Exclusive Interview of Chinyere Kalu, Nigeria's First Female Pilot.

Captain Chinyere Kalu is a pilot and presently the Rector of the Nigeria College of Aviation Technology (NCAT) Zaria. In this interview with a select group of journalists she bares her mind of her over 33 years flying career.

                                                      beach baron Tb9 parked at NCAT hanger

What motivated you to become a pilot?
It was a long time ago, about 33 years ago. The motivating factor is just an adventurous spirit, to venture out to see what is out there. I felt flying will be challenging and I didn’t want to do what everyone else was doing at the time, I wanted something unique, something special, something challenging, something that I feel will be fulfilling. So that is what led me into flying. I also thought it will be a good opportunity to travel all over the world and get paid for it.

What was the reaction of your parent to that decision?
Surprisingly, there was no opposition. My aunt who was my mentor was the first person to travel to the United Kingdom from my village. She was a kind of a celebrity of her time. So when I mentioned the idea of flying, having been the first person in my village to go to UK, she did nursing, she was a trail blazer so to speak. And having been that exposed she just felt, this is your opportunity don’t even look back.

What about your father?
Well I didn’t grow up with my father. I had a lot of female influence around me when I was growing up. My mum had separated from my father long ago and I didn’t grow up under his influence.

How has the journey been so far?
It has not been easy for a number of reasons. I have suffered a lot; in fact I have been a threat to a number of people, chief executives prior to my time. They felt so threatened to the point that they felt if they leave me to excel, that probably I was going to take their job from them. So there was a lot of victimisation but the bottom line is that God who brought me from the dung hill has made it possible for me to be on this seat at this time and I just thank him. That is the conclusion of it all. It has not been easy, there was a period of time in my life I was sent packing for 14 months no salary, nothing. And that was not the first time nor was it the second but God has been faithful and that is the bottom line. It has not been easy because I didn’t have a lot of support, I didn’t have a lot of godfathers and I was there suffering but God has been faithful.

How have you been able to combine family with your career?
When I was bringing up my children my work wasn’t this busy and so I had time to bring up the children. And I have a wonderful husband; he is very supportive. Sometimes he will ask, when are you coming home and I will say not so soon or I am coming right back. He understands and he doesn’t mind if I don’t cook his meals, if I don’t come home early but he is a workaholic as well. So even if I get home at 12 midnight he is still very much awake and I will end up going to bed before him. So he works late but the truth of the matter is that he is very loving, very understanding and very supportive. If he had not been so supportive of me through it all I don’t know how I would have managed.

What is your most memorable flying experience?
One of the memorable moments of my life in flying was when I went on my first solo. First solo is the first time a student pilot will take off with the aircraft and land all by himself or herself without the instructions and the presence of a flight instructor. That I did I think on the 6th of June, 1978. I can remember it clearly. At that time the set of instructors that we had were semi-military and they could be so harsh and unfriendly. So my instructor said to me “well you go if you like kill yourself”. For me as a pilot and as an instructor I will never tell that to my students at this point. I will say I believe in you, all you need to do is to show me that you can go up and come down on your own. Go ahead I am praying for you and I know you will succeed.
I did go up and when I went up instead of being afraid, rigid and timid, I felt so relaxed. I could remember I was singing, flying, just praising God and thanking God. I was not frigid, I was just there doing my own thing.
The other incident I had was on 6th of October 2006 when I had a plane crash. We had gone up with some two girls, twin sisters with another boy on a flight. At that time I think the exercise they were to do was climbing. It hasn’t been long they started flying when it happened. So we did the normal checks, all the parameters were okay, everything was working fine and then we took off. And because I had taught them some of the exercises so they were doing it themselves and then it got to a point and one of the student said Ma, it seems as if our aircraft is losing power. So I checked and looked at the parameters and they were okay but from the sound of the engine and the engine indicator (thermometer RPM indicator), I could see that actually we were losing power.
So when that happened I took over control from her, obviously I should take over. I am the pilot in command and did all the other checks to see if we didn’t do something right or put something wrongly. I did all that and the power was not being sustained, so I realised that this is for real. So I was composed, I was calm then I decided that we should head towards the air field that is coming back to our airport here. I started coming back to the field and I was able to make it to the field. That was an incident some years back and when we landed we realised that water had entered the engine. We drained and saw half bottle of water from the engine, so it was the water that entered the engine that was making the aircraft to rough run and not to perform well.
When that was happening, the twin sisters asked, Ma does it mean this is it? I said well it could be but pray, call on your God. And the faithful God remain faithful to us and nothing happened. When we landed I told them to rush out immediately, we all rushed out because with that impact there could be fire. When this was happening I had called the tower to give them our situation report and what was happening per time, so tower was busy calling us but we had rushed out for safety. When we waited for a while and noticed there was no fire, we came back to answer tower and told them our exact location, eventually they came for us.

In view of your experiences, will you advise more girls to take to flying?
Well looking at your face I could conclude that in fact once you allow your daughter to toe this line she will become a heroine. Yes, nobody is going to victimise her, she will be greatly encouraged. I have taken all the beating and bashing and all that so no other woman flight instructor will go through. In fact, at a point, I was retrenched because I was expecting my first baby. They said as a pilot you cannot fly but we went over that and so many other gory experiences. But I thank God I am still here after 33 years.
Recently I went to Abuja for a programme by the University of Science and Engineering in Abuja, I was invited to give motivational talks to young girls and I was just encouraging them. I am ageing and I need replacement, I need younger people to come and replace me. They should come because I think women make better flight instructors. They are patient, they will teach, advice, encourage.
How many students do you have?
We have quite a number. We have a set of students in Minna, we have a campus there that the Niger State government collaborated with us to open to conduct ground instructions for flight training. So we have 28 (SP 28), in SP26 we have about 17 students, in SP27 we have about 20 students and then we have some students in SP25 and by January we will take in another set of students. So you can say we have about 70 flying students.

How many of them are women?
I really don’t know. I know in Minna we have about three girls for other ones we have girls in the class, maybe a total of 10 or there about.

What is the cost of training a pilot?
The cost is N7.5 million for the whole period and that is inclusive of feeding and accommodation and in reality, that is below the cost price because when you talk of international college of aviation in Ilorin, they charge N10 million excluding feeding and accommodation and then the fuel they use are produced locally compared to ours that we buy from outside the country and we pay about N125, 000 per drum of fuel.

One of your students (Governor Suntai of Taraba State) recently had a plane crash.
(Cuts in) I wouldn’t want to answer that. I will want to say that we have had students like Capt. Adoka Rein, he was my own personal student and he is flying and is still flying. He was MD NAMA and now he is flying with Arik Air and a host of them. Yes, we train students, it is the same standard we are maintaining but anything can happen any time, it is not because of the school. We maintain our standard, NCAA is a regulatory body that checks our standard, so we maintain very high standard and Nigerian pilots trained in this college are some of the best in the world.

