APRIL 27, 2024

By Princess Etuk

Travellers in Nigeria may soon benefit from lower airfares following the drop in the price of Jet A1, the fuel used by airlines.

As reported by the PUNCH, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery announced on Tuesday a further price cut for diesel and aviation fuel, with the new rates set at N940 and N980 per litre, respectively.

This reduction has sparked hopes among airline representatives, travel agency leaders, and frequent travellers for a potential decrease in airfares.

The President of the Association of Foreign Airlines and Representative in Nigeria, Kingsley Nwokoma, highlighted the importance of aviation fuel in determining ticket prices.

“Normally, airfares would drop because aviation fuel is a big component. When you put all the financial components together that make up your ticket, it’s a very significant factor,” he said.

Nwokoma noted that the reduction might be linked to the presence of Dangote refinery and stressed the need for a holistic approach to understanding its impact on ticket prices.

“If truly there is a reduction in the price of Jet A1, then ticket prices must come down because Jet A1 is a major component in operational costs and the cost of tickets.”

United Nigeria Airlines spokesperson, Achilleus Uchegbu, shared similar sentiments, stating that everyone expects airfares to drop with the reduction in aviation fuel prices. “Although I do not know how soon the price drop will happen, we are hopeful,” he said.

Also speaking with the PUNCH, the President of The National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies, Susan Akporiaye, pointed out the potential benefits of lower airfares.

“The expectation is for the fares to drop, and it will result in more people travelling, which gives my members more tickets to issue, increasing income,” she said.

Frequent air traveller and CEO of Prestige Pharmacy, Sandra Ebele, welcomed the news, noting the positive impact it could have on businesses and passenger affordability.

“As a frequent air traveller, I’m thrilled to hear about the drop in aviation fuel prices from N1,400 to N980. This should lead to lower operating costs for airlines, which could translate into more affordable ticket prices for passengers and business owners like me, which will, in turn, affect my business,” she said.

However, Ebele cautioned that reduced fuel costs might not immediately result in lower ticket prices due to other factors like demand, competition, and operational expenses.

Another frequent traveller, Ifeanyi Samuel, expressed a similar perspective, emphasizing the complexities of airline operations.

However, he is optimistic about the potential positive effect it may have throughout the industry.

“It might even inspire airlines to add new routes or increase the frequency of existing ones, which would offer greater flexibility for my business travel need.”

“Also, I’d like to add that at least I get to save more from the money I should have budgeted for a plane ticket anytime I have a business appointment,” he said

Princess Etuk

APRIL 27, 2024

BY  Zainab Fattah, Bloomberg News

• Dubai saw 19% surge in sales of home worth $10 million or more
• Dubai’s appeal hasn’t been dented by rising regional tensions

(Bloomberg) -- Sales of homes with a price tag of $10 million or more climbed 19% in Dubai during the first quarter as the world’s ultra-wealthy continue to flock to the Middle East’s business and tourism hub despite mounting geopolitical tension across the region. 

A total of 105 luxury homes were sold for $1.73 billion in the first three months of this year, according to property consultant Knight Frank LLP. Sales on Palm Jumeirah, the iconic tree-shaped artificial island off the coast of Dubai, accounted for 36.3% of the activity in the quarter. 

“The level of deal activity in Dubai continues to strengthen, particularly at the top end of the market, where the near constant stream of international high-net-worth-individuals vying for the city’s most expensive homes persists,” Faisal Durrani, a partner at Knight Frank, said in a statement.

In the aftermath of the pandemic, Dubai faced an exodus of expatriates and mounting competition from neighboring business hubs and, in response, the government opened up and officials made it easier to receive the country’s famed ‘golden’ visas. That — along with an influx of investors such as Russians seeking to shield their assets, crypto millionaires and rich Indians setting up second homes — has driven a surge in demand for Dubai property.

