NIGAV AND SAHCO

 NIGAV Felicitates with SAHCO for Emerging 'Best Passenger Check In Company' of the Year

ZAINAB JUNAID

Organisers of Nigerian Aviation Award (NIGAV) has commended Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCO) Plc for bagging the Best Passenger Front Desk Check-In Company of the Year award.

The Chief Host of the event, Mr. Fortune Idu praised SAHCO for it's consistency in ensuring topnotch services to clients by deploying modern Ground Support Equipment.

He explained that winners are selected through public voting without any interference from the organisers.

Receiving the award, SAHCO’s Managing Director/CEO, Mr. Basil Agboarumi, who was represented by Mrs. Vanessa Uansohia, Head, Corporate Communications, said the award will spur SAHCO’s commitment to always deliver quality services to her numerous clients in addition to exceeding clients’ expectations. She thanked the organizers for nominating SAHCO and extended appreciation to voters who voted for SAHCO.

It could be recalled that SAHCO recently received the International Organization for Standardization (ISO 9001:2015) certification for Quality Management system. ISO 9001:2015 is the international standard that identifies requirements for quality management system (QMS) which organisations use to demonstrate the ability to consistently provide products and services that meet customers’ and regulatory requirements.

The company is RA3 Certified, a requirement for Ground Handling Companies to confirm that they meet the security requirement for screening air cargo and mail entering European countries, also SAHCO is IATA’s Safety Audit for Ground Operations (ISAGO) certified. 

NIGAV award is a celebration of aviation excellence with an objective to unify and create industry harmony. It is also aimed at engineering healthy competition for safer air service delivery and promotion of development in the air transport community.

The event which was in its 12th edition was attended by the crème de la crème of the aviation industry including the Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika and was themed "The coming of a new era."

The Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika who was the Chairman of the occasion, had this to say, “Nigeria Aviation Award, NIGAV Award, has over the years hosted the high and mighty, and captains of the industry and as such has set an example of balancing industry performance with recognition for diligent work and services which continues to inspire healthy competition and best practices amongst the players.”

 

Nigerian Chamber of Shipping

Aminu Umar Emerges 7th President of Nigerian Chamber of Shipping

ZAINAB JUNAID

Following the expiration of the second tenure of Mr. Andy Isichei, Executive Vice Chairman of ACI Holdings, as President of Nigerian Chamber of Shipping (NCS), the Managing Director of Sea Transport Group, Mr. Aminu Umar has been elected as the 7th President of the Chamber.

Aminu who was elected at the recent Governing Council meeting of NCS, will be viced by the former Director General of the NCS, Mrs. Ify Anazonwu- Akerele.

Aminu is a seasoned professional in Shipping Operations and a member of various ministerial committees. He runs a company whose interest spans Ship husbandry, Ship Management, Crew Management and energy transportation before been elected as NCS President.

He is also a leading indigenous ship owner and operator in Nigeria and his emergence as President of NCS is definitely a square peg in a square hole! The Nigerian Chamber of Shipping is poised for greater success under his leadership.

NCS was formed in 2002 with the primary objective of ensuring that the domestic Shipping Industry participates fully in all Commercial Services in the Nigerian Coastal waters and beyond.

Being a member of the Board of International Chamber of Shipping, NCS is committed through her advocacy mandate to ensuring that Nigeria Maritime industry takes its place in the comity of maritime nations.

CIECOBON AND NSC.

CIECOBON Solicits for NSC Support in Promoting Export

ZAINAB JUNAID

Members of the Chartered Institute of Export and Commodity Brokers of Nigeria (CIECOBON) has sought for the cooperation of the Nigerian Shipoers Council (NSC) in promoting export in the country.

The members made this move during a courtesy visit paid to the Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer and Management of Nigerian Shipper's Council, NSC, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Jime, at the NSC headquarters in Lagos recently.

The group led by the President/Council Chairman, Dr. Ayobami Omotoso urged NSC to appeal to the Federal Government to establish an Export-specific Port to further encourage exports.

Omotosho opined that lack of flat-bottomed vessels to transport cargos to Apapa rendered the use of Ikorodu Lighter Terminal once designated for export, a dead on arrival decision.

To him, one of the shipping lines operating in the sub-region has been providing open roof-top vessels for Ghanaian exporters of produce. 

