News
Air Peace, Azman, United, Arik, Aero, Max Form Alliance
Six Nigerian airlines have announced a new pact, the ‘Spring Alliance’, to mutually support their operations in order to provide better services to passengers.
The airlines – Air Peace, Azman Air, United Nigeria Airline, Arik Air, Aero Contractors and Max Air – said in a statement that the alliance would ensure interline collaboration to protect their operations and improve service delivery to passengers.
They said that the objective of the alliance was to curb flight delays among the six partners, give one another technical support, and also ensure that passengers were airlifted by any of the members, no matter which airline’s ticket the passengers have.
Speaking on the pact, Chairman of Air Peace and Vice-President of the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), Allen Onyema, said that the Spring Alliance was for the benefit of the passengers who fly with the six airlines.
He said that globally, there are many alliances, such as the Star Alliance, One World and many others, which airlines key into for the benefit of both the passengers and the airlines.
“So, today, in Nigeria, some Nigerian airlines, notably, Air Peace, Azman Air, Arik Air, Aero Contractors, Max Air & United Nigeria, have decided to come together to form what we call the Spring Alliance.
“The name of this alliance is Spring Alliance. We decided to come together to do this for the benefit of the flying public that use the opportunities provided by these airlines to fly.
“By this alliance, our passengers are protected whenever there is a problem with one airline. It is our response to the complaints of the flying public, so, this alliance will enable us to satisfy them. With this alliance and what we are going to be doing henceforth, the flying public will reap the benefit.
“For example, if Air Peace has a tech issue on any of its aircraft, the passengers of Air Peace need not to be delayed. If any member of this alliance is going to the same destination, of the alliance, at no further cost to the passenger”.all we need to do is move the passengers to other airlines, a member of the alliance, at no further cost to the passenger”.
Onyema stressed that the initiative to form the alliance was a noble one, describing the move as a revolutionary one in Nigeria’s aviation sector and urged other airlines to tap into the benefits offered by the alliance by joining.
He said that the Spring Alliance was not limited to Nigerian airlines alone, as other African airlines might wish to join.
He added that the alliance originated from Nigeria, but is open to the world.
“This will help aviation, it will help the sustainability of our operations; it will help the cause of the flying public to experience seamless commuting whenever they choose to. So, we are hereby putting our signatories to these papers today, launching this idea that will revolutionise Nigeria’s scheduled flight operations for the better,” Onyema said.
The Managing Director, Aero Contractors, Capt. AbdullahiMahmood, stated that the formation of the Spring Alliance was a historic move, one that prioritises the satisfaction of the passenger.
“History has been made here today in Nigeria, and this is the first time something like this is happening in Nigeria’s aviation industry. You can see that the airline operators are fully committed to making sure that our passengers are satisfied.
“As we say, for every challenge, you see an opportunity and probably this is the time that we have seen an opportunity whereby the airlines can come together, work together and have a healthy competition; whereby at the end of the day, we make our passengers happy and safe.
“Safety is the number one priority and this is what we stand for and coming together, like my colleagues rightly said, you find out that all these delays are caused by problems that passengers do not know and we just carry them from one point to another on time and make sure that everything goes smoothly.
“We are asking passengers to give their utmost cooperation, we are doing our best, it is a challenging situation we find ourselves but yes, we are all in this together and we are hopefully coming out together,” Mahmood said.
He also thanked all the relevant aviation stakeholders, adding that “this is just the beginning, like my colleague rightly said, this alliance is not only for Nigerian airlines; we are looking at other airlines around the world keying into the Spring Alliance”.
The CEO of United Nigeria Airlines, Dr ObioraOkonkwo, said the alliance would revolutionise flight services for the Nigerian flying public, as passenger satisfaction was the major objective behind the formation of the alliance.
According to Okonkwo, “today, history has been made at this landmark event. The Nigerian scheduled operators coming together to sign this all-important document. This, no doubt, will revolutionise the service and provision for the typical traveller in Nigeria. It is all about the passenger.
“There’s no doubt that Nigerian airlines are going through some situations and part of the ways to react to this is to have the passengers in mind. It is simply thinking out-of-the-box.
“On this note, we are thanking the passengers and we continue to appeal to them to show some understanding and to continue to show us love, knowing that we are in this together, that the airlines will continue to do anything possible within their strength to ensure efficiency of our services, and then, thanking the government that has been showing some understanding,” he said.
A first class traditional ruler in Rivers State, His Royal Majesty, King Aaron Ikuru, has described Nigeria at 65 as a grandfather who cannot provide leadership to other African Countries.
The monarch stated this in an interview at his palace in Ikuru Town, yesterday.
According to him, Nigeria would have been a developed country to set the pace in the whole of Africa, considering its numerous resources.
“Nigeria is a grandfather but not behaving as a grandfather. Our country, Nigeria, before and from the era of Independence was in the state of becoming a great country, but unfortunately is not becoming anything.
