Aviation – Tech | Business | Economy https://techeconomy.ng Tech | Business | Economy Thu, 28 May 2026 10:45:56 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0 https://techeconomy.ng/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/cropped-256Px-32x32.png Aviation – Tech | Business | Economy https://techeconomy.ng 32 32 AfDB Appoints Festus Keyamo to Lead $7bn African Aviation Transformation Programme https://techeconomy.ng/afdb-festus-keyamo-7bn-aviation-programme-africa/ https://techeconomy.ng/afdb-festus-keyamo-7bn-aviation-programme-africa/#respond Thu, 28 May 2026 10:45:56 +0000 https://techeconomy.ng/?p=182301 The African Development Bank (AfDB) has appointed Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, as the “African Champion” to lead its $7 billion Integrated Aviation Transformation Programme for Africa.

The appointment was announced in a statement issued on Wednesday by Tunde Moshood, Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the minister.

AfDB also confirmed that a Letter of Intent between the bank and Nigeria will be signed during its Annual Meetings in Brazzaville on 28 May 2026.

The programme is designed to enhance Africa’s aviation sector through investment, regulatory alignment and skills development.

AfDB said the selection of Festus Keyamo shows Nigeria’s role in ongoing aviation reforms and its growing influence in regional air transport policy.

In the statement, the bank also set out the funding structure and ambition of the initiative. “This is the Integrated Aviation Transformation Program for Africa (IATP) for which it has earmarked the sum of $7 billion (Seven Billion Dollars),” the statement read in part.

The initiative will draw funding from private investors, institutional capital and concessional sources. AfDB said the aim is to improve connectivity across the continent and make air transport more efficient and competitive.

Africa’s aviation sector is heavily underdeveloped relative to global demand. African airlines account for less than 3% of global air traffic, despite the continent making up close to 18% of the world’s population.

The gap has long been an issue of concern around limited connectivity, high operating costs and weak route integration between countries.

AfDB’s programme focuses on three main areas.

First, it targets the full operationalisation of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), an African Union initiative under Agenda 2063. SAATM is meant to open up African skies, reduce restrictions on air travel between member states and improve regional connectivity.

Second, it aims to strengthen aviation safety oversight and regulatory systems. Many African countries still operate under fragmented safety frameworks, which affect airline performance and investor confidence.

Third, it focuses on developing aviation skills and workforce capacity. The bank said this is necessary to support long-term growth in airline operations, airport management and regulatory institutions across the continent.

Nigeria is one of 34 African countries that have signed up to SAATM. These countries represent more than 80% of Africa’s aviation market.

However, implementation has remained uneven, with slow progress on full liberalisation of air travel between participating states.

AfDB officials said the transformation plan also seeks to improve access to aircraft financing and upgrade airport infrastructure. It is also aligned with efforts to make aviation development more climate-conscious while encouraging private sector participation.

Keyamo’s appointment places Nigeria at the centre of continental discussions on aviation reform. The AfDB said it selected him based on what it described as Nigeria’s policy direction and reform efforts within its aviation sector.

Nigeria has recently pushed changes around airport infrastructure, airline regulation and operational standards, building itself to become a regional hub in West Africa.

The appointment is also expected to strengthen coordination between African states as the AfDB pushes for a more unified aviation market.

Stakeholders have long argued that fragmented air routes and high inter-country travel costs continue to limit trade, tourism and economic integration across the continent.

With the Brazzaville meeting approaching, attention will turn to how quickly member states move from policy commitments to implementation.

The signing of the Letter of Intent is expected to formalise Nigeria’s role in the programme and set out the next phase of engagement between AfDB and participating countries.

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GSMA Expands Industry Reach with Partnerships in Automotive, Aviation to Advance 5G Connectivity https://techeconomy.ng/gsma-expands-industry-reach-with-partnerships-in-automotive-aviation/ https://techeconomy.ng/gsma-expands-industry-reach-with-partnerships-in-automotive-aviation/#comments Mon, 03 Mar 2025 10:14:56 +0000 https://techeconomy.ng/?p=153994 GSMA, the global mobile industry association, today announced new strategic partnerships with leading organisations in the automotive and aviation sectors. 