How often do you fly?
Well, in the past it wasn’t as often but now much more regularly. As I go to Abuja for one programme or the other, I seize the opportunity to fly so that I remain current.

You don’t go to Abuja by road?
I do sometimes but when I am pressed for time or I have a lot to do, I fly.

SOUTH SUDAN: Kenyan Fokker 50 crash lands in Aweil; no casualties.

 

News wires are reported the crash landing of a Kenyan Skyward International Fokker 50 (MSN: 20175 | 5Y-CAN) in Aweil, the capital of Northern Bhar al Ghazal state, South Sudan. The flight was carrying members of the International Office of Migration (IOM) returning from a conference in Khartoum, Sudan. Of the 57 passengers onboard, some were said to have sustained injuries.

“The airstrip … is safe for landing, but a plane is a metal and you don’t know what can happen,” Mr Madut, the deputy governor Northern Bhar al Ghazal state told a local radio station. “The pilot did a good job; he managed to save the lives of 57 people who were on board, coming from Sudan.”

Pictures taken by eyewitnesses at the scene showed the aircraft lying flat on the ground.One of the wheels was twisted to point into the sky and a broken off trunk lay by the side of the wreckage on dry grass. A passenger who disembarked unhurt from the plane said he was alerted to the sound of grumbling. And in a short while, he said, the aircraft was lying in the bush. Big Ups to the Fokker Pilot who saved all those lives (applauding)

FG Plans National Carrier With 30 New Aircrafts.

We are aware the Federal Government plans to float a new national carrier with at least 30 brand new aircraft, but i doubt we can see the reality of that this year.
The Director of Operations, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, (FAAN) Mr. Henry Omeogu, in a statement while speaking with newsmen during his visit to the Port Harcourt International Airport. Omeogu explained that "though the new national carrier would be private sector-driven, fairly used or old aircraft would not be allowed to be among the fleet of its airplanes." He said the move was part of the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan for the aviation sector, adding that the Minister of Aviation, Ms. Stella Oduah, was determined to turn around the industry. Explaining that the Federal Government was interested in raising the standard in the aviation sector to a world-class level, Omeogu disclosed that the government had begun the renovation of 11 airports across the country. “We are going to have about 30 brand new aircraft and they (aircraft) will be our national carrier. The effort will be private-sector driven. We will insist that others who would want to be part this should come with brand new aircraft,”
The FAAN director gave an assurance that by 2014, the Federal Government would have achieved nearly 100 per cent of its plans to transform the aviation sector. There has been improved security within and around airports across the country which was part of the arrangement for a new aviation industry, over 50 policemen had already been moved from Abuja to the Port Harcourt International Airport. “The President has signed performance contracts with all the sectors, and at the end of the day, any person that cannot key into the new vision of the Federal Government will naturally leave the system,” Omeogu explained that the ongoing transformation of the country’s aviation sector would provide many employment opportunities for the citizens as the materials needed for the renovation of some of the airports in the country were available, while the contractors had been paid to avoid any delay in the completion of the projects.

Flight Movie: Official Trailer 2012

Personally I'm a Denzel Washington fan. And to see him wear my kind off uniform in my kind off office just sends my adrenaline haywire. The movie Flight currently showing in cinemas abroad, but yet to be in the Nigerian cinemas. Is a story of a captains remarkable flying. Its currently number 3 in the box office with making $14.5Million in its 1st weekend and a gross earning of about $45Million in 2weeks

NAMA upgrades to automated flight plans.

Engr Nnamdi Udoh, the Managing Director, Nigerian Airspace Management Authority (NAMA), says Nigeria will upgrade from the analogue method of preparing flight plans to automated system on Thursday.(which is today)
He said: ``From Thursday, Nov. 15, 2012, Nigeria will join the rest of the global aviation community in this development, as it has become mandatory for all contracting states of ICAO to do so.’’
Udoh said that the new flight plan would afford air navigation service providers the opportunity to make maximum use of aircraft capabilities.
He listed other benefits of the new flight plan to include:-
- ability of the aircraft to conduct flights more closely to their preferred trajectories and facilitate the
  utilisation of advanced technologies, thereby increasing efficiency.
- optimised demand and capacity balancing through efficient exchange of information.
- enhance the airlines’ use of modern capabilities on board the aircraft, as well as enhance search and
  rescue operations when the need arises.
The forum was attended by airline operators, pilots, air traffic controllers, regulators and service providers. We are moving up in the world of aviation. kudos!

Hello Everyone!!! Check out This Helicopter

The worlds first hotel Hotelicopter features 18 luxuriously-appointed rooms for adrenaline junkies seeking a truly unique and memorable travel experience.
It is a helicopter hotel! It has 18 rooms with five-star facilities!
I dey madt! Just as much as i would love to fly everything i would never fly that, let alone sleep there. joooor o. It doesn't even look aerodynamically possible.

NCAA directs Nigerian Domestic airlines to install latest safety device within six months

Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) in Lagos yesterday finally issued the airlines operating in the country six months to install Automated Flight Information Reporting System (AFIRS) in their aircraft  or face sanctions.  

This directive was announced by the Director-General of NCAA, Dr. Harold Demuren after presenting his paper at the ongoing Airbus Industry Workshop Training for indigenous airline operators.

He said that so far, all the country’s airline operators had indicated their interested in fixing the equipment onto their airplanes and disclosed that it cost NCAA about $30,000 (N4.8 Million) to acquire and install the equipment in its headquarters in Lagos.

Demuren said it would cost the airline more, but they could pay in installments to the manufacturer of the equipment after the initial payment of about $60, 000 (N9.5 Million) on each aircraft and then the airlines can make yearly payment till they finish paying. It is a fraction of the money they will use to buy an airplane.Well if you think this is expensive, go and try accident. lol!

  “We are giving them six months to install the gadgets in their airplanes. We need to give them some time. It is not a thing you can do in one day. After that, no aeroplane would operate in the public category carrying passengers for hire and reward will be allowed again in the country. I think it is good to promote safety in the industry,”

Any snag would be detected automatically. Every one of them wants it. It is the latest in the world. There have been complaints that pilots don’t record snags in their logbooks, but this automatically records everything. You can’t hide or change it. Everyone would have it; the airline and even the NCAA. We will know the problem and we would be able to fix it.

On the workshop, Demuren commended the aircraft manufacturer for conducting the training for Nigerian airline operators, saying that this would further boost safety in the Nigerian aviation industry.

Also speaking on the issue, Airbus International Safety Programme Director, Mr. Marc Ballion said that the AFIRS would automatically be fixed on all its aircraft from 2015.

He said with this installation, speculations arising from probable causes of aircraft accident would be over, stressing that before the airline could come out with the latest technology; it cost two years of intensive research.

He said that before the latest discovery, the company was improving in its safety record, maintaining that it would further boost safety in the sector.

“Again, we have to be predictive and pro-active in our approach to safety of airplanes and passengers in the sector. We don’t have to wait for an accident to occur before we take step. This device reveals all the components of aircraft and monitors the movement of aircraft,” Hmmmm... 

