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Wednesday 27 January 2016

Arik Air resumes services to Freetown, Sierra Leone

Arik Air resumes services to Freetown, Sierra Leone

Arik Air, said it would be resuming flight services from Lagos to Freetown, Sierra Leone from February 23, 2016.

Spokesperson for the airline, Mr Banji Ola, made this known today stating that flights from Lagos to Freetown were suspended in July 2014 at the outbreak of the Ebola in some West African nations.

The resumed service will entail a new schedule with flights from Lagos to Freetown now routed via Accra, Ghana. This will be a three weekly flight to be operated on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday using a Boeing 737-800 Next Generation (NG) aircraft configured to carry 20 Business Class and 126 Economy Class passengers.

Outbound flights will depart Lagos at 7:20 am and arrive Accra at 7:20 am. The flight then departs Accra at 8:05 am and arrives in Freetown at 10:30 am. The inbound flight leaves Freetown at 11:15 am and arrives Accra at 1:40 pm. The flight then continues onto Lagos, leaving Accra at 2:25 pm to arrive into Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos at 4:25 pm. All times are local.

Arik Air made its foray into Freetown in June 2009 and had operated uninterrupted until July 2014.

Arik Air’s Managing Director, Mr. Chris Ndulue said of the resumption of flights to Freetown: “Arik Air is the dominant carrier in West and Central Africa and air travelers in this region look up to us to fly them to their destinations. We want to assure our loyal customers on the Lagos-Freetown route that we are back to deliver the safe, secure and reliable services that are the hallmark of Arik Air.”

NAMA partners NEMA, others on live aircraft simulation




Ahead of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) audit coming up in March 2016, the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA)has joined forces with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other critical stakeholders responsible for managing aviation crisis like the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), NIMASA, Nigerian Air Force, Nigerian Navy, local divers etc in a live aeronautic simulation of an air crash into the Atlantic Ocean at Oworonshoki Sand Beach in Lagos.  Code named “Ja’ Sokun,” the National Aeronautical Search and Rescue Exercise (NASAREX) focused on a disaster that could result from an air crash and create mass casualty incident which requires a coordinated response from all critical stakeholders saddled with the responsibility of managing aviation crisis incidences in Search and Rescue and Epidemic Evacuation Plan , SAREEP.  The mock air crash search and rescue exercise which was largely successful enabled stakeholders to assess their level of preparedness in emergency responses.   Speaking at the end of the exercise, the NEMA Director of Search and Rescue, AVM Charles Otegbade congratulated participants on the “combined effort in achieving an impressive outcome,” even as he assured that “all gaps recorded in the simulation exercise would be closed by the relevant stakeholders.” It will be recalled that a similar Air Crash Simulation exercise was carried out last year on land in Abuja as an annual requirement from the International Civil Aviation Organization, ICAO.

Royal Air Maroc launches new routes in summer 2016

Royal Air Maroc launches new routes in summer 2016

… connects West Africa to North America



Royal Air Maroc is gearing towards expanding its coast to further allow passengers to have a new feel of their connections. The Moroccan carrier will be connecting from its operating hub in Casablanca to Nairobi Kenya in Africa, Rio De Janeiro Brazil in South America and Washington DC United States of America in North America. According to a statement from the airline, “As part of the development of its international network and connectivity from its Casablanca hub, Royal Air Maroc launch three new Long destinations from summer 2016, Nairobi , Rio De Janeiro and Washington DC. Schedules and days of services programmed for these three new destinations offer good network connectivity and also allows to perfectly connect West Africa to North America for an optimal time to stopover.”

The Nairobi route is proposed to start March 30th, 2016 with service days to be Wednesday and Friday. “Connectivity offered: Europe, Intra-Africa and North America in both directions”.

For the Rio De Janeiro route will commence May 3th, 2016 with Monday, Wednesday and Friday being the service days. On this route, “the transition to 4 frequencies is planned from September 2016.Connectivity offered: Europe, Africa in both directions”.


