunded his N120,000 since July, with emails remaining unanswered.

Max Air Limited did not respond to The PUNCH’s email inquiry.

Chimaobi also shared a similar experience her clients, Mr Johnson Olusanya and Mrs. Damilola Muritala had with Dana Air, whose flight was cancelled but had failed to refund the affected passengers.

Their flights were cancelled on July 26, but were yet to get a refund as of the time of filing this report.

The agent stated, “We had the same issue with Dana Air, the last time its operations were grounded. We still have 190k with them, and they did not refund that money. I wrote several times and called their customer care, but nothing came out of it.”

Contacted by The PUNCH, Olusanya, commented, “I don’t want to bother myself about this. The issue is gone. There is no point since I will not get my money back. This is Nigeria.”

The PUNCH did not receive a response from Dana Air after sending an email asking for reasons Olusanya and Muritala were yet to be refunded.

Travel agents have also complained that Green Africa, which was noted for flight cancellations, had not funded their clients.

One of the agencies that spoke with The PUNCH cited a case involving a client, Obiageli Ezeadi, whose round-trip ticket was affected by a flight rescheduling that didn’t suit her movement, and had not been able get her refund.

The agent explained that Ezeadi’s round-trip ticket, initially booked from Lagos to Abuja and Abuja to Lagos, was affected by a flight reschedule.

“The client purchased an alternative flight with Air Peace and initiated a refund for the unused portion of the Green Africa ticket, covering the Abuja-Lagos leg. She has not yet received the refund,” the agent said.

Green Africa later refunded Ezeadi after receiving an email from The PUNCH regarding the delayed refund.

To travel agents, the spate of flight delays and cancellations was frustrating.

Chimaobi lamented, “Funny enough, international airlines refund tickets at the appropriate time. I don’t know why Nigerian airlines are bent on defrauding Nigerians.

“Our primary concern as a travel agency is to secure the refunds for our clients and alleviate the ongoing frustration.”

Shortage of aircraft

One reason that has been adduced for the frequent flight delay and rescheduling is insufficient aircraft flying domestic routes.

According to the 2023 Airbus Global Market Forecast, Nigeria’s aviation sector requires 159 additional aircraft by 2024 and approximately 160 passenger and freight aircraft by 2042.

The industry is anticipated to undergo substantial growth over the next two decades, particularly in Lagos and Abuja, the country’s fastest-growing cities, where a significant surge in aviation demand is expected.

Factors such as heightened insecurity, a growing middle class, and increased urbanisation contribute to the escalating demand for air transport, pressuring operators to acquire more aircraft to meet domestic needs.

Also, the shortage of foreign exchange in Nigeria poses a challenge for airline operators, hindering their ability to procure necessary parts and equipment. This, in turn, leads to increased costs and operational challenges within the industry

The shortage of aircraft is linked to high exchange rate; there are some aircraft that are yet to return to Nigeria. Even aircraft leasing costs are soaring due to the unfavourable naira/dollar exchange rate.This is posing a huge financial stress for operators,” the Assistant General Secretary, Aviation Round Table, Olumide Ohunayo, told The PUNCH.

About 40 aircraft belonging to domestic airlines are currently grounded because of maintenance.

The PUNCH reported in September that about 10 aircraft grounded in Nigeria due to a lack of foreign exchange to acquire major spare parts from abroad,.

Apart from the grounded planes, some operators face challenges acquiring new aircraft engines to replace old ones that have completed their cycles due to a scarcity of dollars.

The inability to secure new engines may exacerbate the ongoing flight disruptions experienced by passengers due to the shortage of airplanes.

Operators are seeking forex to settle payments for foreign aircraft maintenance facilities and to procure spare parts from abroad for locally maintained aircraft.

The Chairman of Air Peace, Allen Onyema, highlighted the airline’s predicament, disclosing that approximately $14m was stranded in the Central Bank of Nigeria, and around 15 aircraft were stranded abroad due to a lack of forex.

Onyema emphasised the need for government support and an improved business environment to address the challenges faced by Nigerian airlines.