Through these partnerships, the GSMA will work on behalf of the mobile industry to better understand the connectivity needs of these sectors and support the development of advanced connectivity solutions that enhance safety, efficiency, and customer experience.

The organisations partnering with the GSMA on these collaborations include the 5G Automotive Association (5GAA), Japan Automotive Software Platform and Architecture (JASPAR), Outsight, Safran Passenger Innovations and Seamless Air Alliance. 

This builds on a similar cooperation partnership signed with the Automotive Edge Computing Consortium in October, last year.

Within the GSMA, these activities will be led by GSMA Fusion, the organisation’s recently formed initiative, established to listen directly to the voice of enterprises at an industry level and to identify unmet needs which today’s advanced networks can provide. 

As part of the GSMA Open Gateway, Fusion works with industries such as automotive, aviation, financial services, manufacturing, media and others in order to accelerate demand for 5G API-based and other solutions and to deliver transformative new services for enterprises. 

Mats Granryd, Director General, GSMA, said:

The partnerships we’re announcing today, through GSMA Fusion, provide strong direction from these industries to ours, helping the mobile ecosystem truly meet the needs of the automotive and aviation sectors and harness the power of mobile connectivity to create innovative solutions that enhance safety, efficiency, and customer experience. When we launched the GSMA Open Gateway initiative at MWC Barcelona two years ago we stated our ambition to unlock the full potential of 5G networks for all industries through universal access and open APIs and the partnership just announced is a step in that direction.”

Aviation Industry: Collaborations with Seamless Air Alliance, Outsight and Safran Passenger Innovations will aim to improve efficiency, safety, and customer satisfaction in the aviation sector. These partnerships will explore the potential of 5G technology to enable in-flight connectivity, real-time aircraft diagnostics, predictive maintenance, and improved flight path optimization. Additional focus areas will be seamless in-flight connectivity and smarter airports with full passenger journey monitoring, with automated check-ins, AR navigation, and better baggage tracking.

Automotive Industry: The GSMA partnerships with 5GAA and JASPAR, in addition to the partnership with AECC, will focus on integrating advanced connectivity to drive innovation in autonomous driving, smart cities, and mobility solutions. By leveraging 5G technology, the automotive sector can enhance safety, efficiency, and sustainability, paving the way for the future of transportation.

According to research by McKinsey, GSMA Open Gateway and other network API initiatives can unlock significant value for the telecommunications industry, and businesses using 5G networks over the next five years. It’s forecast that, if operators can expose more of their network APIs and innovations to enterprise developer and cloud provider communities, then they can unlock up to an additional $25 billion market opportunity from the automotive sector and up to $30bn from the travel, transport and logistics sectors by 2030.

GSMA Open Gateway Initiative Accelerates Into 2025

Launched two years ago, the GSMA Open Gateway is an initiative which ensures mobile operators can provide enterprise developers standardised access to a range of network functions used to create applications and services. 

By bringing together operators from around the world, the initiative facilitates the design of digital products that can function seamlessly across all devices, regardless of country or operator. 

This is achieved through unique access points, known as APIs (Application Programming Interfaces), which serve as gateways to information about network capabilities. These APIs are available through the CAMARA repository, an open-source project by GSMA and the Linux Foundation.

More than 72 mobile operator groups, representing 284 networks and almost 80% of mobile connections across the world have already signed up to participate in the GSMA Open Gateway initiative, with 52 commercial launches taking place.

In addition to reaching enterprise developers through GSMA Fusion, the organisation has also built a large ecosystem of channel partners and ecosystem partners to help mobile operators commercialise their APIs and reach new sectors. 

More than 35 partners including Alibaba Cloud, AWS, Bridge Alliance, Glide, Infobip, Microsoft, Nokia, Shush and ZTE are now actively working with operators and enterprise developers to launch new digital services.

In the past year, operators around the world from Argentina to China, France and the United Kingdom to Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand, have commercialised and launched API services to help online banks, fintechs and retailers improve security and tackle online fraud. 

