Author: Itohan Abaralaserian

Airlines

By Itohan Abara-Laserian

Lagos, June 3, 2024 (NAN) The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has said that 40 airlines have signed an agreement to contribute their schedules data to the IATA Schedule Data Exchange Programme.

The Director-General of IATA, Mr Willie Walsh, made this known  in a statement made available to newmen in Lagos on Monday.

He said  that additional 40 airlines were  preparing to join.

Walsh noted that work on the programme began in October 2023 with the first release planned in March 2025.

He said: “The early and strong support for the IATA Schedule Data Exchange Programme bodes well for its success.

“Coverage is growing with each new airline that comes on board, and we encourage all airlines, IATA members and non-members, to join this strategic industry effort.

“The Schedule Data Exchange Programme will collect schedules, capacity and minimum connecting time  data used in several IATA products and services, supporting network development, revenue management, slot coordination and interline agreements.

“IATA is not creating a commercial product aimed at replacing or competing with entities currently distributing schedule data. Participating airlines will have access to the data on a give-to-get principle,” he said.

Walsh also said that the programme was open to both IATA and non IATA-member airlines.

He added that participating airlines would submit their data to IATA with the same format, frequency and transmission method they used to distribute their schedules.

He said that the data sharing principles and data release policy of the programme were determined by an advisory group comprising participating carriers.

“The IATA Board of Governors had set a strategic priority for IATA to be the most authoritative source of industry data across a wide range of topics.

“There is also an industry interest in ensuring that industry data has the potential to be provided through several sources.

“Airlines are all too familiar with the detrimental impacts of having limited competition in their supplier communities,” Walsh said.

In another development, Walsh announced that Mr Pieter Elbers, Chief Executive Officer of IndiGo, has assumed  duties as the Chair of the IATA Board of Governors.

He said that Elbers’s one-year term began at the conclusion of the 80th IATA Annual General Meeting in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on Monday. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

ITM/CHOM/IGO

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Edited by Chioma Ugboma/Ijeoma Popoola

Strike: Labour unions ground activities at Lagos airport

By Itohan Abara-Laserian

Lagos, June 3, 2024 (NAN) Flight operations and other activities at the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal II (MMA2), were grounded on Monday, following a nationwide indefinite strike by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

Airport unions were seen manning the entrance of the airport as stranded passengers stood by at the MMA2.

Mr Francis Akinjole, General Secretary, Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, ATSSSAN, said activities at the international wing, would also be grounded on Tuesday.

He had earlier told passengers to return to their various activities if they had any, adding there was no sign that the strike would be called off soon.

”We just do not have any choice than to embark on what we are doing and it is clear.

”If the Federal Government signed the new minimum wage today we will leave but if they do not we are starting here today as the commencement day.

”Tomorrow, like we said in our notice to the general public, we are going to ground activities at the international wing.

”The only reason why we are not starting the international wing today is because we are aware that some flights were already airborne, so we are not as insensitive as some people might want think,” he said.

Akinjole said the union was prepared for the length of time the strike would last, but called on the federal government to consider the yearnings of Nigerians.

”We are prepared to go the whole length. Government should pay the Minimum Living Wage that is what they should do,” he said.

Also speaking, Mr Patrick Evuarhehe, National Chairman of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) branch of the Association of Nigeria Airport Professional (ANAP), said that no skeletal activity was permitted.

Evuarhehe said that it was a fight for all and not of selfish interests because ‘an injury to one, is an injury to all’.

”Passengers that were here earlier, joined us in this strike because they are in solidarity with us. You understand.

”An injury to one is an injury to all, so, every passenger you see are all labour workers, they are actually traveling from here to one assignment or the other.

”As it is now, they know that my pain is their pain, so it is very important for them to join the struggle that is why you see many of them around.

“They are sitting patiently, doing what they are supposed to do because it is very important for us to get this right at least for once in Nigeria,” he said.

Also, Mr Olayinka Abioye, General Secretary, National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) said that the action was a signal to the federal government.

Abioye said that President Bola Tinubu, during his campaign, promised workers a living wage which he had yet to fulfill.

”When President Tinubu was campaigning two years ago, he promised Nigerian workers what is called a living wage.

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”We can all see that even the proposed N60,000, cannot take anybody from his house to the market,” he said.

