Travel News
Passport: Nigeria joins ICAO’s global directory - NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced that Nigeria has officially enrolled in the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) Public Key Directory (PKD) and Public Key Infrastructure (PKI).
The announcement came on Wednesday in Montreal, Canada, where Tunji-Ojo, alongside the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Kemi Nanna Nandap, took part in the Import Ceremony of the Country Signing Certificate Authority (CSCA) led by ICAO officials.
This move is to boost Nigeria’s global passport ranking and improve internal security,
Addressing the media after the event, Tunji-Ojo explained that the enrollment is part of the government’s efforts to modernize border control systems and reduce waiting times at airports. He emphasized that the new system would make international travel more efficient for Nigerians and visitors alike.
“Our government is particular about increasing efficiency and enhancing the overall travel experience for Nigerians and international visitors alike,” Tunji-Ojo said. “With our effort on Border Governance and Management, Nigerians can be assured that the era of endles.
The President is constantly seeking means to enable growth and develop the country. The PKI/PKD is another measure to increase our global ranking and ease of doing business.”
The Minister highlighted that this initiative, alongside other reviewed policies, is expected to positively impact Nigeria’s economy, tourism sector, and national security.
“While we strongly believe this will impact the tourism ecosystem, it will also play a critical role in facilitating inter-agency collaboration, especially between the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority and the leading implementation agency, the Nigeria Immigration Service,” he added.
Juan Carlos Salazar, Secretary General of ICAO, elaborated on the importance of the PKD system. He explained that the directory enables the sharing of authentic travel documents among member states, ensuring the authenticity and security of e-passports and other travel documents at borders.
“National and international collaboration is vital,” Salazar noted. “The PKD requires multiple authorities to participate in the verification and authentication of passport and travel document data, ensuring secure and seamless travel.”
Comptroller General Kemi Nanna Nandap assured Nigerians that the NIS is fully prepared for the implementation of the new system, stating that the necessary infrastructure is already in place.
“The PKD/PKI will be a game changer for us, and we can’t wait to see it transform the face of things,” she said. “In partnership with IATA, we are currently training our staff so that they understand the full modules of the new technology of API/PNR.”
The implementation of PKI and PKD, which are managed by ICAO, will enhance security by ensuring strict compliance with international standards and easing the verification process of travel documents.
Airlines and Other Oil Buyers Jump on Chance to Lock In Prices - BLOOMBERG
(Bloomberg) -- Airlines and other oil consumers are taking advantage of crude’s slump to the lowest level in a year to buy some protection against a rebound in prices.
They are piling in to options that will gain if prices recover, helping to lock in their energy costs with West Texas Intermediate below $70 a barrel and Brent just above that mark.
More than 10,000 lots — the equivalent of 10 million barrels — worth of Brent crude options for June and December 2025 traded on Thursday in so-called three-way collar structures. The collar — a common strategy for both producer and consumer hedgers — involves buying a call spread to cover the oil buyer in case prices rise, while selling a bearish put option to finance the trade.
The move comes as oil prices have plummeted to the lowest in about a year as worries about demand in top consumers China and the US overshadow a deal from OPEC+ producers to curb supply for longer than they had planned. Brent was trading 0.2% lower at $72.56 a barrel as of 2:20 p.m. New York time Thursday, even after news of OPEC+ deal.
Airlines are some of the biggest consumers to hedge their oil consumption, and sovereign players such as Egypt have also rushed to protect against volatile prices recently.
Sentiment has turned markedly bearish in the crude market, with Brent’s put skew — the premium for options betting on a decline over those protecting against an increase — widening to the largest since December. That’s made the collars even more attractive, as the call spreads have gotten cheaper while the put being sold fetches a higher premium.
London Airports See Hundreds of Flight Delays on Bad Weather - BLOOMBERG
(Bloomberg) -- Bad weather continued to disrupt travel at London’s busiest airports on Friday, as low visibility caused hundreds of flight delays and cancellations through the afternoon.
As of 5 p.m. local time, about 30% of the flights at London Heathrow, Europe’s biggest hub, were delayed and about 4% of takeoffs and landings canceled, according to flight tracking firm FlightAware. About one-third of outbound services at London City airport were delayed, while more than half of the incoming flights at London Gatwick were late.