He thus pleaded with NSC to discuss the possibility of extending such a service to Nigerian exporters because the RIFA containers that should ordinarily be used are too expensive for many exporters.

In his response, the Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer, Hon Emmanuel Jime appreciated the presence of the delegates and further assured them that part of NSC’s mandate, being in alliance with that of CIECOBON, will result in a partnership that will benefit the nation’s economy.

He also commended the doggedness of CIECOBON in promoting export through advocacy and capacity building and enjoined the body to keep forging ahead in its mission with patriotic zeal. 

"NSC will discuss CIECOBON's request for open rooftop vessels," Jime said. 

 The Chartered Institute of Export and Commodity Brokers of Nigeria (CIECOBON ) came into existence in 2015 following National Assembly approval of the merger of the Institute of Export of Nigeria (IEON) and Commodity Brokers Association of Nigeria (CBAN).

 

MAJAN Lauds NLC Election Outcome

MAJAN Lauds Ajaero, Adeyanju's Victory in NLC Election

ZAINAB JUNAID

The Maritime Journalist Association of Nigeria (MAJAN) has lauded the outstanding victory of Comrade Joe Ajaero and Prince Adewale Adeyanju in the just concluded Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) election.

The President of MAJAN, Comrade Ray Ugochukwu, made the commendatory messages today stating that the development will bring a new dawn to NLC. 

To him, "With Joe Ajaero as the new President of NLC and Prince Adewale Adeyanju as Deputy President, it is a New Dawn for Nigeria Labour Congress as a whole".

Comrade Ugochukwu, a seasoned Journalist and renowned writer, said emphatically that NLC under the new leadership will protect the interest of Nigerian workers and ensures proactiveness in Labour movement.

His words, "The Maritime workers’ President-General, Prince Adewale Adeyanju, has fought valiantly and won many battles in protecting the interest of dockworkers in the maritime industry.

"We are optimistic that he will replicate similar strength, doggedness and proactiveness in taking NLC to greater heights.

"Comrade Ajaero is not new in labour unionism. This is a familiar terrain for him. He has the experience and tenacity to deliver as NLC President," he said.

The MAJAN President further called on Nigerian workers, affiliate Unions and all relevant stakeholders to endeavor they render full support needed by Comrade Ajaero, Prince Adeyanju and their entire Executives to move NLC forward.

Standard Organisation of Nigeria

SON Organises Workshop on MEPS, Lighting Product

ZAINAB JUNAID

As part of the vision to achieve energy efficiency of lighting product that will enhance consumption economically and environmentally, Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) in collaboration with Sustainable Research and Action for Environmental Development (SRAD ev Nigeria) has organised a workshop on Minimum Energy Perdormance Standard (MEPS).

The initiative was meant to discuss and exchange ideas on the cost effectiveness of adopting led lighting system as opposed to the Mercury ones currently in use by the organisation.

Speaking with participants present at the workshop, the Director-General of SON, Mallam Farouk Salim, ably represented by Deputy Director Head, Electrical and Electronic Laboratory, Engr Alewu Achema, lauded the efforts of CLASP USA for bringing up such an initiative that is not only economical but will in the long run phase out products containing environmentally dangerous materials like Mercury.

Reiterating how Minimum Energy Performance Standard (MEPS) for lighting will help play crucial roles in reducing energy consumption, as it sets the benchmark for the energy efficiency of lighting products, Salim said the initiative will  help drive the market towards more sustainable solutions.

He acknowledge the efforts of CLASP for the technical supports in the areas of standards and manpower development designed to sustain a clean and efficient energy compliant to the environment and assured all present of continous collaboration in the implementation of the standard.

The event which was held at Ibis Hotel Ikeja Lagos was graced by many stakeholders and engineers in the industry.

Federal Ministry of Industry Trade and Investment, Ministry of Environment, Nigerian Customs Service, Representative from CLASP and SRAD eV Nigeria among others were all represented.

In a related development, SON further enjoined the general public to report any substandard products noticed to the regulatory body as this will help complement all efforts of eliminating fake goods in the country.

SAATM AGREEMENT IMPLEMENTATION

Disparity in SAATM Agreement Implementation: Bane of Domestic Airlines

ZAINAB JUNAID

The Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) is a project of the African Union, an Air Transport Agreement launched in January 28,2018 to create a single market for air transport in Africa. A situation where freedom of air transport in Africa is expected to be in pace with its omplementation.

