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Tag: Hadi Sirika

  • Air France, Lufthansa, KLM to resume flights into Nigeria

    Air France, Lufthansa, KLM to resume flights into Nigeria

    The approval to resume operations in the country has been received by Air France, KLM and Lufthansa. 

    This was contained in a tweet shared by the Minister of aviation, Hadi Sirika on Tuesday.

    Sirika said Qatar Airways has also received approval to operate in Abuja.

    Recall that the presidential task force on COVID-19 (PTF) had restricted 10 airlines from operating in the country when international flights resumed on September 5.

    At the time, Sirika said Air France and KLM airlines were not granted approval for flight operations because “tourist visa holders are not allowed entry” in the airlines’ originating countries.

    “We are working with ministry of health, CACOVID & the PTF to open Kano, Port Harcourt & possibly Enugu airports before the end of the year. Also Lufthansa, Air France/KLM has been given go-ahead to resume. Qatar Airways is approved to start Abuja. Thank you for your patience🙏🏽🇳🇬,” the minister wrote.

    In March, the FG had shut down all airports to curb the spread of coronavirus in the country.

    Domestic flights resumed in all airports in July while international flights resumed at the Lagos and Abuja airports in September.

    Sirika said the aviation ministry is working with the health ministry, Coalition against COVID-19 (CACOVID) and the presidential task force (PTF) on COVID-19 to ensure that the three airports are opened.

  • Nigeria Air will be delivered before 2023, says Sirika

    Nigeria Air will be delivered before 2023, says Sirika

    The minister for aviation, Hadi Sirika has disclosed that plans are underway to ensure that Nigeria Air, the national carrier is delivered before the end of the Muhammadu Buhari-led administration.

    This disclosure was made by Sirika while addressing journalists after appearing before the senate committee on aviation for the 2021 budget defence by the ministry and its agencies on Tuesday.

    “We are on it. The transaction adviser has brought in the outline business case. It is being reviewed by the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC),” he said.

    “Soon after its completion, it will go to the federal executive council for approved. We will not leave this government without having it in place.”

    Recall that the minister of aviation, Hadi Sirika had unveiled the national carrier project at the 2018 Farnborough International Airshow in London.

    Meanwhile, the minister of information and culture, Lai Mohammed said the project was suspended due to investor apathy.

    While speaking on the need to site another airport in Lokoja, the Kogi state capital, as an alternate to Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja, Sirika said: “Lokoja is a cosmopolitan town, it’s a mini Nigeria and it is extremely very important in the growth and development of our country”.

    “We have a lot of agricultural activities there. There is fishery, there is perishable item production and so on.

    “So siting an airport there is quite apt. For me, it is something we should have done long ago for its importance.”

    The minister also explained that the federal government is addressing the issue of dilapidated equipment at some airports across the country one after the other based because there are not enough resources to carry out such all at once.

    While addressing the committee, Sirika said 10 new airports will be constructed across the country to boost civil aviation.

    “There are airports coming up in Benue, Ebonyi, Ekiti, Lafia, Damaturu, Anambra and so forth. All of these show that civil aviation is growing during this administration,” he said.

    “So, we have about 10 new airports coming up; that is almost half the number of airports we used to have in Nigeria. We are adding 50 percent of the number of airports.

    “Certainly we are making Ilorin one of the best airports because in the first place it is an alternate for Lagos”

    He also noted that Kebbi, Osubi, Dutse, Jigawa airports have been taken over by the federal government and the Gombe state government has also written to the federal authorities, asking it to take over the Gombe Airport.

  • FG announces reopening of all domestic airports

    FG announces reopening of all domestic airports

    The Nigerian government on Monday announced the reopening of all domestic airports in the country.

    By this announcement, local flight operations would fully resume across the country.

    This was disclosed by the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, during the daily briefing of the Presidential Taskforce (PTF) on COVID-19 in Abuja.

    Hadi Sirika also explained the Federal government’s decision to ban some international airlines from coming into the country, saying is not politically motivated.

    According to the Federal Government, its decision is health-related and based on its capacity to handle a certain number of passengers to curb the import of coronavirus into the country.

