Travel & Business News

Ethiopian Airlines Group (ET) recently commemorated International Women's Day by operating all women functioned flights to eight destinations, showcasing the airline's eight decades of operations. The event was marked with a grand ceremony held at Ethiopian Skylight Hotel on March 7, 2026, attended by government officials, airline executives, women leaders, and women employees representing various partner organizations. The all women functioned flights operated to Cairo, Djibouti, Nairobi, Frankfurt, Accra, Mumbai, Windhoek, and Dire Dawa. Speaking at the event, ET's Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Mesfin Tasew, highlighted the airline's commitment to advancing women's participation in all areas of its business: "Ethiopian Airlines has consistently led the way in advancing women's participation across all areas of its business, ensuring equal opportunities in flight operations, leadership, and corporate positions. Through our inclusive culture and ...

Air Peace has announced the introduction of expanded regional flight operations across West Africa, effective April 1, 2026, as part of its ongoing commitment to strengthening connectivity, facilitating trade, and improving travel options within the sub-region. The new schedules will enhance seamless travel between Lagos, Abidjan, Dakar, Banjul, Accra, Monrovia, and Freetown, offering passengers improved connectivity and greater flexibility across the airline's growing West African network. The airline will operate flights on the following routes: Lagos – Abidjan – Dakar – Banjul, Lagos – Abidjan – Dakar, Lagos – Accra – Monrovia, and Lagos – Accra – Freetown, with specific operating days and timings. For example, the Lagos – Abidjan – Dakar – Banjul route will operate on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, with departures from Lagos at 07:00, arriving in Abidjan at 07:50, and continuing to Dakar and Banjul. According to the carrier, these new schedules are designed to im...

Ibom Air has adopted the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority's (NCAA) recent safety directive regarding the carriage and use of power banks on commercial flights, reaffirming its commitment to passenger and crew safety. The directive prohibits passengers from placing power banks in overhead bins and requires them to be carried in cabin luggage, stored in the seat pocket, under the seat, or in a carry-on bag within easy reach. According to the NCAA Safety Directive, "Power banks must not be placed in the overhead luggage bins during flight. They must be carried in the cabin and stored either under the seat in front, in the seat pocket, or in a carry-on bag that remains accessible to the passenger at all times." This measure ensures prompt response in case of overheating or fire. Power banks with a capacity of up to 100 watt-hours (Wh) are permitted without restriction, while those between 100Wh and 160Wh require prior airline approval. Devices exceeding 160Wh are...

The Federal Government has initiated the construction of a modern Corporate Headquarters and Air Traffic Management (ATM) Centre for the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) in Abuja, marking a milestone in the country's aviation modernization drive. The groundbreaking ceremony, held at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, was officiated by the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, who described the project as "a declaration of intent and a tangible demonstration of our unwavering commitment to modernizing the critical infrastructure that underpins the safety, efficiency, and growth of Nigerian aviation." In his address, Keyamo emphasized that the project represents a strategic response to the need to consolidate NAMA's administrative and operational functions into a modern, purpose-built facility capable of reflecting the agency's strategic importance to national development. "For too long, ou...

Group Manager, Corporate Services, Mrs. Imelda Aba, receiving the award for Ibom Air. Ibom Air has been conferred with the esteemed Corporate Impact Award by the Medical Women's Association of Nigeria (MWAN), Akwa Ibom State Chapter, in recognition of its outstanding leadership and corporate citizenship in advancing cancer care initiatives within the state. The award, presented on February 14, 2026, during the Investiture ceremony of the 17th President of MWAN, Akwa Ibom State Chapter, acknowledges the airline's commitment to health as a core pillar of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy. In addition to the Corporate Impact Award, Ibom Air was also honoured with the Founding Patron Award for the MWAN Cancer Treatment Endowment Fund, which provides treatment access and support to indigent patients, thereby enhancing the collective impact and restoring dignity to countless lives. The airline's contributions to cancer awareness and treatment are comp...

Mr. Nowel Ngala, Chief Commercial Officer of Air Peace On Valentine's Day, Air Peace Limited marked a significant milestone in its commitment to premium travel with the grand opening of its Executive Lounge at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Terminal 2, Lagos, Nigeria - an investment which reaffirms the airline's dedication to elevating customer experience and solidifying its position in the region's aviation industry. "The lounge is a testament to our resolve to provide world-class services comparable to global standards, while reinforcing our leadership across West and Central Africa," said Mr. Nowel Ngala, Chief Commercial Officer of Air Peace. "It is not merely an addition to our infrastructure but a statement of appreciation to our loyal premium passengers who continue to trust the brand on domestic, regional, and long-haul routes", he said. The luxurious Executive Lounge offers First and Business Class passengers a serene ...

Travel & Business News hereby announces the commencement of entries for the 15th National Travel Essay Competition (NTEC 2026). NTEC 2026 is currently open to secondary school students of all ages, as well as undergraduates of tertiary institutions in the country, fresh graduates and NYSC members. Aimed at discovering hidden talents and encouraging young Nigerians to pursue a career in the aviation and travel & tourism sectors as well as drum up greater awareness and support for the air transport industry, NTEC is geared towards RAISING FUTURE AVIATION PROFESSIONALS in an effort to address the challenges of aging workforce and skilled manpower shortage in the sector. Interested participants are hereby invited to submit their entries between February 2nd and April 30, 2026. The grand finale where winners will be announced is scheduled to hold on May 30, 2026 as part of the Youth Empowerment Seminar (YES 2026) holding in Lagos. Flyers can be downloaded via the link be...