Chairman of the House Committee on Aviation, Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, issued the summon at a meeting with officials  of the Federal Ministry of Aviation.
Onyejeocha said the invitation became necessary because of the controversy surrounding the alleged discrimination against the airlines. The  airlines summoned include, Turkish Airline, Ethiopia Airline, Emirates Airline and Asky  Airline.

Aero Contractors Nigeria New 747-400

Aero Contractors (AJ), new baby a Boeing 737-400 (5N-BKR), the company's

One of the aircraft MSN: 29201|N605SC is said to be a GECAS lease, whilst the other's origin is uncertain.

South Africa: Global Aviation MD82 aborts takeoff from Joburg; no casualties.

Global Aviation's MD82 "ZS-TOG"

A chartered McDonnell Douglas MD82 flight QG-112 operated by Global Aviation carrying 120 passengers and seven crew members aborted take-off at around 07h15 this morning at Johannesburg's O.R. Tambo International Airport en route to Lilongwe, Malawi. It was later discovered that one of the tyres of the plane burst and was on fire, there-by prompting the abrupt aborting of the take-off sequence on runway 03L. The runway was later closed because of debris and also for further investigation.

According to the Aviation Herald:

"The aircraft was accelerating for takeoff from runway 03L about one minute after takeoff clearance when tower reported there was smoke coming from an engine. The crew rejected takeoff and came to a stop about 2400 meters/7900 feet down the runway indicating they might be able to vacate the runway, tower however instructed the aircraft to hold position on the runway while directing emergency services towards the aircraft.

The aircraft left debris behind while slowing and was subsequently seen on the runway with the left wing low and right wing high."

The precise registration of the plane is not yet known, though Global is known to operate two MD82: ZS-TOG & ZS-GAB

No injuries were reported and the fire was extinguished.

Aerocontractors Expands its Fleet: Acquires two 737-400

AeroContractors, has acquired two additional Boeing 737-400 aircraft, bringing the company's total fleet to 12. Capt. Akin George Managing Director of the Airline, as said "the additional aircraft would allow the airline to introduce new routes and also transport more passengers during the forthcoming holiday season."  It will also further consolidate Aero’s leading position both in the domestic and regional market, making it one of the fastest growing airlines in West Africa by aircraft usage.
Aero contractors is an airline that is known to adheres strictly to the maintenance schedule for its aircrafts. Aero said the newly-acquired B737-400, 144-seater aircraft are equipped with the latest navigation equipment with lower fuel burn and increased reliability, making the aircraft more efficient, environmentally friendly and easier to maintain. Since 2000 when the airline commenced scheduled commercial operation, it has grown from a service provider to oil industry operators to a leading regional schedule carrier operator.

The airline operates passenger services with the Bombardier Dash8, Q300 aircraft and the Boeing 737-400 and 500 variants with 104 to 144 seats.

Air Nigeria's AOC Expires

Air Nigeria's Airline Operator’s Certificate (AOC) expired on Thursday last week, which means if they still intend to come back twelve months later as Barrister Jimoh Ibrahim says, they would have to go through fresh re-certification. Some think airline business is a joke ba.

Ethiad Airways Begins Cargo Flights to Lagos, Nigeria

The Cargo division of Etihad Airways (EY), will re-introduce a weekly freighter service from Abu Dhabi to Lagos. Nigeria, starting November 15. This service will be complemented by the addition of 16 new interline destinations across West Africa.

These additional interline connections will link Lagos with the cities of Libreville (Gabon), Pointe-Noire (Congo-Brazzaville), Malabo (Equatorial Guinea), Douala (Cameroon), Accra (Ghana), Abidjan (Cote d’Ivoire), Nouakchott (Mauritania), Conakry (Guinea), Bamako (Mali), Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso), Cotonou (Benin), Monrovia (Liberia), Freetown (Sierra Leone), Port Harcourt (Nigeria) and Kinshasa (Democratic Republic of Congo).

The Abu Dhabi-Lagos freighter service will operate every Thursday using a Boeing 747-400F freighter, with a capacity of 124 tonnes. Etihad Airways already operates six weekly Airbus A330 passenger services between the two cities, providing additional belly cargo space.

Kevin Knight, Etihad Airways’ Chief Strategy and Planning Officer, said:

“West Africa is a hugely important market for us, and we are delighted to offer freighter services to and beyond one of its gateway cities – Lagos.

“The 16 new interline destinations, with connections over Lagos, will ensure Etihad Cargo has leading logistics solutions for cargo customers into and out of the region.

“Via Lagos, these new destinations will also help cement the ever expanding trade ties between West Africa and the UAE.”

Etihad Cargo’s existing African freighter destinations include: Johannesburg, Nairobi, Khartoum, Benghazi, Tripoli, Cairo, Casablanca, Addis Ababa and Eldoret.

Etihad Cargo flies to a total of 86 destinations internationally, operating a fleet of six freighters, consisting of one Airbus A300-600F, two Airbus A330-200F, one McDonnell Douglas MD-11F, one Boeing B777F and one Boeing 747-400F leased from Atlas Air.

Emirates A380 Blows an Engine Just After Take-off

I'm beginning to loose confidence in this A380 monster Jumbo.
There was a reported engine failure again on an Airbus A380, but this time on an Emirates Airbus A380 flight EK413 from Sydney Australia to Dubai on Sunday. The last reported case was on the 4th Nov, 2010 a Qantas Flight QF32 a.k.a (Nancy Bird Walton) from Singapore to Australia engine 2 blow out its cowlings just 5mins after take off. The experienced flight crew guided the plane back safely to the airport
 Meanwhile, passengers on-board the A380 plane bound for Dubai have told of how the engine exploded shortly after take-off forcing the plane to make an emergency landing.
Flyers described seeing flashes of light from the engine and hearing a loud bang. The aircraft turned back to Sydney 20 minutes after take-off. (honestly that's exactly the same testimony given by the passengers of Qantas QF32 in 2010.)
Passenger John Fothergill of Auckland said he saw a flash.
"I thought it could have been lightning but then we saw flames come out of the engine. The whole interior of the A380 lit up," he told News Limited.
"You'd have to say there were two or three metre flames. (The) explosion shook the plane, there was a bigger judder."
Meanwhile passenger Ross Clarke told the Seven Network of Australia: "We were told by the pilot that something had gone wrong on the starboard engine, number three engine." 
These two airlines are noted for their impeccable safety records. Although the last engine failure was a manufacturing error made by Rolls Royce on their RRtrent1000 engines, there are no reports yet on what caused Emirates EK412 No. 3 engine's failure

Med-View chooses MMA2 as operational base

Med-View Airlines, over the weekend, said it chose the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two (MMA2), Lagos, as its operational home base because of its efficient facilities.

