JUNE 29, 2024

Many countries are consciously positioning themselves to capture the attention of aspiring international students across the globe to maximise the inherent foreign exchange benefits.

In a recent research finding, Singapore tops the list of countries with the happiest international student population with an impressive 53.3 percent, a recent Cryptorush 2024 study reveals.

According to findings analysed by Cryptorush, 50 countries including Singapore, Canada, Netherlands, France, China, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Hungary, Australia, and Denmark lead the pack when it comes to attractiveness to international students.

Factors considered include the percentage of international students, monthly living costs, safety, and human development indices.

Singapore with 53.3 percent of international students, a $2, 740 monthly living cost, 0.949 human development index value, and 76.5 safety index is placed above others.

The country ensures a secure and welcoming setting for overseas students, and it is known for its top-notch education system and the highest safety index of 76.

Singapore offers a smooth transition for these students with various on-campus accommodations, simplifying the challenges of living abroad.

Canada comes second with 36.7 percent of students coming from abroad. With 388 universities, a monthly living cost of $450-$2000, a 0.935 human development index value, and a 54.8 safety index, Canada is a preferred destination for international scholars.

Most universities and colleges have housing facilities available right on the campus grounds, offering a practical solution that significantly cuts transportation costs.

The Netherlands is placed third with 36.0 percent of its students being international and stands out in Europe. The monthly living cost is at $1800 – $3300.

Known for its open and tolerant society, it combines a safety index of 73.7 and the second-highest HDI of 0.946. With 128 universities, the country is a hub for students seeking high-quality education in a safe and progressive environment.

France comes in fourth with 27.0 percent international students. It hosts 636 universities and offers the lowest tuition fee costs for international students in Europe at about $3000, being highly appealing to students from across the globe.

China, hosting 25.0 percent international students is the fifth, and features the largest number of universities at 2,585. With the second-highest HDI of 0.956 and the second-highest safety index of 75.1, China is becoming an increasingly popular destination for international students.

Switzerland holds the sixth place with 24.4 percent of its students coming from overseas. It scores the highest HDI of 0.967 among the ranked countries.

Many Swiss universities have housing offices that provide discounted rooms to international students in university dormitories, allowing students to make savings in the estimated $1400-$1800 living costs.

The United Kingdom, with 23.8 percent of its student population internationally holds the seventh place. The UK remains a significant draw for students due to its extensive academic programmes, and wide range of on-campus student accommodation options.

Hungary takes the eighth spot, with 20.5 percent of its students from overseas. With more than an average safety index of 66.3, and the lowest living expenses ranging from $450 to $650 per month,

The country is a great destination for students looking for an affordable European educational experience.

Following Hungary, Australia is in ninth place, featuring 19.0 percent of its students from abroad, supported by 185 universities. It provides a high-quality life and education, reflected in its HDI of 0.946 which ties it with the Netherlands.

However, when it comes to affordability for students, Australia stands out. With living expenses ranging from $920 to $1650, it is notably more budget-friendly compared to the higher costs in the Netherlands.

Denmark rounds up the list with 17.9 percent of its student population coming from abroad. It scores high on the safety index at 73.7 and an HDI of 0.952, making it appealing for its safe and high-quality educational offerings.

JUNE 29, 2024

An investigation was launched after a Boeing 737 Max flown by Ryanair plunged at alarming speed during its final approach to London Stansted Airport, it has emerged.

Flight data reveals that on December 4 last year, flight FR1269 dropped more than 2,000ft in a mere 17 seconds.

The shocking incident occurred on the two-hour journey from Klagenfurt, Austria, when the aircraft's descent rate exceeded 8,000ft per minute at low altitude.

Miraculously, none of the passengers or crew aboard the 197-seat aircraft were harmed, according to the I newspaper.

Ryanair acknowledged the occurrence of an "unstable approach" before landing and confirmed its cooperation with the UK's Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB).

Aviation analysts have expressed grave concern, particularly in light of ongoing issues surrounding the 737 Max, including recent whistle-blower allegations and the January incident where a door detached from a jet mid-flight.

The AAIB's incident log describes the aircraft experiencing a "high speed and high nose down pitch attitude" during a go-around procedure.

This manoeuvre involves aborting a landing attempt and climbing to circle the airport before making another approach.

Ireland's Air Accident Investigation Unit, assisting the AAIB, also reported a "level bust" - where an aircraft deviates significantly from its assigned altitude.