Air Peace has issued a statement denying allegations of deception and scam related to the proposed Lagos-São Paulo direct flight, calling a SaharaReporters report "malicious and misleading". The airline stated that the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with the Nigerian government is a statement of intent and not a guarantee of immediate commencement of operations: "An MoU is neither a ticket sale nor a flight schedule, and it does not constitute a guarantee of immediate commencement of operations," the statement reads. Air Peace emphasized that no tickets were sold, no booking platform was opened, and no flight date was announced, making it illogical to claim that passengers were stranded. The airline also highlighted the complex regulatory and operational requirements for international long-haul operations, including Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) implementation frameworks, approval from Brazil's civil aviation authority (ANAC), and...

L-R: Festus Keyamo, Nigeria's Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development; Aengus Kelly, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Aercap. The Nigerian aviation sector has taken a step forward in its pursuit of modernisation and competitiveness, with Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo leading a high-powered delegation to the Airline Economics Growth Frontiers Conference in Dublin, Republic of Ireland. The conference, which brought together global aviation stakeholders; delegates from Nigeria - including the Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Capt. Chris Ona Najomo and prominent airline chief executives - provided a platform for Nigeria to engage international partners on access to modern aircraft, improved airline balance sheets, and sustainable growth. In a meeting with Aercap, the world's largest aircraft leasing company, the Minister's delegation explored innovative leasing solutions and flexible financing structures to support Nigerian airline...

Travelport, a global multi-source content provider, has announced a multi-year content agreement with Air Peace Limited, Nigeria's and West Africa's largest airline. This partnership aims to enhance Air Peace's content distribution across Central and West Africa, as well as key international markets, leveraging Travelport's retailing, content, and branding capabilities through Travelport+. The agreement reflects the growing demand among emerging market airlines for modern retailing and distribution technologies that extend global reach, improve visibility with travel agencies, and enable airlines to effectively showcase their products and brand. Air Peace operates extensive passenger and charter services across Nigeria and West Africa, with international flights to the Middle East, the Caribbean, and the United Kingdom. Through this expanded partnership, the airline's full content will be accessible to hundreds of thousands of travel agencies worldwide u...

Air Peace, West Africa's largest airline, has moved to enhance global connectivity by triggering a bilateral interline agreement signed with Emirates, the world's largest international airline. This partnership expands air travel options between Africa, the UAE, and London, offering seamless single-ticket travel with through-checked baggage on select routes. As part of the deal, Air Peace's extensive West and Central African route system is now connected to Emirates' Dubai hub, providing access to key destinations like London Heathrow, London Gatwick, and London Stansted, as well as Abidjan, Accra, and Lagos. The partnership enables travelers to connect to additional destinations, including Banjul in Gambia and Dakar in Senegal via Abidjan, and Freetown in Sierra Leone and Monrovia in Liberia via Accra. "This interline agreement with Emirates represents a major step in Air Peace's strategic vision to connect Africa more efficiently to global markets...

Ethiopian Airlines (ET) has finalized an agreement with Boeing for the acquisition of nine (9) Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft, slated for delivery between 2031 and 2033. This move aims to augment ET's route network, amplify international connectivity, and provide passengers with enhanced flight flexibility. The latest order follows earlier commitment to eleven (11) Boeing 737 MAX jets, announced at the Dubai Airshow, collectively boosting the carrier's order book by twenty (20) fuel-efficient Boeing aircraft. "We are pleased to confirm the order for nine Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft to further expand our existing fleet," said Ethiopian Airlines' Group CEO, Mr. Mesfin Tasew. "This order underscores our continued commitment to enhancing our fleet with modern, fuel-efficient aircraft, thereby further strengthening our customer service. We will continue to acquire more aircraft and adopt the latest technologies as part of our strategic vision to a...

Zela Aviation, a prominent player in the Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance (ACMI) sector, is celebrating its 20th anniversary, underscoring its enduring commitment to fostering strategic alliances with airlines worldwide. Over the past two decades, the company has evolved into a foremost air charter broker, leveraging its expansive global presence to deliver tailored solutions to clients across Africa, Asia, and Europe. Reflecting on the milestone, Chairman Andreas Christodoulides expressed his pride and gratitude, stating: "The company's 20-year anniversary is both meaningful and deeply rewarding. When we first began, I could never have imagined reaching this point. I've devoted much of my life to building Zela Aviation with hard work and passion, and I'm proud that everyone on our team shares the same commitment to its future. As we look ahead, our goal is to continue expanding within the industry while maintaining a strong global footprint not o...

The Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc (NAHCO Aviance), a key ground handling service provider in West Africa, has announced the signing of a series of contracts with prominent airlines for comprehensive handling solutions. The agreements, disclosed in a statement following the public holidays, include renewals with European carriers Air France, KLM, and Virgin Atlantic, as well as African operator RwandAir. NAHCO Aviance has equally secured new contracts with United Nigeria – Regional, Bellagio, and Malaikair. The contracts with Air France and KLM are set to run for three years, expiring in 2028. The agreement with Virgin Atlantic also spans three years, while RwandAir's contract will be effective for three years starting October 1, 2025. According to NAHCO, the new pact with United Nigeria – Regional will have a five-year tenure, commencing August 1, 2025. Bellagio and Malaikair have signed contracts for three and five years, respectively. Prince Saheed Lasisi, Gr...