By Ime Akpan
Lagos
The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has charged air traffic controllers in the country to brainstorm and come up with practical and achievable solutions to problems encountered in the provision of air traffic control services at all the airports in Nigeria.
The managing director of NAMA, Capt. Fola Akinkuotu who gave the charge at the annual general meeting/conference of the Nigerian Air Traffic Controllers’ Association (NATCA) held in Uyo recently said there was the need for NATCA and its members to “re-invent their professional ethos, ethics and commitment by avoiding every behaviour that threatens the safe provision of service.
Akinkuotu stressed the need to draw a line between human error and willful or negligent violation of rules in the provision of service.
Earlier in his remarks, the Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika had harped on the crucial role of ATM in integrating the two worlds of manned aircraft and remotely piloted aircraft in a safe and efficient way saying both aircraft will be using the same airspace.
Sirika who was represented by Akinkuotu therefore tasked air traffic controllers to use the forum and “holistically address current and future questions on Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) integration as they affect the safety of the nation’s airspace.”
He congratulated NAMA on the commendation by major airlines on its improved services and assured NATCA of the federal government’s determination to improve ATM technology and also invest in training and retraining of ATCOs.
Earlier in his welcome address, the National President of NATCA, Mr. Victor Eyaru appreciated NAMA management for embarking on the training of various categories of ATCOs and also addressing some other issues that affect their work environment.
Air passenger traffic doubles to 7.8bn in 2036
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has projected 7.8 billion passengers to travel in 2036, a near doubling of the four billion air travelers expected to fly this year.
The prediction is based on a 3.6 per cent average compound annual growth rate (CAGR) noted in the release of the latest update to the association’s 20-year air passenger forecast.
Announcing the figures in Geneva, Switzerland, IATA’s Director General and Chief Executive Officer, Alexandre de Juniac said the new forecast is “fantastic news” and urged the world to prepare for the upsurge in passenger traffic.
“All indicators lead to growing demand for global connectivity. The world needs to prepare for a doubling of passengers in the next 20 years. It’s fantastic news for innovation and prosperity, which is driven by air links. It is also a huge challenge for governments and industry to ensure we can successfully meet this essential demand,” he said.
He announced that the biggest driver of demand will be the Asia-Pacific region which he said would be the source of more than half the new passengers over the next two decades.
“The point at which China will displace the United States as the world’s largest aviation market (defined as traffic to, from and within the country) has moved two years closer since last year’s forecast. We now anticipate this will occur around 2022, through a combination of slightly faster Chinese growth and slightly reduced growth in the US. The UK will fall to fifth place, surpassed by India in 2025, and Indonesia in 2030. Thailand and Turkey will enter the top ten largest markets, while France and Italy will fall in the rankings to 11th and 12th respectively,” he said.
A number of risks to the forecast have been identified. Maximizing the potential benefits of aviation growth will depend on current levels of trade liberalization and visa facilitation being maintained. If trade protectionism and travel restrictions are put in place, the benefits of air connectivity will decline as growth could slow to 2.7 per cent, meaning 1.1 billion fewer passenger journeys annually in 2036. Conversely, if moves towards liberalization increase, annual growth could be more than two percentage points faster, leading to a tripling in passengers over the next 20 years.
Planning for growth will require partnerships to be strengthened between the aviation industry, communities and governments to expand and modernize infrastructure. Runways, terminals, and ground access to airports will come under increasing strain. Innovative solutions to these challenges, as well as to the baggage and security processes, cargo handling, and other activities, will also be needed. And air traffic management needs urgent reform to cut delays, costs and emissions.
“Increasing demand will bring a significant infrastructure challenge. The solution does not lie in more complex processes or building bigger and bigger airports but in harnessing the power of new technology to move activity off-airport, streamline processes and improve efficiency. Through partnerships within the industry and beyond, we are confident that sustainable solutions for continued growth can be found,” said de Juniac.
Air Peace @ 3, rewards customers with1,000 free tickets
Air Peace has marked its third anniversary by rewarding its customers and travel agents with 1,000 free tickets, television sets, fridges and other gifts.
The airline’s chairman and chief executive officer, Mr. Allen Onyema said in a statement issued in Lagos that the gifts are the carrier’s way of showing gratitude and rewarding the loyalty and support of its customers and agents over the years.
Onyema attributed the “huge success of the airline in just three years to the unwavering loyalty and support of the flying public and travel agents.”
“We are quite excited that in just three years we have transformed Nigeria’s aviation sector. We ended the era of avoidable delays when we launched our flight operations to five cities on October 24, 2014 with a record on-time performance reputation.
“We have not only employed and retained the services of some of the best hands in the aviation industry; we have also ensured a tough regime of uncompromising attention to maintenance of our fleet to guarantee the safety and comfort of our esteemed guests.
“We owe our success to our loyal guests, agents, partners, corps of dedicated staff and, of course, God, who has been the unseen hands behind our operations in the aviation industry. Our valued guests have truly been amazing in their support and patronage. We are taking the liberty of our third anniversary celebration to reward their loyalty. We are issuing over 1,000 free tickets, mobile phones and other gift items as a token of our gratitude. We’re devoting a whole week…to celebrating our guests and partners.
“We are, however, not resting on our oars. There is still much to be done and we solicit the continued support of our valued guests and partners as we expand our operations in the West Coast of Africa and launch our international flight operations beginning with Dubai, London, Atlanta, Guangzhou-China, Mumbai and Johannesburg.
“While we have acquired two B777 to service our international routes, we would be strengthening our local and regional services with the six ERJ145 and B737 aircraft we procured to increase our fleet size to 24. We assure of a very exciting flight experience in the days and months ahead,” he said.