Managing Director of Med-View Airlines, Alhaji Muneer Bankole, told the management team of Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), operators of MMA2, that they had a tough time choosing an operational base because they were given different options, but at the end settled for MMA2

According to him,

 “having paid several visits to the terminal to see all the facilities on ground, my management team concluded that it is only MMA2 that can offer the kind of high quality services we need. We are thrilled by the clean and organised environment that you people have turned the terminal into.

 He said the passengers expected to patronise their services can only be accommodated at MMA2. That is why they have the biggest office by any airline at the terminal. Is not by big office oh, is it safe. Well he promised not to disappoint Nigerians

Replying, the Chief Executive Officer of BASL, Christophe Penninck, assured the airline that MMA2 was prepared to render the best services to Med-View, as well as any other airline that may want to operate from the terminal.

Penninck also promised to sustain the clean environment of the terminal and the facilities “so that it would always be the centre of attraction to Nigerians and foreigners alike”.

Present at the ceremony were the Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Osuolale Akiolu, Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Dr. Harold Demuren, Managing Director of the Skypower Aviation Handling company (SAHCOL), Mr Olu Owolabi, Chief Operating Officer of BASL, Ms. Adebisi Awoniyi and security chiefs, among several others.

Fellow pilots and engineers opportunity for recruitment!

Nigerian Domestic Airlines To Install Tracking Device

All aircraft operated by our domestic airlines in Nigeria are to be fitted with Automated Flight Information Reporting System, as part of efforts to ensure air safety in the country. Well according to the Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Dr. Harold Demuren.
'The new device will record everything that happens to an aircraft during flight. If there is engine failure, it will record it; if there is excessive temperature, it will record it. If there is excessive vibration, it will record it, in summary it records the smallest amount of detail on any airline fitted with this device.
If for example a Yashim Airline plane (not bad for an airline name by the way. *wink*) in New york is about to take off and there is an oil temperature irregularity in the planes' engine it would show at the NCAA flight ops systems in Nigeria, Cool Right!
“All airlines will be required to fix this on board their aircraft. The control centre will be at the NCAA, where we will be seeing everything. This is a good development in our airspace.
Dr. Demuren said the NCAA will make the installation of the new device in aircraft a compulsory for all domestic airlines, adding that it would be included in carriers’ minimum equipment list.Dr. Demuren said the new device would serve as a backup in the event of loss of data contained in aircraft’s black boxes.The loss of data contained in the black box of the airplane operated by Nigeria's domestic Dana Air, which crashed on the outskirts of Lagos 3 June 2012, killing 159 people, adversely affected investigation into the cause of the crash.

Ethiad and Emirates will soon fly Kano Routes

A recent report was given by FAAN with respect to some Airline flying to Kano wahala! Here is a statement made by Mr Yakabu Dati a senior official at FAAN...

The General Manager (Corporate Communications) of the Federal Aviation Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mr. Yakubu Dati said contrary to reports that the Aviation Minister, Mrs Stella Oduah, was working against the economy of Kano State, the ministry has signed agreements with two airlines to fly the route. Excerpts:
There's this allegation that FAAN and the minister of Aviation are preventing airlines from flying Kano route. Why is it so?
I would like to say that the aviation industry is controlled by many factors. It is the airlines that determine where they go, based on security and other factors they may want to consider. As for the allegations made from Kano, it is totally unsubstantiated.
The airlines, Etihad and Emirates had already secured permission through the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA). It gives them the power to operate from Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt as they so wish. But for now, they are only operating from Abuja and Lagos.
We've been making efforts to ensure they expand their operations. With the current remodelling of airports round the country, it is to the advantage of the ministry to have them fly and use these airports. We want to make the airports economic hubs.
The allegation is not true.
Rather, the minister has been persuading these organisations to fly these routes. When you have BASA agreement, which is protected by international convention, there's no minister that can stop any airline from landing.
Those rights have been given and protected under the BASA agreement. Ethiopian Airways, Emirates have landing rights into Lagos and Abuja. They've started operations. They are yet to commence their cargo operations in Kano. One of the first airports that the mission commissioned was the Kano Hajj Terminal. The Sultan of Sokoto was there to commission it and expressed satisfaction with the work done. Also, the Kaduna Hajj terminal has been completed; the Abuja Hajj terminal is already done. Of the 11 airports being remodelled, six are situated in the North. This has shown a clear commitment and determination to open up a space for economic development in the North.

Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor gets Private jet as Birthday Gift

Word of life bible church, Ajamimogha, Warri, Delta State presented Pastor Ayo oritsejafor, papa ayo as he is popularly called, with a sweet private jet by members of his congregation as a birthday gift. menh "seek ye 1st the kingdom of God and every other thing shall be added unto you" includes private jet.
Present at the ceremony was President Goodluck Jonathan, Delta state Governor Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, the speaker Delta state house of assembly and other digniteries. an international speaker and motivator Dr. Mike Murdock gave a sermon on Seven Laws of Success. So now Papa Ayo now travels in style no more long queues and delayed flights. His now in the league of high flying clergies.

Cockpit View: Final Approach

Nice view and Beautiful Right. But its not for passengers nahhh! Its a view you get only if you at the front office. Its one of the very many pleasures of being a pilot. A birds eye view of beautiful cities, or should i say a pilots eye view. lol!

Aviation Minister Denys Withholding Landing Rights from Airlines

There has being rumors stating that the aviation minister made a call not to allow certain airlines landing rights into the north specifically Kano State. She was even summoned by the Senate to defend herself of such allegations. She explained on her Facebook page that denying landing rights to Ethiad and Emirates would go against UAE BASA contract.

PUTTING THE RECORDS STRAIGHT ABOUT THE ALLEGED MARGINALISATION OF THE NORTH

Recently, the media has been inundated with misinformation and deliberate falsehood alleging marginalisation against the Northern part of the country by the Aviation Minister, Princess Stella Adaeze Oduah with regard to the citing of Cargo Terminals as well as landing rights by some foreign airlines into the Malam Aminiu Kano International Airport, (MAKIA), Kano. Nothing can be further from the truth.

On the alleged refusal to grant landing rights to Emirates and Etihad Airlines, we make haste to state that the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) between Nigeria and the United Arad Emirates (UAE) clearly grants and entitles these airlines to operate flights into Lagos, Abuja and Kano International Airports. By the agreement, the airlines are equally entitled to operate cargo services to the said destinations. It is therefore inconceivable that anyone, including the Aviation Minister would unilaterally deny them rights and privileges already conferred by the BASA.

It is instructive to point out that as at today, both Emirates and Etihad have since commenced operations into Lagos. However, the point has to be made that neither Emirates nor Etihad has indicated its intention yet to take up the opportunities provided by BASA to commence operations into MAKIA, Kano.

Ethiopian Airways, like Emirates and Etihad also has landing rights to operate into Lagos, Abuja and MAKIA, Kano. The airline has since commenced passenger operations into Lagos and Abuja International Airports. It is yet to commence its cargo operations into Kano as provided in the BASA.