While the AAIB confirmed the aircraft landed safely without injuries, they stated the investigation is nearing completion with findings expected this autumn.

The cause of the incident remains unclear, with potential factors ranging from aircraft design issues to pilot error or air traffic control problems.

Notably, flight records show the aircraft did not operate for two days following the incident, raising questions about potential concerns with the relatively new Boeing airliner.

Analysis of flight data indicates the jet made a steady descent to 2,350ft before aborting the landing.

During the subsequent go-around, it abruptly dropped from 4,425ft to 2,300ft in just 17 seconds, while its speed surged from 226mph to 321mph.

The aircraft eventually stabilised and landed safely about 10 minutes later, amid light rain and overcast conditions at Stansted.

An AAIB spokesperson said: “We can’t provide any further detail at the moment as the serious incident is still under investigation.

“We can share that the aircraft landed safely and there were no reported injuries to passengers or crew. The investigation is nearing completion and likely to be published sometime in the autumn.”

A Ryanair spokesperson said: “This was a case of an unstable approach. The crew performed a ‘go around’ and landed normally on the second approach in line with Ryanair procedure.

“Ryanair reported this matter to the AAIB in compliance with our operating manual and we have provided full details to, and are cooperating fully with, this routine AAIB investigation. We can make no further comment until such time as the AAIB have completed their review of this flight.”

An aircraft's approach, the critical final phase of flight spanning roughly 10 miles before touchdown, is governed by strict regulations. These rules dictate permissible speed, altitude, and descent rates.

Any deviation from these parameters renders an approach "unstable", a situation that can compromise safety during the landing phase.

The incident involving the Ryanair Boeing 737 Max at Stansted stands out as particularly concerning. It was one of only six airline incidents in the UK last year that warranted a full investigation by the AAIB.

Among these rare cases prompting AAIB scrutiny, the Ryanair flight appears to be the sole incident involving an unstable approach.

Boeing, London Stansted Airport and the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority declined to comment while the investigation is ongoing.

JULY 01, 2024

BY  Mansur Abubakar BBC News, Kano

• Published 30 June 2024

If you leave your job, it would seem logical that your salary would stop being paid, but not so for a number of former Nigerian civil servants.

They have managed to be employed elsewhere - sometimes in another country entirely - and yet continue to receive a wage from their former workplace.

News of this has reached the top and last week President Bola Tinubu ordered a crackdown.

“The culprits must be made to refund the money they have fraudulently collected,” he said.

Sabitu Adams, whose name we have changed to protect his identity, has not resigned from his position as a junior official at a government agency and still gets paid each month, despite leaving Nigeria two years ago.

He now works as a taxi driver in the UK, but told the BBC that he was not worried about losing the salary as he sees Mr Tinubu’s comments as an empty threat.

Mr Adams added that the loss of his monthly Nigerian salary of 150,000 naira ($100; £80) would not be a great hardship, as he earns a lot more driving a taxi.

“When I heard about the president's directive, I smiled because I know I am doing better here - and not worried,” the 36-year-old said.

But why not make it clear to the civil service that he had left?

“To be honest I didn’t resign because I wanted to leave that door open in case I choose to go back to my job after a few years.”

Like Mr Adams, more than 3.6 million Nigerians have relocated to other countries over the last two years, according to official statistics.

Many young Nigerians see little prospect of earning a good living in the country - a feeling exacerbated by the collapse in the value of the naira over the past year following the reforms introduced by Mr Tinubu since he became president.

It has become so common for young people to seek their fortunes outside the country, the term “japa” has been coined to describe the phenomenon.

It is a word from the Yoruba language meaning to escape or flee.

Mr Tinubu said he was "struck by the revelations the head of the civil service shared regarding employees who had relocated abroad while drawing salaries without formally resigning".

The president said that not only should the money be repaid but those who were complicit in allowing it to happened should be investigated too.

“Their supervisors and department heads must also be punished for aiding and abetting the fraud under their watch,” he said.

And this may have been the case for Mr Adams.

The UK-based taxi driver admitted that he continued to be paid thanks to those in his department: “I had a good understanding with my boss and he just let me leave."

Often in such cases the salary is divided between the supervisor who keeps quiet and the person being paid, maybe along with an HR representative.

But for Mr Adams it was even easier. "In my case it wasn’t like that as my boss was a relative."