British Airways was hit hardest with almost 300 delays and 70 cancellations. The airline didn’t respond to multiple requests for comment.
The website FlightRadar24 showed some improvement in the afternoon, with average delays of about 22 minutes on arriving flights at Heathrow, and a 34 minute delay on departing flights. London City arrivals had 36 minute delays, while Gatwick showed 39 minutes.
Some KLM flights into London City Airport, a favorite of business travelers, were diverted to London Southend airport outside the capital, the airline said in a statement.
--With assistance from Albertina Torsoli, Anthony Palazzo and Charles Capel.
(Updates status of delays in second paragraph)
Anambra motorists groan as fuel sells for N1,400 per litre - PUNCH
Motorists and commuters in Anambra State are groaning over the increase in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit otherwise known as petrol.
Our correspondent who monitored petrol situations and motor parks in major cities across the state, on Saturday, gathered that a litre of petrol sold for N1,400 in Onitsha, N1,300 in Nnewi, N1,300 in Ekwulobia and N1,200 in some parts of Awka.
Most petrol stations visited in these cities sold the product from N1,200 upward, except Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited which sold less.
Although the NNPCL petrol stations were not currently dispensing, they had long queues of vehicles waiting for them.
A filling station manager at the NNPCL in Awka, who pleaded anonymity, said they were not dispensing because they had run out of stock and waiting for supply.
“We are not currently dispensing at the moment because we have run out of stock and waiting for a new supply. Most of the vehicles you see in the queues have been there for over three days.
“We did not sell for some days because we had to wait for a directive on the new pump price. And when the directive came, we had to adjust our meter to reflect the new price.
“We were selling between N780 and 820 and when the directive came, we adjusted to N920, although, the price fluctuates. Our action depends on the signals we get, it is not by our making,” he said.
As a result of the development, transportation fares have continued to soar by as much as over 50 per cent daily, thereby leaving commuters to restrict their movements to certain areas.
For instance, movement from Onitsha to Awka which used to be N1,000 is now N1,600, and Upper Iweka to Oba which used to be N500 now goes for above N700. Likewise, every other route has been increased significantly.
Checks by our correspondent also showed that the development has impacted negatively on the prices of communities, especially foodstuffs as food vendors have also continued to hike their prices on the excuse of “high cost of transportation”.
A commercial bus driver, Mr Okey Udo, who plies the Onitsha-Nnewi routes, said, “The fuel situation is making life unbearable for us as we now spend most of our income on buying fuel. As a result of this, most of us have resorted to operating only during peak hours to quickly recoup the money we spend on fuel.
“This is because passengers are no longer on the roads as it used to be because most people have reduced their movement while some have resorted to trekking. Drivers are now working for filling station owners and spare parts dealers, from the little we make a day.”
A resident of Nnewi, Mr Nkechi Udeh, who trekked a long distance from Triangle Roundabout to the local secretariat, said before the latest fuel hike, tricycle operators were collecting N200, but now raised the fare to N400.
“I have resorted to trekking to work at the secretariat in order not to be stranded since I am still very fit and strong. If not for the dangers, I would have used my bicycle for the movement. But you know, it is a very busy road, and riding a bicycle on such a road is not advisable.
“A lot of people are now trekking to their various destinations. I don’t blame them, the current economic hardship is telling on everyone, the government should please, do something to help the masses.”
A commuter in Awka, Ifeoma Uzor, said, “This fuel situation is gradually getting out of hand and regrettably, those concerned are just watching. This is a shame for a country.
“I am at the park at Aroma Junction in Awka, to board a commercial vehicle going to Nnewi. It used to be N1,200, but today, it’s almost N1,800. Look at the suffering the common man is passing through in the country while our leaders don’t show empathy.”
Certificate verification: Nigerian nurses in UK, US forced back home - punch
Lara Adejoro, Muhammed Lawal, and Gift Habib
The sudden deactivation of the verification portal by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria in February has plunged countless Nigerian nurses and midwives working abroad into turmoil.
Currently, healthcare workers are encountering hurdles in renewing their licences and meeting the regulatory requirements set by international bodies.
Already, some nurses without the necessary verification from the NMCN find themselves in violation of visa conditions and employment laws, resulting in legal consequences.
Saturday PUNCH gathered that many nurses abroad, including United Kingdom and United States, had been forced to return to the country over the issue.