In addition, the mobile industry is now turning its attention to a whole array of new services and innovations, including Quality-on-Demand APIs to enable safe drone flight, robotics, extended reality and immersive online gaming services over 5G networks. 

The roadmap includes further development in connectivity for network slicing, cybersecurity and cloud enablement.

The GSMA will also be showcasing further GSMA Open Gateway and Fusion activity at MWC Barcelona 2025, including the GSMA Open Gateway DevCon on Tuesday March 4th, where Isaac Bess – Global Head of Distribution at TikTok, Mark Smith, Strategic Advisor to IBC and Nick Venezia and Founder of Centillion.ai will be discussing how the telecoms and media industries can work better on identity and verification. 

The GSMA Open Gateway DevCon will take place at Talent Arena, along with the Open Gateway hackathon. Developers will test their projects under realistic conditions on live networks, with access to the latest network APIs. Mobile World Capital is also bringing 180 developers from Paris on a charter flight with Vueling, and 70 developers on a dedicated high-speed train from Madrid with Iryo.

The GSMA will also be showcasing network APIs in practice at the GSMA Open Gateway Zone in Hall 4 demonstrating a range of examples, including a demo from Nokia and Elmo Cars showing how to remotely drive a car in Finland using APIs.

Dr. Maxime Flament, 5GAA CTO, said:

We are delighted to enter into partnership with GSMA. It will further strengthen our efforts to develop end-to-end solutions for future automotive services. In this respect, we believe GSMA is the best partner to work on global availability of advanced network features for the automotive industry, among which include global APIs, MEC- and QoS-enabled services as well as cross-MNO MEC solutions. We look forward to working closely with GSMA Fusion to make this a reality.”

Kazuhiro Funai, JASPAR Connectivity WG Chair, said:

With this agreement we believe GSMA will be a great partner for JASPAR’s members and will provide a valuable bridge between the mobility sector and the mobile operators. We believe there are significant opportunities for operators to provide advanced connectivity services to the automotive sector, thereby enabling future services for our industry.”

Raul Bravo, president and founder, Outsight, said:

At Outsight, we are shaping the future of transportation and mobility by providing real-time spatial intelligence through our 3D Spatial AI solutions. As the global leader in this field, our partnership with the GSMA allows us to seamlessly combine our LiDAR-based software expertise with the power of 5G connectivity. Together, we are unlocking new possibilities for smarter, safer, and more efficient operations in the aviation and automotive sectors, paving the way for transformative innovations that will redefine customer experiences and operational excellence.”John Andrews, VP Connectivity, Safran Passenger Innovations, said: “As a leader in the In-Flight Entertainment and Connectivity sector we are excited to be working with GSMA to identify new innovations that can be enabled by advanced mobile networks.” 

Jack Mandala, CEO of the Seamless Air Alliance, said:

Seamless Air Alliance is excited to strengthen our collaboration with the GSMA as we drive the convergence of satellite and terrestrial services to unlock new levels of convenience for consumers while creating new sources of value for mobile network operators.”

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Aviation Cloud Industry Worth $12.9 Billion by 2029 – Report https://techeconomy.ng/aviation-cloud-industry-worth-12-9-billion-by-2029-report/ https://techeconomy.ng/aviation-cloud-industry-worth-12-9-billion-by-2029-report/#respond Mon, 10 Jun 2024 11:41:10 +0000 https://techeconomy.ng/?p=133587 The Aviation Cloud market has been projected to reach $12.9 billion by 2029, at a CAGR of 16.1% from 2024 to 2029. In 2024, the cloud market is estimated to be $6.1 billion.

According to the report released by “Market and Market”, Aviation Cloud Market by Service Model comprises; (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS), Deployment Type (Public, Private, Hybrid), End User (Airlines, Airports, OEMs, MROs), Application (Flight Operations, Passenger Service, Supply Chain Management).

The report noted that the push for digital transformation, driven by the pandemic, has fast-tracked the adoption of cloud solutions within the aviation industry, as stakeholders strive to innovate and sustain competitive edges in a swiftly evolving landscape. By service model, the PaaS segment is projected to grow at the second-highest CAGR during the forecast period.