The data is the latest sign that Dubai’s appeal hasn’t been dented even as geopolitical tensions have risen in the region since Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7. 

Last year, Dubai registered 431 sales of homes worth at least $10 million, which was the most of any city on the planet, according to Knight Frank’s data. London, with 240 in such sales, was a distant second, while New York and Hong Kong notched 211 and 163 of those homes sold, respectively.

To be sure, millionaires flocking to the emirate have found that the city’s real estate is relatively affordable compared to those other international metropolitan areas. In Dubai, $1 million gets homebuyers 980 square feet of prime residential space. In New York, that sum fetches just 366 square feet on average, Knight Frank found. 

“Dubai’s luxury homes market still remains one of the most affordable in the world,” Durrani said. That’s despite the fact that the recent growth rates are “making it one of, if not the fastest growing prime residential market globally,” he said.

Jumeirah Bay Island, a seahorse-shaped piece of land accessible by bridge from the Dubai mainland, accounted for 11.1% of the sales of homes worth $10 million or more in the first quarter. Dubai Hills Estate, a planned community that says it features a 33-mile bike route and 18-hole championship golf course, accounted for 7% of such sales. 

“Dubai Hills Estate has quietly for some time been rising up the ranks as not only one of Dubai’s most sought-after markets for domestic buyers, but now luxury home buyers are increasingly active here too,” Will McKintosh, Knight Frank’s head of prime residential in the Middle East and North Africa, said in the statement. 

A total of 12 homes were sold for $25 million or more in the first quarter, according to the property consultant. Dubai had 56 homes sold in that category last year.

APRIL 28, 2024

They were invited by the west African country’s chief of defence staff.

THE DUKE AND DUCHESS OF SUSSEX ARE HEADING TO NIGERIA NEXT MONTH (YAROSLAV SABITOV/PA)

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will visit Nigeria next month after Harry attends an event in the UK.

He will attend a ceremony marking the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games at London’s St Paul’s Cathedral on Wednesday May 8, though it is not known if Meghan will join him.

The couple will then head to Nigeria after being invited by the west African country’s chief of defence staff, who met Harry in Germany last September at Invictus Games Dusseldorf.

The Invictus Games was founded as a sporting event for injured and sick military personnel and veterans.

The couple will meet service members and their families, and participate in traditional cultural activities, Nigerian media reported.

Other details about the visit are not yet known.

Local newspapers reported that Defence Headquarters was “honoured” and “delighted” after Harry and Meghan, who is of Nigerian descent, had accepted the invitation.

It will be their first visit to Nigeria as a couple.

Harry is to return to the UK for the first time since his visit to see the King after his cancer diagnosis in February.

The duke is expected to give a reading at a service of thanksgiving marking a decade since the inaugural Invictus Games London in 2014.

It will be the first major event he has attended in Britain for some time.

Organisers say there has been no confirmation of any other royals attending, or if Meghan or the couple’s children will be in the UK.

The service is scheduled two days after Harry’s son Archie celebrates his fifth birthday.

Actor Damian Lewis is set to recite the Invictus poem during the service.

Representatives from Invictus Games participating nations, including members of the wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veteran community, will also be in attendance.

Harry and Meghan moved to the US in 2020 after stepping down from royal duties.

APRIL 28, 2024

CAIRO, April 28 (Reuters) - Dubai's ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum approved a new passenger terminal in Al Maktoum International airport worth 128 billion AED ($34.85 billion), he said on Sunday in a post on X.

The Al Maktoum International Airport will be the largest in the world with a capacity of up to 260 million passengers, and five times the size of Dubai International Airport, he added, saying that all operations at Dubai airport would be transferred to Al Maktoum in the coming years.

The Al Maktoum airport will also include 400 terminal gates and five runways, he said.

The airport will be the new home of flagship carrier Emirates and its sister low-cost airline Flydubai along with all airline partners connecting the world to and from Dubai, Dubai state-owned airline Emirates chairman Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed al-Maktoum said.