So-called "ghost-working" is a major problem in Nigeria. Despite several crackdowns it is believed that thousands of non-existent workers are still being paid. There appear to be very few checks and balances in place.

But this is the first time it has been suggested that people who have moved abroad are continuing to be paid their salaries on a large scale.

Auwal Yakasai, who retired as a director in charge of finance at Kano state's information ministry in 2021, said he had heard of such cases.

''To be honest I have never caught anyone red-handed,” Mr Yakasai, who worked for the government for 32 years, told the BBC.

“But I have heard numerous stories of such arrangements, where someone would still be receiving [a] salary after relocating or changing their place of work.”

Since he took office in May last year, Mr Tinubu has pledged to reduce the cost of governance and cut wastage.

In January, he directed that all official entourages to state and international events for himself and other government officials be slashed by 60%.

Nonetheless some have noted that there is much talk in Mr Tinubu’s administration without much action.

They cite plans to buy new planes worth millions of dollars for Mr Tinubu and his deputy Kashim Shettima as an example.

Another was when Mr Tinubu earlier this month launched a new official residence for Vice-President Shettima in the capital, Abuja, with a price tag of $13.6m (£11m).

And despite the president's statement about the foreign ghost-workers, he did not say exactly what he was doing to crack down on them and take action against those responsible.

JULY 01, 2024

By Olayiwola Ajisafe

A male Nigerian civil servant who left the country for the United Kingdom in 2022 has revealed that he still receives his monthly salary despite not showing up at work.

The 36-year-old UK taxi driver, who will be referred to as Daniel due to the sensitivity of the matter, told the BBC as reported on Sunday that he receives N150,000 monthly from his place of work in Nigeria, all thanks to a mutual understanding with his boss.

Recently, the Federal Government vowed a crackdown on Nigerian government workers who had relocated abroad but still received salaries.

On Saturday, June 22, 2024, President Bola Tinubu, while expressing dismay at the revelations by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation regarding employees who had relocated abroad while drawing salaries without formally resigning, ordered that the “culprits must be made to refund the money they have fraudulently collected.”

Tinubu said, “Their supervisors and department heads must also be punished for aiding and abetting the fraud under their watch,” adding that his administration would ensure “those responsible are held accountable and restitution is made.”

Non-government workers have continued to enjoy free money as they get paid without being enlisted in the nation’s civil service.

In some other cases, people who have either quit their government jobs or relocated overseas still receive the tranche.

However, Daniel, a junior official at a government agency, was unbothered by the President’s directive, citing that what he currently earns in the UK is higher than the salary he gets from the government.

He said, “When I heard about the president’s directive, I smiled because I know I am doing better here – and not worried.”

When asked why he refused to resign from his position after relocating abroad, Daniel said he thought he would probably return after spending some years abroad.

“To be honest, I didn’t resign because I wanted to leave that door open in case I choose to go back to my job after a few years,” he retorted.

Daniel is one of several Nigerians who have relocated abroad but still receive their monthly pay from the coffers of the Federal Government.

In June 2022, the Director-General, Bureau of Public Service Reforms, Dr. Dasuki Arabi, disclosed that the Federal Government-backed Integration Personnel and Payroll Information System had exposed and eliminated about 70,000 ghost workers in the civil service system.

Arabi added that the government had saved at least N220 billion, and N10 trillion through the Treasury Single Account since it was fully implemented by the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Daniel continues to enjoy the ‘free money’ he hasn’t been working for for the past two years as he said, “I had a good understanding with my boss and he just let me leave.”

In typical situations,  ghost workers usually strike deals with their superiors to conceal the act, and then share the salaries.

But for Daniel, it’s a different ball game as he said, “In my case, it wasn’t like that as my boss was a relative.”

JULY 01, 2024

BY  ADEKUNLE AGBETILOYE

The Turkish Embassy in Nigeria has refuted claims of a visa ban on Nigerian passport holders, calling the reports false and urging the public to disregard them.

• The Turkish Embassy in Nigeria denies reports of a visa ban on Nigerian passport holders.
• Turkish Embassy clarifies that there is no visa ban on Nigerians, but e-visa issuance is no longer available.
• Nigeria holds one of the ten least powerful African passports in 2024.

Reports recently circulated that Ethiopia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Turkey had revoked previous privileges for Nigerian passport holders, including visa-on-arrival, e-visa, and outright passport issuance.