With regard to the Turkish Airways, the Ministry of Aviation on the 1st of August, 2012 granted approval to the airline to also operate into MAKIA, Kano. The approval also enjoined the airline to partner with the local Carrier, IRS on the Kano route. It is therefore totally misleading to suggest that the airline was denied entry into MAKIA, Kano.

Another foreign airline allegedly denied entry into Kano is Skyline Limited. To be sure, the Ministry of Aviation does not have any record of any foreign Carrier by the name Skyline. This allegation, like the rest, is spurious, unfounded, false and ultimately misleading.

The charge that a Cargo Terminal meant for the North East geo-political zone was diverted to Asaba, the Delta state capital is also incorrect, misleading and false. For the records, all originally proposed designated cargo terminals are as follows: Cargo terminal at Port Harcourt Airport, Cargo terminal at Kano airport, Cargo terminal at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, Cargo terminal at Lagos airport, Cargo terminal at Asaba, Owerri and Calabar airports.

Others are Cargo terminal, Yola, Cargo terminal, Jos airport, Cargo terminal, Makurdi airport, Cargo terminal, Jalingo airport, Cargo terminals at Maiduguri, Ilorin and Akure airports. From the foregoing, it is clear that whoever is peddling the rumour about attempts to deny the Norh East of the infrastructure of a Cargo terminal in the zone is clearly misinformed.

The Ministry hereby enjoins the general public, especially stakeholders in the aviation sector to take deliberate care to cross-check facts on any/all issue(s) before going public in the media as this is capable of not only misleading the general public, but also unnecessarily heightening tensions between and amongst different sections of the polity.



Joe Obi, SA (Media) to the Hon. Minister of Aviation.

Arik Air Aborts Take-off on Runway

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) yesterday linked the stoppage of Arik Airline flight from Abuja to Lagos to a technical fault.
They, therefore, asked Nigerians not to entertain any fear over the security of flight operations in the country.
Mr. Sam Adurogboye of the NCAA, said the advice became necessary following the Arik Air flight incident from Abuja to Lagos.
He said the flight was aborted on the runway due to a technical fault, just before take–off at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
Adurogboye gave assurance that the NCAA was on top of the situation.
“Our engineers are there on ground 24/7 to rectify any fault because safety is paramount to us."
Passengers are always in a hurry, especially in Nigeria. So true. If a plane develops a fault it must be certified alright before passengers can be allowed to continue on their journey.
Everywhere in the world, a plane has to be certified okay before it can be allowed to fly. Therefore, we urge passengers to always be patient when it's necessary.
A passengers on board the Arik plane, who wants to remain anonymous, said the pilot noticed an electrical fault and taxied back to the terminal building.
“The fault was supposedly fixed, but we are still waiting for the NCAA to certify the plane to fly. They said we may have to go to Lagos in another aircraft,’’
Arik Airline head of communication, Mr. Ola Adebanji said the company has its engineers working around the clock and are looking into the problem.

Dantata Family Puts Up Gulfstream G550 for sale

The very famous Nigerian business mogul Dantata Family, have put up their family private jet with registration N169SD up for sale...
Aircraft Specs and pix visit http://www.controller.com/listingsdetail/aircraft-for-sale/GULFSTREAM-G550/2008-GULFSTREAM-G550/1262121.htm
But lets take a peak inside... Even me is tripping. Choi money is gweeeed!!!
 

                                                           Gulfstream G550           
 

                                                 State of the art Glass Cockpit System.

                                                                      Cabin Area  

National Carrier: We are on our own!

Strong indications have emerged that the Ministry of Aviation may be grooming new entrants airlines, Hak Air and Medview Airlines to operate as National Carriers, having failed to obtain foreign airlines’ commitment to invest in the project. I'm not surprised, we tried that once and it failed. (Virgin Nigeria)
The initial plan was to engage a foreign airline to invest into the project failed to yield any positive results as all the foreign airlines contacted rebuffed the idea of making financial investment in the country at this time.
The standard practice for setting in most parts of the world is to build up with major local airlines. However, delegation from the ministry had embarked on foreign roadshow with the main objective been to woo foreign airlines to come and set up the local carrier.
The Minister of Aviation, Mrs Stella Oduah failed to show up at the round-off meeting with the foreign airlines, having received indications of a likely rebuff by the airlines.
The foreign airlines said are would not make financial investment in setting up Nigeria’s national carrier, maintaining that it should be handled by local airlines.
One of the foreign airlines stated its position its position in a confidential statement sayin
 “We will not do financial investments in Nigeria at the time being. A Nigerian airline has to develop from inside and not from outside – by a foreign operator.”
Having failed to get foreign firms to invest and operate the national carrier, LEADERSHIP gathered that the Minister of Aviation is now planning to bring in new entrant airlines in which she would have some shares.
It is alleged that the Minister is trying to bring Med Air and Hak Air on board to operate as National Carrier and is meeting with stiff resistance particularly from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) which insists that Hak Air has no Air Operators Certificate (AOC) and cannot be issued with it unless it fulfils all the necessary requirements.
Spokesman for the NCAA said that getting an AOC is mandatory before an airline could be allowed to fly, adding that it is the AOC that shows that an airline has the capability to undertake commercial flight operations.

Aircraft Maintenance Facility Will Boost Nigerias' Aviation Industry

Arik Air, in partnership with Lufthansa Technik  plans to build a state-of-the-art  maintenance, repair and overhaul facility (MRO), which is expected to  elevate air transport in Nigeria.

Hold on: I thought Akwa-Ibom had built one in Akano-ibom International Airport and with the first phase completed. Smh seriously guys stand as one.

Well one of the major challenges of Nigerian airlines is the maintenance of their aircraft, which besides the cost of fuel takes a large chunk of their revenue.

It is highly costly for domestic carriers to maintain their fleet because of two factors:

- The major checks are done overseas and most of the time they would have to queue for weeks. Carrying out aircraft maintenance overseas adds extra cost to what it would be if the aircraft were maintained in Nigeria.

- The airline loses the services of an aircraft which queues for weeks in a hangar somewhere in Europe, US or Africa and also the accruing revenue it will generate.

Everyday a Boeing B737 aircraft operating in Nigeria generates average of N5 million at full capacity utilisation and sometimes an aircraft waiting for checks can park for weeks before it would be attended to. This is because Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facilities are usually busy all-year round.

The Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Dr Harold Demuren, once lamented that Nigerian airlines paid so much for maintenance and aircraft parts because major maintenance is done overseas and paid for in dollars, while they generate their money in naira.

A C-Check maintenance could cost an airline $1 million (about N159 million) but it is believed that it would be cheaper if Nigeria has its own maintenance facility. It is also believed if there is an MRO in Nigeria; the country’s airlines will be spending less time at the facility before checks.

Again, having such a maintenance facility seemed to be a sine qua none to the development of air transport in any country and unfortunately there is no major MRO facility in West Africa.