    The Minister said “Every decision we have taken is based on certain and concrete variables. So, regarding who comes in and who is not approved, we all know that we have a challenge of the number of passengers that we can process in our airports given the resources; both human and material that we have to fight COVID-19.

    “If there are no challenges, we would have opened the airports and everybody will come in but we have a certain number that we can process in these our airports and that is why we are opening Lagos and Abuja and based on that, we have to calculate based on facts, available number, protocols, and facilitation to decide the number of passengers we can handle, from where and how?

    He continued: “So, the airlines were contacted and so it has nothing to do with countries per se and that is why for instance, Emirate was approved but Etihad from the same country was denied. So, it has nothing to do with countries.

    “Lufthansa, Air France, Air Namibia, and RwandAir were not approved based on these principles. So, we will maintain the number that we can handle in our airports and we will keep it to those who can take non-resident visas, tourists, and others in and out of the country. The decision is collective by the PTF.

    “Discussions are ongoing and all Nigerian Lufthansa management was in my office and we discussed at length and I believe they understood. Air France, KLM were also in my office and they understood our position.

    “Currently, the PTF has had a request through the normal channel and the PTF has mandated the Foreign Affairs minister to coordinate a meeting with these concerned airlines and perhaps their home countries and representatives.”

  • FG spent N10bn to rehabilitate Akanu Ibiam International Airport, says Sirika

    FG spent N10bn to rehabilitate Akanu Ibiam International Airport, says Sirika

    The Federal Government on Sunday reopened Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, runway to flight operations.

    The Minister of Aviation Sen. Hadi Sirika, during the official opening ceremony in Enugu, said that domestic flight would start immediately while the international flight would begin on Sept. 5.

    Sirika said that the project had cost Federal Government N10 billion.

    “It is a great pleasure for me to be in Enugu for this August occasion in the mount of August for the reopening of Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu for flight operations.

    “The local flight can come to start from today and the international flight on Sept. 5, once the COVID-19 Presidential Task Force has opened the gate to come in.

    “We are proud to say that this project is indeed a testimony to Mr President’s commitment to infrastructure development in the country.

    “You may recall that the runway of this essential airport, which is vital to economic development of the region and the whole country at large, was in a very dilapidated stage and worse condition.

    “This raised serious safety concern. It was on this basis that I approached President Muhammadu Buhari on the urgent need to reconstruct the runway and other associated works,” he said.

    Sirika commended the President’s instant approval of N10 billion to undertake the rehabilitation of the runway and some associated works.

    According to him, the project consist of taxiway, linkway, emergency operation centre, car park, entrance of the gate, perimeter fence, perimeter road, terminal building rehabilitation, pilot lounge, instrument landing system that will allow landing during bad weather.

    Others, he said, are communication device, new DHF radio and rescue equipment, among others.

    The minister said the focus would now be on delivering the Cargo terminal, the international terminal building and many more in the airport soonest.

    He said he had approved N1 billion to continue the terminal building expansion being done by the Chinese.

    “Some of the challenges encountered include, lack of bitumen, COVID-19 lockdown, and even change of hands of company handling the project, removing of abattoir and radio masks, among others,” he said.

  • COVID-19: International flights may resume before October, says FG

    COVID-19: International flights may resume before October, says FG

    The Minister of Aviation Tuesday said international flights may resume before October, noting that after consulting the ministry of health, foreign Affairs and the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 the agreed date will be announced despite the ban on flights in Europe and the United Arab Emirates.

    “International Flight resumption date is not October as the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency just issued a routine 90 day Notices to Airmen (NOTAM), Sirika tweeted on Tuesday afternoon.

    “In liaison with Health, Foreign Affairs & PTF COVID-19, we will announce the agreed date, regardless of the ban by Europe, UAE etc. May be earlier than October.”

    Nigerian Airspace Management Agency earlier debunked rumours that Nigerian Airports may not reopen until middle of October 2020.