Among them is a nurse, who spoke with Saturday PUNCH on condition of anonymity to avoid being ridiculed.
He recalled how he was thrilled to join the UK Trust, a prestigious healthcare organisation, to contribute his skills to the country’s medical community after moving from Nigeria in September 2023.
His hope was, however, dashed when the council deactivated the verification portal.
He claimed to have completed a series of exams and navigated the complex process of document checks, and all that remained was to get his pin as a registered nurse from the verification portal.
Desperate to resolve the issue, he said he reached out to the NMCN, hoping for assistance. However the council’s policy prevented any further verification on the closed portal.
The UK Trust, bound by its policies, reportedly terminated his employment due to his inability to meet the certification criteria.
He said, “The situation is not only saddening but also suicidal. My career is stagnated because the portal is closed. I’m in Nigeria now. I have gone to the nursing council on several occasions to tell them that even if they should write a letter of good standing and send it to them, they would be happy to acknowledge it. But my efforts were futile.
“Meanwhile, the court case against the council regarding the verification process has been withdrawn, but the portal remains closed. This is a matter that has affected even many people who refused to speak up at that time. In the next few weeks, the number of nurses who will return to this country to either commit suicide or start afresh will be many.”
Voicing her concerns, a worried Nigerian nurse based in the UK, who identified herself only as Ovie, said without completing her verification, she would be unable to become a registered nurse, lamenting that this had created uncertainty about her future.
“I am a registered nurse from Nigeria, and I moved to the UK in February this year to pursue a nursing top-up programme to become a UK-registered nurse. My initial plan was to complete my verification process while studying so that I could work as a part-time nurse to pay tuition fees and support myself.
“Unfortunately, just before I arrived, the NMCN suspended the verification for nurses, which has prevented me from pursuing my registration.
“What initially seemed like a temporary maintenance issue has turned into months of uncertainty, with no clear timeline for when the verification process will resume. This has made it challenging to navigate my studies, future career plans, and overall stay in the UK.
“The ongoing suspension of the verification process has significant implications for me. Without completing my verification, I am unable to become a registered nurse in the UK, which limits my employment opportunities and affects my ability to support myself financially. This has created uncertainty about my future as I approach the end of my studies,” she explained.
The nurse lamented that she risked deportation due to the delay in her verification.
She said, “My student visa will expire soon, and without the ability to work as a nurse, I am at risk of having to return to Nigeria or seek alternative means to remain in the UK.”
Another nurse, who also spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of intimidation, said her passion for nursing led her to the UK, but the journey did not proceed as smoothly as she hoped. She is also faced with the same hurdle—closure of the verification portal.
The closure meant she could not schedule her CBT, and without it, she was stuck in limbo.
“I travelled to the UK last year (not as a registered nurse) and passed my English test this January. I have not been able to write a Computer-Based Test to proceed to other things due to the closure of the verification portal,” she said.
A nurse based in Saudi Arabia, identified as Hannah, said she travelled to the country in 2023 to practise as a nurse, but her future had become uncertain.
She told Saturday PUNCH that the weight of the situation was taking a toll on her.
As the looming threat of deportation casts a dark shadow over her life, Hannah said she is in a state of frustration and despair.
NANNM reacts
Speaking with our correspondent, President of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, Michael Nnachi, said the group had engaged the government on several demands, including the reopening of the portal.
He noted that a committee was recently formed to review ongoing discussions.
He said, “If we don’t receive a positive response soon, I can’t predict what will happen next. I believe the message we are sending is that we have engaged the government. I can’t give an exact date, whether tomorrow or the day after, but I know there is hope. I prefer not to speak beyond what I am authorised to say.
“I would advise our affected members to remain patient. We are deeply concerned about the difficulties they are facing, and we are not comfortable with the situation. However, patience is necessary at this time. Finally, in many cases, even when agreements are reached with the government, they often fail to fulfil their promises. I remain hopeful and expect a positive response from the government. There is hope.”
The Deputy National President of the association, Abubakar Shehu, expressed displeasure over the delay in activating the verification portal.
He said, “There are lots of intricacies in the issue of this portal, and we are not happy, honestly speaking. We are not the only health professionals migrating from Nigeria to other countries. Doctors, pharmacists, and lab scientists are leaving, so why only nurses?