However, the Turkish Embassy has clarified that there is no visa ban on Nigerians, stating that the reports were false and misleading.

Speaking to journalists, the personal secretary to the Turkish Ambassador to Nigeria, Wunmi Evelyn, clarified that while Turkey no longer allows Nigerian passport holders to obtain its e-visa, which was previously a seamless process, this does not translate to a visa ban on Nigerians.

What the ambassador said:

“There is no visa ban on Nigerian passport holders,” Evelyn said.

“As it is well-known, if there will be any update regarding rules and procedures of the policies and practices of any country, these updates are officially notified to the respective foreign ministries, and statements/announcements are issued by the embassies," she noted.

She stressed that visa applications are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. If an applicant has previously been denied a visa, they should correct any mistakes made in the initial application and improve the quality of their application, provided there is no fraud or forged documents detected.

“Besides, he or she should update the documentation and refrain from supplying old versions of required supporting documents,” she added.

Despite being the most populous black country in the world and boasting one of the largest economies in Africa, Nigeria holds one of the ten least powerful African passports in 2024.

JULY 01, 2024

The Federal Government has received no fewer than 103 Nigerians deported from Turkey over migration-related issues such as expired visas and irregular migration, among others.

Alhaji Tijani Ahmed, the Federal Commissioner, National Commission for Refugees Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), stated this on Friday evening during the deportees’ profiling in Abuja.

Represented by Amb. Catherine Udida, the Director Migration Affairs in the commission, Ahmed said that the commission expected 110 deportees but received 103, all males.

“Some of them have been in the deportation camp for some months, and now that they are here, we are hoping to follow up on all the allegations gathered in their profiling.

“We will go through the profiling forms, because some of them have said that their passports were seized.

We are going to follow up with the Turkish authority because the passports are still the property of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he assured.

According to him, the NCFRMI is the mandate agency responsible for all returnees, irrespective of their status.

“We equally have a programme where we train them and thereafter reintegrate them into society,” the Federal Commissioner stated.

Similarly, Mr Bashir Garga, the North-Central Zonal Coordinator, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), assured the returnees of the government’s readiness to support them through collaborative efforts of all relevant agencies.

One of the victims, Mr Arinze Stone, said that Turkish authorities arrested and detained him in the camp for about six months.

Stone said he had been living in Turkey for quite some years doing business.

“They were arresting people whose papers are not yet out or have just expired,” he said.

He alleged that it was since the European Union started paying Turkey for illegal immigrants, that the government stopped issuing and renewing resident permits.

“Each day, the European Union pays 120 euros per head of immigrants in the Immigration Camp.

“Ever since I had been in Turkey, I always had my resident permit renewed. It just got expired and Turkish authorities collected 700 euros from me for tax and insurance and then cancelled the renewal,” he explained.

Stone added that the deportation fee of about 2,500 euros that was supposed to be given to each victim was not paid.

Another victim, Mr Moses Emeh, said he had a registered company in Turkey that had been functioning for more than eight years.

“I also have a resident permit, which was forcibly cancelled, but I had earlier planned to convert it into working permit.

”I don’t know where to start from. But I believe this is a diplomatic issue, and I trust our foreign affairs minister to follow it up.

“I also think that they should have a sensitization programme for Nigerians still living over there in Turkey because the Turkish government is not being sincere and transparent with us,” Emeh stated.

He narrated that he was arrested and put in a dungeon for 11 months and three weeks.

“I was told that if I did not sign the deportation documents, I would have to stay in their custody for one to two years, after which I could be released and given immigration documents to sign, then be reintegrated into the system. But, they never fulfilled that.

“I also know that occupying a territory, without a permit is a crime, but mine was forcibly terminated twice, and I took the case to court.

“Since my case was already in court and the court was yet to preside over my case, I don’t think it is right for them to deport me,” he added.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the returnees were given some dignity kits, starter packs, and stipends to enable them travel to their respective places. (NAN)

JULY 01, 2024

BY Saksha Menezes and Sotiris Nikas, Bloomberg News

Volunteers work to extinguish a wildfire near Stamata, northeast of Athens, Greece, on June 30.

, Photographer: Nick Paleologos/Bloomberg

(Bloomberg) -- Temperatures across most of Europe will rise again next week after a brief respite.

