SAHCOL BAGS AWARD FOR EXCELLENT SERVICE DELIVERY

Dear Colleagues, The Skyway Aviation Handling Company Limited, SAHCOL has received tripartite awards, as the 'most improved Aviation Handling Company of the year 2013', 'Aviation/Cargo Handling Company of the year 2013', and the 'United Airlines Outstanding Baggage Performance for entire year 2013.'The award as "Most Improved Aviation Handling Company of the year 2013" was presented to SAHCOL by the 'Transport Day Newspaper (Supported by the Nigerian Television Authority, Nigerian Transport Round Table, as well as Transport Editors of some reputable Nigerian Newspapers)' at the Second Nigeria Transport Awards & Lecture, held at the Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos. While the award, as the "Aviation/Cargo Handling Company of the year 2013" was administered to SAHCOL by the Nigerian Communications Week, at its Fifth Beacon of Information & Communication Technology (BoICT) Awards, held amidst lade crème of the public and private sectors, at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos. The Nigerian Communication Week at the award ceremony, stated that SAHCOL emerged winner of the award after "over 250,000 Nigerians voted in the different categories with the Skyway Aviation Handling Company Limited emerging as clear winner in the Aviation/Cargo Handling Company of the Year category, with 96,703 votes cast from December 1, 2013 to March 29, 2014". They said, the award is a "testament to your talents, innovations, contributions and commitments to the growth of the ICT industry and we are happy that Nigerians have recognized your hard work, sincerity and dedication towards the development of the sector." Furthermore, SAHCOL came out best in Baggage Performance, as it won for the second time (2012 & 2013) the "United Airlines Outstanding Baggage Performance for the entire year 2013". This is an annual assessment of baggage performance done for all Stations providing handling services to the United Airlines' flights across its network of operations.

FG bars securitive operatives from restricted areas at airports

Starting from May 1st, 2014Beginnin, unauthorised security personnel, both in uniform and mufti, will no longer have access to restricted areas within the nation’s international airports. The Chairman, Presidential Committee on Airport Security, Murtala Muhammed Airport, Prof. Sylvester Monye, disclosed this yesterday in Lagos at a media briefing. Monye, who disclosed that the new directive was fromBeginning from Thursday, unauthorised security personnel, both in uniform and mufti, will no longer have access to restricted areas within the nation’s international airport. The Chairman, Presidential Committee on Airport Security, Murtala Muhammed Airport, Prof. Sylvester Monye, disclosed this yesterday in Lagos at a media briefing. Monye, who disclosed that the new directive was from the presidency, insisted that it would be followed to the letter by the authorities. Monye noted that over the years, security officers, aides of dignitaries, protocol officers of private companies, as well as unauthorised uniformed and un-uniformed military men and others had been abusing the restriction order and continually having unhindered access to the nation’s airports. He stated that the idea was to stop the impunity of government officials, military officers and personnel who are not supposed to be at airports from using their position to operate in such facilities. Monye said that, henceforth, no protocol officer or aides would be allowed into the arrival and baggage halls at international terminals. He, however, stated that only the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ protocol officers might be allowed into the restricted areas. He also said that the new security measure is to also stop those that are not supposed to be within the vicinity of airports from using such facilities for loitering. According to Monye, “This unwholesome milling around in the Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, and Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, areas is a threat to national security. A stop will be put to the practice forthwith. “The composition of this committee should make it clear that we are also taking certain informed measures bordering on national security at our international airports. “For obvious reasons, I may not need to spell out the details of the message at this press conference.” He said the new directive is in the interest of Nigeria and Nigerians. On the gridlock at the Murtala Muhammed Airport Road, Monye said that the committee would soon find a lasting solution to it, maintaining that the situation could no longer be tolerated by the government. Members of the Presidential Committee are drawn from the Police, National Security Adviser, NSA, the Nigeria Army, Nigeria Air Force, NAF, Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, and the State Security Service, SSS.

NCAA Approves Security Programmes For 22 Airports. Audits 18 Foreign Airlines

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, (NCCA), has approved Security Programmes for 22 Airports in Nigeria in line with Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulation Part 17 requirements and the National Civil Aviation Security Programme (NCASP). A statement by the general manager public affairs NCAA, Fan Ndubuoke, said the Airport Security Programme (ASP) was reviewed intermittently and subject to International Civil Aviation Organisation, (ICAO’s) amendment of Annex 17 in response to the global threat to civil aviation. According to Ndubuoke, In addition, Security Programme was similarly reviewed taking cognizance of the prevailing local threats and this will lead to further examination of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Security Programme (NCASP) or security directives to the industry. The statement reads .”Suffice it to inform, that Security Programmes are written by Airports and Aircraft Operators, Caterers, Ground Handling companies and other stakeholders. Thereafter, this is submitted to the regulatory authority, NCAA, which is the appropriate authority responsible for aviation security in the country”. He explained that Aviation Security Programme (ASP) provide measures and procedures on safeguarding the airport, aircraft, crew and properties against acts of unlawful interference. “NCAA provides guidelines for the development of the Airport Security Programme (ASP) which is a requirement of ICAO Annex 17 standard 3.2.1 states that each contracting state shall require an airport serving civil aviation to establish, implement and maintain a written airport security programme appropriate to meet the requirements of NCASP”. Meanwhile, wholesale security audit has been conducted on 18 foreuign and local airlines operating in the country. The audit was based on emerging threats, previous findings and incidents to forestall reoccurrences. It can be annual or bi – annual. The NCAA said all holders of an Approved Security Programme (ASP) were periodically audited to ascertain the level of compliance of airlines adding that It was carried out with the guidelines from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulation part 17. Other parameters were the Nigerian Civil Aviation Security Programme (NCASP), security directives and other benchmarks. The authority stated that at the conclusion of the audit, all airlines were mandated to submit a Corrective Action Plan (CAP) outlining measures that will be taken within a specific time frame to address the findings. To ensure all operators and stakeholders are in tune with adequate security measures, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA),Aviation Security Unit of the Directorate of Aerodrome and Airport Standards[DAAS] conducts aviation security awareness training for them on regular basis.

