Minimum wage : Unions disrupt flights at Lagos airport

Some members of aviation unions who are affiliates of the Nigerian Labour Congress and the United Labour Congress on Friday disrupted flight operations for over four hours at the General Aviation Terminal of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos. 

The unions who are demanding for the implementation of the new National Minimum Wage stormed the airport in their numbers and prevented passengers from checking in for their flights. 

The unions in the sector are: the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) and the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE).

Others are the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) and the Association of Nigerian Aviation Professionals (ANAP).

The airlines affected by the action were Air Peace and Arik Air at the GAT which led to confrontations between the airlines officials and the unionists. 

Reacting to the development, 

Mr Chris Iwarah, Corporate Communications Manager, Air Peace, described the unions action as totally uncalled for because the airline's staffers did not belong to any labour organisation. 

Iwarah said all the airlines morning flight schedule was affected by the restriction of passengers' access to the GAT by the airline. 

He said :" Early this morning, some members of the aviation unions barricaded our terminal and prevented our guests from flying in protest for the implementation of the national minimum wage. 

"This is very unfortunate because they have no right to force our workers to join unions or join their agitations for increased pay. 

"We don't know how your increased pay will benefit us as a people in Air Peace. So,  going to stop our operations is simply an act of provocation and they have no such rights."

However, the spokesperson for the Lagos Airport Police Command, DSP Joseph Alabi, said security operatives were alerted of the situation and quickly restored order.

"Our men are on ground and everywhere is calm. The unions are not preventing people from boarding and the airlines are carrying out their operations without any hindrance," Alabi said. 

The organised labour had called for a nationwide warning strike effective midnight Sept. 26 to press home their demands for the increment of the minimum wage. 

For the second day running, the unions in compliance with the directive,  had

barricaded the offices of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency.

Also shut down were the headquarters of the Accident Investigation Bureau and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority. 

The unions, in a joint statement said the general strike in the sector would begin on Oct. 2 due to the ongoing NUATE delegate conference in Asaba,  Delta State.

The statement was signed by Mr  Mohammed Safiyanu and Mr Olayinka Abioye, President and General Secretary, NUATE and Mr Illitrus Ahmadu and Mr Frances Akinjole, President and General Secretary, ATSSAN.

Other signatories were Mr Abednego Galadima and Mr Ocheme Aba, President and General Secretary, NAAPE and Mr Yahaya Gusau and Mr Rasaq Saidu ,  President and General Secretary, ANAP.

Arik Air celebrates Nigeria’s Independence with 250 free tickets

Arik Air, Nigeria’s leading airline is giving away 250 free tickets on October 1, 2018 to celebrate Nigeria’s 58^th Independence anniversary.

Customers flying Arik Air on Monday, October 1 have the opportunity of winning complimentary tickets on board as five one-way economy class tickets will be raffled on each and every flight of the day.

In the course of the day’s flights, the crew will conduct a raffle using the seat numbers to draw five winners on each flight for the free one-way economy class domestic tickets.

Speaking on the Independence offer, Arik Air’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Captain Roy Ilegbodu said: “Arik Air is a wholly Nigerian airline and the independence anniversary of the country is an auspicious occasion to appreciate our customers for their loyalty.

“We wish all Nigerians a Happy Independence Anniversary”.

Arik Air is one of the oldest commercial airlines operating in Nigeria. The airline will be celebrating its 12^th anniversary on October 30, 2018.

Air Peace boss says airline to begin flights to Dubai, Sharjah in November

Mr Allen Onyema, the Chairman of Air Peace, says the airline will begin flight operations to the cities of Dubai and Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates before the end of November. 

Onyema made the announcement during an interactive session with newsmen on Friday in Lagos. 

Onyema commended the Federal Government for taking the bold decision to suspend the new national carrier project which was a welcomed development to airline operators. 

"It was a bold move by the government and the president did not care about political correctness.

"The decision is therefore a challenge to Air Peace and other Nigerian airlines to rise up to the occasion to fill the void created by the absence of a national carrier," he said. 

According to him, the airline which recently ordered for 10 brand new B737 Max aircraft from Boeing to take its aircraft fleet to 37, is ready to make Nigeria proud on the international routes. 

"We are going to start flights to Dubai and Sharjah before the end of November. We have already acquired four B777 aircraft for that purpose. 

"We are also working on getting permits to begin operations to Houston, London,  Mumbai, Guangzhou-China and Johannesburg," he said. 

Onyema thanked the federal government for granting the approval for the airline to begin operations on the six international destinations but noted that the government needs to protect Nigerian airlines from international aero politics.

He said for instance, no Nigeria airline was currently flying to Europe, America, Middle East and Asia while those operating even within Africa were also being frustrated by some governments.

Onyema said :"Air Peace has lost over N1 billion in six months of flying the West Coast of Africa due to excessive aviation charges by the countries we are flying into. 

