Aviation

NCAA To Sanction Aviation Agencies, Operators Over Non – Compliance

Published

12 years ago

July 11, 2014

The Nigerian Civil Aviation
Authority (NCAA), says it would sanction airlines, the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET) and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), if they fail to effectively carry out their responsibility as enshrined in the 2006 Nigerian Civil Aviation Act as amended.
This was disclosed by the acting Director General NCAA, Mr Benjamin Adeyileka who said that FAAN should be made to urgently carry out the perimeter fencing of the airport in the face of the current terror threat in the country and the provision of other infrastructure for security, safety and easy facilitation.
Mr Adejileka noted that in the past, the regulation was not strictly followed and that explained the laxity in these agencies not performing their duties efficiently and the airlines not abiding by the rules.
“I think we have started fullscale enforcement we will now be telling FAAN about perimeter fencing, potholes on the apron etc. what am saying is that we have commenced active surveillance of different directorates.”
According to the Director General, we are looking into all areas of non-compliance if there is, we can sanction, enforceable sanction, citing relevant portions of the regulation, they have no choice.
The Director General said the aviation agencies cannot compromises the regulation because they are not more important than the operators, adding that NCAA is working with the airtimes and that has helped them to change their manuals to correspondent with the regulation manuals.
“We are now working with the airlines and we have made them change their operating manuals. We have combined that manual with regulatory manual, so whatever the manuals say you do. But we will make sure we have effective oversight”, he said.
Mr Adeyileka, therefore urged the agencies and the operators to work in accordance to the regulations while NCAA provides the oversight function as the regulatory body, pointing out there has been a high compliance rate from the aviation parastatals.
He added: “all I am advocating for is that we do our job, by providing this oversight going through appropriate channels and procedure.
However, we are happy to say that compliance rate from the agencies is very commendable.
No one agency regulation is being strengthened and apart from that we are working together.”
“I am working with FAAN, NAMA and NIMeT to adequately reposition our system. NIMET has to be accurate with their forecast and it has to be precise because they are the one that had give visibility reports. So those are the things we are working on, I want us to champion that please. So that is where we are going”, he concluded.

Aviation

Togo Govt Scraps It’s Visa Requirements For All African Countries

Published

4 weeks ago

May 27, 2026

The Tide

The Togolese government has scrapped visa requirements for nationals of all African countries, effective May 18, 2026, meaning Nigerians with valid passports can now enter the country without applying for visa in advance.

African travellers can now stay in Togo visa-free for up to 30 days counting from May 18, 2026.

Visitors must still complete an online pre-arrival registration before entering the country.

The announcement came via the official X handle of Togo’s Ministry of Security, signed by the ministry’s head, Colonel Calixte Batossie Madjoulba.

Under the new policy, eligible African travellers can stay in Togo for up to 30 days without a visa, with the government describing the move as a commitment to Pan-African ideals and regional integration.

Government based the decision within a wider Pan-African agenda, stating that it reaffirms Togo’s attachment to “Pan-African ideals, continental solidarity, and community and African commitments, relating to mobility and regional integration.”

Togo also positioned the move as part of an agenda of “openness, modernisation, and attractiveness” aimed at making the country “a regional hub for services, business, culture, and human exchanges at the heart of Africa.”

There is, however, one step travellers cannot skip. Before arrival, visitors must register on the Togolese government’s official travel portal at voyage.gouv.tg at least 24 hours before reaching the border.

Nigerians can now travel to Togo without applying for a visa in advance.

The registration generates a travel slip that must be presented at entry points across land, air, and sea. The government has been clear that this pre-arrival formality remains mandatory regardless of the visa exemption.

Beyond the registration requirement, standard entry conditions still apply. Security checks, immigration screening, and public health requirements remain in place, and the waiver does not protect travellers who overstay or enter irregularly.

All border agencies have been directed to implement the new policy immediately.

Togo’s decision is part of a broader continental shift. Across Africa, more governments are moving to ease intra-African travel in alignment with the African Continental Free Trade Area’s vision of freer movement of people and goods.

Togo is now among the more accessible West African destinations for Nigerian travellers, a short trip that previously required advance visa processing and now requires nothing more than a passport and a quick online registration the day before you fly.

Aviation

Egypt Flight Moves To Prevent Explosion —- Diverts London Flight To Rome

Published

4 weeks ago

May 27, 2026

The Tide

An EasyJet flight from Egypt to London was diverted to Rome after a passenger was found with a power bank in checked luggage.

The airline said the diversion was made as a safety precaution due to regulations surrounding lithium-ion batteries.

Passengers landed safely in Rome and were provided accommodation and refreshments after the delay.

The aircraft, operating flight EZY2618 from Hurghada to London Luton, made an unscheduled landing at Rome Fiumicino Airport last Tuesday evening as a precautionary safety measure.

According to the airline, the decision to divert was taken after a passenger informed cabin crew that the portable charger was inside luggage stored in the aircraft’s hold.

Although no fire or malfunction was reported, lithium-ion batteries found in power banks are considered a significant safety risk on aircraft due to the possibility of overheating or catching fire.

Flight tracking data showed the plane cruising at approximately 36,000 feet over the Adriatic Sea before suddenly changing course and heading towards Rome, where it landed safely about 20 minutes later.

Passengers reportedly disembarked without incident, while the flight was rescheduled for the following day.

In a statement, EasyJet apologised for the disruption and said the diversion was carried out in accordance with aviation safety regulations.

“The safety of passengers and crew is our highest priority,” the airline said, adding that hotel accommodation, meals, and refreshments were provided for affected travellers.

“EasyJet’s policies state that power banks are only permitted in cabin baggage and must not be stored in checked luggage.

The airline also prohibits passengers from using power banks to charge devices during flights.

The incident comes as airlines around the world continue tightening restrictions on portable chargers and lithium battery devices amid growing concerns over onboard fire hazards linked to overheating batteries.

Aviation

Delta At 20: Delta Airline Expands Travel Access Ahead 2026 World Cup

Published

4 weeks ago

May 27, 2026

The Tide

Delta Air Lines has announced a range of travel solutions aimed at easing the journey for Ghanaian football fans planning to attend the 2026 FIFA World Cup across the United States and North America.

The announcement was made during an event in Accra marking the airline’s 20th anniversary in Ghana, as company officials highlighted plans to work closely with local travel agencies to ensure that fans can access tickets and travel packages well in advance for the global tournament.

According to Delta’s Managing Director for International and Specialty Sales, Rob LeBel, the airline is introducing flexible options tailored to different travel needs.

These include individual ticket purchases, discounted group packages for parties of ten or more, and charter services for larger groups.

He explained that the collaboration with travel agencies would also focus on educating customers about the best ways to secure flights during the expected surge in demand.

To expand travel routes, Delta is leveraging its partnership with European carrier KLM, offering passengers alternative connections through Europe when direct routes are fully booked.

The airline believes the upcoming tournament presents a major opportunity to strengthen travel ties between Ghana and North America, particularly as interest among football fans continues to grow.