Arik and Lufthansa
During the 5th anniversary of Arik Air, the Chairman of the airline, Joseph Arumemi-Ikhide, disclosed among other things that Arik would partner with a renowned aircraft maintenance company in the world, Lufthansa Technik to build MRO facility in Nigeria.

According to him, the construction would take off immediately the Federal Government gave a go-ahead for the facility to be built in the country.

Nature of Facility
Arumemi Ikhide said that the facility would be built to meet international standards, including that of the International Aviation Safety Assessment Program (IASA) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) of the United States.

The facility when completed will be one of Lufthansa’s major MRO located outside Hamburg, Germany, the headquarters of Lufthansa Technik and it is targeted to carry out overall maintenance of new generation aircraft; that is, modern aircraft.

“And the MRO we are setting up with Lufthansa is global. It is not strictly for Arik alone. I just want to make that one very clear. Lufthansa sent us to Malta; the base of Lufthansa is Hamburg, but they have this type of facility they want to build for us here in Malta; they have in Budapest; they have in Asia.

“What we made very clear to Lufthansa is that we want an MRO that will be global. Someone can come from Philippines, some can come from France, but one problem that we have, which I don’t know, except government takes a very strong step; we are looking for NGs- next generation aircraft. We are thinking about the A330s; we are not thinking about B737=200. We won’t maintain all that, but we may maintain B737-400,” said the Chairman of Arik Air.

He also said that the establishment of the facility was largely dependent on the support of government and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), adding that Lufthansa gave conditions that must be met by the Federal Government before the facility would be established.

“Lufthansa set some conditions, which they feel the government must abide by. We have to work with NCAA and they have to keep it to IASA standards and FAA standards. So it is going to benefit the whole country. Arik itself will be a customer of that MRO so there is going to be a difference between Arik airline and the MRO.”

On the timeline for the project, Arumemi Ikhide projected that it could be established from next year if all the conditions given by Lufthansa were met and the European company was also hopeful that the building of the facility could start as quickly as possible. The MRO is a very important thing to our heart.”

Government’s Support
The Director of Airworthiness and Standards, NCAA, Emmanuel Usifo, said the agency would give full support to the project and ensure that there would be no hitches of the side of the regulatory body in actualising the project.

“We will work with them all the way, and that’s what we are going to do and I can tell you that the interest is in it. We are glad that Lufthansa is here; we know Lufthansa’s high standards and that is known worldwide. And we are happy that they are going to partner with Nigeria; partner with Arik. We are really, really happy about it so we will work with you all the way.”

The Special Adviser (Media) to the Minister of Aviation, Joe Obi, told THISDAY that although the ministry would not comment on the condition, which Lufthansa had given before it would establish the facility in partnership with Arik, but that the Federal Government was fully in support of the establishment of such facility by the private sector.

“I don’t think that government will stand in the way, if Arik wants to build such a facility. Government will support and encourage it. Until we know what the conditions given by Lufthansa is, we cannot comment on that, but government will fully support the project,” Obi said.

NCAA Director-General, Demuren once noted that that it would be a long-term programme for the establishment of MRO and training of engineers that would  man it but the earlier Nigeria started the better. He also spoke about government’s support for such projects and recalled how American government supports establishment of MRO facilities.

“In America it is different. If you want to build maintenance facility you don’t pay for the land. In fact the US government will put money into it. This is because it is going to provide jobs. It is going to improve safety and another important thing, you cannot take it out of the country. The US government built a lot of maintenance facilities so that they can promote safety and provide job and create wealth.”

Training
The Chief Commercial Officer of Lufthansa, Alfred Nessel, told THISDAY that his company was poised to establish the facility in Nigeria, adding that the country needed MRO facility to enhance and develop the aviation sector.

He also said that Lufthansa would embark on training Nigerians who would man the facility, noting that it would take about three years for the indigenes to acquire necessary certification to be fully involved in the maintenance and overhaul services.

The training of Nigerians is crucial for the technical advancement of the country in aircraft maintenance and Lufthansa has assured that it would train young Nigerians. Recently, the Managing Director of Bristow Helicopter, Mr. Akin Oni, argued that maintaining aircraft in a Nigerian MRO facility would be as costly as maintaining it overseas if it would be expatriates that would be deployed to the Nigerian facility.

Profitability
The international aviation personality and expert, Nick Fadugba, said it was high time an MRO facility was built in the country and pointed out the gains.
“First, let me say that West Africa is the only region in the continent without a world-class maintenance facility. North Africa has it; East Africa has it; Southern Africa has it, but West Africa and in particular Nigeria, we lack a vibrant MRO facility”.

Fadugba said that establishing a modern MRO facility is cost intensive and spoke on how to make such facility profitable.

“What happens is that before you build MRO facility, you already get airlines committed to bringing their aircraft. So companies that build MRO facilities normally enter into commercial agreement with airlines before they start building the facility. That is, if I am going to invest X amount of dollars into building this facility, I need to be guaranteed by these airlines that the fleet they have will have to come through my MRO facility.

You cannot just build MRO facility and then wait for customers to show up. It doesn’t work like that in this day and age. So for a successful MRO facility, it is a partnership between the numerous service providers and, not only one airline but several airlines.”
The MRO facility when completed would elevate the image of Nigeria and also improve its reckoning in the aviation world; it would also improve the safety of aircraft that operate in the country

Dana Making Its Comeback with updated Safty Aviation Features.

Dana Air is making its last preparation to resume flight operations, the airline said that it is committed to the provision of safe and reliable world-class services to air travellers in Nigeria.
 The Head of Corporate Communications of the airline, Tony Usidamen said,
“Following the lifting of the suspension on our operations by the Federal Government on September 5, 2012, the airline commenced a rigorous process of re-certification by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). This is a standard safety measure taken by the authorities to ensure that all the aircrafts in our fleet are fully serviceable, and we have been cooperating fully in the exercise.”
“Of the 5 aircrafts in our fleet, 3 are currently on ground at MMA2 and have undergone thorough internal engine inspection and systems by NCAA, while the other 2 are undergoing scheduled C-Checks in Istanbul, Turkey and Miami, Florida. The airline also organised an independent inspection of all aircrafts by Aircraft Leasing and Management (ALM) – a leading aviation consulting company based in the United Kingdom,”
  Dana airline had signed a five-year contract with a Canadian firm, FLYHT Aerospace Solutions Ltd, for its flagship automated information reporting system (AFIRS) 228 at an estimated $1million, hmm feeling safe already.
“The contract requires FLYHT to install the AFIRS 228 on all our aircrafts to provide real-time flight data monitoring and to assist in achieving maintenance and operational efficiencies.”
Usidamen confirmed that the regulatory body, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) had completed the station inspections including operations offices, engineering stores and maintenance facilities have been completed adding that airline procedures and manuals verification have also been concluded, and credentials of key post holders and management staff have been satisfactorily verified.
“To ensure quality throughout our operations, refresher courses and recurrent training for all staff have been completed. All our pilots have gone through simulator training, crew resource management (CRM), familiarization and touch and go flights training as well as ground school training, in line with NCAA directives. cabin crew recurrent training has also been completed and all ground staff have concluded requisite training.”
Beyond the requirements by the NCAA, the airline said that it was also committed to completing all audit requirements for listing in the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) registry by 2013, a process it began several months back.
IATA (International Air Transport Association) represents about 240 airlines worldwide and IOSA is the benchmark for global safety management in airlines.
“The provision of safe, reliable world-class air transport services has always been our focus at Dana Air and we will continue to adhere strictly to safety procedures as required by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Act and all other relevant local and international regulations”, Usidamen stated.
The airline said that, more than 50 hours of Demonstration Flights, with full crew and NCAA inspectors on board, were successfully completed on October 24, 2012, and the airline is expected to be issued its new Air Operator Certificate (AOC).