It was meant to fully implement the 1999 Yamoussoukro decision, where all 34 states participants agreed to lift market access restrictions for memeber airlines, grants each other extended air traffic rights and also liberalise flights amomg others. But reverse was the case as the SAATM policy is lopsided in implementation. Member Countries paid lip service to the agreement, and even deliberately frustrate member airlines from enrouting member African Countries.

It was expected to help reduce the cost of aviation in African market was highly supported by Nigerian Airlines but its implementation idea was not acceptable by them.

The disparity in the way the policy is being practised has put a drastic negative effect on Nigerian airlines because of the West's Politics of Landing Rights which has become economic bullying on our airlines and if drastic measure is not taking by the Federal Government, there might not be any brighter light at the end of the tunnel for all our indigenous carriers. 

Speaking at a virtual meeting organised by African Airlines Association, AFRAA,the Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace, an indigenous fastest growing airline, Barrister Allen Onyema attrubuted failure of most Nigeria domestic carriers to the lopsided nature of SAATM policy.

Onyema condemned the West's Politics of Landing rights, saying "A situation where a West African Country which is a member of SAATM wrote his airline, denying it landing permit into its country but the country's airline having four multiple entries into Nigeria with no obstruction from the authorities in the country is absurd.  When the country realised  I took the matter to a Nigerian Court, it quickly approved the landing permit but this time with a charging fee of $10,500 per landing. The charges that came along with the landing fee was ridiculous, it is ecomomic bullying" he lamented. There is no fair play in SAATM implementation policy which supposed to open door for a win-win situation for all member countries.

There is need for sincerity of purpose in the implementation process of SAATM. A reciprocal treatment should be allowed; non discrimination in charges and permit. The countries, among which are- United Kingsom (UK), South Africa, to metion a few have multiple designated entry points into Nigeria routes and this is economic bullying of Nigerian Airlines. They are set to destroy our national economy with their foul play. How will our local carriers not liquidate when they are faced with such issues among other trending ones.

'You denied entry into your country but operates multiple enteries into ours at the expense of our indigenous carriers and you want them to survive. It's not possible.'

The economic bullying needs to come to an end. Nigeria Government must brace up to the responsibilities of protecting indigenous airlines to avoid being scrambled more by neighbouring countries that are also SAATM members and also adopt policy that will promote them in the international aviation market. 

Nigerian Airforce

Anxiety looms As Nigeria Airforce Jet Crash-Land

ZAINAB JUNAID 

Six Passengers on board a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) maritime patrol aircraft, a Cessna Citation CJ3, were loomed with anxiety yesterday as the aircraft crash-landed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

Sources said the aircraft crash-landed on Runway 18R at the airport on Monday and there were no casualties. 

Spokesman for the Airforce, Air Commodore WAP Maigida, said: “A Nigerian Air Force (NAF) maritime patrol aircraft, a Cessna Citation CJ3 on a routine flight today, February 6, 2023 lost its tyres on touch and go flight in Ilorin and had to carry out a controlled belly land at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos. Fortunately, there were no fatalities or injuries to any crew member and persons on the ground. 

“The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, has directed the immediate constitution of a Board of Inquiry to determine the causes of the accident.

“The NAF continues to solicit the understanding and support of the general public as it daily strives to ensure the security of Nigeria and Nigerians.”

African Airlines

African Airlines Record 1.4% Decline in Air Cargo  in 2022

ZAINAB JUNAID 

A recent statistical data released by the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) on the analysis of the global air cargo industry for the 2022 full year has shown that African Airlines recorded a 1.4 percent decline in air cargo in 2022. 

African airlines reported a decrease in demand of 1.4% for global and international demand in 2022 compared to 2021 and an increase in capacity of 0.3% (-0.2% for international operations).

Compared to 2019 (pre-COVID levels), demand was 8.3% above (+9.4% for international operations) and capacity was down 15.3% (-14.2% for international operations).

In December, airlines in the region posted a 10.0% decrease in demand for both global and international operations compared to 2021. Capacity grew 1.3% (+0.2% for international operations) during the same period.

Air cargo demand is a useful barometer of global and regional trade, just as the continent’s airlines reported a 10% decrease in cargo demand and a 1.3% increase in cargo capacity.

The Director General of IATA, Willie Walsh noted that in the face of significant political and economic uncertainties, air cargo performance has declined compared to the extraordinary levels of 2021.