    “The closure of Nigerian Airports to all international flights with the exception of emergency and essential flights, and scheduled cargo operations with approved summer schedules, will continue until date of resumption is approved,” NAMA’s director of public affairs Khalid Emele said in a statement.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, the agency on the 15th July 2020, in line with international standards, issued a 3-month duration NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) (from 15th July to 15th October 2020) stating that the Federal Government of Nigeria has extended the closure of the nation’s airports to all international flights with the exception of aircraft in a state of emergency.

    “However, approval may be requested and granted to over flights, operations related to humanitarian aids, medical relief flights, alternate aerodrome in the flight plan and also those being used for extended diversion time operations, Technical landings where passengers do not disembark, Cargo flights and other safety-related operations.

    Emele said while the agency looks forward anxiously towards the reopening of Nigerian airports to international flights, “we wish to clarify that the import of the said NOTAM and AIC is NOT that Nigerian airports remain closed till 15th October 2020.”

    “Therefore, we crave the indulgence of our customers, airspace users and the general public to disregard the misconception being circulated as Nigerian airports will reopen to international flights at any date the Federal Government, Federal Ministry of Aviation and NCAA consider it safe, secure, and appropriate.”

  • Passengers can now arrive airport 1 hour 30 minutes before flights, says Hadi Sirika

    Passengers can now arrive airport 1 hour 30 minutes before flights, says Hadi Sirika

    Passengers on Domestic flights can now arrive at the airport one hour thirty minutes before their flight, the Federal Government discloses.

    This is coming days after the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) advised passengers to arrive at the airport three hours before their flight so as to undergo all the COVID19 protocols before boarding.

    However in a tweet posted today July 13, the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, said passengers can now come one hour thirty minutes before their departure time.

    “My colleagues & I have reviewed passenger facilitation at our airports; consequently I am happy to announce that, henceforth travelers are to arrive one hour and a half before their departure time for domestic flights. Travelers are advised to check in online, please.” he tweeted.

    In a related story, WITHIN NIGERIA reported that following the resumption of domestic flights amid the Coronavirus pandemic, the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Siriki, has revealed why social distancing is not observed in aircraft.

    This revelation was made by the Minister after he embarked on a simulation return flight to the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport in Kano to assess the preparation of the airport for resumption of flights.

  • Minister for aviation, Sirika reveals why social distancing is not observed in aircraft

    Minister for aviation, Sirika reveals why social distancing is not observed in aircraft

    Following the resumption of domestic flights amid the Coronavirus pandemic, the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Siriki, has revealed why social distancing is not observed in aircraft.

    This revelation was made by the Minister after he embarked on a simulation return flight to the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport in Kano to assess the preparation of the airport for resumption of flights.

    The avaition minister said the cabin is safer than any hospital theatre because of the purifying procedures air circulated within the cabin goes through.

    Sirika added that the non-adherence to physical distancing was responsible for the ‘affordable’ ticket fare.

    He said;

    “Because of the nature of the airplane, the airplane is hygienic enough once you have your mask, you are safe to remain seated on your seat and where possible, we will keep the distance.

    “Airplanes are designed in such a way that the ambient air at altitudes is clean. It is not contaminated. The air is dropped in the aircrafts, pressurised and because of pressurization, the temperature of the air goes up to 200 degrees which is twice boiling water and there is no bacteria or virus that can survive it and it is suddenly cooled to about 2 degrees centigrate and then it is passed to a filter.

    “Passing through the filtration system ensures that every single organism is screened and then it is passed to the cabin and once it is passed through the cabin, it comes from the ceiling downwards.

    “So, it is not coming from the cockpit to the rear, it is from the ceiling downwards and it drops on the floor and gets circulated.

    “With this mechanism in place, everything will be safe provided that we are decontaminating the airplane before we enter and decontaminating after we leave and also cleaning all the possible surfaces that one will touch.”

  • Domestic flights will no longer serve meals on board, Minister reveals

    Domestic flights will no longer serve meals on board, Minister reveals

    The minister of aviation, Hadi Sirika, has announced that meals will no longer be served aboard domestic flights. The Minister made the announcement during the daily briefing of the presidential task force on COVID-19 on Monday July 6.

    Sirika said;

    “For this domestic operation, there will be no food. No food will be given to reduce contamination level and we will allow you to come with your mask.