The move "further solidifies Dubai's position as a leading aviation hub on the world stage", the CEO of Dubai Airports, Paul Griffiths, was quoted as saying by the Dubai Media Office.

($1 = 3.6729 UAE dirham) (Reporting by Ahmed Elimam, Nayera Abdullah Writing by Adam Makary Editing by Alexandra Hudson and Frances Kerry)

APRIL 29, 2024

BY Olasunkanmi Akinlotan

United States carrier, Delta Air Lines, has said it will commence a daily service to Lagos from New York from December 1, 2024.

 The airline also announced that its service enhancement to Accra, Ghana, and South Africa is underway as the US airline reinforces its position as the largest US carrier to Africa this winter.

The aircraft made this known through a statement made available to PUNCH.

According to the statement signed by the Senior Vice President of Network Planning, Joe Esposito, the Delta carries more than half a million customers between the US and Africa each year on more than 34 weekly flights.

The statement read in part, “Delta is reinforcing its No. 1 position as the largest U.S. carrier to Africa this winter by relaunching daily service to Lagos, Nigeria (LOS), from New York-JFK on Dec. 1. Fleet enhancements in service to Accra, Ghana (ACC), and South Africa are also underway.

 “These enhancements reflect our dedication to meeting the evolving needs of our customers.”

It added, “We are expanding our options for customers to experience the premium service and elevated hospitality they expect from Delta.”

“Delta currently operates daily service between Atlanta and Lagos and, with the resumption of daily New York-JFK service, will offer a total of 14 weekly flights to Nigeria in December through the first half of January and 10 weekly flights for the remainder of winter 2024.”

Speaking on luxury available to travelers on their aircraft, Esposito further stated that, “the advantages of the customers on this flight will have a choice of Delta One, Delta Premium Select, Delta Comfort+ and Main Cabin experiences on the Airbus A330-200. Once on board, customers in Delta One can look forward to an extensive food and beverage program that includes thoughtfully curated menu options, as well as specialty snacks and premium beer, wine, and spirits.

 “Customers flying in Delta Premium Select will have more space to relax and stretch out, with a wider seat, deeper recline, an adjustable footrest, and leg rest.

 He added,“All customers can enjoy a wide selection of in-flight entertainment options movies, TV series, music, podcasts, and more via Delta Studio. Delta also partners with diverse suppliers worldwide for in-flight products such as artisan-crafted amenity kits and beverages like Thrive Farmers Tea.”

MAY 01, 2024

The detentions come following the passage of the Safety of Rwanda Act, which declared the central African nation a safe country for failed asylum seekers to be sent to.

Officers have raided the homes of the first people to be deported to Rwanda.

told It comes following the recent passing of the Safety of Rwanda Act, which declared the central African nation safe following concerns raised by the Supreme Court last year.

A video released by the Home Office showed officers entering homes and bringing out people detained in handcuffs, before putting them in the back of secure vans.

According to the government, "operational teams within the Home Office have been working at pace to safely and swiftly detain individuals in scope for relocation to Rwanda, with more activity due to be carried out in the coming weeks".

It comes after a failed asylum seeker voluntarily chose to go to Kigali once their application to stay in the UK failed.

The Rwanda plan has been a major policy for the Conservative government since April 2022, but has faced repeated legal challenges.

It is understood that women are among those detained.

Home Secretary James Cleverly said: "Our Rwanda partnership is a pioneering response to the global challenge of illegal migration, and we have worked tirelessly to introduce new, robust legislation to deliver it.

"Our dedicated enforcement teams are working at pace to swiftly detain those who have no right to be here so we can get flights off the ground.

"This is a complex piece of work, but we remain absolutely committed to operationalising the policy, to stop the boats and break the business model of people smuggling gangs."

The government has previously said it has 2,200 "detention spaces", alongside 200 new caseworkers and 500 "highly trained escorts" ready.