Furthermore, platform as a Service (PaaS) is expected to exhibit the second-highest CAGR in the aviation cloud market, largely due to its unique ability to streamline application development and management for aviation companies.

PaaS provides a comprehensive development and deployment environment in the cloud, allowing developers to create, manage, and run applications without the complexity of building and maintaining the infrastructure typically associated with app development.

This is particularly advantageous in the fast-evolving aviation industry, where the need to rapidly deploy customized solutions that adapt to changing regulations and market demands is critical.

Again, the public cloud is projected to have the second-highest CAGR in the aviation cloud market, largely attributed to its scalability, cost-efficiency, and ease of access. The public cloud offers airlines and aviation stakeholders a versatile platform without needing heavy upfront investments or ongoing maintenance associated with private cloud infrastructures.

This model supports dynamic scaling to handle fluctuating data volumes and user traffic, which is particularly beneficial for handling peak periods in airline operations and ticketing systems.

Public cloud providers ensure that their platforms are continually updated with the latest security measures and compliance standards, which is crucial for the data-sensitive aviation industry.

The broad accessibility of advanced analytics tools, and integration capabilities within the public cloud also facilitates improved operational decision-making and enhanced customer service strategies.

Consequently, as the aviation industry increasingly focuses on cost-effective and flexible IT solutions in response to evolving market conditions, the adoption of public cloud services is expected to grow robustly.

Airports are anticipated to have the second-highest Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) in the aviation cloud market, driven by their increasing reliance on cloud-based solutions to enhance operational efficiencies and passenger experiences. As complex hubs that manage vast amounts of data related to air traffic, passenger flow, and security, airports are turning to the cloud to facilitate real-time data sharing and analytics.

This shift enables better decision-making and improved responsiveness to operational challenges. Cloud computing also supports the deployment of integrated systems for baggage handling, security checks, and building management, all while ensuring compliance with stringent aviation security standards.

However, the report noted that the Asia Pacific region is projected to exhibit the highest CAGR in the aviation cloud market, driven by a combination of rapid economic growth, increasing digitalization, and substantial investments in aviation infrastructure.

This region features some of the world’s fastest-growing aviation markets, such as China and India, where burgeoning middle classes are fueling a significant increase in air travel.

Additionally, governments across the Asia Pacific are aggressively promoting technological advancements, including cloud computing, to modernize and enhance efficiency within the aviation sector. This push is further supported by the growing acceptance of digital solutions for managing complex airport and airline operations to improve passenger experiences and operational efficiencies.

The strategic embrace of emerging technologies such as IoT, AI, and big data analytics, integrated with cloud computing platforms, also plays a key role in this growth.

As a result, the Asia Pacific region is quickly becoming a hotbed for innovation and development in aviation cloud solutions, leading to its expected high CAGR in the market.

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Noah’s Ark Elevates Jumoke Akinyele to Business Director https://techeconomy.ng/noahs-ark-elevates-jumoke-akinyele-to-business-director/ https://techeconomy.ng/noahs-ark-elevates-jumoke-akinyele-to-business-director/#respond Wed, 07 Feb 2024 10:59:14 +0000 https://techeconomy.ng/?p=124530 One of Nigeria’s leading creative powerhouses, Noah’s Ark Communications Limited, has announced the promotion of key staff into leadership roles in the company.

The four persons promoted into leadership positions are Jumoke Akinyele, Gabriel Olonisakin, Ugochukwu Ukaogu and Judith Ezeali.

While Jumoke Akinyele and Gabriel Olonisakin were elevated to the positions of  Business Director and Creative Director respectively,  Judith Ezeali moved up the ladder to the position of Deputy Business Director and Ugochukwu Ukaogu was promoted to the position of Associate IT Director.

Speaking on the promotion, the Chief Executive Officer of Noah’s Ark Communications Limited, Lanre Adisa, stated that the elevation is in line with the company’s culture of recognizing high-performing team members while creating the enabling environment for them to develop their skills and collaborating to achieve exceptional performance in their new roles.

