Travel & Business News

The Managing Director/Chief Executive of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, recently marked her first year in office. Stakeholders in the aviation industry gathered to commend her outstanding achievements and leadership, which have transformed FAAN into a model of operational excellence. During the ceremony, Director Special Duties, FAAN, Mr. Henry Agbebire, praised Mrs. Kuku's visionary leadership, highlighting her commitment to safety, security, and passenger facilitation. He emphasized that under her leadership, FAAN has witnessed significant achievements, including the recertification of major airports and improvements in staff development. General Manager, Safety, Mr. John Okezie Ekpe, also commended the MD's efforts in prioritizing safety, citing the establishment of a safety culture, clear formal safety policy, and regulatory compliance as notable achievements. Other directors, including Director of Public Affairs and Consum...

  In a significant development, TAAG Angola Airlines E.P. and Lufthansa Technik AG have entered into a 12-year agreement for aircraft component services, supporting the Angolan flag carrier's new fleet of Boeing 787 long-range aircraft. The contract, which commences with the arrival of the first aircraft in February, encompasses both Boeing 787-9 and -10 variants. Under the terms of the agreement, Lufthansa Technik will provide its proven Total Component Support (TCS) solution, granting TAAG Angola Airlines access to a worldwide spare parts pool. This arrangement is expected to enhance component availability for the airline's Dreamliner fleet while yielding substantial cost benefits. The comprehensive contract covers an array of services, including classic component maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO), as well as Aircraft On Ground (AOG) support, parts pooling, and logistics. This close collaboration will enable TAAG Angola Airlines to optimize efficiency in its technical o...

Allen Onyema, Chairman and CEO of Air Peace, has praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's efforts to stabilize business operations in Nigeria through policy implementations.  Onyema, who met with President Tinubu at the State House in Abuja on December 12, acknowledged the president's significant progress in easing business operations in the aviation industry; attributing this success to the new reforms introduced by Festus Keyamo, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development. The Air Peace boss emphasized that despite the current economic challenges, President Tinubu's reforms will ultimately benefit the nation in the long run. He went on to encourage Nigerians to support the government and indigenous investments, stating, "The president is a businessman and he's trying to stabilize businesses with his policies, but people don't realize this. Some of us in business realize what the President is trying to do. What he is trying to do is the real restr...

L-R: Fred Anusim, Deputy Director, Planning and Research at Nigeria Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), representative of the Director General of NEMA, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, Arch. Umar Ibrahim Mohammed, Director General of Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), Prof. Charles Anosike, Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Inna Audu, Special Adviser on Humanitarian and Development Partners to the President in the Office of the Vice President, and Trond Jensen, the Head of Office for the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Nigeria, at the 2nd ‘Roundtable Meeting On Anticipatory Action Framework For Nigeria’, at NiMet’s headquarters in Abuja on Thursday, 12th December 2024. The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) hosted the 2nd roundtable meeting on 'Anticipatory Action Framework For Nigeria' on Thursday, December 12, 2024. This meeting aimed to develop a unified approa...

Stakeholders at the Forum in Lagos Recently  The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) recently hosted a stakeholders' engagement on airport carbon emission management. The event, held on December 11, 2024, at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Lagos, brought together key players in the aviation industry to discuss strategies for reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainable aviation practices. In her welcome address, the Managing Director/Chief Executive of FAAN emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts in managing carbon emissions. "The aviation industry may be at risk of extinction if we do not take collaborative efforts to ensure reduction and proper management of carbon emissions from our operations," she noted, adding that steps have already been taken towards reducing carbon footprint at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), having been accredited and certified by the Airports Council International (ACI) in 2020 for correctly ...

The Flight Dispatchers Association of Nigeria (FLIDAN) recently convened its Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Lagos, Nigeria, on December 5, 2024. The event, themed "Flight Dispatchers: The Ground Crew Behind Safe and Successful Flights," brought together flight dispatchers, representatives from the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, as well as agencies such as the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA). Participants emphasized the vital role of flight dispatchers in ensuring safe, efficient, and sustainable air transportation in Nigeria. Discussions centered on promoting the importance of flight dispatchers, sharing best practices, and addressing challenges facing the profession. In his speech, the President of FLIDAN, Daniel Ayuba, expressed this sentiment: "To understand our significance, let us reflect on the rigorous groundwork that ensures a safe flight. From pre-flight planning assessing ...

