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.

BIGGEST LIVERY OF THE YEAR: ALASAKA AIRLINES OTHERS FOR 50 737s

Computer mock up of what Alaska Airline’s Boeing 737 MAX will look like. Check out those winglets. Image from Boeing.


Alaska Airlines has confirmed an order for 50 new Boeing 737s, worth more than $5billion, at list prices. The order was for 20 737 MAX 8s, 17 MAX 9s and 13 737-900ER.
“This order positions us for growth and ensures that we’ll continue to operate the quietest and most fuel-efficient aircraft available for the foreseeable future. That means our customers will continue to enjoy a comfortable in-flight experience, low fares and excellent on-time performance,” Alaska Airlines President and CEO Brad Tilden said. “We value our longstanding relationship with Boeing and look forward to painting ‘Proudly All Boeing’ on the nose of our aircraft for many, many years into the future.”
The aircraft are slated to begin deliveries in 2015, with the first 737 MAX 8 expected to enter service in 2018, with the MAX 9 joining in 2019.

WE ARE DETERMINED TO ACHIEVE ZERO ACCIDENT RATES IN NIGERIA

 Aviation Minister, Princess Stella Adaeze Oduah has restated government's determination to achieve a zero rate of air accidents in the country. She made the pledge in a Keynote Address at the 6th D-8 Working Group on Civil Aviation and Directors General Meeting in Abuja, Thursday.

The Minister said "in spite of all the current effort being put in place to enhance air safety in the country, the Dana crash of Sunday June 03, 2012 underscores the fact that safety is a journey, not a destination".

''This accident happened notwithstanding all our past efforts to promote safety. This clearly underscores the fact that safety is a journey, not a destination. There is only a departure, there is never an arrival with safety. We must remain focused and continue in our determination to achieve the goal of zero accident'', the Minister declared.

The Minister informed her guests that has worked extremely hard to reposition the industry in the past six years through a comprehensive safety reform agenda which focused on the  recertification of the industry and resuscitation of aviation infrastructure. She explained that the new transformation agenda of the federal government of Nigeria in the past sixteen months is revolutionising ''our airport experience and creating an aerotropolis - a new airport of the future''.

She expressed the desire for a strong collaboration  with other D-8 countries to further raise the level of aviation activities in Nigeria in order to make her air transportation the true  engine of economic growth. She said it has become very obvious, especially with the developing countries that pooling of resources is the best option in achieving sustainable growth and development of the aviation industry especially in the areas of safety, security, training and capacity building and provision of air navigation facilities.

''There already exists cooperation and business affiliation between our airlines and other D-8 countries' maintenance providers in the provision of heavy maintenance for Nigerian registered aircraft. Other areas that Nigeria urgently requires cooperation and collaboration are training/capacity building, airport operations, airline financing and operations'', the Minister added.

She further solicited the cooperation and support of the other D-8 countries in Nigeria's candidature for the Presidency of the ICAO Council in the election billed for next year. She informed the delegates that Nigeria's candidature, in the person of Dr. Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu has already received the endorsement of the African Heads of State.

Director General of the NCAA, Dr. Harold Demuren said the 6th meeting holding in Abuja is to bring together representatives of government and the  private sector to further deliberate and discuss contemporary issues in  aviation safety, security, air transportation, training, maintenance, airport infrastructure, airline financing and investments. He expressed the hope that ''these discussions would transform into a concrete D-8 cooperation and collaboration programme in civil aviation.

 D-8 member countries including Nigeria, Bangladesh, Turkey, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia attended the meeting. Representative from Egypt and Pakistan are still being expected.

FAAN COMMENDS JONATHAN FOR REMOVAL OF CUSTOM DUTY ON AIRPLANE SPARE PARTS

For awhile now the Nigerian aviation industry has lamented over the high custom duties paid on aircraft parts to custom. Well seems like our prayers have been answered, as the President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has approved the removal of tariff on airplane parts. Aviation Parastatals have described the Presidents efforts as a welcome development that will further boost investment in the aviation industry.
The Communications and Public Affairs Manager of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, Mr. Yakubu Dati says the action of the federal government will further encourage investors and also reduce the financial burden on airline passengers.
Mr. Yakubu further added that the challenge of security at the nation’s airports is being addressed with the re-modeling exercise embarked upon by the ministry of aviation and the new terminals being constructed.
President Goodluck Jonathan had in his budget proposal speech announced the removal of levies and import duties on spare parts of aero planes and other related materials.

SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS LANDING ABORTED: DUE TO FAULTY RUNWAY LIGHTING AT HARARE

THE Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ) and South African Airways
(SAA) held discussions on Tuesday after the airline aborted a landing at the
Harare International Airport citing poor runway lighting.

SAA, which runs two daily flights to Harare, pilots aborted landing on
Monday night.

The cancellation was met with an immediate response from the CAAZ.
"We didn’t want it to get to this and so we have written to SAA because we
want to improve the situation. These lights are adjustable," said David
Chawota, CEO of the CAAZ.

Chawota said SAA was the only carrier that had complained and withdrawn its
service.
SAA has airline has steadily filled the void left by Air Zimbabwe, which
grounded international flights over financial problems.

Air Zimbabwe has a November deadline to avoid a ban on its flights landing
abroad by satisfying international safety requirements.

ARIK HITS THE MARK. 10MILLION PASSENGERS IN 6YRS

Two days ago (8th 0ctobor 2012) Arik air celebrated carrying its ten millionth passenger. The carriage of ten million passengers is an important milestone for an airline that has grown rapidly since it began operating in 2006. This year alone Arik has transported over 1.5 million passengers across its expanding network of 20 domestic,10 regional and three long-haul destinations.

The photo above shows Nigerian businessman Abdul Aziz Mustapha, director of RealNet Sandton Properties, became Arik’s 10 millionth guest, travelling on the airline’s Johannesburg to Lagos route, one of Arik’s key long-haul destinations. Mr Mustapha was greeted by Arik Air’s Vice President South Africa, Rodger Whittle, upon check-in at Johannesburg’s O.R. Tambo International Airport, presented with an Arik memento, an upgrade to business class for the flight and a pair of complimentary business class tickets for his next Arik Air flight.

Since it began carrying passengers on its first route in October 2006, Arik now employs over 1,500 staff worldwide, operates an average of 120 flights a day and is currently the leading carrier in Nigeria with 63% share of the market capacity. In addition to its regional destinations and Johannesburg schedule, Arik’s long-haul routes from Lagos to both London Heathrow and New York JFK have strengthened the airline’s international presence.

Dr Michael Arumemi-Ikhide, Group CEO/ President of Arik Air, said of the milestone:

“Carrying ten million passengers in less than six years is a remarkable achievement for Arik Air that further underlines our status as Africa’s fastest growing airline. We are particularly proud to have achieved this milestone on one of our three long-haul routes, which remain an important focus for us in expanding our global network.
“When we launched our first scheduled commercial service from Lagos to Abuja in 2006, one of our singular driving goals was to be a global brand leading carrier complementing colloquial Africa with 21st century modernity and delivering a safe, reliable and quality service to every passenger on every journey. Carrying our 10 millionth passenger underscores this promise to deliver.”

FAAN ACCUSES IRS PILOTS FOR RUNWAY INCURSION

An IRS Airlines plane ran into a truck on the runway while trying to take off.
The plane which was to move passengers from Lagos to Abuja, was made to abort the journey as a result of the incident.
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has accused the pilot of the IRS Airline aircraft that ran into a stationary tanker on the runway of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos
Information was passed to Kelly by a pilot of Arik Air.
At about 8.30 p.m last night (October 9, 2012), a gully emptier with Reg. No. XT 461 LSD on official assignment accidentally fell into a drainage in the taxiway ramp of GAT and could not be evacuated immediately.

“At about 7.30 a.m of today, October 10, 2012 an IRS aircraft, Fokker 100 with Reg. No. 5N SAT left the parking bay of MMA2 for the threshold of Runway 18L of MMIA.

“The pilot Capt. D Kelly of IRS was informed by an Arik Pilot of an obstruction on the taxiway towards Runway 18L and he Capt. D. Kelly felt he could manoeuvre the obstacle by his own judgment but this failed because the tip of the wing of the aircraft collided with a section of the gully emptier at about 7.45a.m.

“Capt. D Kelly did not stop but continued to taxi back to the boarding gate of MMA2 to discharge his passengers.

“No passenger or crew sustained injuries as a result of the incident. All the passengers were later transferred to another IRS flight to Abuja.