"What we are making here is being used to sustain our operations on these routes because we know we have to develop and maintain consistency on them to keep going. 

"However, the airlines from these countries come into Nigeria even on multiple routes and they pay very little to our own government. So, there must be reciprocity of charges .

"It is not just enough for government to give approval for Nigerian carriers to operate abroad but the government should facilitate the fast tracking of their permits and also ensure that they are not frustrated by international aero politics. 

The Air Peace boss maintained that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari had been supportive to Nigerian airlines especially with the waiver on importation of aircraft spares and Value Added Tax (VAT). 

He, however urged the government to review the multiple entry granted to foreign airlines and also concession the airports to make them at par with their contemporaries across the world.

Air Peace relaunches Asaba route October 8, adds Abuja to service

Nigeria’s leading carrier, Air Peace has unveiled plans to restart its daily Lagos-Asaba-Lagos flight operations on October 8.

The airline, which pulled out of the route more than two years ago due to safety concerns with respect to the runway of the Asaba Airport, said it would also add Abuja-Asaba-Abuja flights to the service.

A statement signed by Air Peace Corporate Communications Manager, Mr Chris Iwarah said the airline decided to return to the Asaba route to end the nightmare of air travellers seeking to connect the Delta State capital, Anambra and other adjoining cities.

Air Peace, the statement assured, was going to offer unparalleled on-time, convenient, safe and affordable flight services on the Lagos-Asaba-Lagos and Abuja-Asaba-Abuja routes.

“We are pleased to announce our return to the capital of Delta State, Asaba starting October 8, 2018. Air Peace had to suspend flight operations to the Asaba Airport more than two years ago due to safety concerns with the facility.

“Since we suspended our operations to the airport, members of the flying public have inundated us with calls and appeals to return to end their nightmare on the route.

"While we could feel their pain, there really was not much we could do about it since our decision to pull out was anchored on safety, an issue we could never compromise.

“We are, however, thankful that the Delta State Government had to intervene to give the airport a facelift.

" We have been assured that the airport is now safe to operate into and we cannot but move in immediately to end the woes of members of the flying public wishing to travel to Asaba, Anambra and other connecting cities.

“We are not just restoring our daily Lagos-Asaba-Lagos service, we are also adding Abuja-Asaba-Abuja flights to the offering to meet the yearnings of members of the flying public.

"It promises to be quite an exciting time once more on the Asaba route beginning from October 8”, the statement said.

Dana Air Partners Project Pinkblue, U.S Embassy to train 44 Nigerian Doctors

Dana Air has deepened its Corporate Social Responsibility with the recent Medical oncology training of 44 Nigerian Doctors at the African University of Science and Technology (AUST), Abuja.

The Medical Oncology training held from  Aug. 13 to 25 and is in collaboration with Project Pinkblue, a nongovernmental organisation, U.S Embassy in Nigeria and the Federal Ministry of Health.

Speaking on the initiative, the Media and Communications Manager of Dana Air, Kingsley Ezenwa said, “Giving back to the society in which we operate is part of our secrets of success.

"We are committed to the health and wellbeing of Nigerians and this training is part of the Upgrade Oncology initiative focused on strengthening the capacities of oncology education, medical oncology curriculum, oncology infrastructures and cancer treatment in Nigeria.”

“The training was led by two U.S. based Fulbright Specialists-  Dr. Tracey O’Connor MD, a medical oncologist and associate professor at Rosswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, New York, USA and Dr. Mike Martin MD, medical oncologist and associate professor of Medicine at West Cancer Center, University of Tenesse, Memphis, TN, USA.’’

According to the Executive Director of Project PinkBlue, Mr Runcie Chidebe, The two U.S. based medical oncologists also trained 56 doctors and healthcare workers at Lagos University Teaching Hospital and the 44 oncologists were drawn from all the centres of excellence (CoE) hospitals, namely: University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, University of Port Teaching Hospital, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, University College Hospital, Nnamdi Azikiwe Teaching Hospital, National Hospital Abuja, University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Usman Danfodio Teaching Hospital, Ahmadu Bello Teaching Hospital, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital, Federal Medical Centre Gusau, Federal Medical Centre Bida,  Federal Medical Centre Abakaliki, and two private facilities namely Lakeshore Cancer Centre and  Asi Upko Diagnostic & Medical Centre.

Runcie while thanking Dana Air for its strong commitment to the fight against cancer in Nigeria since 2014 said “the fight against cancer cannot be won by using just one strategy, we must employ diversified strategies, and engage diversified stakeholders including the private sector.

" For instance, Dana Air has been supporting us since 2014, this is commendable! Let’s not be weary, let’s continue to support activities against cancer by all means possible”.

The Chief Medical Director of Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Prof. Chris Bode who was present to supervise the training commended the initiative and was joined by other guests including  Prof. F.A. Durosinmi-Etti, professor of radiation oncology and the President of Cancer Education and Advocacy Foundation of Nigeria (CEAFON).