From L-R:  Delta Airlines Representative, Mariam Akande; Country Sales Manager, AirFrance-KLM, Olumide Owolabi; Group Executive Director, Finchglow Holdings, Yetunde Bankole-Bernard; Head of Marketing & Sales, Delta Airlines, Edith Sefia; Key Account Manager, Air France-KLM, Antonia Umunna; at the PartnerPlus Connect 11.0 (Live Edition) held in Abuja recently. Finchglow Travels recently organized a live edition of its monthly PartnerPlus Connect (PPC) webinar in Abuja, marking the 11th edition of the program. This inaugural live event was part of the company's ongoing efforts to empower Trade Partners and foster stronger relationships with key stakeholders in the travel industry. Themed "Fueling Your Travel Business for Growth," the event brought together a diverse group of professionals, partners, and industry leaders from across the region. Attendees were treated to an exclusive experience designed to inspire business growth and empower Trade Partners. T...

Chinasa Unaegbunam SAN has made history by becoming the second Nigerian to be appointed to the prestigious Advisory Board of The Hague Court of Arbitration for Aviation (HCAA). This remarkable achievement solidifies her position as one of Nigeria's leading aviation legal experts. As a member of the HCAA's Advisory Board, Unaegbunam will join forces with other renowned professionals, including Claire McDermott, Mary Walker, and Wade Thomson, to advise the HCAA on promoting arbitration and mediation in resolving contractual disputes in the global aviation industry. The HCAA's Advisory Board plays a vital role in providing specialized knowledge and skills to the Board of Directors, supported by its Technical, Mediation, and Rules Standing Committees. This collective effort enables the Court to advance dispute resolution mechanisms tailored to the complexities of the aviation sector. Unaegbunam's appointment is a testament to Nigeria's growing influence in ...

In a  significant move to strengthen economic ties and promote tourism between Nigeria and South Africa (SA) President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced the relaxation of visa rules for Nigerian tourists and investors. This development was made public recently, during the 11th session of the Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission (BNC) in Cape Town, which was attended by President Bola Tinubu. According to the South African President, the new visa rules are designed to facilitate travel for Nigerian professionals, traders, and entrepreneurs seeking to explore opportunities in South Africa. "Our efforts to create a favourable environment include our simplified visa process for Nigerian nationals to travel to South Africa. Qualifying individuals can be granted a five-year multiple entry visa," he explained. He further emphasized his country's commitment to removing constraints preventing greater investment in SA as he addressed the challenges faced by companies...

  TAAG Angola Airlines recently participated in the 56th Annual General Assembly of the African Airlines Association (AFRAA), held in Cairo, Egypt, from November 17 to 19. The event drew over 500 high-level delegates from the aviation industry across Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and the Americas. The summit featured presentations and panel discussions on key civil aviation topics, providing a platform for networking, bilateral meetings, and showcasing innovative products and services. Angola's participation was particularly significant, as the country will host the 57th AFRAA Annual General Assembly in 2025, with TAAG Angola Airlines as the official facilitator. According to industry experts, hosting the event presents an opportunity for Angola to promote its "national brand," strengthen Luanda's role as a regional mobility platform, and capitalize on the New Luanda International Airport, Dr. António Agostinho Neto (NBJ). TAAG  Angola Airlines will assume AF...

  L-R: Dr. Allen Onyema, Vice President of AON/Chairman of Air Peace; Prof. Muhammed Tawfiq Ladan, Immediate Past Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies; Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, Spokesperson for AON/Chairman of United Nigeria Airlines; Capt. Chris Najomo, Ag. DG, NCAA. The  International Air Transport Conference, convened by the World United Consumer Organization, kicked off yesterday at the Abuja Continental Hotel, assembling stakeholders to deliberate on optimizing Africa's air transport landscape. Adefunke Adeyemi, Secretary General of the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC), delivered the keynote address, emphasizing the transformative potential of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM). Launched in 2018 under the African Union's Agenda 2063, SAATM seeks to establish a unified air transport market, bolstering connectivity, economic growth, and regional integration. Adeyemi underscored SAATM's benefits, including stimulating eco...