AVIATION MEGAFORCE

*Says NAMA is statutorily empowered to charge airlines *we are vindicated and we urge airlines to pay up their debts-NAMA boss  Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) on Friday in Abuja secured a landmark victory over the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) as the Supreme Court in a unanimous judgment, dismissed its appeal over the payment of en route charges.  NAMA had in 2006 floored the domestic airline operators over the same issue at the Appeal Court in Lagos which declared that the airlines had no cogent reason not to pay for services rendered to them by the agency.A panel of five judges headed by Hon. Justice Mary Odili, while dismissing the appeal by AON, affirmed that NAMA is statutorily empowered to charge the domestic airlines on the controversial en route services like their foreign counterparts.  The court thereafter awarded a cost of N100, 000 in favour of NAMA. NAMA on record loses an average of N500milllion accruable revenue annually foll...

Members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers District 837 have approved a long-term contract extension intended to better position Boeing  to compete for work that’s critical to its St. Louis site's future. The company's contract with the more than 2,300 represented workers now expires in July, 2022. It was to have expired in January, 2015. "We welcome today’s ratification," said Boeing St. Louis site executive Bill Schnettgoecke. "Not only does it better position us to compete, but it also ensures that our highly-skilled IAM-represented employees, those with us today and in the future, are appropriately compensated for their important work. Our collective commitment to providing customers with affordable, innovative solutions should be clear to everyone." Within 30 days, eligible members will receive an $8,000 signing bonus. They will also receive general wage increases in 2016, 2018, 2020, and 2022, along with lump-sum ...

THE EXIT OF PRINCESS STELLA ADAEZE ODUAH- " THE NEED TO CELEBRATE A TRUE PATRIOT" by Ifeanyi Okoh   The curtains were drawn last week on what can be safely referred to as the "Golden Era" in the Aviation sector when the exit of the Honourable Minister of Aviation Princess Stella Adaeze Oduah was made public. The Minister had for the past 5 months or so become a victim of high level intrigue orchestrated by "forces" within and outside the Aviation sector. The "stratagem plan" of these forces was to discredit the noble achievements of the Minister through a well funded media propaganda campaign. Finally, the evil cabal had their way. It is however expedient to x-ray the personality of Princess Stella Oduah with a view to getting some perspective on her journey from private to public life and the reason why, in my opinion, this unique woman should be celebrated for what she achieved in Aviation. For those who knew her, Princess Stella...

  Immediate past MInister of Aviation, Princess Stella Adaeze Oduah has commended President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, workers and Stakeholders in the aviation sector for the opportunity to serve the country and for the tremendous support given to her during her two and a half years' stewardship as Aviation Minister. Oduah made the commendation shortly after officially handing over to the Surpervising Minister and current Minister of State, Trade and Investment, Dr Samuel Ortom, JP. " It was a great privilege to be chosen from amongst over 160 million Nigerians to serve in the Federal Cabinate. My profound gratitude goes to Mr President who provided me with this rare privilege. I also want to thank him for all the support he acorded me to pursue his Transformation Agenda in the Aviation Sector. I equally wish to thank my personal aides, aviator sector workers and stakeholders who partnered with me to realize our Vision and Mission in the sector", Oduah decl...

By Joe Obi It was far back in 2007 that a group of Professionals, led by the blue-blooded Princess from Akili Ozizor, Stella Adaeze Oduah came together at a time it was both risky and unfashionable, to publicly declare total support and faith in the Yar’ Adua – Jonathan presidential ticket. With her crystal ball, Oduah saw very clearly that in the ticket lies the destiny of the Nigerian nation. As cruel faith would have it, Yar’Adua’s leadership was cut short by the cool hands of death and the baton naturally fell on Jonathan to bear the torch. It was a trying period in the history of the nation, but Jonathan prevailed both as Acting President, President and subsequently in the 2011 Presidential election. Throughout this period, loyalties by politicians swayed back and forth like butterflies in harmattan wind, but Oduah remained resolute, certain in her faith that Jonathan means well for the nation. It should not be lost on anyone that Oduah played a frontline and pioneering role i...