A passenger, Ms Desire Joseph, who planned to fly to Calabar with Ibom Air, said that she was confused and hopeful that the strike would be called off before the day ends.

Also, Mr Alabi Musibau, an Aero Contractor passenger, who planned to attend a conference in Abuja said that the strike was uncalled for.

He said that the fight for the minimum wage increment was a spoiler as this could further increase the prices of goods in the market.

Some other passengers who stood by with their luggages, out of frustration, said they were too angry to talk.

At the General Aviation Terminal I, managed by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria FAAN activities were also grounded.

NLC had earlier notified the public of an indefinite national wide strike beginning June 3.

In a letter signed by four aviation unions; ATSSSAN, ANAP, NAAPE and NUATE on July 2, notified operators and the general public that it would fully support the NLC in the action at Lagos airports.

The letter had said that the MMA2 would be fully grounded while the Murtala Muhammed International Airport(MMIA) would begin on Tuesday..

Aviation agencies, NAMA; FAAN and others were under lock and key with police presence. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

ITM/DOE

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Edited by Dianabasi Effiong

Funds

By Itohan Abara-Laserian

Lagos, June 2, 2024 (NAN) The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has hailed the Nigerian government for clearing 98 per cent of airlines trapped funds in the country, which the carriers had hitherto been able to repatriate.

The Director-General of IATA, Mr Willie Walsh, gave the commendation in a statement on Sunday.

According to Walsh, as of June 2023, Nigeria’s blocked funds amounted to 850 million dollars, which significantly affected airline operations and finances in the country.

He said the 98 per cent amounted to 831 million dollars paid,  while the remaining two per cent amounted to 19 million dollars.

“At its peak in June 2023, Nigeria’s blocked funds amounted to 850 million dollars, significantly affecting airline operations and finances in the country.

“Carriers faced difficulties in repatriating revenues in U.S. dollars, and the high volume of blocked funds led some airlines to reduce their operations and one carrier to temporarily cease operations to Nigeria, which severely impacted the country’s aviation industry.

“However, as of April 2024, 98 per cent of these funds have been cleared. The remaining 19 million dollars is due to the Central Bank of Nigeria’s ongoing verification of outstanding forward claims filed by the commercial banks.

“We commend the new Nigerian government and the CBN for their efforts to resolve this issue.

“Individual Nigerians and the economy will all benefit from reliable air connectivity for which access to revenues is critical,” Walsh said.

The IATA boss, therefore,  urged the government to clear the residual 19 million dollars and continue prioritising aviation.

Walsh also said there was a 28 per cent decrease in the amount of airline funds blocked from repatriation by governments.

According to him, the total blocked funds at the end of April stood at approximately 1.8 billion,  a reduction of 708 million dollars (28 per cent) since December 2023.

“The reduction in blocked funds is a positive development. The remaining 1.8 billion dollars, however, is significant and must be urgently addressed.

“The efficient repatriation of airline revenues is guaranteed in bilateral agreements.

“Even more importantly, it is a pre-requisite for airlines, who operate on thin margins, to be able to provide economically critical connectivity.

“No business can operate long-term without access to rightfully earned revenues,” Walsh said.

He added that the main driver of the reduction was a significant clearance of funds blocked in Nigeria.

Walsh said that Egypt also approved clearance of its significant accumulation of blocked funds.

He said, however, that in both cases, airlines were adversely affected by the devaluation of the Egyptian Pound and the Nigerian Naira.

Specifically, eight countries accounted  for 87 per cent of the total blocked funds, amounting to 1.6 billion dollars.

The countries are; Pakistan, 411 million dollars for 40 months; Bangladesh, 320 million dollars for 40 months; Algeria, 286 million dollars for 37 months; XAF Zone, 151 million dollars for 50 months.

Also, Ethiopia, 149 million dollars for 58 months; Lebanon, 129 million dollars for 52 months; Eritrea, 75 million dollars for 116 months and Zimbabwe, 69 million dollars for 84 months.

IATA, still, urged governments to remove all barriers to airlines repatriating their revenues from ticket sales and other activities in accordance with international agreements and treaty obligations. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

ITM/CHOM/SOA
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Edited by Chioma Ugboma/Oluwole Sogunle