“Do you know the amount this country spends on aircraft maintenance through its airlines? Air Peace alone in 2022 spent N78bn on maintenance and these funds went to foreign countries. How can local investments grow like this?” he wondered.

As of August, $783m belonging to airlines was blocked in Nigeria and about 90 per cent of that fund has not been paid.

The Chairman of International Airline Operators, Chima Kingsley, however, confirmed at a stakeholders’ forum in November that the CBN had started clearing the trapped funds.

He said it only accounted for a fraction, less than 10 per cent of the trapped funds. “The bulk of the blocked funds are with Nigerian commercial banks. The bulk of the money has not been paid,” he said.

The country spends about $1bn annually on aircraft maintenance, according to the Chief Executive Officer of 7Star Hangar, David Balami.

In 2022, Air Peace reported that it spent about N60bn maintaining its fleet of over 30 aircraft.

The airline said it predominantly outsourced maintenance to MROs in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and America, underscoring the dependence on foreign facilities due to the lack of domestic options.

Operators noted that the absence of domestic MRO facilities forced Nigerian airlines to rely on foreign MROs.

Weather, incursions challenges

Experts also blamed weather conditions for flight cancellations in Nigeria.

A study titled “Poor weather conditions and flight operations: Implications for air transport hazard management in Nigeria” revealed that fog accounted for 13.2 per cent of flight cancellations at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport between 2000 and 2009.

Line squall, another weather phenomenon, played a role with 10.1 per cent of delays, 8.4 per cent of diversions, and 20 per cent of cancellations at the same airport during the same period

The Managing Director of Finum Aviation Services, Sheri Kyari, said that factors such as heavy traffic, technical issues requiring aircraft returns, maintenance-related withdrawals affecting routes, crew unavailability could cause delays, and disruptions due to VIP movements.

He noted, “As airlines begin their schedules in the morning, they face a lot of extraneous factors that may disrupt their planned operations. One, too much traffic can start to affect their operations as minutes are taken due to traffic.

“If an aircraft has a technical issue and requires returning to the gate, there will be a delay. Again, if the airline has issues where an aircraft is withdrawn for maintenance, it will affect its operation except it reduces its routes.”

He explained that weather conditions, especially during Nigeria’s Harmattan period, contribute to delays.

Kyari stated, “As we enter into the Harmattan period in Nigeria and possibly other parts of West and Central Africa, the winds from the northeast move towards the southwest carry with it lots of dust (very fine dust particles) which get suspended in the air sometimes up to a week or more.

“This, most times, reduces visibility both horizontally and vertically leading to delays with most airlines cancelling their flights.”

Furthermore, he remarked labour associations and unions have the potential to disrupt airport activities, causing operational delays and cancellations.

He concluded that runway incursions (a crash of an aircraft) can affect many other airlines leading to cancellations and or delays.

Aviation fuel scarcity

The scarcity of aviation fuel, particularly Jet-A1, is a major concern, with warnings of potential flight disruptions due to the shortage. This scarcity could compel domestic carriers to either cancel or delay flights.

According to a report titled ‘Nigeria’s Aviation Industry Customer Satisfactory Survey Report 2022’, the Nigerian aviation sector spent a staggering $192bn in 2022 exclusively on aviation fuel.

The PUNCH gathered that a Boeing 747 for example, one of the most widely recognized passenger aircraft, burns approximately 36,000 gallons (about 150,000 litres) of fuel throughout a 10-hour flight.

Operators have demanded that the government allow them to obtain the required licenses for importation. The Federal Government has yet to grant the request.

The price of aviation fuel is influenced by factors such as forex scarcity, rising crude oil prices, and the cost of importing airplane parts.

Ohunayo told The PUNCH that aviation fuel scarcity is a recurring issue, exacerbated by increased flights.

He said the present day makes travelling challenging due to delays or cancellations due to demand for air travel.

The challenges faced by importers and suppliers in Nigeria in accessing aviation fuel include high prices, import restrictions, foreign exchange issues, and the lack of local refining capabilities.

Ohunayo explained that the scarcity of aviation fuel can also be linked to, “reduced suppliers because they do not have the financial muscle to supply aviation fuel which is heavily influenced by the high exchange rate.”