This, he said had brought air cargo demand to 1.6% below 2019 (pre-pandemic) levels. The continuing measures by key governments to fight inflation by cooling economies, he said are expected to result in a further decline in cargo volumes in 2023 to -5.6% compared to 2019.

“It will, however, take time for these measures to bite into cargo rates. So, the good news for air cargo is that average yields and total revenue for 2023 should remain well above what they were pre-pandemic. That should provide some respite in what is likely to be a challenging trading environment in the year ahead,” said Walsh.

Asia-Pacific airlines, on their parts, posted an 8.8% decrease in demand in 2022 compared to 2021 (-7.4% for international operations) and a capacity increase of 0.5% (+5.8% for international operations). Compared to 2019 (pre-COVID levels), demand was 7.8% below (-3.9% for international operations) and capacity was down 17.2% (-12.2% for international operations). In December, Asia-Pacific airlines recorded the worst performance of all regions, posting a 21.2% decrease in demand (-20.4% for international operations) compared to 2021. Capacity fell 3.9% (-1.4% for international operations) during the same period. Airlines in the region continue to be impacted by lower levels of trade and manufacturing activity and disruptions in supply chains due to China’s rising COVID cases.

North American carriers reported a 5.1% decrease in demand in 2022 compared to 2021 (-6.3% for international operations) and a capacity increase of 4.2% (+4.9% for international operations). Compared to 2019 (pre-COVID levels), demand was 13.7% above (+12.7% for international operations) and capacity was up 8.2% (5.1% for international operations). In December, airlines in the region reported an 8.5% decrease in demand for both global and international operations, compared to 2021. Capacity fell 2.9% (+1.8% for international operations) during the same period.

European carriers posted the worst year-on-year performance of all regions, with an 11.5% decrease in demand in 2022 compared to 2021 (-11.8% for international operations). During the same period, airlines posted a capacity increase of 0.5% for both global and international operations. Compared to 2019 (pre-COVID levels), demand was 8.7% below (-9.1% for international operations) and capacity was down 16.5% (-17.3% for international operations). In December, airlines in the region posted a 17.4% decrease in demand (-17.9% for international operations) compared to 2021. Capacity fell 7.0% (-7.4% for international operations) during the same period. Airlines in the region continue to be most affected by the war in Ukraine.

Middle Eastern carriers reported a decrease of 10.7% in global and international demand in 2022 compared to 2021 and an increase in capacity of 4.3% (+4.5% for international operations). Compared to 2019 (pre-COVID levels), demand was 1.6% below for global and international operations and capacity was down 6.3% (-6.1% for international operations). In December airlines in the region posted a 14.4% decrease in demand for both global and international operations compared to 2021. Capacity increased by 2.8% (+3.0% for international operations) during the same period.

NAMA to Reduce Airlines' Operational Cost

NAMA to Reduce Airlines’ Operational Cost With SBAS Implementation 

ZAINAB JUNAID 

As part of the vision to enhance safety, improve operational efficiency and increase profitability of airlines in the long run through reduced operational costs, the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has resolved to constantly upgrade navigational infrastructure in all airports in the country. 

The Acting Managing Director of NAMA, Matthew Lawrence Pwajok reemphasized confidence that the implementation of Satellite Based Augmentation System (SBAS) SBAS would not only enhance safety, efficiency and capacity of the Air Traffic Management system but would also increase the efficiency of the airlines through reduced flight time and turnaround time, reduced fuel consumption, reduced workload for both pilots and air traffic controllers and increased profitability over time.

Lawrence recalled that NAMA had earlier implemented PBN in 32 airports including military, private, state government as well as federal government airports, adding that “the whole essence of the SBAS is to improve on the integrity, accuracy, availability and continuity of the PBN signals by deploying a ground infrastructure or a master station that receives signals from several satellites, triangulates them and takes the best location and then broadcast it through a broadcast media globally to be received by any aircraft within that airspace. So, we have done PBN that provides lateral guidance needed to locate an airport but we have gone a step further to improve on it by implementing precision approaches using the satellite provided by Nigerian Communications Satellite (NIGCOMSAT).” 