Adisa expressed optimism that the promoted staff would bring fresh ideas to reinvigorate the leadership team to record tremendous success in the coming years. He noted that all the elevated team members have put in meaningful years of hard work, loyalty and dedication.

Jumoke Akinyele started her career in the agency in 2010 as a temp/intern and rose to her current role. Until recently, she was the Associate Director and was responsible for managing business processes and cross-functionally working with critical stakeholders and agency teams to solve marketing problems while ensuring profitability for the business.

Jumoke holds a B. A. in English Language from Adekunle Ajasin University, Ondo State and  an MBA from Nexford University, USA.

She is an alumna of the Lagos Business School (Senior Management Programme). An ARCON-certified marketing communications and brand management professional, her industry experience spans several multinational and local brands across various industries and categories, some of which are  Maltina, Airtel, Maggi, Rexona, Minimie, Hacey Initiative, PayAttitude, Fayrouz, Indomie, Paga, SWIFT Networks, Three Crowns Milk, Peak Milk, Travelstart, Hypo, Power Oil, among others.

Similarly, Gabriel Olonisakin joined the company 13 years ago, bringing a unique blend of artistic vision, strategic thinking and leadership prowess into his new role. Throughout his career, he has been instrumental in crafting visually stunning and conceptually compelling campaigns that captivate audiences and drive brand success.

A serial award winner, he has won laurels at global and regional advertising festivals, including the Loeries and Epica Awards. He clinched the first-ever creative effectiveness medal at the Lagos Advertising and Ideas Festival and was recognized for his creativity at the African Cristal Awards.

Judith Ezeali started her career with Brand Communicator magazine in 2008 as an Assistant Editor and Sales Lead before joining 141 worldwide (now Nitro 121).  She left 141 Worldwide as an intern and moved to Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited in 2011. In 2014, she joined Noah’s Ark Communications Limited as an Account Executive and rose to become a Deputy Director.

Her work involves business operations, brand management, client servicing and managing the creative processes from start to finish.

Over the years, she has garnered cross-industry experience from working on various brands in diverse categories spanning Telco, FMCG, Insurance, Aviation, Travel, Education, Hospitality and Financial Services.

Ezeali, who holds a B. Sc. in Mass Communication from Olabisi Onabanjo University, is also an alumna of the prestigious Lagos Business School, SMP 80 Class. She is an associate member of ARCON (ARPA) and holds a diploma in digital marketing (DDM) from the Digital Marketing Institute, Ireland.

Ugochukwu Ukaogo is a seasoned professional in IT infrastructure management with a robust experience.

He joined Noah’s Ark as an Assistant Manager and rose to Deputy IT Director before his latest promotion to Associate IT Director.

Before joining Noah’s Ark in 2017, he had worked in different multinational companies, ranging from telecommunications to fast-moving consumer goods.

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Aviation Sector Targets Net-zero CO2 Emission by 2050 https://techeconomy.ng/aviation-sector-targets-net-zero-co2-emission-by-2050/ https://techeconomy.ng/aviation-sector-targets-net-zero-co2-emission-by-2050/#respond Wed, 07 Feb 2024 08:02:00 +0000 https://techeconomy.ng/?p=124501 Willie Walsh, the director general of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), said the Aviation sector looks towards achieving net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050.

He noted that despite the rise in the utilization of sustainable aviation fuel in 2023, it continued to account for only three percent of global renewable fuel production.

He noted in a statement the need for an urgent boost in SAF output, particularly as the aviation sector endeavours to achieve net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050

SAF is a carbon-reduction solution that is available for use in aircraft and helicopters operating today. It is a “drop-in” fuel blended with up to 50 percent conventional jet fuel, requiring no aircraft modifications.

The aviation industry faces a pressing need to intensify efforts and investments in sustainable aviation practices to make significant strides toward a more environmentally friendly future.

Walsh said a massive collective effort was needed to increase SAF output as a proportion of overall renewable fuel production as quickly as possible.

“Our push to connect our world, even more strongly than before the pandemic, must not come at the expense of our environment. The industry’s goal to reach net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050 remains steadfast.

