Thursday 4 February 2016
Air Cote D’Ivoire begins Flights to Abuja
Air Cote D’Ivoire begins Flights to Abuja
ZAINAB JUNAID ELESHO
Air Cote D’Ivoire (HF) has concluded plans to connect Nigeria’s Federal Capital, Abuja to its hub airport in Abidjan.
According to the management of the airline, the flight operations to Abuja is aimed at expanding its rapidly growing network and quickly establish itself as the leading carrier in the West and Central African Sub Region.
A statement by the airline, said the service between the two strategic destinations is expected to commence effective February 15, 2016.
This is coming on the heels of its recent launch last month of the delivery of yet another brand new Dash 8-Q400 aircraft.
The recently acquired airliner is one of three new aircrafts expected to join the carrier’s young fleet this year.
A total of three weekly flights will be operated between both destinations in a two class configuration of 7 seat in Business Class and 60 seats in Economy class.
The flights will depart from Abuja on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays at 09:20am and arrive in Abidjan at 11: 05am and will also depart from Abidjan at 7:25pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays to arrive in Abuja at 11:15pm. The above flights will be in addition to its current five flights weekly from Lagos.
The country manager -Nigeria, Mr. Moustapha Fofana stated that: “We thank our customers and partners for their massive support since commencement of our operations into Lagos a year ago. We have been listening to and working assiduously with our travel partners in order to meet the business and leisure needs of our esteemed customers. Connecting the city of Abuja through direct flights to Abidjan will not only open the region to seamless connectivity in the spirit of the Yamoussoukro Decision, but it will also go a long way to foster closer relations between Nigeria and Cote D’Ivoire, offer greater choice to customers, and significantly reduce travel time for passengers.”
Air Cote d’Ivoire is the national carrier of Cote d’Ivoire with a workforce of over 437 employees including more than 58 Pilots, 116 Cabin Crew and 30 Aircraft Engineers operating a young fleet of seven aircrafts comprising three A319s, one A320 and three Dash 8-Q400s.
NCAA suspends Bristow Helicopters Sikorsky S-76C++ Type
NCAA suspends Bristow Helicopters Sikorsky S-76C++ Type
ZAINAB JUNAID ELESHO
Following the successive mishaps of Bristow Helicopters' operating aircraft Sikorsky S-76C++ Type on the coastal waters of Lagos, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, has Suspended the operation of the airline's Helicopter till further notice.
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has suspended th
According to the Director General of NCAA, Capt. Muhtar Usman, the suspension will enable the authority carry out a full scale audit on its operations with particular emphasis on its Sikorsky S-76C++ type.
He made this known while briefing aviation correspondents at NCAA Annex, at the international wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA),Lagos.
The decision, the director general, stated was coming on the heels of the Bristow Helicopters’ controlled ditching yesterday, February 3, 2016, adding that the regulatory body considered it expedient to communicate certain decisions that the authority has taken concerning the incident
These decisions, he stated were without prejudice to the investigations being conducted by the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB),adding that as a matter of fact, it would serve to assist in the entire process.
NCAA, he added would fully support AIB in the investigation.
The regulatory authority, the DG stated viewed with utmost seriousness the successive mishaps of Bristow Helicopters’ operating aircraft SikorskyS-76C++ on the coastal waters of Lagos.
“The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has therefore decided to suspend the operation of the Bristow Helicopters Limited’s Sikorsky S-76C++ type till further notice. This suspension will enable the authority carry out a full scale audit on its operations with particular emphasis on its Sikorsky S-76C++ type.” he said
The Sikorsky S-76 aircraft, according to him is an American medium – size commercial utility helicopter manufactured by the Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation.
The S-76 features twin turbo shaft engines; four-bladed main and tail rotors. It has a retractable landing gear.
Sikorsky’s development began in the mid-1970s with the design goal of providing a medium helicopter for corporate transportation and the oil drilling industry.
The prototype first flew on March 13, 1977, while initial United States Federal Aviation Administration type certification was granted on November 21, 1978.
NCAA recalled that August 12, 2015, a Bristow Helicopter operated Sikorsky S-76 series crashed around Oworonshoki axis in Lagos, adding what this means is that yesterday’s incident is occurring a little over six months after the preceding one.
He pointed out that as a responsible regulatory authority, it was important to stem this rapidity of occurrence and ensure the airline carry out safe operations, adding that the suspension was not to pass a vote of no confidence in the embattled helicopter giant.
In his words, “I must also mention that this suspension of operations for the impending wholesale audit is not a vote of no confidence on the airline. It is to ascertain the adequacy and propriety of the operating aircraft type. This is not new in the industry; it is one of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) all over the world.”