Explaining further, Pwajok said, “while PBN provides lateral guidance for the aircraft to locate an airport, SBAS would provide improved accuracy, improved integrity of the signals, improved availability and continuity of the signals as it collects information from several signals or satellites rather than an aircraft using just one signal from a GPS to fly. So, the samples from several satellites would improve on the indication of accuracy. Aircraft can then use it for improved accuracy in approach and landing, improved accuracy in flying en-route, and improved accuracy in even descent profile as it provides us with the capacity to give aircraft lateral guidance, and vertical guidance either for approach and landing or take-off and climb for enroute flight. By this, it has helped us to maximize the use of limited airspace and that reduces what we refer to as controlled flights into terrain.”

The NAMA chief said, “the SBAS would be a win-win situation for airlines because over time they have been focusing attention on reducing cost and increasing profitability and this innovation will surely be of immense benefit to them in that regard.”

He maintained that an aircraft would not require more than a retrofit for those that have been flying PBN and that it will not be capital-intensive for an airline to acquire a retrofit, stressing that given the cost-effectiveness of satellite navigation, SBAS would improve the economies of airlines in the long run. He also allayed insinuations that the agency will be phasing out Instrument Landing Systems (ILS).

“In aviation, it is required that every critical service must have redundancy. For us, it is an improvement in terms of the availability of service. When we had the ground-based navigational facilities we still went ahead to implement PBN. This is because the ground equipment are susceptible to power fluctuations, weather changes, technical errors and maintenance issues as well. The ILS is a system and can go off. If the equipment goes off due to power failure or any other reason and an aircraft is trying to land, the pilot can switch to satellite navigation. We must have a contingency and that is required by the NCAA regulations Part 14, and by ICAO Annex 11, that every service you provide must have redundancies,” he said.

NRC

NRC Records 2,181,950 Passengers Traffic on South West Routes in two years 

ZAINAB JUNAID 

Following a continuous increase in awareness and free rides introduced by the Federal Government to encourage more passengers on train routes, the Nigerian Railway Corporation, NRC, has successfully recorded high passenger traffic of 2,181,950 on its South West Routes in two years. 

A breakdown – the Corporation recorded a total of 693,226 Passengers travelling on the Lagos-Ibadan Standard Gauge train between January 2021 and  December 2022. 173,488 passengers in 2021 and 519,738 in 2022.

While on Lagos – Ijoko in Ogun State, the corporation had a traffic record of 524,093 passengers on the Mass Transit train in 2021 and 964,631 passengers in 2022.

District Manager, NRC, Mr. Augustin Arisa, District Manager, for the Corporation disclosed this in Lagos, adding that the increase in number of passengers in 2022 was due to the awareness and free rides organised by the Federal Government towards the end of 2021 through first week of January 2022.

Arisa said the corporation runs four trips daily from Lagos to Ijoko in order to meet up target. Two trips in the morning between 6.30 a.m. and 7.00 a.m., and another two trips between 5.30pm and 6.00 respectively.

To him, “Standard Gauge fare from Lagos to Ibadan (Mobolaji Johnson, Ebute -Meta to Obafemi Awolowo Station in Moniya) cost N9,000 for executive class; N6,500 on Business class; N3,600 for standard class and N3,000 for standard class for minors. 

“From Lagos to Abeokuta (Mobolaji Johnson Ebute-Meta to Prof. Wole Soyinka Station in Abeokuta) ticket fare is N6,000 for executive class, N4,500 on business class; N3,000 for standard and minor N2,000.

“From Abeokuta to Ibadan the standard gauge fare is N3000 for executive, N2,000 for business class and N1,000 for standard class.”

The corporation would continue to create more awareness on its services, adding that various social media platforms have been adopted to create awareness for the public. “Besides movement of goods will soon commence on Standard Gauge,” he said. 

However, on security level of the route, Arisa noted that the corporation had put in place measures to tackle any form of vandalism on NRC properties by hoodlums and further urged miscreant to steer clear of Federal Government properties which was constructed for the benefits of the citizens.

Funtua Inland Port

FG Declares Funtua Inland Facility as 'Port of Origin' 

ZAINAB JUNAID 

Years after the establishment of the Funtua Inland Dry Port, Katsina State, the Federal Government has declared the Port as a port of origin and final destination for import and export of cargoes.

The declaration was made by the Honourable Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Jaji Samboon on behalf of the Federal Government. 

The Inland Dry Port which has the facility to operate shipping businesses including clearing and forwarding of cargo directly from anywhere in the world, was initially referred to as Funtua Container Freight Station. 

