Aviation

Arik Airline Completes Loan Repayment

Published

15 years ago

January 14, 2011

Despite the disparaging comments making the round, Arik Airline says it has completed the repayment of the loans it secured from Nigerian and overseas banks for the purchase of its aircraft.

It maintained that the payment for two aircrafts will be completed in the first quarter of this year, saying it has not defaulted in the payment of its loans for the purchase of aircraft from the loan it secured from external financial institutions.

Chairman of Arik Air, Sir Joseph Ikhide Arumeni, who disclosed this noted the airline is indebted to the United States Exim Bank, the Export Development Bank of Canada and other European credit agencies.

According to him, these financial institutions need Nigerian banks to act on their behalf and pass the funds to Nigerian banks, adding “this is to put in perspective that Zenith Bank and another has assisted Arik Air in paying for its pre-delivery payment for some of the aircrafts”.

Arumeni explained that because of the risk profile of Nigeria, the duration for the payment of loans is reduced to between five and seven years as opposed to between 15 and 20 years for other countries with low risk profile, a development he affirmed creates a wider window for airline operators to benefit from such credit facilities.

“I can challenge anybody anywhere that Arik Air is servicing its loan to all the banks and credit organizations. We are not indebted to any organisation. Most of the comments that are making the round are coming from people who are not sufficiently informed about current operational developments in the industry”, he stressed.

The Arik Chairman said the airline is not indebted to the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), pointing out that the airport authority is yet to respond to the request by the carrier to pay for the cost of repairing its aircraft damaged last year at the Margaret Ekpo International Airport, Calabar.

He decried comments by some players in the industry, who as he puts it, indulge in branding the carrier a debtor, saying it would have negative impact on the industry as it could affect the ability of other operators to secure funding from international credit organizations.

Said Arumeni: “it is wrong for anybody to insinuate that Arik Air is getting the aircraft earlier booked for by other foreign carriers which could not meet up due to the financial meltdown. That is complete falsehood based on lack of inadequate information. Arik Air placed order for its aircraft according to specifications endorsed by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA)”.

“Arik Air does not owe any independent fuel marketer billions. Those who are alleging should furnish us with the figures. Even FAAN, we are not owing them, the only issue we need to resolve is the over N1.9 billion we spent to repair one of our aircrafts that was hit by a car at the Calabar airport last year,” Arumeni declared.

Aviation

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

Published

2 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

2 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

2 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.