It added that planes have been booked, with flights set to take off in nine to 11 weeks' time.

Sir Keir Starmer, the Labour leader, told Sky News the scheme was equivalent to flogging a dead horse.

He told political editor Beth Rigby: "I don't believe in the scheme. I don't think it will work.

"I know we have to stop the boats.

"I want to get going with our plan - stop the boats on day one, which requires us to stop the gangs that are running this vile trade or to work with law enforcement across the borders to make sure that people are not getting the boats in the first place.

"And that's why I've already had discussions in The Hague about how quickly we can share data and intelligence to do that.

"So I'm absolutely determined to tackle this problem because the government has lost control of the borders.

"What I'm not going to do is flog a dead horse."

The Rwanda plan was introduced in a bid to deter people from crossing the Channel in small boats and entering the UK illegally.

Since the passage of the latest legislation, tensions have grown between the UK and Ireland after people entered the Republic to escape facing deportation.

Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News

But the government in Westminster says it will not take people back until a reciprocal agreement is put in place to allow returns to France for people who cross the Channel.

The latest figures show that 7,567 people have crossed the Channel since the start of 2024 - 27% higher than this time last year, and 13% higher than the equivalent period in 2022.

MAY 02, 2024

Nigerian travellers are at risk whenever they fly as critical airport infrastructure meant to ensure their safety creaks on the back of poor maintenance.

Safety infrastructures such as runways, communication aids, navigational aids, airfield lights, aircraft evacuation equipment among others are poorly maintained, increasingly threatening air safety, BusinessDay’s findings show.

Concerns have been raised on how poor maintenance of key safety infrastructures across airports in the country may have led to recent serious air incidents, raising questions about Nigeria in the global aviation space.

BusinessDay’s findings show that Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt airport runways are not regularly rubberised to avoid airlines from skidding off the runway during rainy season because of the slippery ground.

Horace Miller-Jaja, a captain with over 40 years of experience in Nigeria told BusinessDay that runway 18L at the Lagos airport has had a history of being slippery when it rains.

“The Lagos airport has asphalt runway, no grooves. Drainage has often been an issue. One would want to ask when the runway was rubberised last in preparation for the coming raining seasoning,” Miller-Jaja said.

Over the years, aircraft have continued to skid off runways across Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt airports, which has made the need to rubberise these runways urgent.

The captain said airport infrastructure has to be maintained and improved upon to enhance the safety.

“Poor non-calibrated navigational aids affect the accuracy of aircrafts using these aids such as Very High frequency (VHF) omni-directional range (VORs) and Instrument Landing Systems (ILS) at airports,” Miller-Jaja said.

He said the ripple effect of having poor safety infrastructures is that the airspace will be downgraded and classed as unsafe by world bodies such as the International Air Transport Association (IATA), International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and Pilot associations around the globe.

He also said airlines could stop flying into the country, because their assessments and audits do not meet acceptable standards to fly into the airport.

Umar Ahmed Farouk, the managing director of Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) disclosed recently that some airlines avoided the Nigerian airspace because they found it extremely difficult to communicate with air traffic controllers; because the communication system was weak and over-saturated due to demand.

Farouk hinted that as the industry is growing, it is expected that more routes will open but there was no corresponding facility to match the emerging air traffic.

He said this is the reason NAMA decided it was going to invest in infrastructure.

“The funding is not there. We are approaching it systematically to make sure that communication is good,” Farouk said.

“Recently, the minister approached the presidency for intervention and N40 billion was budgeted but we are yet to access the money.

“As soon as it is done, we will be able to tackle safety critical challenges that are before us as far as communication is concerned. If you go to Navaids, we are also having obsolete facilities. For an average electronic system, the lifespan is about ten years. Most of these electronics have been working for the past 15-20 years.

“You will expect the performance to be below the standard. We are replacing them. If not for funding, we would have finished replacing all of them,” Farouk said.