“We have held a series of meetings with the Registrar of NMCN; we went to the Ministry of Health and met with the Minister of Health. He was told that we are the critical stakeholders and they were supposed to have engaged us before even deciding to close the portal. You were meant to engage us so that we could sit down and discuss. We have a lot of nurses and midwives outside the labour market and they are not employed. You didn’t give somebody employment and you don’t want to allow the person to move to another place for greener pastures. It’s not done like that.”
Shehu, however, said the NMCN registrar recently promised that the portal would be opened soon.
“The registrar has assured us that the portal will be opened. So, we are waiting to see. He gave the assurance last week,” he added.
NMCN mute
Efforts made by Saturday PUNCH to reach the Registrar/Chief Executive Officer of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, Faruk Abubakar, proved abortive, as calls were unanswered and text messages sent to him received no response.
Meanwhile, on August 28, after Nnachi appealed to the Federal Government to reopen the portal for verification of its members’ credentials, Abubakar assured that the whole misunderstanding within the nurses and midwives circle would soon be resolved.
“The council is not against any member of NANNM moving anywhere in the world, but all that we are interested in is that Nigeria must work with dignity.
“Reopening the verification portal requires due process.
“I have received many letters on it, including from the National Assembly. We are working towards resolving all the issues, and the portal will be reopened,” Abubakar said.
CSOs weigh in
Speaking on the issue, the President of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights, Debo Adeniran, slammed the government for hindering the progress of Nigerians by restricting their opportunities abroad.
Adeniran said, “It’s uncharitable for the government to debar our people from making the desired progress, even when we have more than enough that could serve in this country, only that we don’t motivate them. They should encourage as many of them as possible to go, and while we encourage those being trained here, we should also support those training them to improve the quality of education we provide. The government should not discourage people from taking appointments outside the country; rather, they should encourage them more.
“There was a time when the government toyed with the idea of getting them to sign a bond to serve in Nigeria for some time before travelling, but I don’t think that idea materialised. Despite the criticism against our educational system in Nigeria, it seems that we are still doing better than many Western countries because most of our graduates who travel abroad continue to secure lucrative appointments. This shows that the rating of our educational attainment is high in Western countries.”
He called on the government to support Nigerians in the diaspora who are representing the country positively.
NMCN mute
Efforts made by Saturday PUNCH to reach the Registrar/Chief Executive Officer of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, Faruk Abubakar, proved abortive, as calls were unanswered and text messages sent to him received no response.
Meanwhile, on August 28, after Nnachi appealed to the Federal Government to reopen the portal for verification of its members’ credentials, Abubakar assured that the whole misunderstanding within the nurses and midwives circle would soon be resolved.
“The council is not against any member of NANNM moving anywhere in the world, but all that we are interested in is that Nigeria must work with dignity.
“Reopening the verification portal requires due process.
“I have received many letters on it, including from the National Assembly. We are working towards resolving all the issues, and the portal will be reopened,” Abubakar said.
CSOs weigh in
Speaking on the issue, the President of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights, Debo Adeniran, slammed the government for hindering the progress of Nigerians by restricting their opportunities abroad.
Adeniran said, “It’s uncharitable for the government to debar our people from making the desired progress, even when we have more than enough that could serve in this country, only that we don’t motivate them. They should encourage as many of them as possible to go, and while we encourage those being trained here, we should also support those training them to improve the quality of education we provide. The government should not discourage people from taking appointments outside the country; rather, they should encourage them more.
“There was a time when the government toyed with the idea of getting them to sign a bond to serve in Nigeria for some time before travelling, but I don’t think that idea materialised. Despite the criticism against our educational system in Nigeria, it seems that we are still doing better than many Western countries because most of our graduates who travel abroad continue to secure lucrative appointments. This shows that the rating of our educational attainment is high in Western countries.”
He called on the government to support Nigerians in the diaspora who are representing the country positively.
Australian Airports Face Costly Fight Against Worst Climate Risk - BLOOMBERG
(Bloomberg) -- Almost all of Australia’s major airports including Sydney and Brisbane are vulnerable to the worst impacts of climate change, according to new analysis that spells out the threats to the multibillion-dollar investments favored by large pension funds.