Cargolux Operates Accra Ghana and Cote d'Ivoire with New 747-800F

Tuesday 6 November 2012 marked the inaugural flight of Luxembourg-based cargo-operator, Cargolux (CV)'s Boeing 747-8F to Accra, Ghana. The new aircraft will be operate as part of Cargolux's weekly Luxembourg - Abidjan (Cote d'Ivoire) - Accra (Ghana) route.

Cargolux (CV)'s Boeing 747-8F in Accra, Ghana (Cargolux)

Cargolux carries a variety of freight, including heavy machinery for the mining and oil industries as well as perishable goods including flowers, fruits and other foods.

Marwan Traboulsi, Chairman of Cargolux’s partner Air Ghana, said: 

“The arrival of the exciting new Cargolux Boeing 747-8 freighter testifies to the commitment of both Cargolux and Air Ghana to offer regular and reliable high-volume air cargo movements both to and from Ghana, serving the important and developing agricultural, mining and oil and gas sectors of Ghana’s export economy.

“Operating alongside its established 747-400 services the new 747-8 offers considerable additional volume and increased capacity to and from the world markets served through the Cargolux International European and Global network",

Cargolux Airlines was the launch customer and first operator worldwide of Boeing’s new flagship freighter. Compared to its predecessor, the 747-400F, the 747-8F is 5.6 meters longer and offers an increased payload with 16% more cargo volume.

 

Cargolux airline was established in March 1970 by Luxair and is today one of the largest scheduled all-cargo airlines in Europe with a global network. Charter flights and third party maintenance. They have a fleet size of sixteen(16), consisting of 9 747-400F, 5 747-800F and 2 747-400BCF.

Med-View Airlines begins Operations

 Founded in November 2007 by Alhaji Muneer Bankole based in Kano, Med-View specialized in charter flights to Saudi-Arabia during the Hajj and Umar pilgrimage.
Med view announced its flight operations to start as an independent Nigerian local Airliner on the 8th November 2012. They leased two Boeing 737-400 air crafts (5N-BPA and 5N-BPB from a US based ACMI firm, aersale.
Well their schedule is as follows:

Med-View Airline (VL): Lagos - Abuja, Nigeria

- Effective 8 November 2012

• VL2100 LOS 0700 - 0815 ABV | 12345
• VL2102 LOS 1200 - 1315 ABV | 123457
• VL2104 LOS 1630 - 1745 ABV | 123457
• VL2100 LOS 0800 - 0815 ABV | 6
• VL2102 LOS 1230 - 1345 ABV | 6

• VL2101 ABV 0900 - 1015 LOS | 12345
• VL2103 ABV 1400 - 1515 LOS | 123457
• VL2105 ABV 1830 - 1930 LOS | 123457
• VL2102 ABV 1000 - 1115 LOS | 6
• VL2103 ABV 14:30 - 1545 LOS | 6

Lagos - Port Harcourt, Nigeria

- Effective 8 November 2012

• VL2110 LOS 0800 - 0910 PHC | 12345
• VL2112 LOS 1230 - 1340 LOS | 123457
• VL2114 LOS 17:00 - 1810 PHC | 123457
• VL2110 LOS 0830 - 0940 PHC | 6
• VL2112 LOS 1330 - 1440 PHC | 6

• VL2111 PHC 1000 - 1110 LOS | 12345
• VL2113 PHC 1440 - 1550 LOS | 123457
• VL2115 PHC 1900 - LOS 2010 | 123457

You cans visit their website for more info http://medviewairline.com/

ALGERIA: Air Algerie add more routes to its Network

 

Algerian carrier, Air Algèrie (AH) has announced plans to open routes to South Africa, Brazil, Nigeria, the Netherlands, the United States and a second route in China.

Whilst no specific timetables have been mentioned, the carrier did allure to the following frequencies, ex Algiers.

• Johannesburg, South Africa - 2x weekly
• Sao Paulo, Brazil - 2x weekly,
• Lagos, Nigeria - 3x weekly,
• Shanghai, China - 3x weekly,
• Amsterdam, Netherlands - 3x weekly,
• New York, United States - 5x weekly.

The addition of Shanghai, China comes as Air Algèrie mulls its Beijing route's future (a decision is due before next year), long deemed to be uneconomical in the light of stiff competition from Gulf carriers. The prospect of the construction of a new grand Mosque in Algiers, however, may prove to be the boost the route needs to remain viable.

Discussing the airline's Algiers-Beijing route, Air Algèrie CEO, Mohamed-Salah Boultif, said:

"We're still in the evaluation stage of this route. We are still awaiting the construction of the Great Mosque of Algiers, then we'll see,"

Mr. Boultif which refers to the arrival of thousands of Chinese workers for the purpose of the construction of the great Mosque of Algiers.

In order to sustain the opening of new routes, Boulif said $751million would be invested in the Industry for renewal of its fleet between 2012-2016. It is understood that Air Algerie will soon acquire three new 150-seater aircraft in addition to renewing its three Boeing 767 currently in service.

Nigerian Senate Fines British Airways and Virgin Atlantic $235million over price fixing. Again

The Nigerian Senate Committee on Aviation on Tuesday ordered the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to work with the Nigerian Ministry of Justice and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in ensuring British Airways (BA) and Virgin Atlantic (VS) pay fines of $135 million and $100million (i.e N21.87billion and N1.62billion) respectively after both were found guilty on various counts of price fixing and coercion.

According to press reports, the charges leveled against the British carriers, and on which they were found guilty, were:

• conspiring to fix prices at the expense of Nigeria,
• operating a duopoly to the detriment of other airlines,
• engaging in the passenger fuel surcharge scam.

According to the country's aviation authorities, the differences between fares Nigerians are made to pay on the Lagos-London-Lagos route and what Ghanaians pay on the Accra-London-Accra route are: US4'239 for first class, USD1'055 for business class and USD92 for premium economy.

Presenting the report, the Chairman of the committee, Senator Uzodinma said British Airways and Virgin Atlantic Airways were found guilty of the offenses, adding that both airlines were also involved in the passenger fuel surcharge.

German carrier Lufthansa (LH) was also singled out as owing the NCAA over $14million.

BIGGEST BBJ YET!!!