Engineer Mazi Nnamdi Udoh ,Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), the agency saddled with the responsibility of  ensuring airspace safety hosted some aviation journalists at his office in Lagos during which he shed lights on issues relating to air safety and the celebrated  master plan for the aviation sector that promises  a brighter future for the country.                              Excerpts : What is the latest on communication in the airspace? Nobody is talking about NITEL anymore, everybody is on GSM but you know every communication is based on an atmospheric level or the satellite based own. GSM is satellite based and the reason why we have engineers is to address the communication surveillance and navigational problems.As we speak today, total Very High Ra...

  Written by Lena Yang                  This year, Valentine’s Day falls on a Friday. This gives the travel industry the opportunity to take full advantage of weekend escapes. With the occasion coming up right around the corner, United Airlines has decided to celebrate with a promotional contest. Winners will receive two round-trip United BusinessFirst® tickets to anywhere the carrier flies. So, what’s the catch? Air travel has connected people from all over the world and United wants to use this opportunity to capture its pivotal role in doing just that. In-flight proposals and airport weddings have happened. For this contest, no purchase is necessary to enter and any payment or purchase won’t increase chances of winning. To enter, couples have until February 5th to log in to the hub with their MileagePlus® number and then submit their United love story (500 words or less) along with a picture. A panel ...

 The International Civil Aviation Organisation -ICAO said it will not be auditing India in 2014, which would mean the country's low rating with the UN agency will continue for at least another year and half even if the civil aviation ministry manages to hire enough officers to inspect flight operations and train its staff by March. After its most recent audit — completed on December 31, 2012 — the ICAO rated India's Directorate General of Civil Aviation 57.1 per cent for complying with its standards, well below the global average of 63.5 per cent.'' India has so far undertaken mitigation measures to resolve the safety deficiencies identified by the ICAO, but we will be continuing to monitor the progress to ensure these measures are effective," ICAO spokesman Anthony Philbin said in an email to ET, responding to questions after the US downgraded India's aviation safety rating. ''With regard to a further audit, there is nothing planned over 2014...

    Boeing  and LAM - Linhas Aereas de Mocambique (LAM – Mozambique Airlines) announced an order today for three Next-Generation 737-700 airplanes. The order, valued at $228 million at list prices, includes purchase rights for three additional Next-Generation 737s. "In order to thrive in this highly competitive environment, LAM - Linhas Aereas de Mocambique has developed an in-depth Strategic Business Plan which resulted in the restructuring of its network to facilitate its growth and expansion," said Dra Marlene Mendes Manave, chief executive officer, LAM - Linhas Aereas de Mocambique. "This investment in the Next-Generation 737-700s will help Mozambique to remain at the forefront of the growing demand for air travel in our region and enable expansion into several new markets." LAM - Linhas Aereas de Mocambique's new 737-700s will be fitted with Boeing's latest Performance Improvement Package (PIP), delivering an additional two percent imp...

 Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, [NAMA] has commenced calibration of navigational equipment at some airports across the country to enhance air safety.   The routine calibration exercise commenced at the State owned Birni Kebbi airport where newly installed Doppler     Very High Omni –directional Radio Range (DVOR), Distance Measuring Equipment (DME) and Instrument Landing System (ILS) were commissioned.   Routine checks on VOR/DME equipment at Sokoto, Jos and Abuja are to be carried out by the technical team including the Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI) of the Abuja and Kaduna airports. The glide slope of Kaduna will be re-checked as well. Similarly, the newly installed Conventional VOR /DME at Enugu airport will be commissioned while the VOR/DME at Owerri and ILS/DME at Ilorin are for routine check.   The one week exercise is being handled by ASECNA ,a Dakar based Calibration firm. The Managing Director of the Agency Engineer Mazi...