“The TRACON we are having has been having challenges. I will categorically tell you that since 2014, we have not had enough spare parts. The cost of spares is the issue and the obsolete state of the equipment.

“The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the modernization of the TRACON system. 15 percent of the fund has been paid and we are hopeful when the presentation from Thales, they will commence installation as soon as other things are put in place,” he said.

BusinessDay findings show that when there incidents with aircraft at the Lagos airport, the busiest airport in Nigeria, there are no towing equipment on ground to tow the aircrafts from the airside and this is the reason why the runway is closed for almost a whole day and airlines have to divert flights each time there is an air incident at the airport.

The recent Dana incident led to the temporary closure of the Lagos runway for over 18 hours.

“That runway was closed for the whole day during the Dana incident. The equipment for evacuating aircraft from the runway has been taken away from the Lagos runway and taken to Kano. Lagos that has more aircraft and traffic do not have that equipment at the moment. This is the issue the ministry should address urgently,” Olamide Ohunayo, an aviation analyst said.

Ohunayo hinted that the recent runway occurrence is a bit worrying but there is a need to look beyond the airlines.

He said as we await investigation of Dana Air by the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), there is a need to look at the infrastructure that could lead to runway incidents especially during the rainy season.

“Some airports have issues with runway lights and all these have roles to play in these serious incidents,” he added.

John Ojikutu, industry expert and the CEO of Centurion Aviation Security and Safety Consult, said there is a lot wrong with the airport safety management system.

“If runways are regularly rubberised, are they done by qualified persons and certified by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA)?,” Ojikutu said.

“Did NAMA do the relevant inspection on the runway before it was open to flight operations. The way an aircraft that has gone for Periodic Maintenance cannot be put into operations without the NCAA certification or approval, so should the runways not be put into use without the approval of the responsible authority, the NCAA,” Ojikutu said.

Apart from the runways, he said several other airport infrastructure that can affect air safety include poor runway lightings and the approach lightings, the Visual Approach Slope Indicators, approach plane that is below minimum safe level where there is no ILS or where the ILS safe level has exceeded the tolerance safety levels.

“Others include Acqua plant on the runways if not inspected and reported to the pilot. There are regulations for the periodic maintenance and auditing of all safety infrastructure, services and the skills of responsible manpower management. It is the responsibility of the NCAA to oversee that these are regularly done and where there is doubt, the NCAA must enforce the rules and regulations,” he added.

MAY 04, 2024

After a previously aborted attempt in 2013, Milan's council made another attempt to ban ice cream and pizza after midnight from the streets of the city earlier this month.

By Simone Baglivo, Europe producer, and Kieren Williams, news reporter

Milan has once again backed down on attempts to ban ice cream from its streets after midnight.

Following widespread criticism, the city's council has U-turned on its plans that would have cracked down on late night snacking on its streets.

The council claimed the proposed ban was to protect the "tranquility" of residents, but for many a late-night gelato is a part of Italian culture.

Earlier this month, Milan's local government filed a legislative starting paper which would have banned the serving of ice cream and pizzas outdoors in the northern Italian city late at night, starting from 17 May.

However, following a widespread backlash, security councillor Marco Granelli has said the local government has backed down.

He said the new law will instead focus on drinks, especially alcohol, and ice cream and takeaway foods will not be banned.

"We can say right now that ice cream is not the item we are interested in and will be excluded from the bans," he said.

"About other food, we are testing different technical options."

The local government will "collect observations" on the matter until 10 May, Mr Granelli added.

The proposed ban would have covered 12 districts, kicking in from 12.30am on weekdays, and 1.30am on weekends and public holidays, applying to outdoor tables only.

Mr Granelli previously said: "The goal is to seek a balance between socialising and entertainment, and the peace and tranquility of residents."

The decision to abandon the ban has been praised by the president of the Italian Federation of Businesses.