“Officials of the Accident Investigation Bureau and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority were immediately invited to the scene of the incident for the on-the-spot assessment of the incident while engineers of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria were placed on stand-by to evacuate the stuck sewage tanker as soon as preliminary investigations by both AIB and NCAA are concluded.

“The Authority wishes to assure members of the public, especially airline operators and passengers, that the minor incident did not, and will not, in any way, disrupt flight operations at the airport.

AERO UNDERTAKE EMERGENCY TRAINING EXCERCISE

Aerocontractors in conjunction with Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has undertaken an emergency response exercise which is a normal mandatory aviation requirement.
The objective of this exercise is to ensure that the airline and the aviation agencies are able to respond positively in the event of an emergency.
The Managing Director/CEO of the airline Capt. Akin George said
“The exercise aims to assess the state of readiness of all the functional units within the airline and the aviation agencies to respond to emergency situation such as crashes, fire and emergency landings. "From what we have observed, it is a success". We worked hand in hand with some independent auditors and the regulatory bodies to ensure that there was synergy within all the units.
“We will like to thank FAAN, NCAA, Fire Service, Nigerian Police and our staff for their support during the exercise”.

ARIK AND LUFTHANSA TECHNIK!!!

The rumour is Arik will not renew the contract with Highfly and Iberia Maintenance for the A345's and potential A330's, further it looks like the mood between Arik and Lufthansa Technik has cooled considerably in the meantime, since Arik seems to be deaf in one ear as soon as it comes to pay the monthly dues.

Arik announced on their homepage : Under the new partnership, Lufthansa Technik and Lufthansa Cityline will continue to provide technical support to Arik Air in the areas of line maintenance, base maintenance, materials and pool parts among others for the next five years,........................ such contract was never signed, though.

Due to open bills, Lufthansa Technik just refused to release aircrafts a week ago, no Boeing/CRJ aircraft left LOS...

AVIATION HUMOR!

 

 The 737-800 Alaskan airlines Salmon

• The 129-foot-long Boeing 737-800 has a wingspan of 117 feet and a cruising speed of 530 mph.
• Four gallons of Mylar paint was used to create an iridescent sparkle over the nearly 3,500 fish scales, which also makes the painting three dimensional.
• More than 90 percent of the fuselage was airbrushed with 21 unique colors to create the lifelike king salmon.
• A crew of eight worked around the clock for 27 days at Associated Painters Inc. in Oklahoma City to paint the plane.
• The plane accommodates 157 passengers and six crew members. 

What can i say that's a big fish. LOL!

NIGERIAN AVIATION LOSES 40,000 SEATS PER DAY

The shortage is due to the suspension of operation by five domestic airlines, namely Air Nigeria, FirstNation Airlines, Dana Air, Chanchangi Airlines and Associated Airlines.

The five airlines used to supply combined monthly seats of 1,174,500 from a total of 29 aircraft. (Each aircraft makes five daily rotations with 135 average seat capacity per flight).

Further investigation showed that the three airlines currently operating have a total of 40 aircraft. 11 out the 40 are, currently under routine maintenance abroad, reducing the current domestic capacity by a total of 445,500 monthly seats.

This gives a combined capacity shortage of 1,620,000 aircraft seats every month, including the five airlines that are currently on ground.

The development has led to untold hardship for passengers at various airport terminals, especially Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Kano.

Passengers face long hours of delays, abrupt flight cancellations and inability to get flight tickets when needed. Air fares have gone up astronomically as well.

While Air Nigeria, FirstNation, Chanchangi and Associated airlines voluntarily suspended their flight operations owing to various reasons, Dana was forced to do so by the Federal Government after the tragic crash that killed 163 people in Iju-Ishaga, Lagos, on June 3.

Some airline sources said the hope to get more planes by Nigerian airline operators had not been working because foreign aircraft leasing companies were no longer willing to release their aircraft to Nigerian operators due to fear of indebtedness.

A top official of an airline said, “The foreign leasing companies know our industry is shaky, so they are afraid to give us planes on lease because they are not sure we will pay.

Aviation experts said the domestic airline industry was in a serious distress and that the Federal Government needed to intervene to save it from total collapse.

Industry analyst and Managing Director, Belujane Konzult, Mr. Chris Aligbe, said there was no quick solution to the crisis in the sector, noting that the government needed to sit down and analyse the problem critically.