“We should be far ahead with what we have in the country. God blessed us, we have almost what it takes in terms of mineral resources, manpower amongst others that can drive speedy development in the country.
“If we’re able to harness all the things we have, even America by now would have respected us”, he said.
While blaming the past leaders of the country, the monarch called on the current leadership of the country to redouble efforts in order to narrow the differences in terms of development, exchange rate between naira and foreign currencies.
King Ikuru, who is also the Chairman of Andoni Area Traditional Rulers Council, however, lauded the efforts of the founding fathers, past leaders of the country for the achievements so far.
He also expressed optimism that Nigeria would be great, calling on the opinion leaders to shun tribalism and political intolerance in the country.
“If Nigeria should experience rapid development in all sectors, it means we must shun tribalism and political intolerance, the interest of our country must be our priority.
“We need to fight corruption vigorously, and leaders must show good example of discipline and integrity”, he said.
The monarch used the opportunity to wish Nigeria happy independence anniversary.
By: Enoch Epelle
The Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate has announced the start of implementation of the new pension increments for pensioners under the Defined Benefit Scheme, saying the adjustments will be reflected in the September 2025 payroll cycle.
In a statement signed by Management and posted on its X handle, PTAD said the increase package includes a fixed N32,000 payment alongside percentage increases of 10.66% and 12.95% for eligible categories, which will benefit about 832,000 pensioners under its management.
Recall that PTAD in August announced President Bola Tinubu approved a series of measures, including new welfare benefits for pensioners under DBS.
The approval follows a formal request by PTAD’s Executive Secretary, Tolulope Odunaiya, seeking an emergency budgetary allocation to implement pension reforms and welfare benefits for the scheme’s retirees.
The measures include a N32,000 pension increment, percentage increases for pensioners of defunct and privatised agencies, pension harmonisation for all DBS pensioners, enrolment into the National Health Insurance Scheme, and the settlement of long-standing unfunded pension liabilities.
In a statement yesterday, PTAD said the partial release of N820.188 billion by the Federal Ministry of Finance from the emergency funding has made it possible for pensioners to begin receiving the enhanced payments immediately.
The statement read, “Further to the President’s approval of the emergency budgetary allocation for the payment of the new pension increment rates for Pensioners under the Defined Benefit Pension Scheme (DBS) that was earlier published by the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate on Friday, 8th August, 2025, the Directorate is delighted to announce the commencement of the implementation of the 832,000, 10.66% and 12.95% pension increment for eligible pensioners under the management of PTAD, in the September 2025 pension payroll cycle.
“This achievement has been made possible through the partial release of 820.188 billion by the Federal Ministry of Finance, from the initial 845 billion emergency funding approval granted by the Federal Government.
“This milestone clearly reaffirms the Federal Government’s dedication to safeguarding the welfare and entitlements of DBS Pensioners in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda.”
The directorate thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the emergency allocation.
It also acknowledged the role of the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun; the Minister of State for Finance, Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite; the Accountant-General of the Federation and key presidential aides and parliamentary committees for their “timely interventions” and support.
The statement also expressed appreciation to organised pension groups, including the Nigeria Union of Pensioners and the Federal Parastatals and Private Sector Pensioners Association of Nigeria, for their cooperation during negotiations and implementation planning.
“We further assure all our DBS Pensioners and Stakeholders that the Directorate will continue to collaborate with the relevant authorities towards release of the outstanding approved funds and subsequent fulfilment of all future obligations relating to the pension increments and the landmark reforms,” the statement added.
The DBS covers pensioners who retired before the introduction of the Contributory Pension Scheme in 2004, including those from defunct public institutions, privatised agencies, and treasury-funded parastatals.
Over the years, many have faced irregular payments, delayed harmonisation, and inadequate healthcare access, challenges that the new reforms are expected to address.
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has urged Nigeria. citizens to remain united, peaceful to enhance development of the nation as it celebrates 65th independence anniversary.
Mr Mkpoutom Mkpoutom, Director of NOA in Akwa Ibom, gave the charge in Uyo yesterday while addressing newsmen and stakeholders to mark the anniversary.
Mkpoutom said it was essential to recognise that the strength of Nigeria lay in its diversity
“With over 250 ethnic groups and an array of languages, the nation embodies a unique blend of heritage.
“This diversity should be seen not as a dividing line but as a unifying force that propels the country toward progress.
“As Akwa Ibom embarks on another year, it is crucial for all citizens to foster a sense of unity and shared purpose.
“Embrace dialogue, understanding and collaborate with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu in its efforts to addressing pressing challenges like poverty, security, education, and healthcare, thereby paving way for a brighter future for all.”
The state director, however, appealed to Nigerians from all walks of life to renew their commitment to a more prosperous, peaceful, and equitable nation.
“Let this anniversary serve as a reminder of the collective strength that lies in every citizen,” he said.
He urged everyone to contribute positively to the development of a better society.
Mkpoutom urged the people and all citizens to honour the labours of heroes past, as they celebrated the present, while working diligently toward a future filled with hope and opportunities for generations to come.
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