Category: Top-Stories

Unlawful arrest of Caverton Pilots: NAAPE threatens to boycott flying into Rivers state

franknews

National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE), has threatened to direct all pilots both local and International to boycott flying into Rivers state now and post lock down if their members arrested and humiliated by Governor Nyesom Wike are not unconditionally released. NAAPE in a statement signed by its president, comrade Galadima Abednego while commending the concerted efforts of the federal government in ensuring Nigerians are well protected from the ravaging effect of coronavirus observed with dismay that Innocent Pilots who are on the frontline complimenting government efforts are…

Read More

AON demands immediate release of 2 Caverton Helicopters pilots by Gov. Wike

franknews

The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has called for the immediate release of two Pilots of Caverton Helicopters that were recently arrested and taken into custody in handcuffs by the Rivers State Government for allegedly flouting the COVID19 Lockdown Order in the State. The AON has also condemned the move in the strongest term and considered it very unlawful in the face of the fact that the airline had secured all necessary approvals from the Ministry of Aviation and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) for the flight in line…

Read More

ART condemns unlawful arrest of 2 Caverton Helicopters pilots by Gov. Wike

franknews

The Aviation Safety Round Table Initiative (ART) has condemned unequivocally the actions of the Governor of Rivers State- Nyesom Wike and the security operatives involved in the unlawful arrest, humiliation and detention in Port Harcourt on Tuesday 31 March 2020 of two Caverton Helicopters Pilots. The ART in a statement signed on its behalf by Mr Olumide Ohunayo also condemned the purported sham prosecution and trial orchestrated by the Rivers State Government at a time when courts have been placed on lockdown by the Chief Justice of Nigeria. The body…

Read More

Air Peace delivers second batch of FG’s medical supplies, Chinese medical personnel

franknews

The federal government has taken delivery of the second batch of medical supplies and personnel from China in the vigorous fight against the dreaded Coronavirus pandemic. Nigeria’s biggest carrier, Air Peace delivered the supplies on Wednesday after a historical non-stop flight to Chinese capital, Beijing.  The flight was operated by the airline’s Boeing B777-200 ER (P4 5-NBVE) in a non-stop 14 hours service, which landed in Beijing, China at 14:18 pm local time on Tuesday and arrived the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Wednesday after 15 hours non-stop flight, touching down…

Read More

Ethiopian Airlines evacuates another batch of 281 Americans from MMIA, Lagos

franknews

Ethiopian Airlines today, Wednesday April 8th evacuated 281 Americans from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, in the continuation of the ongoing evacuation of foreign nationals by their countries in the wake of the Covid 19 pandemic ravaging world. The 281 Americans were evacuated aboard Ethiopian airlines B777-300 aircraft which took off around 16:00 local time. Delta Air Lines on Tuesday (April 7th) afternoon evacuated 200 Americans at the airport in continuation of the exercise. No fewer than 1,739 foreigners have been evacuated from Nigeria through the Murtala Muhammed International…

Read More

Ethiopian Cargo re-calibrates operations in wake of COVID-19

franknews

Ethiopian Cargo & Logistics Services, is adapting its operations to the evolving global demand for air cargo services following the COVID-19 pandemic. In response to the current situation, Ethiopian Cargo has extended its reach to 74 destinations globally, and caters to charter flight needs anywhere in the world boundlessly, carrying much needed medical supplies in the ongoing fight against COVID-19. In the month of March alone, Ethiopian transported a total uplift of over 45,848 tons of cargo to different parts of the world deploying both its freighters and passenger fleet.…

Read More

Unjust detention: Caverton appeals to FG to urge Gov. Wike to release pilots

franknews

The management of Caverton Helicopters has appealed to the federal government to urge the Rivers State Governor, Mr Nyesom Wike to release two of their pilots who violated no law and are being unduly punished for no reasons. The helicopter company explained in their statement that at the start of the COVID -19 lockdown, it received a letter from their client stating that they have been given approval/ exemption to fly and continue operations. The airline stated that; “We (Caverton along with three other companies) also received approval from the…

Read More

1,739 foreigners evacuated from MMIA, as Delta evacuates 200 Americans

franknews

.. As another batch of Americans are set to be evacuated Wednesday, followed by SAA, Air France Delta Air Lines from the United States on Tuesday afternoon evacuated 200 Americans at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos in continuation of the evacuation exercise. This number brings to about 1,739 foreigners so far evacuated from Nigeria through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos since the evacuation exercise began about 10 days ago. The regional manager, South West Airport, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs. Victoria Shin-Aba disclosed these…

Read More

COVID-19 crisis: 25 million jobs at risk with airline shutdown – IATA

franknews

The International Air Transport Association has released new analysis showing that some 25 million jobs are at risk of disappearing with plummeting demand for air travel amid the COVID-19 crisis. Globally, the livelihoods of some 65.5 million people are dependent on the aviation industry, including sectors such as travel and tourism. Among these are 2.7 million airlines jobs. In a scenario of severe travel restrictions lasting for three months, IATA research calculates that 25 million jobs in aviation and related sectors are endangered across the world:   11.2 million jobs…

Read More

NCAA extends validity of licences of Air Crew, others, suspends processing of new certificates

franknews

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA has extended the validity of licences of Air Crew, and other critical operational staff including the suspension of the processing of new certificates and licences in response to the COVID-19 Shutdown. This development was made known by the Airline Operators of Nigeria, AON, who in a letter of appreciation to the director general of NCAA, Capt. Musa Nuhu titled letter of appreciation for extension of license validity expressed appreciation to the NCAA boss for the good gesture. The AON in the letter signed by…

Read More