In coming days, cooler-than-average weather will bring relief from the recent heat in northwest Europe. Minimum temperatures in Berlin will drop to 11.5C (52.7F) Wednesday and about 10C in London later in the week. But hot weather will return next weekend, with the southeast in focus again. 

Wildfires are still raging in Greece, where authorities are under pressure to tackle dozens of blazes fueled by strong winds. Conditions are expected to improve Monday, with the island of Crete being the only region still on very high fire alert.

Climate change is adding to the effects of extreme weather globally, with 2024 on track to be the hottest year on record. Severe weather events have affected countries from Saudi Arabia to the US, India to Brazil.

Greece has been at the center of Europe’s heat so far this summer. Firefighters are using planes to try to contain a fire in a forested area on the island of Zakynthos, and a second blaze is still raging in Viotia in the central part of the country. 

Warm weather is expected in Germany and Italy next week, with Berlin seen at 28C and Rome nearing 30C, according to a report by forecaster Maxar Technologies Inc.

In Switzerland and Italy, storms have caused extensive flooding. The Piedmont and Valle d’Aosta regions in the north of Italy were hit by floods, thunderstorms and landslides over the weekend. Tourist destinations such as Cogne and Cervinia remained cut off during the nights, according to Ansa newswire.

In the UK, a flood alert issued on Friday by the Environment Agency was still active, indicating high groundwater levels near Henley outside London. The area remains sensitive to further rainfall and the situation could continue for several weeks. 

--With assistance from Flavia Rotondi.

JULY 01, 2024

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, IRCC, has said over 71,459 Nigerians obtained Canadian citizenship between 2005 and 2024.

IRCC is a department of the government of Canada responsible for matters relating to immigration to the North American country, refugees, and Canadian citizenship.

The number places Nigeria in the 10th position on the list of new Canadian citizens by country of birth.

The data released by the immigration office showed that while new Canadians come from at least 196 countries and territories, the top 10 places account for nearly half of all new citizens.\

IRCC said the data highlighted the diversity of Canada’s new citizen population.

Irene Bloemraad, political sociologist and migration expert, told CTVNews that high levels of citizenship were good.

Bloemraad said research showed a correlation between holding citizenship and better economic outcomes.
“Canada stands out among other immigrant-receiving countries in the very high level of citizenship among immigrants in the country.

“High levels of citizenship are a good thing: research shows a correlation between holding citizenship and better economic outcomes, a greater sense of belonging to Canada and, of course, the ability to participate in elections and have a say in policy,” Bloemraad said.

The IRCC data revealed India as the leading source of new Canadians since 2005, with 536,279 individuals obtaining citizenship.

The Philippines follows closely behind with 395,694 new citizens, and China takes third place with 292,325.

Beyond these top three, a diverse range of countries contribute significantly to Canada’s growing citizen population.

Pakistan comes in fourth with 180,999 new citizens, followed by Iran (130,998), the United States (99,652), the United Kingdom (98,837), Syria (72,706), South Korea (71,939), and Nigeria with 71,459 new citizens rounding out the top 10.

Al Parsai, a Toronto-based immigration consultant, said the data underscored Canada’s commitment to multiculturalism and diversity.

Parsai said: “The consistent number of new citizens from countries like India and the Philippines reflects their significant contributions to the Canadian labour market and society.

“The rise in new citizens from countries experiencing conflict, like Syria and Ukraine, highlights Canada’s role in providing refuge and support to those in need.

“The fact that new citizens come from nearly 200 different countries and territories showcases Canada’s global appeal and inclusive immigration policies.”

In November 2023, Canada announced a new immigration-level plan for skilled workers, caregivers, families, and other classes.

In a statement released by the citizenship and immigration Canada (CIC), the North American country will target the admission of 485,000 new immigrants.

“In 2025 and 2026, Canada will look to welcome 500,000 new immigrants in each year,” CIC added.
The Canadian government said the immigration plans will be for economic, family, refugee, and humanitarian classes.

JULY 02, 2024

…Ticket racketeering booms

Airlines’ staff and touts are making money off the current plane shortage being experienced at airports, BusinessDay’s findings have revealed.

According to findings, tickets of passengers unable to board are sold to highest bidders at terminals during flight departures.

Secondly, staff of airlines block seats on their websites, preventing passengers from making bookings. These unscrupulous staff, in turn, sell the tickets at higher rates at airport terminals.

