Airports’ Concession: AFARN Seeks Transparency
The Association of Foreign Airlines Representatives in Nigeria (AFARN) has urged the Federal Government to be transparent in the concession of the four airport terminals.
President of the association, Kingsley Nwokoma, who described the proposed plan to concession airport terminals in Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt said the federal government to be proactive in carrying out the project.
He said: “AFARN for many years has become one of the major voices, and safety promoters as far as aviation industry in Nigeria is concerned. Therefore, since aviation is our constituency, we owe it a duty as a professional body to advice the federal government as stakeholders where necessary, especially for the fact, we are desirous that the system survives for the common good of every Nigerian, even for the unborn generations.
“For me it’s not a lose factor, it’s a gain factor, most of these big names/consortiums that are managing all the big airports that are coming into Nigeria are even partnering with Nigerians, so there’s still the Nigerian factor, because you can’t come in from nowhere and you want to start a business here, you must register here, you must have Nigerian directors, so there’s still a process.
“At the long run professionalism is very key, we want an airport that’s being run like others in the Western world, won’t you be happy that you come into the country, the bridges are working properly and not like what we see water dripping everywhere when it’s raining, you see touts, you see people hawking in an international airport, so there’s a lot to be done, it goes to an acclaimed result oriented consortium where we will be proud of our airports.
The AFARN president who noted that our airports had outlived their usefulness, observed that most of the world’s brands do a 200 years plan that will outlive them, that will outlive their grandchildren. According to him, a country that wants to grow needs to think about the future, if the airports are properly organized passengers will come from international, take a train up to domestic, Nwokoma noted.
“The news however is that a lot of comments from various quarters have continued to trail the four major airports penciled down for concession since the plan was hatched and made public, by the Hon Minister for Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika, almost three years ago. Since that time, well-meaning Nigerians, and various stakeholders have spoken. Read more
UAE Bows to Pressure, Gives Air Peace 7 Slots at its Airports
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has granted Air Peace seven slots at Dubai Airport, after the back and forth between Nigeria and the Middle East country.
This is coming days after the Federal Government slammed restrictions on Emirates Airlines, the flag carrier of UAE, in retaliation of the denial of the three slots requested for by Air Peace in Sharjah Airport.
The development has generated tension between both countries.
The Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Musa Nuhu, had last Thursday announced the withdrawal of the winter schedule comprising 21 frequencies; 14 in Lagos and seven in Abuja, earlier approved for Emirates.
The airline was left with a weekly flight to Abuja but rather than accept the condition, Emirates suspended its operations to Nigeria indefinitely.
The DG had defended Nigeria’s action, saying it was a reciprocal decision by the Federal Government over the denial of the requested slots by Air Peace, the sole Nigerian carrier operating to Dubai via Sharjah.
Just hours after the Emirates ban took effect, the Dubai CAA has written to the Chairman of Air Peace, Mr. Allen Onyema, saying seven slots had been granted to Air Peace to operate to Dubai Airport.
In a letter dated December 13, Director General of the DCAA, Mohammed A. Ahli, said the Dubai Airports Authorities had confirmed and blocked seven slots for Air Peace.
The letter read: “The Dubai Civil Aviation Authority presents the compliments to the Honourable Management of Air Peace Nigeria.
“Your Excellency, relations between our two countries go a long way back and we value these relations between our two brotherly countries.
“We write in reference to Air Peace’s possible/intended operations to/from Dubai Airports (DXB), we have received information from Dubai Authority, with regard to slot availability at DXB – Terminal 1 and as a gesture of goodwill and a support of UAE and Nigeria relations, I case Air Peace wish to start flights, slots have been blocked by Dubai Airports as detailed below.
“Slots available and blocked for Air Peace are the following: All days.
“As these slots cannot be blocked indefinitely, we would highly appreciate if Air Peace could kindly reach out to Dubai Airports and inform them of their intentions to operate by Thursday 16th December 2021 and accordingly confirm the blocked slots. Read more
Diplomatic Row: UAE Backs Down, Allows Airlines to Fly in Nigerian Passengers
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has backed down on its move to restrict other foreign airlines from bringing Nigerians to the country.
