AVIATION MEGAFORCE

By‘Supo Atobatele,Publisher,Air Transport Quarterly Magazine,Nigeria. The recent allegations made by Senator Orji Kalu regarding Nigerian pilots and drug abuse are a perfect example of hasty generalisation which is obviously influenced by bias (error from overly simple assumptions).  Without concrete evidence, Senator Kalu has seen fit to tarnish the reputation of an entire profession. This is not only unfair but also damaging to the morale of our hardworking pilots and the regulatory authority under the Director General,Capt. Chris Najomo who has over 40 years of flying experience. Such statements dropped like an atomic bomb on the floor of the Senate Chamber,can have far-reaching consequences, including undermining the public’s trust in our aviation industry.  It’s essential for public figures like Senator Kalu to exercise caution and responsibility when making public statements, especially those that can impact the livelihoods of thousands of innocent professionals. We urge...

Maintains A Rigorous And Internationally Recognised System  Captain Chris Najomo The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) in a swift reaction to Senator Orji Kalu’s gaffe on Nigerian pilots among other issues,has noted with concern comments    made    on the floor of the Senate regarding alleged inadequacies in pilot preparation, claims of substance use among flight crew, and supposed lapses in the Authority’s oversight responsibilities.  The Authority says in a statement that it holds the Distinguished Senator and the National Assembly in the highest esteem, but it is necessary to provide factual clarifications in the public interest. The statement signed by the Director General,Civil Aviation,Captain Chris Najomo    further explains : “Contrary to the impression created, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority maintains a rigorous and internationally recognized system for certifying and monitoring the medical and professional fitness of all pilo...

Senator Orji Kalu Story By Supo Atobatele,Lagos Senator Orji Kalu must have stirred the hornets net by his unguarded claims that Nigerian pilots    operate under the influence of Indian hemp,a prohibited drug for the flying crew. Defending the Pilots earlier today,Mr.Adeola Fadairo,a veteran    aviation journalist and Publisher, Arrival Magazine, described the    statement by Senator Orji Uzor Kalu alleging that “some Nigerian pilots smoke Indian hemp and are unfit to fly” to be reckless, ill-considered, and gravely damaging”. Fadairo,in a press statement,reminded the Senator of his failed attempt to float an airline stressing that for a sitting Senator, “to make such a sweeping allegation on the floor of the National Assembly, without a shred of verifiable data, empirical research, or regulatory validation, is both irresponsible and injurious to the image of the Nigerian aviation sector”.   His words:  “Nigeria’s pilots are among the most discipl...

 Demand Grows 4.6% in August   The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has released data for August 2025 global passenger demand with the following highlights: •     Total demand , measured in revenue passenger kilometers (RPK), was up 4.6% compared to August 2024. Total capacity, measured in available seat kilometers (ASK), was up 4.5% year-on-year. The August load factor was 86.0% (+0.1 ppt compared to August 2024), a record high for the month. •     International demand  rose 6.6% compared to August 2024. Capacity was up 6.5% year-on-year, and the load factor was 85.8% (+0.1 ppt compared to August 2024). •     Domestic demand  increased 1.5% compared to August 2024. Capacity was up 1.3% year-on-year. The load factor was 86.3% (+0.1 ppt compared to August 2024). “August year-on-year demand growth of 4.6% confirms that the 2025 peak northern summer travel season reached a new record high. Moreover, planes were ...

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigerian (FAAN) on Monday flagged off its “Go Cashless Operation” at airports    across the country    aiming to triple revenue    like never before. The Managing Director,Mrs Olubunmi Kuku announced that the new payment solution would start from two international airports in Lagos and Abuja effective today.  FAAN is rolling out this cashless contactless payment solution in partnership with Paystack that comes with assurance of safe and seamless services. The MD represented at the ceremony in Lagos by the Director of Public Affairs and    Consumer Protection, Henry Gberigbe ,explained that the from now on,FAAN’ revenue points    including the airport access gates ,car parks, FAAN VIP and protocol lounges would go cashless. The MD stressed that with the introduction of this payment solution,passengers and airport users    would enjoy fast and seamless services by using this secure con...