    “Like the MD of FAAN had said the other day, we see it as your private thing. So it is you bring your mask, they don’t have to be the fancy ones.

    “Remember I told you on this platform that the cabin crew’s job is not to offer you tea.

    “They came into the industry because of people who were getting air-sick so we thought we would be putting nurses in the airplane to look after those people who are sick.

    “Since then, they metamorphosed and they became something new. They want to now give you tea because many people don’t get sick anymore, they give will either give you coffee, offer you food and drink and so on.

    “So the main purpose of the cabin staff is to ensure that we all remain safe for your welfare and your health.”

  • FG takes delivery of Boeing 737 – NG full flight simulator

    FG takes delivery of Boeing 737 – NG full flight simulator

    The Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika on Wednesday said that the government has taken delivery of a modern Boeing 737-NG Full Flight Simulator (FFS).

    He also said the simulator will be installed at the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, NCAT, in Zaria, Kaduna State.

    Sirika who disclosed the arrival of the simulator during a television programme said the ” equipment is now at the Lagos seaport going through the Custom clearing process and it will be taken to NCAT in Zaria for installation.”

    According to the Minister: “As we speak the simulator is at the seaport in Lagos, we are clearing it, the housing component which would house the sim has been built and it will be on its way to Zaria for installation and training would commence.”

    Underscoring what the minister said, Captain Abdulsalami Mohammed, the Rector of NCAT, said: “It is true, what the honourable minister said. The new simulator is at the seaport in Lagos waiting to be cleared and the installation will be done soon in the college.”

    Captain Abdulsalami further said: “We appreciate the effort of our minister who is driving these. Our attainment of the International Civil Aviation Organisation Regional Training Centre of Excellence status is being utilized. 2020 will witness a lot of activities in the history of NCAT.

    The multipurpose firefighting simulator is installed in the college; the delivery of the six diamond training aircraft is taking place and the installation of the B737-NG simulator is about to happen too.”

  • BREAKING: FG approves construction of Ebonyi International Airport

    BREAKING: FG approves construction of Ebonyi International Airport

    The pending request for the construction of a new International Airport in Ebonyi State has been approved by the Federal Government.

    Ebonyi State Government requested for the approval of the airport and the approval has been granted by the Federal Government.

    This was made known to the public via a letter of approval conveyed to Governor David Umahi by Minister for Aviation, Hadi Sirika.

    In a letter signed on his behalf by the Director Safety and Technical Policy, Capt T A Alkali of the Ministry, the Minister said the approval followed the visit of a Technical team from the ministry and its agencies to the state on inspection of the proposed site for the airport.

    “I am directed to convey the approval of the Honourable Minister of Aviation for the construction of a state-owned/financed International Airport on the inspected site”, he wrote.

    The Minister, however, noted that the approval is subject to the State Government’s fulfilment of certain requirements.

    He listed the requirements as strict compliance with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority requirements; compliance with all relevant environmental regulations, adherence to the provisions of the subsisting Civil Aviation Act 2006, Nigeria Civil Aviation Policy 2013 and other regulations that may evolve with time; and payment of statutory fees.

    Other requirements according to the Minister include: Issuance of Security Clearance fro the Department of State Services(DSS); removal of all obstructions on the site and involvement of the Ministry and its relevant agencies at every stage of the development of the airport to ensure compliance with Standards and Recommend Practices (SARPs).

    With the approval, all is now set for the smooth take-off of the construction of the airport.

    The airport is to be sited in a big expanse of land at the boundary between Ezza South and Ezza North local government areas.

    The approval comes at a time when the only International Airport in the Southeast, located in neighbouring Enugu State has been shut down by the Federal Government indefinitely.

    The Federal Government said it shut down the airport to effect repairs on its dilapidated infrastructure including the runway.

    Despite playing host to two out of the top three market hubs in the country located in Aba, Abia State and Onitsha Anambra state, the Southeast have lacked adequate infrastructure to aid import and export of goods from the region.

    The new airport is expected to help in opening up the zone as well as neighbouring Cross River and Venue States in the South-South and North-Central zones.