Aviation
PH Airports: Airlines Engage In Competitive Flight Operations
Competition among airlines operating at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa is getting tougher as the airline now comply with their time scheduled.
Arik Airlines which had for the last one month suspended and delayed its schedule has re-engineered its operations to attract more passengers and customers.
Chanchangi and Aero Contractors Airlines which are however, enjoying patronage from passengers who have trusted their services.
Dana Airline which commenced its operation recently at the airport has reduced its fare to N15,000.00 to woo passengers to its side.
Virgin Nigeria Airlines has also redoubled its services and operated three frequencies. Most of the airliners are keeping to their timing.
Chanchangi Airlines and Arik Air begin the day operations with 08.00 a.m. flights followed by Aero Contractor, and Virgin Nigeria with 9.20 a.m. flight. Chanchangi, Aero, Arik and Dana operate afternoon flight at 11.30 am, 12.00 noon, 12.45 and 1.30 pm
Other flight operations for the day include Chanchangi 15.30 pm, Arik 4.00 pm and Aero 6.00 pm.
Meanwhile, Afrijet Airlines is working on how to re-launch its operations to Port Harcourt.
Sources close to the airline hinted that the management of the airline has been changed and that the airline has acquired new aircraft to complement the existing aircraft.
The airline is working on how to start operation before the end of this October.
It would be recalled that the airline commenced operations last year at the Port Harcourt Airport, but has to stop due to management problem.
Most of the airline staff have reportedly moved to Dana Airline; this however means the airline would recruit new staff to operate at the airport.
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Aviation Professionals Want Agencies Boards’ Inauguration
As a measure to curb corruption and restore accountability, the Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP), has called on the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, to push for the urgent formation and inauguration of governing boards for all other aviation agencies.
ANAP’s Secretary General, AbdulRasaq Saidu, made this call at the weekend when interacting with aviation correspondents, in reaction to recent inauguration of Board of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).
Keyamo had recently inaugurated the FAAN board, more than six months after its members were appointed by President Bola Tinubu, where Dr. Umar Ganduje was named Board Chairman, with FAAN’s Managing Director, Olubunmi Kuku, as the Vice Chairman.
Other board members include representatives from the Ministries of Justice, Defence, Tourism, and Aviation, as well as professionals from the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, and FAAN’s legal department.
The ANAP scribe there urged the aviation Minister not to stop at FAAN but to ensure that all aviation parastatals are given functional boards to restore order and credibility to the sector.
He, however, commended Keyamo for recently inaugurating the board of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria but stressed that more needed to be done.
Saidu also warned that the continued delay in constituting boards for other aviation agencies creates room for unchecked abuses, including illegal contracts, fraudulent employment practices, and mismanagement.
“The absence of governing boards violates the enabling Acts that established these agencies. Only properly constituted boards can enforce discipline, ensure due process in decision-making, and provide oversight to prevent corruption”, Saidu said.
He emphasised that the aviation unions, including ANAP, have consistently raised concerns about poor governance and lack of transparency within the aviation system.
He called on President Bola Tinubu to act swiftly by appointing board members for all relevant agencies, in the interest of fairness and aviation safety.
Saidu also tackled the former Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, for failing to inaugurate any boards during his eight-year tenure, despite appointments being made by former President Muhammadu Buhari.
“ANAP raised the alarm several times under Sirika’s leadership, but nothing changed. That lapse has continued under the current administration, and it must be addressed now”, Saidu stated.
By: Corlins Walter