Meanwhile, Bristow said that it would cooperate with NCAA and AIB in its investigation.
“We are continuing to cooperate fully with the NCAA and the Nigerian Accident Investigation Bureau (NAIB) in its investigation concerning the Bristow helicopter that was involved in the controlled water landing near Lagos on Feb. 3, 2016.” Bristow said in an online statement.
Bristow disclosed that all nine passengers and two crew onboard the aircraft (tail number 5N-BQJ) that was involved in a controlled water landing today near Lagos, have arrived at an onshore installation, with only minor injuries being reported at this time.
The rotary wing giant stated that it was cooperating fully with local authorities in its investigation to determine the cause and to begin recovery of the aircraft, which is located approximately 75 nautical miles offshore.
Bristow has established a dedicated telephone hotline for family members of those on board the flight. Family members in Nigeria may call 01-271-6748. Family in the U.S. and Canada may dial toll free +1 (855) 979-7533 or direct toll at +1 (567) 302-7004
ZAINAB JUNAID ELESHO
Following the successive mishaps of Bristow Helicopters' operating aircraft Sikorsky S-76C++ Type on the coastal waters of Lagos, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, has Suspended the operation of the airline's Helicopter till further notice.
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has suspended th
According to the Director General of NCAA, Capt. Muhtar Usman, the suspension will enable the authority carry out a full scale audit on its operations with particular emphasis on its Sikorsky S-76C++ type.
He made this known while briefing aviation correspondents at NCAA Annex, at the international wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA),Lagos.
The decision, the director general, stated was coming on the heels of the Bristow Helicopters’ controlled ditching yesterday, February 3, 2016, adding that the regulatory body considered it expedient to communicate certain decisions that the authority has taken concerning the incident
These decisions, he stated were without prejudice to the investigations being conducted by the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB),adding that as a matter of fact, it would serve to assist in the entire process.
NCAA, he added would fully support AIB in the investigation.
The regulatory authority, the DG stated viewed with utmost seriousness the successive mishaps of Bristow Helicopters’ operating aircraft SikorskyS-76C++ on the coastal waters of Lagos.
“The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has therefore decided to suspend the operation of the Bristow Helicopters Limited’s Sikorsky S-76C++ type till further notice. This suspension will enable the authority carry out a full scale audit on its operations with particular emphasis on its Sikorsky S-76C++ type.” he said
The Sikorsky S-76 aircraft, according to him is an American medium – size commercial utility helicopter manufactured by the Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation.
The S-76 features twin turbo shaft engines; four-bladed main and tail rotors. It has a retractable landing gear.
Sikorsky’s development began in the mid-1970s with the design goal of providing a medium helicopter for corporate transportation and the oil drilling industry.
The prototype first flew on March 13, 1977, while initial United States Federal Aviation Administration type certification was granted on November 21, 1978.
NCAA recalled that August 12, 2015, a Bristow Helicopter operated Sikorsky S-76 series crashed around Oworonshoki axis in Lagos, adding what this means is that yesterday’s incident is occurring a little over six months after the preceding one.
He pointed out that as a responsible regulatory authority, it was important to stem this rapidity of occurrence and ensure the airline carry out safe operations, adding that the suspension was not to pass a vote of no confidence in the embattled helicopter giant.
In his words, “I must also mention that this suspension of operations for the impending wholesale audit is not a vote of no confidence on the airline. It is to ascertain the adequacy and propriety of the operating aircraft type. This is not new in the industry; it is one of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) all over the world.”
Meanwhile, Bristow said that it would cooperate with NCAA and AIB in its investigation.
“We are continuing to cooperate fully with the NCAA and the Nigerian Accident Investigation Bureau (NAIB) in its investigation concerning the Bristow helicopter that was involved in the controlled water landing near Lagos on Feb. 3, 2016.” Bristow said in an online statement.
Bristow disclosed that all nine passengers and two crew onboard the aircraft (tail number 5N-BQJ) that was involved in a controlled water landing today near Lagos, have arrived at an onshore installation, with only minor injuries being reported at this time.
The rotary wing giant stated that it was cooperating fully with local authorities in its investigation to determine the cause and to begin recovery of the aircraft, which is located approximately 75 nautical miles offshore.
Bristow has established a dedicated telephone hotline for family members of those on board the flight. Family members in Nigeria may call 01-271-6748. Family in the U.S. and Canada may dial toll free +1 (855) 979-7533 or direct toll at +1 (567) 302-7004
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