“The aviation industry is down and it needs to be rebuilt. We must take practical steps to build the industry. The government must sit down and look at how the airlines can be helped to come out of the crisis.

“The problems of the airlines differ and they need to be solved one by one. But the general problem is that they all need fund.”

Chairman, Aviation Round Table, Captain Dele Ore, said the sector was in a serious crisis due to neglect by successive governments.

According to him, government needs to restructure the ministry of aviation in order to pave the way for fresh hands that can come up with policies that will move the sector forward.

STILL ON ARIK AIR AND FAAN FACE-OFF

Arik Air, which prides itself as the biggest carrier in the country, has crisis on its hands as it haggles with aviation agencies, particularly the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria over the debts it owes to them.Though the airline has resumed flights after its operations were disrupted last week, its problems with the agencies as far as debts are concerned are not over

Recently, Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) and the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) stopped Arik Air for its refusal to pay over N20 billion debts owed to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) and FAAN that service and facilitate its operations. Besides, the airline is also alleged not to have discharged its debt obligations to companies that fuel its aircraft, companies that handle its cargoes as well as those small firms that made its furniture.

While the fuel marketers have adopted the ‘pay-before-service’ method to relate with the airlines, the smaller firms have resigned themselves to fate. Worst still, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had instructed banks not to grant further credit to the airline. According to CBN, the airline has an outstanding bank loan of N85.481 billion.

But one debt that has stood out like a sore thumb is the N7.077 billion and another $44, 000 that the airline owes to FAAN. The managing director of FAAN, Mr. George Uriesi said the monies in question had been invoiced to the airline over the years that have not been paid. The figure is contested by Arik which insists that it owes the agency about N1.6 billion debt outstanding before the authority introduced the pay- as –you- go system of payment.

“Airlines, particularly Arik were never remitting this money to FAAN. So we decided about 18 months ago to going back to what airports used to do in the 60s, printing special tickets for the passenger service charge to force the airline to buy upfront. If we allow it to be on the tickets, they will ever remit the money to us" Uriesi

The management of FAAN has continuously engaged with the management of Arik Air about this reality, but the airline has continued to make excuses why it will not honour its obligations to FAAN”, said Uriesi.

One of the excuses is that FAAN should pay compensation on its (Arik) aircraft that was damaged at the Margaret Ekpo International Airport, Calabar.

It would be recalled that on April 1, 2010 an Arik Air Boeing 737-700, marked 5N-MJJ performing flight W3-506 from Calabar to Abuja with 95 passengers, was just in the process of boarding, when a local taxi broke through two security gates at the airport at high speed, drove across the apron and got stuck directly underneath the aircraft. Though no injuries occurred the aircraft received minor damage. Uriesi said the claim against which the airline wants FAAN to offset, from the international best practices perspective “Is not workable; so we have refused not to accept liability.”

Arik’s claim raises the issue of insurance cover for the aircraft. The managing director of NAMA, Mr. Nnamdi Udoh raises some posers. “Did they insure the aircraft when the incident happened? And if they did, was there any loss adjustment, were they paid? And if they were paid, then, why ask FAAN to pay? If an aircraft is damaged, such an aircraft is covered by insurance”,

Again, Arik is asking for a waiver on landing fees in Lagos, a demand that FAAN has strongly refused to grant.

“FAAN does not charge Arik parking fee in Lagos as its base. The insinuation they make to the public is untrue. They are asking not landing fee to be waived. There is nowhere in the world where that is done. You cannot bully us and say you will not fly until we stop charging you for landing fee in Lagos. That is not going to happen’,.

Meanwhile, Arik has found favour with the chairman, senate committee on aviation, Mr. Hope Uzodinma, who wrote FAAN directing it to stay action on the recovery of the debt.

Uzodinma’s personal letter dated August 2, 2012 and addressed to the managing director of FAAN, Mr. George Uriesi and copied to the minister of aviation, Princes Stella Oduah, warned FAAN from taking any hasty decision that is capable of destabilising the industry.
This is serious Shaaaaa!!!