 
Well its not a surprise, considering the fact that shopping is free for all Kuwaiti women and men get their own apartments at 18years, wow in naija that is termed "flexing" lol
The state of Kuwait has got its new Boeing Business Jet. A Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) 747-800 Intercontinental worth over $340 million.
The livery for the State of Kuwait aircraft is very similar to Kuwait Airway’s design. The State of Kuwait’s BBJ used to have a different look — it was the first Boeing 747-800 intercontinental that sported the orange sunrise livery (N6067E) and was recently re-painted.
The first BBJ 747-800 was delivered in February 2012 they aren’t quite ready to give details on how their aircraft will be configured, but i can bet its gonna be exclusively Gold and expensive

BOEING STARTS BUILDING 777 AT INCREASED RATE

EVERETT, Wash., Oct. 23, 2012, Boeing began building the first 777 at the highest rate ever for a Boeing twin-aisle airplane. The rate of 8.3 airplanes per month is a nearly 20 percent increase over the previous seven per month rate.
The first part, the lower lobe of the aft fuselage, of the first 777 to be built at the new rate was loaded into position in the factory earlier.
"The preparation the team has done for this historic rate increase has been comprehensive from floor to ceiling," said Scott Fancher, 777 vice president and general manager. "We've hired and trained hundreds of additional employees and the efforts of the team to get us to this point have been simply outstanding," he said.
New technologies have been implemented to achieve the highest production rate the Everett plant has seen. Flex-track drilling machines in the 777 body and wings area along with automated spray-painting equipment have enabled employees to increase productivity and improve quality and safety.
"This rate increase reflects the strong demand for the 777. It continues to be the clear leader in the 300-400 passenger seat market," Fancher said.
The airplane, a 777 Freighter, will be delivered to Korean Air in February 2013.
1,049 777s are currently in service. 1,380 have been ordered from 63 customers around the globe.

Airline, Aviation Ministry, SSS debunk reports of bomber in Arik Air flight

OK just in.....
In separate statements from the ministry and Arik Air, they described the alleged incident as a rumour.
Information had gone round the aviation industry that a passenger later identified as Aminu Galadima, who was on board flight W3-812 operated by Arik Air from Maiduguri to Abuja with a Boeing 737-700 NG aircraft and registration number 5N MJE created a scare when he shouted Allah Akbar (God is great) shortly before the aircraft landed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
The behaviour of the passenger was said to have created panic among the crew and passengers on board, thinking a suicide bomber was about to bomb the aircraft along with the passengers on board.
The airline, in a statement signed by its media Manager, Ola Banji said it was all rumour without an iota of truth.
He said: “A passenger on board flight W3 812 from Maiduguri to Abuja caused a scare when he started shouting "ALLAH AKBAR" shortly before the aircraft landed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. The frightened passengers on board the flight became suspicious thinking the man was about to do something sinister.
“All the passengers on board the flight, including the man in question, had all gone through the normal security check at the Maiduguri International Airport and nothing incriminating was found on anyone.”
He said that another round of screening was carried out on all the passengers immediately after the aircraft land without finding anything incriminating on any of the passengers
“However, when the aircraft landed in Abuja, another security check was conducted on the passenger and nothing incriminating was found on him. A further security search was conducted on the operating aircraft, a Boeing 737-700 NG (Next Generation) and no trace of bomb or explosives were found. The aircraft went back to service immediately,” he said.
Similarly, a statement from the Ministry of Aviation and signed by the Special Assistant to the Minister on Media, Joe Obi claimed the alleged bomb on the Arik flight was a hoax.
Mr Obi, who also confirmed that the aircraft landed safely at the Abuja airport and nothing dangerous was found on any passenger or on the aircraft was found s however, disclosed that the passenger had been handed over to security agency at the airport, for further interrogation.
He said: “The plane landed safely at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja at exactly 1253 hrs and the suspect handed over to the SSS at about 1445 hrs where he is currently being interrogated.”

EMIRATES AIRLINE CRASH LANDS IN ZAMBIAN AIRPORT

Emirates airline crash landed at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport in Lusaka, Zambia at about mid night on Sunday.
It is not clear what caused the accident but initial reports indicate that the plane had a tire burst and slipped into the bush. There are no reports of casualties so far but sources say the plane has been extensively damaged. Kenneth Kaunda Airport international recently experienced unprecedented power black-outs that endangered airlines and travelers.
Emirates Airlines is one of the most credible airlines in the world.
Emirates started operations in 1985 with a government approved $10 million in start-up capital. Emirates leased a new Boeing 737–300 and an Airbus 300, both from Pakistan International Airlines which were returned in 1987. Emirates became profitable within its first nine months. During its first year, it carried about 260,000 passengers and 10,000 tons of freight. The Emirates passenger aircraft fleet consists 173 aircraft as of September 2012 with an average age of 6.5 years. A further 202 aircraft are on order. They operate the largest fleet of wide body aircraft consisting of A330, A340, A380 and B777. They also hold a world record for operating the largest B777 fleet.
They have had 2 major incidences
On 9 April 2004, an Emirates Airbus A340-300 operating a flight from Johannesburg to Dubai sustained serious damage during takeoff.
- On 20 March 2009, Emirates Flight 407, an Airbus A340-500 flying from Melbourne to Dubai failed to take off properly at Melbourne Airport, hitting several structures at the end of the runway before eventually climbing enough to return to the airport for a safe landing.
They have had no fatalities so far giving them an impeccable safety record.

BOKO-HARAM ATTACKS ARIK AIR MID FLIGHT

The wave of terror attacks in Nigeria seem took a new turn on Tuesday as reports of a suicide bomb attempt to blow up an Arik Air plane 5N-MJE flying from Maiduguri to Abuja. A suspected member of the Boko Haram sect who had boarded in Maiduguri, Borno State got up mid-air and told all the passengers to say their last prayers. As he brought out the explosive device, he disclosed that his main targets were the white people in the aircraft. The explosive device failed to detonate before the plane landed in Abuja. Police bomb experts moved in and the suspected terrorist was arrested when the plane touched down in Abuja. How he passed security checks at the airport with the explosive device remains unknown. Personnel at the local wing of the airport are keeping numb over the issue as no one wants to be quoted.

Nigeria’s Aviation Minister, Princess Stella Oduah denied that there was an attempt to bomb any Arik aircraft. The Minister via her Twitter handle described it as a rumour as she tweeted “The alleged Breaking News about a bomb scare on an Arik flight is absolutely false. There is no iota of truth whatsoever in this rumour.” Five minutes later, she tweeted “The flying public should please go about their normal businesses as the airport/airspace is safe. Thank you.”

Street Journal however gathered that the bomber came in as the last passenger in First Class and he spoke English and Hausa fluently. He claimed they were three bombers that were supposed to enter the plane but two could not make it due to security. The bomber wired himself and used bandages to cover up. He gave his age as 27 and he identified three members of the Joint Task Force on board by name.