Also, touts buy tickets from airlines only to resell at higher rates to desperate passengers using fake ID cards to perpetrate their illegalities.

In addition to this, airlines sell business class and premium tickets as one-way economy class tickets to passengers at rates ranging from N350,000 to N450,000. Passengers only to discover onboard that they have been given economy seats and not business class seats.

A visit by BusinessDay to domestic airport terminals such as Murtala Muhammed Airport Two (MMA2) and General Aviation Terminal (GAT) showed that some airline staff connive with touts acting as airport cleaners or trolley staff to pay for tickets using private point of sales (POS) machines, instead of paying across the counters.

As a result, passengers pay between N230,000 to N300,000 for a one-way ticket from Lagos to frequently flown destinations such as Abuja, Port Harcourt, Owerri, Enugu Asaba and Kano.

Also, airlines are being accused of shutting boarding gates 40 minutes to one hour before take-off time, denying passengers their rights to fly, while tickets are still being sold to the highest bidders.

“I was at MMA2 on Sunday by 5.30pm, but my flight from Lagos to Abuja was scheduled to depart at 6.10pm. I was surprised when the airline staff told me I was already late for my flight and could not board. However, right in front of me, tickets were still being issued to other passengers,” Dipo Omoba, an intending passenger of one of the airlines, told BusinessDay.

According to Omoba, when he confronted the airline staff, they said the tickets being sold were for few passengers boarding another flight.

“I confronted the airline but they lied by saying the tickets being sold were for a second flight. When I asked that my ticket be changed to the second flight, they said it was too late to do that,” Omoba said.

Obed Umuenyin, a regular traveller, told BusinessDay that he initially couldn’t board a plane for his Sunday flight from Lagos to Abuja.

“I bought a ticket for N250,000 through a contact within the terminal, despite being initially told the check-in time had closed,” Umuenyin said.

Read also: Airlines cancel, delay flights over heavy downpour

Femi Osunlusi, a traveller who missed his flight, said with fewer flights and high demand, “We feel we are victims of ticket racketeering by officials. I got to the airport around 45 minutes before boarding time, yet I could not get in. They’re reselling tickets at vastly inflated prices, preying on the desperation of travellers,” Femi Osunlusi, a regular traveller who missed his flight on Sunday evening, told BusinessDay.

BusinessDay observed that touts within the MM2 terminal approached unsuspecting passengers for the procurement of air tickets.

“One of the touts approached me and asked if I could sell my seat to a security official sitting on a chair opposite my directions for N300,000. I turned them down, but I was quite shocked when I found the same man on the plane when we landed in Abuja,” Ordola Adeola, a media consultant with ezone-Africa, said.

One of the racketeers, called Clement, told BusinessDay that he was merely assisting the passengers who did not have the patience to go through the rigours of obtaining tickets and boarding passes.

“Some people like things to be done for them, even what they can do by themselves. They have excess money, so let us also share from it,” Clement said.

BusinessDay had, last week, reported that in the last few months, few aircraft have had to feed several passengers on domestic routes as Nigerian airlines struggled with fleet reduction as a result of high cost of maintenance.

Airlines that have sent their aircraft on maintenance are unable to return them due to the skyrocketing maintenance costs fueled by foreign exchange scarcity.

Some airlines have been forced by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to ground their aircraft for inability to send their aircraft for maintenance, BusinessDay’s checks show.

In addition to these, the grounding of Dana Air, a relatively low-cost carrier which had six aircraft in its fleet, has also impacted on the fleet operating the domestic routes.

Data obtained by BusinessDay from NCAA on Thursday showed that 13 domestic airlines operating in Nigeria which include Aero, Air Peace, Arik, Azman, Dana, Green Africa, Ibom Air, Max Air, NG Eagle, Overland, Reno Air, United Nigeria Airline and Value Jet put together operate a total of 91 aircraft. This data includes aircraft that have gone on maintenance.

Sources close to the NCAA told BusinessDay that apart from Dana Air that has been grounded, over half of the 91 aircraft have gone on maintenance, putting a strain on the few operating aircraft.

BusinessDay’s checks show that five years ago, when just 10 domestic airlines operated on Nigerian routes, they had over 120 fleets.

Olumide Ohunayo, industry analyst and director, Research, Zenith Travels, told BusinessDay that there are fewer seats chasing the same number of passengers.