Lino Enrico Stoppani told Sky News: "The anti-ice cream law was absurd and was a devastating message for the tourism we live on."

Mr Stoppani also hit out at the local government for increasing taxes and instead called for the municipality to "first combat illegal activities and increase law and order".

This is not the first time Milan has made an attempt to ban ice cream.

Back in 2013, the then mayor Giuliano Pisapia tried to implement similar measures.

But he too faced a fierce backlash, including a reported 'occupy gelato' movement, which led to him backing down.

He was reported as having said after backtracking: "People can eat ice cream day and night, anywhere they like."

MAY 04, 2024

• Agreement comes after airlines expressed concerns about costs
• Carriers had until May to review the city’s newest proposal

(Bloomberg) -- United Airlines Holdings Inc. and American Airlines Group Inc. have reached an agreement to press ahead with an $8.5 billion revamp of Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport, the world’s fourth busiest airport.

The deal comes after months of disagreements over ballooning costs for the project, which was first announced in 2018. In separate statements, the dual hub partners said they and the city have found a solution to avoid further delays and keep costs in check — although it won’t be easy. 

“The path ahead will be challenging, and we’ll all need to continue working together to get this project completed within the allotted budget,” American said in a statement.

Mayor Brandon Johnson praised the agreement. “We look forward to prioritizing the O’Hare Global Terminal to bring benefits to the traveling public sooner, while providing thousands of jobs and contracting opportunities to Chicago,” the mayor’s office said in a statement. 

Chicago unveiled the expansion plan for O’Hare in 2018, vowing to transform the aging hub into a global showcase. But six years later, very little has been done and estimates for the project were running some $2 billion over budget.

Under the agreement, the airlines will need to approve any plans to cut the scope of the project or add to the budget, according to United. Construction will also happen in phases, with priority being given to the construction of one of two satellite concourses.

The Chicago Department of Aviation will also plan a phased construction of the Global Terminal, which would replace the existing terminal two.

“The Global Terminal has always been the centerpiece of this program and the crucial piece needed to ensure Chicago maintains its status as a global hub,” United said in a statement. “Under this new phasing plan, we can deliver the most impactful elements of the modernization project the quickest.”

The full scope of the agreement has yet to be announced by either the city or the airlines, and it’s not yet clear whether it will include the 25% gate increase that had previously been a part of the project. Reaching that target is critical, Senator Tammy Duckworth said at a groundbreaking event for improvements to Terminal 3 last month. 

“The end goal is always to get the point where we have the 25% increase,” she said. “We can’t go through all of this and only have three additional gates.”

(Updates to add Chicago mayor’s statement and background.)

MAY 05, 2024

By Ogaga Ariemu

The Nigerian government said it plans to reduce the number of security checks at the country’s airports.

The development comes as the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN and the Office of the National Security Adviser, NSA partner to cut down on multiple security checks at Nigerian airports.

Olubunmi Kuku, Managing Director of FAAN, disclosed this at the weekend.

According to her, multiple airport checks have become a menace in Nigeria.

Olubunmi Kuku, Managing Director of FAAN, at the weekend, disclosed that the agency and the office of the NSA have agreed to carry

“On the issue of checking my baggage, it borders me so much, and that was the first inquiry that I made when I assumed office. As far back as 2011 and 2012, when I was in the industry, I worked on this with the former Minister.

“It goes beyond FAAN, a lot of those agencies, Customs, NDLEA, Quarantine, Agriculture, we now have EFCC, we have almost everybody at the airports, we had Executive order 001 during the Buhari administration to move them out under the then Vice President office, now we have the National Single Window, I have personally sat with the NSA over the last five weeks to have conversations with him as to how we will streamline the facilitation.

“We have agreed on a few things; the first one is a short-term intervention where we reduce the number of agencies at the airports because we have some that were doing just sort of routine checks, just moving around to observe rather than disturbing passengers,” she stated.