BOEING 737 MAX

Hello Everyone!!
The Boeing 737 MAX is a new family of aircraft being developed by Boeing Commercial Airplanes. The new family is based on the Boeing 737 Next Generation family, which it is to replace. It will be the fourth generation of the 737 family. The primary change is the use of the larger and more efficient CFM International LEAP-1B engines. The airframe is to receive some modifications as well. The 737 MAX is scheduled for first delivery in 2017, 50 years after the 737 first flew.

The 737 MAX incorporates the best of future engine technologies for unprecedented levels of efficiency, reliability and passenger appeal.

MAX Efficiency includes 19% lower fuel use than today's main competitors. The new 737 MAX Advanced Technology winglet provides a reduction in fuel use of up to 1.5%. With these new MAX AT winglets, the 737 MAX advantage means that per-seat operating costs will be 8% lower compared to its main competitors.

MAX Passenger Appeal is found in the new Boeing Sky Interior, which dramatically elevates the passenger experience, creating preference and loyalty.

The superior fuel efficiency of the 737 MAX reduces carbon emissions for better environmental performance. And the noise footprint of the 737 MAX is improved for airlines and airport communities, at 40% smaller than today's single-aisle airplanes.

CONSURTIUM SUES AVIATION MINISTER OVER BREACH OF CONTRACT

The proposed infrastructural development of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, by foreign investors may have run into a hitch as the Abuja Gateway Consortium has filed a suit in the Federal High Court, Abuja division, praying it to declare that it has a valid and subsisting contract with the Federal Government of Nigeria on the airport.
Plaintiffs in the suit are Mr. Miebaka Kenneth Adoki, appointed by power of attorney to represent Abuja Gateway Consortium, and Nairanet Technologies Limited, while the attorney-general of the federation, Bureau for Public Enterprises (BPE), International Finance Corporation, minister of aviation, minister of finance, Mrs. Stella Oduah and minister of the Federal Capital Territory were listed as defendants.
In the plaintiffs' claim in the suit with reference number FHC/ABJ/CS/550/2012, they are praying the court for a declaration that a valid and subsisting contract exists between the plaintiffs and the defendants having regard to the plaintiffs' Bid Offer; the defendants' acceptance evidenced by the concession award; and the plaintiffs' consideration in the sum of $10 million only, being substantial payment as required under the agreement payment for the concession.
They are also praying the court for a declaration that the contract to concession the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport between the plaintiffs and the defendants is binding on the federal government, its ministries, agents and agencies.
- For a declaration that the letter dated April 28, 2009, containing a purported attempt to discontinue the concession is void as the alleged change in policy never occurred and the purported refund to the plaintiff was never made.
- Declaration by the court that the defendants' various joint and several attempts to award a subsequent concession over the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, during the subsistence of a valid concession are illegal, unlawful and a breach of contract.
- For an order of specific performance compelling the defendants to give effect to the concession award by executing the concession agreement as stipulated under the terms of the concession and allowing them (plaintiffs) on behalf of the consortium to begin implementing the agreement over the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
- For an order of mandatory injunction directing and compelling the federal government and its agents/agencies in the aviation sector to forthwith deliver up possession of the aviation terminal of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airprt, Abuja, to the plaintiff as expressly stipulated by the concession award to which the defendants have consented to by the award.
- Finally, the writ which was issued by the plaintiffs' counsel, Messrs Aluko Folarin of Trumann Rockwood solicitors, also prayed the court for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants and their agents/agencies forthwith from developing and/or constructing, establishing, concessioning and/or licensing of any other airport or airport terminal in the Federal Capital Territory, without having recourse to the plaintiff.
The Abuja Gateway Consortium had, said that, in November 2006, the federal government through the Bureau of Public Enterprises issued a contractual award for the concession of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, which it said was issued in their favour as a special purpose vehicle incorporating both indigenous and international firms and players engaged in world-class aviation services following the successful bid process, it was fully consummated with the payment by the consortium of the total sum of US$10 million being the full award sum.
It further said that the consortium had sourced for and secured the sum of US$1.3 billion towards the execution of the concession and duly notified the federal government.

DESTINED TO FLY

Arik air's 737-700 front office.
Wouldn't it be nice, sitting behind the controls of this amazing aircraft. For some of us its a dream come true.