 Only recently, Dana Air bagged an award for its nationwide CSR initiatives as the Most Socially Responsible Airline by the League of Airport and Aviation Correspondents (LAAC).

The airline having flown over 2.7million passengers in the last 9 years of its operations is one of Nigeria’s leading airlines with daily flights from Lagos to Abuja, Port Harcourt, Uyo, and Owerri.

We represent Nigeria’s greatness, Air Peace tells Nigerians in Ghana

Nigeria's leading airline, Air Peace on Saturday assured Nigerians resident in Ghana that its strides in the aviation industry in West Africa are to project the image of the country positively across the world.

The airline made the declaration at the Nigerian Charity Bazaar hosted by the Nigerian High Commission in Ghana in collaboration with the Nigerian Women Association in Ghana, among other pro-Nigerian groups.

The bazaar was held at the Nigeria House, Accra to rally Nigerians from all walks of life and friends of Nigeria to celebrate the nation's unity in diversity and commitment to charity.

The event was graced by the Nigerian High Commissioner to Ghana, k

Ambassador Michael  Abikoye, the Ambassadors of Pakistan, India, China to Ghana, members of the diplomatic corps as well as leaders of the Nigerian community in Ghana.

 Speaking, Air Peace Corporate Communications Manager, Mr Chris Iwarah said the airline was changing the negative narrative about Nigeria through its exceptional flight services.

Iwarah, who addressed the diplomats and other dignitaries during a visit to Air Peace stands at the bazaar, said the airline had deepened its commitment to creation of seamless connections in Nigeria, Africa and the world with the signing of an agreement with Boeing for the delivery of 10 brand new Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft.

He said Air Peace was the first and only airline on the West Coast of Africa to order the state-of-the-art aircraft from Boeing. 

He assured that the carrier, which had so far taken delivery of two of the four Boeing 777 aircraft it recently acquired for its long-haul services to Houston, London, Dubai, Sharjah, Mumbai, Guangzhou-China and South Africa, would continue to strive to make Nigerians proud with its flight operations. 

Air Peace signs multi-million dollar agreement with Boeing, to purchase 10 B737 Max aircraft

Nigerian carrier, Air Peace  has signed a multi-million dollar agreement with aircraft manufacturers, The Boeing Company, for the purchase of 10 brand new B737 Max aircraft. 

The agreement was signed on Thursday at the United States Consulate in Lagos by the Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace, Mr Allen Onyema and Boeing Sales Director for West  and Central Africa, Mr Larry Tolliver. 

Speaking at the ceremony, Onyema said each of the Max B737 aircraft cost $113 million but Boeing was gracious to reduce it to an undisclosed amount for  Air Peace following series of negotiations. 

He said the procurement of the aircraft,which is the latest by Boeing, was being financed by Fidelity Bank and would be deployed for Air Peace international operations.

According to him,  the addition of the new planes, which will be delivered soon by Boeing, will increase Air Peace fleet to 37 aircraft in less than four years of operations. 

Onyema said :" We have just signed an order for 10 B737 aircraft from Boeing.  We are interested in creating employment for our people because one of the aircraft can create 500 jobs. 

"We are trying to curb insecurity by creating job opportunities for our people.  Air Peace currently has about 3,000 employees and I believe that is part of our contribution to national development."

He thanked the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration for the support given to Nigerian airlines, noting that the anti-corruption campaign of the government had improved the confidence of the international community on Nigerian businesses. 

Onyema, however appealed to the government to find ways of establishing local refineries in order to reduce the high cost of aviation fuel which was affecting the operations of airlines in the country. 

Also, the US Consul General,  Mr John Bray, said the agreement  between both companies would further deepen the relationship between Nigeria and the US. 

Bray said it was a win-win situation for both countries because the deal would create about 3,000 jobs in Nigeria while about 5,000 jobs in the manufacturing sector would be created in the US. 

On his part, Tolliver said the B373 Max aircraft was the fastest aircraft manufactured by Boeing and consumes about 40 per cent less fuel than other Boeing aircraft currently being used by Air Peace. 

He said the aircraft also had passenger appeal because of the modern facilities on-board, stressing that Boeing would be supporting Air  Peace with training and maintenance spares as part of the agreement.  

Speaking on the financing of the procurement, the Managing Director of Fidelity Bank, Mr Nnamdi Okonkwo,  said Air Peace had proven its integrity in previous loans given to the airline by the bank. 

He said :" We are proud to have Air Peace as a customer because the airline has integrity and has always paid ahead of time in previous aircraft purchases financed by Fidelity Bank. 

"I know some airlines have gone down in the past due to huge indebtedness to banks but I can tell you that Air Peace is not owing anybody and this is because of the prudence of the airline's management. "

The Federal Government has granted approval to Air Peace to begin  flights to six international destinations  which are London, Dubai, Sharjah, Guangzhou-China, Mumbai and Johannesburg in the next few months.