The travel hubs face significant fallout from storms, floods, heat waves and high winds in coming years, the Zurich-Mandala Climate Risk Index report said Monday. Some 94% of Australia’s 31 busiest airports are exposed to “multiple, very high risks with a very high level of impact,” the report said, giving them the most extreme risk rating possible.
The findings are a warning to aviation infrastructure owners worldwide including IFM Investors, whose portfolio includes Sydney Airport, London Stansted and Vienna Airport. The impact of increasingly wild weather as the planet warms extends beyond airports. Runway closures disrupt airlines — led by Qantas Airways Ltd. in Australia — passengers, freight deliveries and the broader supply chain.
While the report offered some solutions to mitigate the risks, all of them come at a cost. For airport owners, they include investing in heat-tolerant runway surfaces, flood barriers and drainage channels.
“If you think that risk is going to grow over time, your risk of flooding and all those other things, then you invest in greater resilience,” said Danny Elia, IFM’s global head of infrastructure asset management, adding the physical risk to assets was considered from the outset of any investment. “We’re always looking for alarm bells but there’s nothing material across our existing assets that I would ring the alarm bells on.”
The index calculated for the first time the risk from climate change to Australia’s A$170 billion ($114 billion) tourism sector. It studied 178 sites, ranging from Sydney Airport and Bondi Beach to the Melbourne Cricket Ground and Uluru, using Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change modeling and proprietary impact assessments.
Assuming 2C of warming, by 2050 the proportion of Australia’s tourism sites in the three highest climate-risk categories will rise from 50% to 55%, the report said. These sites are likely to face multiple perils impacting environmental degradation, tourism appeal and accessibility, the report said.
The calculations reflect the risks posed by different elements of climate change. For example, Bondi Beach in Sydney is impacted by floods and storms, but largely untouched by drought. A sports stadium is vulnerable to winds and floods. Wine-growing regions like those in South Australia and the Hunter Valley in New South Wales are particularly exposed to wildfire.
Costly mitigation measures include canopy structures to protect vineyards from heat damage, sea walls to reduce the impact of waves on beaches, and heat-reflective paint or retractable roofs on sports and music arenas, the report said.
The airports in Australia most at risk from climate change include regional gateways to popular holiday destinations, the report found. It identified Hamilton Island Airport and Proserpine Airport, both access points for the Great Barrier Reef.
--With assistance from Amy Bainbridge.
Air Canada begins preparations for shutdown as union talks near impasse - REUTERS
(Reuters) -Air Canada is finalizing contingency plans to suspend most of its operations as talks with the pilot union are near an impasse, the country's largest airline said on Monday.
A complete shutdown of the carrier's operations could leave thousands of passengers stranded across the nation. Air Canada and its subsidiary Air Canada Rouge operate close to 670 flights daily.
Talks between Air Canada and the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), which represents more than 5,200 pilots at Canada's largest carrier, are continuing, but both parties remain far apart, the company added.
Unless they reach a settlement, the three-day suspension plan is likely to affect 110,000 passengers daily once the total shutdown is in place, according to the airline's projections, with the suspension likely to begin as early as Sept. 15.
Air Canada's pilots have been advocating for unprecedented wage increases to close the salary disparity with their higher-earning U.S. peers, who achieved record contracts in 2023 amid pilot shortages and robust travel demand.
The union and the airline had entered into a three-week cooling-off period, mandated by Canadian law, on Aug. 27.
"Air Canada believes there is still time to reach an agreement with our pilot group, provided ALPA moderates its wage demands which far exceed average Canadian wage increases," CEO Michael Rousseau said on Monday.
ALPA did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.
Air Canada also anticipates it would take 7 to 10 days for normal operations to resume once the complete shutdown is in place.
The airline's shares have lost more than 18% of their value this year.
The company is in talks with other airlines to accommodate its stranded passengers in the event of flight cancellations, it said, adding that flights under the Air Canada Express brand will continue to operate as they are operated by third-party carriers.
(Reporting by Shivansh Tiwary in Bengaluru; Editing by Janane Venkatraman)
Airlines Pay $1bn Taxes on Imported Spares, Aircraft Despite Waiver - THISDAY
Airline operators have disclosed that Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) generates over $1 billion (N1.6 trillion) annually from levies and taxes imposed on importation of aircraft and aircraft spares, despite the zero waiver given to the airlines, as contained in the Finance Act of 2020.