He said passengers have not increased but the seats have reduced by virtue of the shutting down of Dana Air and the foreign exchange crisis affecting aircraft leasing arrangements and maintenance.

“Once fares are high in Nigeria, racketeering both unofficially and officially, comes into play. You see touts conniving with some airport staff to block seats ahead, only to sell on that day at exorbitant prices. Anyone paying for tickets on the counter now will meet a mess because passengers are eager to travel,” Ohunayo said.

He said some airlines send messages to passengers telling them the flight will be going ahead of their scheduled time of departure but the messages come at a time when it is difficult for passengers to meet up.

John Ojikutu, industry expert and the CEO of Centurion Aviation Security and Safety Consult, said: “Whatever is happening now has to do with the negligence of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) on the oversight and enforcement of the economic regulations. There is a low level as well as high level of tariffs approved by the NCAA for domestic flights tickets. These are based on the various services provided,” he said.

He noted that these issues are often neglected and the Consumer Protection Department of the NCAA, which pretends not to know what is happening. “This is nothing but institutional corruption,” Ojikutu said.

However, Michael Achimugu, Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, NCAA, said there is no denying the fact that touts exist at the airports, noting that this is why the minister has set up a taskforce to eliminate some of these issues.

“On our part, the NCAA is looking towards enforcing the use of national IDs for checking in passengers. That way, touts who buy tickets from airlines only to resell at higher rates to others (while quickly printing fake ID cards for them at the airport) will be put out of business,” Achimugu said.

He said passengers also have a responsibility not to accept to be part of the fraudulent ID situation.

JULY 02, 2024

Benedikt Kammel and Leen Al-Rashdan, Bloomberg News

(Bloomberg) -- Qatar Airways Chief Commercial Officer Thierry Antinori said the carrier is experiencing some pressure on airfares as rivals particularly in southeast Asia and Australia pump more capacity into the market and the post-pandemic travel rebound begins to moderate.

“The seat factor has stayed high, so we’re able to generate traffic in line with our seat growth, but we have pressure on yields because we have more capacity in the market, and maybe a bit less of a catch-up effect in general,” Antinori said in an interview in Hamburg, a day after the airline began its daily direct service to the northern German city from its hub in Doha. 

Antinori said the pressure points are most noticeable in business that’s eastbound from Doha, while operations into the western hemisphere are “quite stable.” Business is also steady into Africa, where Qatar Airways has opened several new routes, including to Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of the Congo last month. 

Part of the yield pressure is down to some major carriers in southeast Asia showing growth of as much as 40% that’s adding capacity at a time when the post-Covid pent up demand for travel is “normalizing,” Antinori said. Still, capacity is partly being kept in check as airlines are not getting new aircraft at the rate that they’ve ordered, he said, because jet manufacturers Airbus SE and Boeing Co. are struggling to ramp up output. 

The company continues to do very well in its cargo operations, Antinori said. 

Business into markets like Paris has remained strong, Antinori said, with close-to-full occupancy on the four daily flights the airline operates into the French capital. Air France-KLM said earlier this week that it’s noticing a drop-off in its French operations this summer because passengers are avoiding Paris to skirt possible disruptions and high prices during the Olympic Games. 

Antinori spoke on the same day that state-owned Qatar Airways announced earnings for its fiscal year, achieving what it said was the strongest financial performance in its 27-year history, with a profit of about $1.7 billion. Like larger regional rival Emirates, Qatar Airways has leveraged its geographic position at the crossroads of global flight paths, connecting more than 170 destinations from its Doha airport.

The Hamburg destination gives Qatar Airways a fifth access point into Germany, Europe’s largest economy. The carrier has also sought to gain more landing rights into Australia, though the local government has denied the airline more slots for the time being. Now Qatar Airways is in talks to acquire about 20% of Virgin Australia Airlines Pty, people familiar with the matter said last week. 

Antinori declined to comment on any discussions regarding an investment, which would require Australian government approval.

Closer to home in Saudi Arabia, the oil-rich kingdom is building a new airline with Riyadh Air that will seek to take back more business from established competitors like Qatar Airways and Emirates once it starts operating next year. Antinori said he’s not concerned about ceding some of the lucrative regional business to the startup because his airline is not “overexposed” in that part of the world. 

Besides, the new airline will help put the region on the map with more tourists, he said. 

“We wish them well,” Antinori said of Riyadh Air.