“To accelerate the transition, we need governments and fuel suppliers to step up and do more. We saw a strong increase in the use of SAF in 2023, but SAF is still only three percent of all global renewable fuel production. That is unacceptable,” he declared.

The IATA DG explained that the government had critical roles to play in terms of adopting cost-effective policies and supporting the production of sustainable aviation fuel.

He started, “To maximize the benefits of air travel in the post-pandemic world, governments need to take a strategic approach.

“That means providing cost-efficient infrastructure to meet demand, incentivizing sustainable aviation fuel production to meet our net-zero carbon emission goal by 2050, and adopting regulations that deliver a clear cost-benefit.

“Completing the recovery must not be an excuse for governments to forget the critical role of aviation in increasing the prosperity and well-being of people and businesses the world over.”

Nigeria’s aviation industry is facing challenges with the sustainable supply of aviation fuel, leading to increased operational costs and airfare prices.

The country relies on imported Jet A-1 fuel, and the rising cost of fuel, exacerbated by foreign exchange scarcity has impacted the performance of airlines.

Jet A fuel is a conventional aviation fuel derived from petroleum and is the most commonly used fuel for commercial aviation.

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FG Promises Direct Flight from Nigeria to USA to Deepen Bilateral Ties https://techeconomy.ng/fg-promises-direct-flight-from-nigeria-to-usa-to-deepen-bilateral-ties/ https://techeconomy.ng/fg-promises-direct-flight-from-nigeria-to-usa-to-deepen-bilateral-ties/#comments Wed, 19 Jul 2023 06:53:35 +0000 https://techeconomy.ng/?p=107748 The Federal Government of Nigeria has given assurance to the United States of America (USA) of its commitment to establishing a direct flight from Nigeria to Houston, Texas, in a move aimed at strengthening bilateral relations between the two nations.

During a visit to the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace in Abuja, a delegation from the USA, led by Houston Texas Mayor, Mr. Sylvester Turner, received this commitment from Dr. Emmanuel Meribole, the permanent secretary of the Ministry.

Meribole expressed the administration’s receptiveness to investment, tourism, and the enhancement of existing bilateral ties. He emphasized that all necessary modalities for the Bilateral Air Services Agreement to facilitate direct flights to Houston would commence promptly after the appointment and deployment of new Ministers.

Mayor Turner conveyed his gratitude for the hospitality extended by the Nigerian Government during their visit. He emphasized the objective of building stronger ties between the United States and Africa, with Houston being Africa’s second-largest urban trade partner in the US and a significant hub for the Nigerian diaspora.

Houston’s strategic geographic location and robust infrastructure make it a gateway for trade to the central and western United States. Mayor Turner’s visit aimed to complement Houston’s initiatives to expand relations with Nigeria, with a focus on healthcare, technology, agriculture, energy, and education.

Ambassador Akinyemi Bolaji of the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs also assured the Mayor that the proposal for a consulate office in Houston would be duly considered. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs pledged to prioritize Houston, Texas, as the first city to receive such a consulate office request.

The commitment to establish a direct flight and consulate office in Houston underscores Nigeria’s eagerness to strengthen its ties with the United States, while also providing opportunities for enhanced trade, investment, and cooperation in various sectors between the two nations.

The move is expected to foster greater connectivity and promote mutually beneficial exchanges, further solidifying the relationship between Nigeria and the United States

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Government Neglect, Bird Strikes Threaten Domestic Airlines, Says Air Peace Chairman https://techeconomy.ng/government-neglect-bird-strikes-threaten-domestic-airlines-says-air-peace-chairman/ https://techeconomy.ng/government-neglect-bird-strikes-threaten-domestic-airlines-says-air-peace-chairman/#respond Wed, 12 Jul 2023 05:30:39 +0000 https://techeconomy.ng/?p=107063 Air Peace Chairman, Mr. Allen Onyema, expressed deep concern over the detrimental effects of Federal Government policies on domestic airline operators, accusing the government of hindering their growth by failing to provide necessary assistance.

Speaking at the Aviation Round Table (ART) Q2 Brunch Business Meeting in Lagos on Tuesday, Onyema highlighted bird strikes as a major cause of high mortality rates within the industry.