Airlines that made the disclosure, said they paid 1.5 per cent, which includes 1 per cent ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS) and 0.5 per cent Comprehensive Imports Supervision Scheme (CISS), which amounts to over $1 billion annually. They said Customs insisted that the levies and taxes were obligatory charges on spares and aircraft, and not part of the surcharges waived for the airlines,
They however said the levies and taxes have increased the cost of aircraft and spares, and have caused delivery delays, “because when the spares arrive in the country, they would not be delivered to the airlines until the taxes and levies were paid.”
The operators complained that they have lost huge revenues as a result of the delays, insisting that the payments they make to Customs erode whatever profits they could generate from the business.
According to them, the costs are reflected in the tickets, which makes travelers pay more, adding that the taxes are a disincentive to aircraft acquisition, considering the low operational capital at the behest of most airline operators.
They complained of high operational cost, which they attributed to Customs’ taxes, high insurance premium, charges from aviation agencies and high cost of aviation fuel.
In 2021, the Nigeria Customs Service explained that airlines registered in Nigeria and providing commercial air transport services were entitled to duty-free importation of their aircraft, engines, spare parts and components, purchased or leased, but explained that Section 39 of the Second Schedule of the Finance Act as amended, did not grant concession on ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS) and Comprehensive Imports Supervision Scheme (CISS).
According to NCS, the Act has already granted exemptions to Customs duty and VAT only, making it mandatory to pay appropriate charges on ETLS and CISS for all importations.
This has been the butt of controversy since 2021, as airlines who contested these payments insisted that waivers granted them by the federal government under the Buhari’s administration ought to be total, insisting that ETLS ought to be waived for all the ECOWAS member countries because it is inhibiting growth of the aviation industry in these nations.
Speaking, President and CEO of Topbrass Aviation Limited, Captain Roland Iyayi, told THISDAY that ideally airlines were not supposed to pay any type of customs duty after the waiver on aircraft and spares was passed into law, “but it is unfortunate that airlines are still paying some kind of duties, noting that airlines are known for their very low profit margins.”
Iyayi further told THISDAY that when the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo was appointed, he was surprised at the taxes and duties that airlines were paying despite the waiver, which he said, prompted the minister of aviation and his finance counterpart to meet and agreed that the request could be put in the 2024 Finance Act. He however said the action was not taken immediately and the plan had to be deferred.
Iyayi is hoping that the issue will be pushed for the 2025 Finance Act, if the two Ministers meet and deliberate over the matter.
“Nigerian airlines still pay taxes and levies to the Nigerian Customs Service despite the zero waiver given to them, which was passed into law. They still pay CISS and ELTS. When he was appointed, the Minister of Aviation and AON had a very good meeting. The taxes were part of the issues we tabled to him. We also offered solution to it by recommending that he should meet with his Finance counterpart, because Customs is under the Ministry of Finance, so that they will deliberate over it and put it into the Finance Act of 2024, but this was delayed and this year is gone. We hope that it will be presented in the Finance Act of 2025.
“As far as we know, zero waiver means that we don’t have to pay anything. No payment should be expected from the airlines for aircraft acquisition and aircraft spares, but Customs insisted on the payment of CISS and ELTS,” Iyayi said.
Also, the Managing Director of Aero Contractors, Captain Ado Sanusi, told THISDAY that airlines have been working on the removal of the remaining taxes, recalling that the President and Vice President of Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) have worked very hard to see that the waiver covered the totality of all charges, but so far the airlines still pay the remaining charges.
“The problem is the different interpretations of the policy at the implementation level. Custom said the waiver did not include CISS and ETLS, but we should ensure that ETLS is waived in all the ECOWAS countries, as it was done in Europe. Aviation is not growing in West Africa because of high cost of operation. There are too many taxes and we are taking the campaign to the next level.
“There ought to be a meeting between the Ministers of Aviation and Finance so that these issues would be brought to the table and addressed. These costs hamper the survivability of the airlines. If I bring an engine which I bought at very high cost, they will delay the engine until I pay the taxes, if I don’t have the money to pay immediately. This means that the aircraft will be on the ground, and it will not be generating any money, which is a huge loss to the airline. So, this affects the survivability of the airline and these taxes are reflected on the cost of ticket,” Sanusi explained.