Virgin Austria plane forced to land in Bali

Virgin Australia plane forced to land in Bali over fears of a hijack

A Virgin Australia plane (pictured above after it landed in Bali) was forced to land on the island of  Bali over fears of a possible hijack. Initially reports said the plane, which was flying from Australia and carrying 150 passengers, was being hijacked, but it was later found to be an aggressive drunk passenger who was trying to force his way into the cockpit. The pilot sent a distress signal to airport authorities and the plane was cleared to land in Bali so the situation could be dealt with. BBC reports that immediately the plane landed, the drunk passenger, who had been overpowered by the crew and handcuffed him, was arrested at the airport.Virgin Australia told ABC News that there has been a medical emergency aboard the plane but everything had been settled though the aircraft still remains on the tarmac at Bali’s Denpasar airport.G

Virgin Australia plane forced to land in Bali over fears of a hijack

Virgin Australia plane forced to land in Bali over fears of a hijack

A Virgin Australia plane (pictured above after it landed in Bali) was forced to land on the island of  Bali over fears of a possible hijack. Initially reports said the plane, which was flying from Australia and carrying 150 passengers, was being hijacked, but it was later found to be an aggressive drunk passenger who was trying to force his way into the cockpit. The pilot sent a distress signal to airport authorities and the plane was cleared to land in Bali so the situation could be dealt with. BBC reports that immediately the plane landed, the drunk passenger, who had been overpowered by the crew and handcuffed him, was arrested at the airport.Virgin Australia told ABC News that there has been a medical emergency aboard the plane but everything had been settled though the aircraft still remains on the tarmac at Bali’s Denpasar airport.G

Delta flight attendants to switch to phablet for in-flight customer service

Delta Air Lines this fall will equip more than 20,000 flight attendants with handheld Nokia Lumia 1520 phablets, which will serve as their on-board manual and in-flight sales device as well as a platform for future, more personalized in-flight customer service.The Lumia 1520 features a larger format, 6-inch screen and will replace the smaller Lumia 820 already in the hands of Delta on-board professionals. "Delta continues to invest in the latest tools and resources for our flight attendants to provide exceptional service to our 165 million annual customers," said Joanne Smith, senior vice president – In-Flight Service. "These state-of-the-art devices represent yet another example of the many technology innovations we're developing, and will be essential as Delta continues to further personalize the on board experience." Providing electronic access to the more than 500 page, five pound On-Board Manual carried by every flight attendant is expected to save more than $1 million annually in reduced fuel and printing costs while providing on board professionals a more intuitive way to access essential information. In addition to its functionality as an in-flight sales device and replacement for the on-board manual, the Nokia Lumia 1520 phablet, running Windows Phone 8.1, will, as it develops, enable flight attendants to take customer meal orders, receive detailed information about their flight and provide information for personalized service, including customers' frequent flyer status and potential need for special services during flight."The phablet is a great foundation for future software applications that, in time, will allow our flight attendants to readily access customer preferences, previous travel experiences with Delta and worldwide connectivity to the company, enabling them to provide the more tailored experience many customers have come to expect," said Theresa Wise,

Dana Air emerges domestic airline operator of 2013

Dana Air, has added yet another feather to its cap as the airline has been adjudged as the “Domestic Airline Operator of the Year 2013” by the Transport & Logistics Nigeria Limited, organizers of the Transport Stakeholders’ Excellence Awards. Dana Airline emerged after a thorough rigorous screening by a team of assessors and the result was subsequently confirmed by a public opinion survey.

The transport and logistics award is an initiative designed to reward, celebrate, encourage, and project transport stakeholders who have contributed significantly towards the advancement and development of logistics and transport in all ramifications.

Dana Air was presented with the coveted plaque at the Awards ceremony which held at the Lagos Sheraton Hotels & Towers and was attended by numerous high profile guests including Honorable Kayode Opeifa, the Lagos state commissioner for transport as special guest of honor as well as representatives of the Osun State Governor and the permanent secretary federal ministry of transport.

Commenting on the award, the Chief Operating Officer and Accountable Manager of Dana Air, Mr. Yvan Drewinsky said: “It’s gratifying that the airline has continued to attract positive attention and has again been voted as the airline of the year by stakeholders in the transport and logistics sector. More importantly, Dana Air takes this award as a vote of confidence from our discerning customers and we want to re-assure them that we will intensify our efforts at building a world class airline in Nigeria”.

Mr. Drewinsky noted that the vision of Dana Air is to become Nigeria’s most reliable and customer-friendly airline, and also stated that the airline will not rest on its oars but rather strive to continually look at new and exciting ways of exceeding the aspirations of its guests.

Speaking in same vein, the chairman of the awards organizing committee, Engineer Emeka Ogwara said that Dana Air merits the award as it has shown commitment to very rigorous certification tests which ascertains the premium that the airline places on safety of the flying public in general and its passengers in particular. Mr. Ogwara further stated that Dana Air was able to recommence air services in record time after the successful conduct of its operational audit