While the Washington DC route will start on September 10th, 2016 with service days: Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. “Connectivity offered: Europe, Africa in both directions”.

Buhari's Anti Corruption fight should not be a selective fight-US University DON


Buhari's Anti Corruption fight should not be a selective fight-US University DON

ZAINAB JUNAID ELESHO

Professor of Communication, Kenth State University, United States, Primus Igboaka, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to go ahead with the anti-corruption fight, but that it should not be a selective fight.

Igboaka made this call while fielding question with journalists at the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA), Lagos yesterday.

He said the President needs to rejuvenate the hope of Nigerians and that he should not be distracted by the comments some people are making as he continues the fight against corruption.

Igboaka, who is also the Coordinator of Transparent Leadership Forum based in Atlanta, affirmed that the body’s goal was to make sure that leaders, who intimidate Nigerian people do not go without punishment and further called for a mass orientation for the Nigerian people on the fight against corruption.

On the importance and role of leadership, Igboaka opines that Nigeria has the greatest brains in the world but that what Nigeria is lacking is leadership.

To him, "Nigeria has the brain to turn the country around but that one of the country’s greatest problems is lack of leadership. This is because leadership is about serving people.

"Leadership is about serving, helping the people and the betterment of a society is not judged by individual wealth but by collective wealth," he argued.

Explaining the motive behind the formation of the Nigeria-USA Chamber of Commerce (NUSACC), Primus said that it was formed to correct the wrong impression that Nigeria is not safe for business as being written and published by American Press and others.

He disclosed that the body has organised business meetings in both Ohio and Washington, adding that in 2012 for example the chamber organised a business forum at Sheraton Hotels in Nigeria and that in that year 24 businesses worth $2.5 billion were brought into the country.

Igboaka added that several United States companies ranging from real estate, transport logistics construction, courier services, and cosmetics others attend the forum.

He further called on the Federal Government to relax the monetary policy on business in the country, lamenting that Nigeria is one of the hardest place to do business.

He stated that while he was in favour of government measures adopted to block the loopholes to prevent corruption, the existing businesses in the country should not be strangulated.

“I have discovered that Nigeria is the hardest place to do business .The Federal Government should create a conducive atmosphere for businesses to thrive," he maintained.

Dana Air Rewards flyers on Lagos-Accra-Lagos route


Dana Air Rewards flyers on Lagos-Accra-Lagos route

ZAINAB JUNAID ELESHO

Nigerian carrier; Dana Air has made known a series of benefits to reward its customers flying on the Lagos – Accra – Lagos route.

The Chief Commercial Officer of Dana Air, Mr Obi Mbanuzuo, who disclosed this, stated that the offer was also tied to its frequent flyer programme, Dana Miles, which would enable passengers flying on the Accra route earn 4,500 miles extra to fly for free on their next trip.

The rewards, he explained would continue throughout the month of February, 2016 and that the offer entails that passengers fly with their partner on a round trip on the Lagos – Accra- Lagos route to get 4500 miles.

This, he further explained is equivalent to a free ticket, while those travelling on the business class stand a chance of being upgraded to silver membership, which is the second highest membership level for passengers, who are able to acquire 9,000 miles within one year on their flight with Dana Air and also enjoy the advantage that the program has to offer.

The Chief Commercial Officer of Dana Air stated that the reward was just the airlines’ way of saying thank you to its loyal passengers on the Accra route and to encourage them to spend this year’s valentine in Accra.

According to him, “This is our own way of appreciating our loyal guests who have embraced our unique flight services on the Accra route and to also encourage couples to enjoy their getaway this valentine in the beautiful city of Accra.”

He continued, “Our guests should also expect more giveaways on our social media platforms and can also participate in our ongoing valentine contest in collaboration with Pulseng on instagram.”

Recalled that Dana Air recently launched daily flight services from Lagos to Accra with an introductory online fare of N22, 000 to boost leisure and business trips from Lagos to Accra.

The airline is reputed for its world-class in-flight service, inventive online products and superior on time performance