In 2023 alone, Air Peace reportedly suffered 18 bird strike incidents, resulting in the loss of several aircraft. Onyema emphasized the possibility of further incidents before the year’s end.

The airline recently experienced significant financial setbacks when a bird strike damaged the engine of its newly acquired Embraer 195 E2 aircraft, necessitating a $3.2 million replacement.

Unfortunately, the Nigerian Customs Service further delayed the delivery of the required parts, keeping the aircraft grounded for an additional week.

Onyema lamented that Air Peace encountered another unfortunate incident at Benin Airport, where two aircraft were lost to bird strikes in a single day. These incidents resulted in substantial financial losses and diverted resources that could have been used elsewhere.

Highlighting the need for understanding the root causes of delays and cancellations, Onyema called for scrutiny of the challenges faced by domestic airlines. He criticized the policy formulation and execution by the Federal Government, attributing them to the rapid demise of domestic airlines.

Furthermore, Onyema raised concerns regarding the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority’s recent statistics on flight delays and cancellations, as it failed to address the underlying reasons behind these issues.

VIP movements, inadequate infrastructure, limited foreign exchange availability, fuel shortages, and adverse weather conditions were identified as additional challenges contributing to flight disruptions among domestic airlines.

The domestic aviation industry in Nigeria faces significant obstacles, as both government support and a comprehensive approach to mitigating bird strikes are urgently needed.

Without prompt action, the survival and growth of domestic airlines will remain under threat, jeopardizing the entire sector’s stability

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Ethiopian Airlines Chairman Resigns Amid Nigeria Air Controversies https://techeconomy.ng/ethiopian-airlines-chairman-resigns-amid-nigeria-air-controversies/ https://techeconomy.ng/ethiopian-airlines-chairman-resigns-amid-nigeria-air-controversies/#respond Tue, 13 Jun 2023 03:10:33 +0000 https://techeconomy.ng/?p=104302 Following the recent launch of Nigeria Air, Girma Wake, widely regarded as the influential figure known as the “father of the African aviation industry,” has resigned from his position as the board chairman of Ethiopian Airlines.

Although the specific reasons for his unexpected departure have not yet been disclosed, it has been confirmed that Wake has indeed stepped down from his role.

Girma Wake joined the Ethiopian Airlines board in 2018 and assumed the position of board chairman in April 2022, coinciding with the appointment of Mesfin Tasew as the group CEO, replacing Tewolde Gebremariam.

Wake is credited with playing a pivotal role in propelling Ethiopia towards becoming the largest carrier on the continent, competing with major airlines globally.

Having served the airline for over 30 years, including a tenure as CEO from 2004 to January 2011, Wake holds an esteemed reputation in the African aviation industry.

He also held positions as the board chairman of Rwanda Air and served as an advisor to the Minister of Transport in Rwanda. Additionally, Wake provided advisory services on aviation matters to the President of Togo.

Before his return to Africa, Girma Wake gained experience while working with Gulf Air and DHL in the Middle East. Known as a “straight talker,” he is highly respected for his straightforward approach.

While he supports government backing for the airline industry, he strongly opposes government interference in the operational aspects of airlines.

There have been concerns raised by stakeholders in the aviation sector regarding controversies surrounding the acquisition of aircraft used for the establishment of Nigeria Air, the national carrier

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Lawmaker Refutes Claims of Seeking 5% Stake in Nigeria Air https://techeconomy.ng/lawmaker-refutes-claims-of-seeking-5-stake-in-nigeria-air/ https://techeconomy.ng/lawmaker-refutes-claims-of-seeking-5-stake-in-nigeria-air/#comments Mon, 12 Jun 2023 16:36:11 +0000 https://techeconomy.ng/?p=104247 Amidst the ongoing controversies surrounding the recent launch of Air Nigeria, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Aviation in Nigeria, Nnolim Nnaji, has denied claims that he requested a five percent stake in the airline.

The Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, has faced criticism for chartering an aircraft from Ethiopia for Air Nigeria, and during investigations, he mentioned Nnaji’s alleged request for a stake in the company.