MAJOR SHAKE-UP IN NIGERIA'S AVIATION INDUSTRY

OK so the Federal Government has commenced a major shake-up in the aviation sector, culminating in the restructuring of some key parastatals, redeployment of personnel and outright retirement of some directors.
This long-expected shake-up, was to have commenced a fortnight ago but it was delayed due to the controversy thrown up by aviation unions' protests against Arik Air.
The shake-up affects top management staff in the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB), and Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET).
In FAAN, the agencies directorates were increased from seven to nine, with seven of the directors to head the directorates being brought in as new recruits.
One of the managers, who was lucky to survive the shake-up, Hajiya Salamatu Eluwa, was promoted from her former position as General Manager, Training, to Director of Administration.
The Public Affairs Department of FAAN has also been split into two with the former General Manager, Public Affairs, Mr. Akin Olukunle, now heading the Protocol and Passages Unit, while one Yakubu Datti will head the newly created Communications Unit.
Also affected in the shake-up is the former Director of Engineering of FAAN, Mr. Saleh Dunoma, who is being redeployed to head the newly created Directorate of Projects.
At the NCAA, the Director of Airworthiness Standards, Patrick Ekunwe, as well as his counterpart in Aerodrome Standards, Haruna - both on contract - have been asked to go. Haruna will be replaced by Joyce Nkemakolam, while Mrs. Fatima Garbati is the new Director of Air Transport Regulation.
Some directors from NAMA, whose names could not be confirmed, were said to have also been redeployed to AIB, while others have been redeployed to NCAT.
President Goodluck Jonathan had approved the restructuring last month at a meeting with the Minister of Aviation, Mrs Stella Odua, and the heads of the five aviation parastatals, comprising NCAA Director General, Harold Demuren; NAMA Managing Director, Nnamdi Udoh; Managing Director of FAAN, George Uriesi; NCAT Rector, Capt. Chinyere Kalu; and Director General of NIMET, Anthony Anuforo, to the meeting with the president.
The meeting decided to replace all substantive general managers in all the agencies who have occupied such positions for eight years, officials with tainted records, and those said to have been 'smuggled' into the system by former ministers and power brokers.
Also top officials of the agencies who might have by omission or commission caused their organisations avoidable losses through contracts or 'loose' concessions were marked for removal.
The Federal Government, in October last year, carried out a major shake-up in the aviation industry, with the removal of the chief executive officers of the three major aviation agencies in the country.
Those affected by the shake-up were Ibrahim Auyo (NAMA), Richard Aisuebeogun (FAAN) and Adebayo Araba, Rector/Chief Executive of NCAT.
Hmmmmm seems like this current minister means business.

CIVIL AVIATION SEEKS OPPORTUNITY IN AFRICA

The United Arab Emirates represented by the Ministry of Economy has signed an Air Services Agreement (ASA) with the Government of the Republic of Zambia in Dubai on 01 October 2012.

The agreement was signed by Sultan Al Mansoori, Minister of Economy of the UAE and Christopher Bwalya Yaluma, Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communications of the Republic of Zambia.

Al Mansoori stressed the importance of this Agreement, which will further boost the travel and trade between UAE and Zambia.

The signed ASA allows full flexibility on the routes, capacity, number of frequencies and types of aircraft, in any type of service (passenger or cargo) including the exercise of fifth freedom traffic rights.

Saif Al Suwaidi, Director General of GCAA, said that the Civil Aviation Authority continues to explore new horizons for mutual air transport agreements to promote UAE's local carriers and boost local economy, tourism, industry and other sector.

UAE now has air services agreements with over 150 countries, of which 115 are open skies or fully liberal arrangements.

LIVERY OF THE WEEK; THAI AIRWAYS PURPLE A380

Thai International Airways (THAI) has taken livery of the Airbus A380. What a great looking aircraft. Photo is from Airbus.
The aircraft ha been configured to have 12suites in 1st class, 60 Royal Silk class (aka Business Class) and 435 in Economy
THAI plans to put the A380 into service in October, on their Bangkok to Hong Kong Route and Bangkok to Singapore Routes

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE!!!

Sometimes I wish i could pack my things and leave this country, sometimes the policies can be annoying, sometimes the government have misplaced priority (5000note, fuel subsidy, etc), amidst the corruption, insecurity, corruption, and hate. We still know how to love, endure, have fun, forgive, stand as one despite the diversities in culture. I still LOVE NIGERIA! It still stands as one of the most promminent nation not just in Africa but world wide.
Happy Birthday Nigeria! Happy Independence Nigerians!