It was approved by the Federal Executive Council in March 2006 alongside other inland dry ports in the country but was later converted converted to an Inland Dry Port owing to the fact that the critical transport infrastructure was based on the strategic framework of Build, Own, Operate and Transfer( BOOT)

In making the declaration, the Minister relied on the power conferred on him as Minister of Transportation by section 30 of the Nigerian Ports Authority Act, Cap. N126 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004. 

Sambo explained that the Funtua Inland Dry Port would be a Customs port in accordance with the provisions of the Customs and Excise Management Act, Cap. C45 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and would have all the prerequisites of an international port.

He affirmed that Katsina State known for its commercial domain in the Trans-Saharan trade route with huge agricultural produce and trade in local and export volumes, qualified it for an Inland Dry Port.

He said national and international maritime practitioners, shippers, shipping companies, landlocked countries and port users should take full advantage of the port for import and export of their cargoes.

Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Transportation, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, said the declaration of Funtua Inland Dry Port as a port of origin and final destination, was another milestone achievement for the intermodal transportation system in the country.

Her words, “the Funtua Inland Dry Port will further unlock the economic potentials of Nigeria and facilitate trade with the land-locked countries like Niger and Chad Republic. The Port will provide importers and exporters located within the nation’s hinterland access to shipping and port services without physically being at the seaports”.

Other benefits of the Funtua Inland Dry Port,  the Permanent Secretary said, are that the project will promote the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) and economic integration as well as further support the Presidential Business Enabling Environment Council (PEBEC). 

The Governor of Kastina State, Aminu Bello Masari, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Commerce, Alh. Musa Sule, in his presentation, noted that the State Government, as part of its contribution to the project, facilitated 16.2 hectares of land and also paid compensation to the land owners.

He said the Katsina State Government took the step based on the conviction that when fully operational, the Port will create employment for the immediate community and its environs, support the revenue base of the State and facilitate trade within and outside the country.

Also speaking at the event, the Executive Secretary, Nigeria Shippers’ Council, Emmanuel Jime advised States that they were allocated Inland Dry Ports but were yet to develop them, to expedite action on the project to bring shipping closer to importers and exporters in their State.

NAMA Story

 

NAMA Augments, Test runs Satellite Navigation System 

ZAINAB JUNAID 

In a bid to improve the accuracy, integrity, and availability of signal through augmentation of satellite systems, Nigeria’s airspace safety received a major boost as the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has successfully carried out a demonstration flight to test run the Satellite Based Augmentation System (SBAS) with its $8.5 million Beechcraft King Air 350i aircraft. 

The SBAS are used to enhance the accuracy and precision of an existing GPS (Global Positioning System). GPS by itself isn’t sufficiently accurate to do things like help land airplanes or other applications where there is a need for high accuracy combined with high consequences for failure. Simply put, it means using satellite systems for air navigation.

With the system having the capability of reducing flight time on some routes within Nigeria by up to 5-7 minutes, it simultaneously help airlines to save cost through fuel burns.

The Managing Director of NAMA, Mr. Lawrence Mathew Pwajok said, “When an airline tells you their fuel consumption, you will understand and you multiply that by five minutes you will know how much it is. We also have the calculation which we can make available to you for different airline categories in fuel savings, time savings, and CO2 emission savings which is very critical. Environmental sustainability is very key in this satellite navigation.”

 “That is one of the driving forces when it reduces flight time, fuel consumption, and CO2 emission. We have the calculation of the CO2 emissions and when I calculated the number of flights that fly that route and the number of reductions in flight time and fuel consumption, they act to give a quantum per annum on the savings for that implementation. Multiple over the years, maybe 300 flights through that route, you can actually see an amazing reduction for an airline.”

Speaking on the SBAS, the NAMA Chief explained that Nigeria implemented the Performance Based Navigation (PBN), a satellite system for navigation, adding that the system allows aircraft to use satellites system and aircraft equipped with a global performance system to navigate or fly.

“What we have implemented at the moment that we have done in 32 airports including military airports and private and state government and federal airports is what we call performance-based navigation. It provides you with large guidance. For you to improve on the accuracy, integrity, and availability of the signal, we will now go into what we call an augmentation system. That is to augment what the satellite does”, he stated.

“For a satellite to have precision, you need an augmentation that can give improved accuracy, the integrity of the signal, availability, and continuity of the signal to collect information from several signals rather than an aircraft using just one signal from a GPS to fly.”