Nnaji, in response to Sirika’s allegations, stated that the former minister is trying to grasp at anything to salvage his reputation following the backlash surrounding the Nigeria Air project.

Nnaji clarified that his focus has always been on promoting transparency and adherence to due process in the aviation sector, including the Nigeria Air project.

He highlighted that further inquiries were suspended by the House when the Airline Operators of Nigeria took legal action, obtaining an injunction against the Ministry and Nigeria Air.

Nnaji explained, “Ordinarily, I would not have bothered to address the accusations of my demand for a five percent stake in Nigeria Air, as claimed during Sirika’s interview on Arise Television.

However, I feel it is my responsibility to set the record straight for the benefit of my constituents and Nigerians as a whole.”

He recalled that when the Minister announced Ethiopian Airlines as a core investor in Nigeria Air last year, his committee received numerous petitions from stakeholders.

As a result, the committee invited the Minister and his team to provide detailed information about the project, including evidence of the bidding process that led to Ethiopian Airlines’ selection and the full business case prepared by the Nigerian Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), outlining the investors and their equity contributions.

During the meeting, Sirika stated that the full business case was still being finalized by the ICRC and promised to provide it to the committee when ready. However, he failed to do so before the Airline Operators of Nigeria obtained the court injunction that halted the project.

Nnaji clarified that all inquiries were suspended to avoid contempt of court. However, he found himself at odds with Sirika again when he issued a statement opposing the pressures faced by key personnel at the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to grant waivers to Nigeria Air for obtaining an Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) before the previous administration’s term ended.

Nnaji emphasized that it is a standard parliamentary practice not to discuss matters that are before the court, and his statement aimed to caution the former Minister against undermining the authority of the NCAA, as it could have detrimental consequences for Nigeria’s air transport sector. He also highlighted that the Nigerian institutional investors mentioned by Sirika have all denied their involvement.

Concluding his statement, Nnaji reiterated that Sirika’s baseless allegations were an attempt to deflect attention from the fundamental issue: the need for due process.

He urged Sirika to stay focused on addressing the truth about the Nigeria Air project, which Nnaji described as questionable. Nnaji made it clear that he is not the cause of Sirika’s problems

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Ibom Air Experiences Remarkable Growth Over 4-Year Period https://techeconomy.ng/ibom-air-experiences-remarkable-growth-over-4-year-period/ https://techeconomy.ng/ibom-air-experiences-remarkable-growth-over-4-year-period/#respond Thu, 08 Jun 2023 09:47:57 +0000 https://techeconomy.ng/?p=103955 Ibom Air, an airline owned by Akwa Ibom State, has achieved remarkable success in surpassing its targets set for the first four years of operation.

This information was shared in a statement released to commemorate the airline’s fourth anniversary. The statement, signed by Aniekan Essienette, the GM of Marketing and Communication, was made available to the press in Uyo.

Since its inception on June 7, 2019, the airline has experienced tremendous growth, as stated by the company. With a modern fleet of aircraft, a strong emphasis on safety, and exceptional customer service, Ibom Air has become the preferred choice for travelers seeking a combination of safety, comfort, reliability, and affordability.

Mr. George Uriesi, the Chief Operating Officer of the airline, attributed the rapid growth to the airline’s ability to meet the high expectations of its shareholders and the dedicated execution of its business plan.

He expressed pride in celebrating Ibom Air’s fourth anniversary and highlighted the airline’s achievements in surpassing its business plan projections.

These milestones were accomplished through meticulous execution of the business plan and the hard work and dedication of the committed staff.

Uriesi emphasized that Ibom Air’s internal culture of excellence, safety, integrity, passion, and innovation has become deeply ingrained and drives the company’s commitment to providing the highest quality of service in the industry.

The COO also expressed gratitude, on behalf of the board, management, and staff, to the loyal customers, associates, and stakeholders across the country and beyond for their support over the past four years.

Furthermore, Uriesi highlighted the recent certification of Ibom Air with the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA), underscoring the airline’s unwavering commitment to maintaining the highest safety standards in the industry

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