Category: Aviation

Boeing has unveiled the first fully assembled Boeing 777X – the world’s longest passenger jetliner. The launch, earlier scheduled for last Wednesday, was delayed due to the Ethiopian Airlines’ B737Max plane that crashed in Ethiopia, killing all 157 souls onboard. In the aftermath of the disaster, the second in five months, airlines in many parts of the world have grounded the B737Max 8 and 9 fleet, putting Boeing in crisis. But as a mark of respect for those who died in the 737 Max 8 crash, it was instead unveiled…

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The air crash involving Ethiopian Airlines’ Boeing737MAX plane that had barely taken off from the Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa yesterday, has left 157 people dead. Two Nigerians, Ambassador Abiodun Bashua, and Prof. Pius Adesanmi, were among the157 persons who died in the crash. Bashua was United Nations and African Union Deputy Joint Special Representative in Darfur, Sudan. Adesanmi, a writer, graduate of University of Ilorin as well as a literary critic and professor with Carlton University in Canada, was believed to be heading for the African Union Economic,…

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Federal Government has placed indefinite suspension on the takeoff of the proposed national carrier scheduled for December 24. Though the Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika, who announced the decision yesterday did not give reasons, it was learnt that the development was not unconnected with investors’ apathy, ownership structure and funding issues. The government had in July unveiled the name and logo of the proposed national carrier, Nigeria Air, at the Farnborough International Public Airshow in London, ahead of takeoff in December 24. As contained in the Outline Business…

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Hadi Sirika, the Minister of State for Aviation, has described the nation’s air transport industry as horrible. The minister expressed his disenchantment while fielding questions from newsmen on the sidelines of the ICAO-AFI Regional Workshop on Improvement of A fundamental Safety Oversight System in the Area of Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation with RASG-AFI States in Abuja. He reiterated that the Federal Government was floating a new national carrier, Nigerian Air, because the industry, currently driven by the private sector, had been unable to provide excellent air transport services for…

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The name of the new national carrier, Nigeria Air, has been unveiled by the Federal Government. The airline, set for take-off on December 24, is largely private investors-owned, with the government owning only five per cent equity. Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika, at the unveiling of the name and logo at the ongoing Farnborough Airshow in London yesterday, said the airline would restore the country’s place in global aviation, covering no fewer than 81 local, regional and international routes. Sirika, in the presence of prospective investors, airline manufacturers…

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Alhaji Ahmadu Chanchangi, the Chairman of Chanchangi Airlines, is dead. The Taraba State-born Kaduna-based billionaire died along Kaduna-Abuja Road, on his way to a hospital in Abuja, yesterday morning. Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has extended his condolences to the Chanchangi family, describing the aviation icon as a business mogul and one of Nigeria’s outstanding philanthropists. A family source said: “He died along the road, while we were rushing him to a hospital in Abuja, after a protracted illness. “He will be buried by 2p.m. today (yesterday), according to Islamic rites at…

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900 workers representing 60 per cent of Aero Contractors Airline staff, which is presently under the management of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), has been sacked. Letters of redundancy were issued to the affected employees during the week. Media Consultant to the 58 year-old airline, Mr Simon Tumba, who confirmed the development in a statement issued on Thursday in Lagos, said the workers would be paid their pension and gratuity. Aero as at last September had about 1,500 workers on its payroll before it suspended flights. AMCON had taken it over…

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The executive control of Arik Air has been taken over by the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) to save the carrier from collapse due to its heavy financial debt burden. The airline will now be managed by Capt. Roy Ukpebo Ilegbodu, a veteran aviation expert with more than 30 years experience, under the receivership of Mr. Oluseye Opasanya (SAN). With the takeover by independent management under AMCON, owned by the Federal Government, the airline stands a chance of not going under, but to rebound and give efficient services to…

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