It improves on the accuracy and that improves safety and that also reduces what we call control flight into terrain, rather than going left or right, it puts you more precise on the approach for landing. It enhances safety, efficiency, and capacity; reduces the workload for the pilot and the air traffic controller and then of course efficiency for the airlines. It reduces flight time, reduces fuel consumption, holding time, and turn-around time. In the long run, it improves on affordability for the airline”.

The satellite air navigation system is relatively a new concept in Africa. In the United States and Europe, they are already using it. In the US, they are using Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS). Nigeria has a satellite in space that has the payroll for aviation use, communication, agriculture, science and environment, and others.

What the agency did yesterday was to see how it could use the Nigerian Communications Satellite (NIGCOMSAT) by collaborating with other European partners that have implemented it and doing a demonstration flight to see how they would use the aircraft calibration by developing the procedure that the aircraft will fly.

“The aircraft has been given these procedures, we will be monitoring it on the radar to see how it is following it. The procedures have been imputed on the radar so the expected lateral and vertical movement are all inputted in the radar and we will be monitoring it. As the aircraft goes, if it deviates left or right, that will help us to know the level of deviation using the satellite. If it maintains precisely and accurately, that tells us the level of accuracy and integrity of the signal being received and how it can guide aircraft,” he added. 

Boeing Takes Delivery of 747 Aircraft

Boeing Delivers ‘End of Era’ 747 Airplane to Atlas

… Says Goodbye to Queen of the Skies 

ZAINAB JUNAID 

Boeing Company, an American multinational corporation has delivered the final widebodied 747 model aircraft to Atlas Air bringing to a close more than a half century of production. 

The company which designs, manufactures and sells airplanes, telecommunications equipment worldwide, celebrated the delivery of the historic plane that brought air travel to the world, with thousands of its employees and the so called ‘incredibles’ who developed the jet in the 1960s. 

It was a monumental day for the ‘incredibles’ as they returned to be honored at the Everett factory where the journey of the 747 aircraft began in 1967. The factory produced 1,574 airplanes over the life of the program. 

Aircraft 747 is an airplane that shrank the world and revolutionized travel and air cargo with its first widebody, just as described by David Calhoun, President and Chief Executive Officer of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, "It is fitting to deliver this final 747-8 Freighter to the largest operator of the 747, Atlas Air, where the 'Queen' will continue to inspire and empower innovation in air cargo." 

Known as the "Queen of the Skies," the 747 was the world's first twin-aisle jetliner, which Boeing designed and built in 28 months. 

Overwhelmed with the delivery, John Dietrich, president and chief executive officer, Atlas Air Worldwide, said, his company is honored to continue the long history of flying the iconic aircraft for its customers around the world. 

"Atlas Air was founded over 30 years ago with a single ‪747-200‬ converted freighter, and since then, we have spanned the globe operating nearly every fleet type of the 747, including the Dreamlifter, Boeing's 747 Large Cargo Freighter, for the transport of 787 Dreamliner parts. 

“We are grateful to Boeing for their shared commitment to safety, quality, innovation and the environment, and for their partnership to ensure the continued success of the 747 program as we operate the aircraft for decades to come." 

“Atlas Air was founded over 30 years ago with a single ‪747-200‬ converted freighter, and since then, we have spanned the globe operating nearly every fleet type of the 747, including the Dreamlifter, Boeing's 747 Large Cargo Freighter, for the transport of 787 Dreamliner parts. 

We are grateful to Boeing for their shared commitment to safety, quality, innovation and the environment, and for their partnership to ensure the continued success of the 747 program as we operate the aircraft for decades to come." 

The first twin-aisle airplane and "jumbo jet," the "Queen of the Skies" enabled airlines to connect people across vast distances and provide non-stop trans-oceanic flights. Its development solidified Boeing's role as an industry leader in commercial aviation.

The airplane's core design with its distinctive hump and seating in the upper deck has delighted generations of passengers and operators alike. 

Boeing continued to improve on the original design with models like the ‪747-400‬ in 1988 and the final 747-8 model that was launched in 2005; across all the models, the jet has delivered unmatched operating economics and efficiency to travel and air cargo markets. 

As a leading global aerospace company, Boeing develops, manufactures and services commercial airplanes, defense products and space systems for customers in more than 150 countries.