The Executive Chairman of United Nigeria Airlines, Obiora Okonkwo, said airlines are facing a hard time getting the commodity from suppliers which may further increase the cost of air tickets.

“There are impending disruptions in scheduled flight operations due to the scarcity of Jet-A1, which reared its ugly head again in the past few days.The scarcity will no doubt force airlines to reschedule flights leading to late operations and, or, cancellations.”

High taxes

High taxes and fees imposed by various government agencies and organizations contribute significantly to the overall operational costs for airline operators in Nigeria. These financial burdens make it challenging for them to maintain and expand their fleets.

Highlighting the severity of the issue, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) rated Nigeria as one of the countries with the highest charges and levies globally about two decades ago.

Key taxes and fees include the Passenger Service Charge, where airlines pay N2,000 per one-way ticket to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria.

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority collects 5 percent as Ticket Sales Tax (TST) on the total fare from airlines, along with 5 per cent Import and Export Charges for domestic operators.

Additionally, the regulatory authority imposes 10 per cent Import and Export Royalties on airlines. Income tax is payable at a 30 per cent rate annually on profits derived from the operation and use of aircraft in Nigeria.

Financial obligations

Nigerian airlines face financial challenges driven by foreign exchange scarcity, naira devaluation, and blocked funds.

Acknowledging this, the aviation regulator has implemented new regulations, requiring scheduled carriers to operate a minimum of six aircraft, up from three, to enhance financial stability.

The Director General of the NCAA, Capt. Musa Nuhu, emphasizes the goal of ensuring the financial health and viability of new entrants into the aviation industry.

In August, regulatory actions, including the suspension of Dana Airlines’ Air Transport License due to financial challenges, underscore the industry’s efforts to address financial concerns and enhance operational stability.

The financial challenges faced by Nigerian airlines have significant implications for both their operations and the overall stability of the country’s aviation industry.

Furthermore, IATA has raised concerns about the potential withdrawal of foreign airlines, citing challenges in fund repatriation and high operating costs at Nigerian airports. This highlights the broader impact of financial difficulties on international partnerships within the aviation sector.

Experts emphasized that airlines require substantial capital to acquire aircraft and invest in infrastructure. Often, they rely on various financial instruments such as loans, stock issuance, and leasing arrangements to finance their equipment.

The PUNCH gathered that prices for standard and new passenger aircraft for commercial purposes such as Boeing 737-700 cost approximately $89.1m, while Boeing 737-800 costs $106m.

“Africa’s aviation industry is still recovering from significant losses due to the pandemic,” Regional Vice-President of Africa and Middle East for IATA, Kamil Alawadhi said in a note obtained by The PUNCH.

IATA estimated that Nigeria lost about N21bn monthly during the outbreak and it would take until 2024 for the situation in the aviation sector to improve and return to 2019 levels.

Alawadhi said, “To make up for this shortfall,” IATA Vice President advised governments to avoid imposing higher fees, levies, carbon taxes, or new taxes on air transport, trade, or tourism.”

“These measures would only make air travel more expensive and less accessible in Africa, where the average airfare is already 30 per cent higher than the industry average and the jet fuel cost is 10-20 per cent higher than the global average, the Vice President added.

Implications

Flight delays and cancellations in Nigeria carry substantial economic implications for both the country and its citizens.

Passengers affected by these disruptions often face additional costs, including expenses for accommodation and transportation.

These financial burdens contribute to the overall economic impact, affecting both individuals and the broader economy.

The challenges faced by travellers in Nigeria are evident in the experience of individuals like Simeon, who, upon receiving a flight cancellation message from Max Air, had to scramble to find alternative arrangements due to the urgency of reaching Lagos.

Obtaining compensation for such disruptions proves difficult, with refunds often taking months or being nearly impossible—a widespread issue for travellers in Nigeria.

Industry estimates indicate that the aviation sector in Nigeria incurs losses exceeding N10-20bn annually due to flight delays and cancellations.

Furthermore, airlines experience a revenue setback ranging from approximately N12 million to N14m for each lost flight rotation.

