21.09.2023 - 14:14 UTC
Nigeria is willing to cancel multiple route designations granted to some foreign airlines operating to the West African country once Nigerian carriers have the required capacity to meet travel demand.
This was the word from new Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyama in a briefing to aviation correspondents in Abuja at the weekend, the Independent reports.
Keyamo emphasised the federal government's commitment to reviewing Bilateral Air Service Agreements (BASA) that grant foreign airlines access to various Nigerian airports. However, he also highlighted the government's top priority as ensuring the safety and well-being of travellers. "I have said it, but before I touch those BASAs, don't forget that a part of that benefits the Nigerian people and the local airlines. I should be here for all. If I go this way, the airlines will complain, and if I go the other way, people will complain." Keyama stressed the need for a balance and highlighted the importance of supporting Nigerian interests and ensuring that the Nigerian people ultimately benefit from these agreements.
As of October 2021, Nigeria...
20.09.2023 - 05:05 UTC
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has contradicted claims by the Nigerian government that it is lifting a year-long visa ban on Nigerian travellers, reports CNN.
An unidentified UAE official told the broadcaster that there have been no changes in the travel status between Nigeria and the UAE so far. The report could not be verified independently, but neither the UAE government nor Emirates (EK, Dubai International) has made an official statement on the issue.
On September 11, Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu announced that Emirates and Etihad Airways (EY, Abu Dhabi International) would resume flights to Nigeria following an agreement between Tinubu and Emirati President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, which also resulted in the immediate lifting of a UAE visa ban on Nigerians. According to the Emirates News Agency, both leaders "explored opportunities for further bilateral collaboration in areas that serve both countries' sustainable economic growth". Mohamed expressed his hope that the two leaders would work together to reinforce ties between the UAE and Nigeria, but mentioned no lifting of the visa...
20.09.2023 - 00:26 UTC
The CEO of Capital A, the entity behind AirAsia (AK, Kuala Lumpur International) and other AirAsia brands, has indicated the company is working on a fresh aircraft order, most likely with Airbus, and that the additional aircraft will facilitate a major network expansion.
Speaking to Channel News Asia (CNA) at the Milken Institute Asia Summit in Singapore on September 14, CEO Tony Fernandes said he wanted to add more capacity across his airlines and that a new aircraft purchase would assist. "We are in discussions with manufacturers for a widebody order," he said, noting that the dealings were primarily with Airbus but added that Boeing had also made offers.
Fernandes declined to answer a question about the size of the order, saying it would be subject to board approval. However, he said he envisaged building a multi-hub route strategy within the ten-nation ASEAN bloc "as big as Emirates in Dubai and Qatar Airways in Doha [...] In due course, we will announce what kind of order size we are looking at."...
18.09.2023 - 23:03 UTC
New Zealand successfully concluded negotiations for an air services agreement with ASEAN during a final round of talks in Siem Reap, Cambodia, on September 13.
The ASEAN-New Zealand Air Services Agreement (ANZ-ASA) will allow airlines from signatory countries to operate more passenger and/or cargo services between and beyond ASEAN and New Zealand. ASEAN member states include Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Singapore, Brunei Darussalam, Viet Nam, Laos, Myanmar, and Cambodia.
Per Protocol 1 of the ANZ-ASA, eligible airlines can operate between ASEAN countries and New Zealand with unlimited 3rd and 4th freedom traffic rights. In addition, eligible airlines will be able to fly up to seven weekly services with 5th freedom traffic rights in addition to existing bilateral entitlements between individual ASEAN states and New Zealand for one year from the date of entry into force of the agreement and up to 14 weekly services with 5th freedom traffic rights in addition to existing bilateral entitlements after one year from the date of entry into force of the agreement.
Tom Forster, Manager of Economic Regulation at New...
