Tag: aviation

  • NiMet predicts 3-day thunderstorms

    The Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NiMet, has predicted thundery and rainy weather conditions from Thursday to Saturday across the country.
    NiMet’s weather outlook, released on Wednesday in Abuja, forecast isolated thunderstorms over parts of Kebbi, Sokoto, Taraba, Gombe, Borno, Yobe, Kaduna, and Adamawa states during the morning hours.
    According to the forecast, thunderstorms are expected over parts of Borno, Jigawa, Katsina, Kano, Kaduna, Yobe, Zamfara, Bauchi, Gombe, and Adamawa states later in the day.
    The agency said in the North Central region, moderate rains are expected over parts of Niger State during the morning, while moderate rains are also expected over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Plateau, Nasarawa, and Benue States later in the day.
    NiMet further revealed that over the southern region, intermittent rains are expected over parts of Imo, Abia, Ebonyi, Enugu, Rivers, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River states in the afternoon and evening hours.
    It forecast thunderstorms over parts of Yobe, Jigawa, Katsina, and Kano states on Friday morning, while anticipating scattered thunderstorms across the northern region later in the afternoon and evening hours.
    NiMet predicted isolated rains over parts of Niger, Nasarawa, the Federal Capital Territory, and Plateau States on Friday morning and then forecast moderate rains over parts of Niger, Plateau, Kogi, Nasarawa, the Federal Capital Territory, and Benue States later in the day.
    The agency also envisaged cloudy skies over the southern region during the morning hours and intermittent rains over parts of the region later in the day.
    For Saturday, isolated thunderstorms are expected over parts of Sokoto, Kaduna, Bauchi, Zamfara, Adamawa, Taraba, and Kebbi States in the morning hours.
    Later in the afternoon and evening hours, widespread thunderstorms are expected across the northern region.
    Over the North Central region, moderate rains are expected during the morning hours over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Nasarawa, and Benue states.
    NiMet forecast thunderstorms with moderate rains over most parts of the North Central region during the afternoon and evening hours.
    It anticipated intermittent rains across the southern region during the afternoon to evening hours.
    NiMet advised residents of major cities to avoid flood-prone areas, as there is a high likelihood of urban flooding in major cities due to heavy downpours.
    Strong winds may precede the rains in areas where thunderstorms are likely to occur.
    The agency advised the public and airline operators to obtain updated weather reports and forecasts from NiMet for effective planning of their operations.
  • Keyamo orders suspension of 800% planned navigation charges on Airlines

    Keyamo orders suspension of 800% planned navigation charges on Airlines

    Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo has approved the suspension of the planned 800 percent increase in navigational charges by the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, NAMA.
    Abdullahi Musa, the spokesperson for the agency, disclosed this in a statement on Monday.
    He explained that the suspension was on the grounds of what the Minister, Keyamo described as “current economic challenges faced by Nigerians”.
    According to him, Keyamo stressed the need for further consultation before implementing any changes.
    Earlier, it was reported that the NAMA boss, Umar Farouk blamed the planned hike on the significant economic pressures faced by the aviation industry, exacerbated by global economic volatility, fuel price hike, and currency instability.
    He proposed to increase NAMA’s fees by 800 percent from September 1, 2024.
  • NCAA lifts suspension on XEjet operations

    The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) said it lifted the suspension on the operations of XEjet Airline following the resolution of an aircraft insurance challenge with one of the airline’s planes. 

    According to a letter signed by Director General Civil Aviation, Capt Musa Nuhu, after considering the submission of the airline and confirming it met regulatory compliance, the suspension was lifted.

    The document titled: Lifting Of Suspension On Your Air Transport Licence (Atl) And Air Operators Certificate (AOC) reads: Further to the NCAA’s letter on the above subject matter referenced NCAA/DGCA/GC/8/16/628 and dated 30 August, 2023, the Authority hereby lifts the suspension on your ATL and AOC after considering your submissions. 

    “Consequently, you have been cleared to exercise the privilege of your ATL and AOC.”

    Speaking on the issue, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of XEjet, Mr. Emmanuel Iza said: “The suspension is within the regulatory framework and we want to thank the Authority for diligently doing its work. We are happy to be back and we will continue to deepen our safety consciousness.

    “We sincerely thank you all for your patience, unwavering support, understanding and cooperation. We look forward to continuing delivering our premium services to you. Your safety and security is always of utmost importance to us.”

  • Reps to probe illegal helicopters’ sale by NCAT

    The House of Representatives Committee on Public Assets has resolved to probe alleged sales of two training helicopters by the Nigeria College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria, Kaduna State.

    The Committee Chairman, Hon. Ademorin Kuye said this in a statement in Abuja on Monday.

    The chairman said the committee attention was drawn to the development through media reports on July 30, 2023, on the purported sale of 2 Bell 206L-3 helicopters.

    He said the helicopters were public assets acquired for training pilots by the NCAT for N1.2 billion.

    “The Sale of the helicopters under the pretext of under-utilisation by the authorities of the College of Aviation in March 2023 has now become a symptom of the worrying trend of asset stripping.”

    This according to him cut across all sectors of the economy by all MDAs toward the twilight of the last administration.

    “This is in spite the offer of Nigerian Navy to acquire same and possibly use to address the security challenge facing the country in the area of oil pipeline vandalisation and crude oil theft.”

    He said the committee equally felt the assets could have been converted to the use of Nigerian Police to fight banditry and insurgency in the country.

    He said the urgency in the sales and concession of public assets at the twilight of the last administration called for suspicion since the supposed approval was gotten from that administration.

    He said it was only right that the new administration is allowed to be part of the completion of the sale process if there were no hidden agenda.

    He said the committee would investigate the sale of those important training national assets to ensure that due process was followed and that the country was not shortchanged in the deal.

    The Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria, Kaduna State, had said it auctioned two helicopters at 556,200,322USD (₦1.2 billion), because of under-utilisation.

    The Rector and Chief Executive Officer of the institution, Capt. Alkali Modibbo, told newsmen on Sunday in Zaria that the two Bell 206B – III model helicopters were disposed after satisfying all due diligence.

    Modibbo explained that a Federal Government licenced auctioneer, Messrs Tresmo Nigeria Limited, was appointed to dispose the affected helicopters sequel to the approval and valuation reports obtained from the Federal Ministries of Aviation and Works, respectively.

    According to him, the auctioneer paid $275,782,661.25 and $280,417,661.25 (totalling ₦1.2bn) vide FGN Remita receipts bearing reference numbers 3008-4333-3046 and 1008-4304-1098, accordingly.