He also told THISDAY how his company bought boarding passes and bag tags but did not have anyone that could print them in Nigeria because of the complex security features, noting that if they were taken overseas and printed, the NCS would still levy taxes on them when they are brought back to the country.
According to him, Customs needs to have serious meeting with airlines so that spares, aircraft and other materials related with aircraft would be identified and added to the items for zero waiver.
Lufthansa Said to Consider Investment in Air Baltic Before IPO - BLOOMBERG
(Bloomberg) -- Deutsche Lufthansa AG is considering taking a stake in AirBaltic Corp. ahead of the Latvian state-owned carrier’s proposed initial public offering, according to people familiar with the matter.
Talks are at an early stage and no decision about an investment has been made, said the people, asking not to be identified discussing confidential deliberations. Air Baltic’s management has been gearing up for an IPO by the end of 2024, though Chief Executive Officer Martin Gauss has indicated it could also occur in the first half of 2025.
Lufthansa declined to comment, as did AirBaltic.
Latvia has said it plans to keep at least 25% of AirBaltic after the IPO. Its Ministry of Transport, which is managing the sale, declined to comment.
Acquiring a stake in AirBaltic would fit Lufthansa’s broader approach of building investments in national flag carriers with the option of later increasing ownership. Earlier this year, Lufthansa received approval to purchase a 41% stake in Italy’s ITA Airways, the successor to Alitalia, adding to its existing holdings in carriers in Switzerland, Belgium and Austria.
Lufthansa’s management is determined to play a role in further consolidation of Europe’s aviation market. Chief Executive Officer Carsten Spohr met this month with Portuguese government officials as the German airline group weighs a possible investment in state-owned TAP SA.
The German airline has operated flights with AirBaltic under a code-share agreement since 2021. Earlier this year, Lufthansa’s Swiss subsidiary used Air Baltic aircraft under a leasing agreement, where Swiss-ticketed flights were operated by the Latvian carrier using its planes and crew.
An unidentified strategic investor is in talks with AirBaltic to acquire an initial 10% of the airline’s shares ahead of a public offering, Latvia’s public broadcaster reported on Sunday, without saying where it got the information.
--With assistance from Kate Duffy.
Top 10 African countries rich people consider for citizenship - BUSINESS INSIDER
BY
A second citizenship can open the door to better safety, security, education, and health outcomes. As some countries adopt sweeping changes to immigration laws, global citizens may seek to prioritise countries which honour the freedom of movement.
According to the latest World Citizenship Report 2024, Africa’s appeal as a top continent for second citizenship is fast becoming more of a movement to high-net-worth individuals around the world, and the reasons are clear.
As the report highlights, the HNWIs are no longer just looking for visa-free travel or tax breaks. Instead, they found that that HNWIs are looking to maintain a high standard of living and not only grow their wealth but guard it against future threats.
To determine the motivators that drive the need for a second citizenship, the researchers employed a mixed-methods research design to understand the reasons for seeking a second citizenship and the value of each factor.
Data from the global survey of HNWIs’ priorities indicated that ‘Quality of Life’ was the most important factor when considering citizenship for 36.9 per cent of participants.
When asked, ‘In what areas, if any, do you feel your current government is failing?’ respondents indicated that healthcare, environmental sustainability, and a competitive economy were needs that were not being met by their governments.
Safety and Security was mentioned as another motivating factor for second citizenship, as survey results showed that safety and security, which accounts for 25 per cent of a nation’s overall World Citizenship Index (WCI) score and measures the extent to which alternative citizenship can offer greater safety and security to the citizen.
Finally, the survey also highlighted that high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) care deeply about currency stability and economic competitiveness. According to the report, HNWIs across the globe point to economic competitiveness as a specific shortcoming of their current governments,
So, if you’re a global citizen seeking the perfect blend of business, lifestyle, and adventure, here are the top 10 African countries to consider
| Country | Global Rank | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Mauritius | 50 | 66.2 |
| Seychelles | 54 | 64.4 |
| Cape Verde | 55 | 63.8 |
| Botswana | 59 | 62.5 |
| Malawi | 80 | 55.9 |
| Namibia | 84 | 55.0 |
| Sierra Leone | 96 | 51.2 |
| Ghana | 100 | 49.8 |
| Tunisia | 100 | 49.8 |
| Cote d'Ivoire | 102 | 49.6 |
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