A report from General Sales and Solution, an aviation consultancy firm, highlights the substantial impact, estimating an annual loss of over $52.7m due to flight delays in Nigeria.

The monthly loss is estimated at $4.3m, emphasizing the economic implications of these disruptions on the aviation industry.

Way forward

The Nigerian government and relevant authorities have the potential to mitigate flight cancellations and delays in the aviation industry, thereby enhancing the overall travel experience and fostering economic growth.

Managing Director of Karamba Associates, Daniel Young told The PUNCH that there is a need for a structured gap analysis to address challenges in airport operations.

He underscores the importance of involving all stakeholders, including airport operators, aviation fuel providers, regulators, passengers, and airlines, in a collaborative effort.

The MD stated, “If you want to correct a process you must do a structured gap analysis to figure out where the problems are coming from and how to tackle it. It is the reason that will bring all the stakeholders to the table – the airport operators, the aviation fuel providers, the regulators, the passengers, airlines, etc.

Young added, “It is a fact-finding process that enables each person to say exactly what needs to be done to be effective. It is not for the airport to do things in isolation. Even if you provide the best airport or the best passenger flow within the airport, you are likely not to succeed because it is teamwork.

“As long as we continue to blame FAAN, NCAA and others, it will not change the situation. The first place to start is to convene a stakeholders meeting, isolating the 5 or 6 principal stakeholders in the value chain.

“Let’s start with storytelling. Let them tell us what their problems are. And together, they will come up with a solution. Whoever is responsible for providing batons for the next person to run with to be told what needs to be done. Then, there will be a timeline where such things should be done. Then, we will test run it, he buttressed.

Further, he said that a holistic landscape of the entire process should be looked at and then come up with a blueprint which everyone will buy into. “The interest of all the stakeholders and passengers will be captured into the blueprint.”

Noting the outdated infrastructure at airports, he highlights the necessity of increasing capacity to match the growing demand.

Young pointed out the strain on the international airport in Lagos, originally built for 300,000 passengers in the 70s but now accommodating 2 to 3 million annually without a corresponding increase in facilities.

He underscored the far-reaching impact of any shortcomings in the sector’s value chain.

Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, disclosed during a session with the Joint National Assembly Committee on Aviation that airlines in Nigeria will commence compensating passengers for delayed or cancelled flights starting January 2024.

As part of this initiative, a comprehensive list of airlines accountable for delayed or cancelled flights will be regularly published in the media.

Additionally, Keyamo proposed a compensation strategy involving a deduction from the flight tickets of airlines responsible for delays, suggesting a discount for affected passengers when purchasing new tickets.

A member of AON, Captain Roland Iyayi, a member emphasized the necessity of implementing beneficial policies by the government for the Nigerian aviation industry.

He points out concerns regarding the new NCAA regulations, specifically mentioning the requirement for a start-up airline to possess at least six aircraft before being issued an Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC).

Iyayi expresses the view that starting with six aircraft could be indicative of failure, highlighting the need for policy adjustments to support the growth and success of airlines in the industry.

“Emirates Airlines, for instance, started with just two leased aircraft, and today, it has over 200 aircraft in its fleet. We have never planned in this country and everything we do has been chaotic. This policy is reactive and should be reversed by the NCAA,” Iyayi.

Addressing the shortage of aviation fuel in Nigeria is essential for ensuring smooth aircraft operations. The government and relevant authorities must collaborate in order to secure a stable and sufficient supply of aviation fuel for airlines operating in the country.

Anticipating the completion and operation of the 53-year-old Port Harcourt Refinery, which is currently at 78 per cent, could potentially alter Nigeria’s heavy dependence on jet fuel importation.

To address this, Ohunayo told The PUNCH, “We can only start working on our refineries to ensure that aviation fuel is available. It is only that way we can reduce the scarcity and make it available for operators at a cheaper rate.

He said, “If we continue to do the importation, it will be on the high side. So, let us encourage the local production of additional fuel.

He added, “I applaud Ibom Air for planning a Jet fuel refinery in Akwa Ibom, contributing to an eco-friendly environment.”