In the wake of the diplomatic standoff between the two countries over a recent ban of Emirates flights, UAE had reportedly barred other airlines from flying Nigerian travellers.
It was learnt that over 90 passengers of Ethiopian Airlines were affected on Monday as they were de-boarded on the orders of the UAE authorities.
Our correspondent learnt that the order was issued to Ethiopian Airlines with the UAE attributing the move to the rise in Omicron covid-19 variant.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has backed down on its move to restrict other foreign airlines from bringing Nigerians to the country.
In the wake of the diplomatic standoff between the two countries over a recent ban of Emirates flights, UAE had reportedly barred other airlines from flying Nigerian travellers.
Daily Trust learnt that over 90 passengers of Ethiopian Airlines were affected on Monday as they were de-boarded on the orders of the UAE authorities.
Our correspondent learnt that the order was issued to Ethiopian Airlines with the UAE attributing the move to the rise in Omicron covid-19 variant.
In a travel update sent to Ethiopian Airlines, a copy of which was obtained by our correspondent, the UAE reportedly banned passengers from Nigeria and DR Congo.
The update with reference No. PSA 12/068/2021 titled, “Dubai Travel Restriction Update,” read, “Due to an increasing number of COVID Positive passengers at destination, it is decided to suspend accepting passengers to U.A.E from Nigeria Congo DRC (FIH) only.
“This is effective today 13th December,2021. Please ensure 100% compliance.”
It was on the basis of this move that Ethiopian Airlines barred some Nigerians connecting Dubai via Addis Ababa.
President of the Nigerian Association of Travel Agencies (NANTA), Mrs. Susan Akporiaye in a chat with Daily Trust confirmed that some Dubai-bound passengers on Ethiopian Airlines were turned back while other airlines flew to Dubai with Nigerian passengers.
She said, “Maybe it is only the Ethiopian Airline that was affected, we don’t know yet. We are waiting to see, because immediately I heard about what is happening, I reached out to other airlines and they said they didn’t get any notice and that their flights flew. They promised to get back to me if anything changes.
“As of this morning, Ethiopian airlines got their own notice, we don’t know exactly what is going on but they promised to send me a notice so we will wait till tomorrow. If by tomorrow those airlines still flew then that means it is a problem with only Ethiopian Airlines.” Read more
UK Govt Removes All 11 Countries on Its Travel Red List, Maintains Testing and Isolation Measures
Government announces all 11 countries on the UK red list will be removed from 4am Wednesday 15 December as Omicron spreads in countries around the world.
- Pre-departure tests and PCR testing measures on or before day 2 remain in place, with a review of all travel measures in the new year
- Change comes as the government calls on all adults to come forward and Get Boosted Now
As the Health Secretary set out earlier today, Ministers have agreed to remove all 11 remaining countries from the UK’s red list from 4am tomorrow (15 December), following review of the latest risk assessment from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
Passengers returning from Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe will not have to stay in a managed quarantine hotel on arrival in England from this date.
As Omicron cases rise in the UK and in countries around the world, the travel red list is less effective in slowing the incursion of the variant from abroad and these temporary measures are no longer proportionate. The red list has served its purpose in delaying the spread of Omicron into the UK to buy time for the government to learn more about this variant and prepare for its potential impact.
All vaccinated passengers arriving in the UK must continue to take a pre-departure test (PCR or lateral flow) 2 days before they depart for the UK and must take a PCR test on or before day 2 and self-isolate until they receive a negative result. Unvaccinated passengers must also take a pre-departure test, PCR test on day 2 and 8, and self-isolate for 10 days. Test to release remains an option to shorten their self-isolation period.
These testing measures are vital in helping to prevent any additional cases of Omicron from entering the UK, stopping travellers from passing it on to others if they are infected, and in helping government to monitor the risk posed by overseas travel.
The government recognises the impact that temporary health measures have on the travel and aviation industry.
These measures – the red list, testing for arrivals and self-isolation requirements for vaccinated travellers – will be reviewed again early in the new year on 5 January.
The government would like to extend its thanks to South Africa once again for their early sharing of information and continued engagement which is helping the global community better understand the risks posed by Omicron.
Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid said:
Now there is community transmission of Omicron in the UK and Omicron has spread so widely across the world the travel Red List is now less effective in slowing the incursion of Omicron from abroad.
Whilst we’ll maintain our temporary testing measures for international travel, we will be removing all eleven countries from the travel Red List effective from 4am tomorrow morning.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said:
With community transmission here as well as similar rates around the world, it’s right that we remove the 11 countries from our red list and these changes are the next sensible steps as we continue to tackle this variant.
We remain focused on meeting our booster target for all adults by the end of the year, and while we will keep our travel testing measures in place for now, we will review this position in the first week of January.
While all countries have now been removed from the red list, the managed quarantine hotel policy remains in place to act as a crucial line of defence against the importation of variants of concern. Restrictions will be re-imposed should there be a need to do so to protect public health.
Given early evidence of the reduced incubation period of the Omicron variant, passengers are advised to continue to take the pre-departure test as close as possible to their scheduled departure to the UK and no earlier than 2 days before departing.
Airlines must continue to check all passengers for pre-departure tests alongside their completed Passenger Locator Form, and passengers will not be allowed to board a flight without providing evidence of a negative test result.
In light of emerging data on vaccine effectiveness, the government is offering every adult who has had a second dose of the vaccine at least three months ago the chance to get their booster before the New Year.
The government will take further action if necessary to contain the virus and the new variant, as has been the case throughout the pandemic. The UKHSA continues to monitor the situation closely, in partnership with scientific and public health organisations across the world, and the government is working collaboratively with the World Health Organisation and countries around the world to better understand the new variant.
Background
- The Government took quick, decisive action to reduce the importation of Omicron from the epicentre of the outbreak.
- Anyone who has tested positive will need to continue to stay in Managed Quarantine.
- We are working urgently to make arrangements for individuals’ early release from Managed Quarantine. We will set out further guidance for the affected individuals imminently.
- Passengers who booked a hotel room in Managed Quarantine for after 4am Wednesday 15 December are entitled for a full refund and should contact their hotel operator or booking operator.
Delta Eyes $1.2bn Stakes in Virgin Atlantic, Others
As part of its post-pandemic economic resurgence strategy, United States carrier-Delta Air Lines- has begun plans to make fresh investments in Virgin Atlantic, Aeromexico and LATAM in a move that is expected to strengthen the partnering airlines.
The investments are expected to bolster Delta’s global platform that provides customers an enhanced network, seamless connectivity and an elevated experience, as well as fuel business growth, according to a statement by the company.
Prior to the outbreak of the Covid pandemic, Delta had recorded international growth attributed to a combination of organic growth and its global partner network.
With the attendant increase in international travel demand, the connectivity, relevance and breadth of Delta’s global network with its partners is considered strategic towards efficient delivery of aviation services.
“These strategic investments in our partners will transform our ability to improve travel for our customers, enabling us to deliver a seamless travel experience alongside offering our customers an unrivalled network between North American and premier markets worldwide,” said Delta CEO Ed Bastian.
“The work each of our partners has done to strengthen their businesses for the future makes these partnerships even more valuable and creates a new era of international travel to benefit our customers, our employees and our investors as global travel rebounds in 2022 and beyond,” he added.
It is expected that upon completion of their respective processes, Delta will hold a 20 per cent equity stake in Aeromexico and a 10 per cent equity stake in LATAM.
In addition, Delta will maintain its 49 per cent equity stake in Virgin Atlantic. The airline’s investment in these carriers will be approximately $1.2bn.
With a new widebody aircraft on the way, record hiring, and significant investments in international readiness, Delta is stitching together a machinery to lead the industry through the ongoing recovery.
“Throughout the pandemic, Delta has continued to invest in our future, including new aircraft orders, accelerating real estate projects and putting significant resources into health and safety measures to protect our employees and our customers,” said the Delta Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Dan Janki.
“Similarly, investing in our partners now – even as we continue to navigate the pandemic – is the right choice to support Delta’s long-term strategy,” he added.
Source: ThisDay Online; Corporate Travel Community; Daily Trust; The NationOnline