Echotitbits – Nigeria News

Tag: aviation

  • Emirates Expands Premium Economy to Nigeria and Eight Other Cities

    Emirates Expands Premium Economy to Nigeria and Eight Other Cities

    Reporting by Mirage News indicates Emirates Airline is expanding its Premium Economy cabin to nine additional cities, including routes serving Nigeria, as the carrier deploys retrofitted Boeing 777s and A350s to meet rising demand for comfort-oriented travel.

    The expansion aims to deliver a consistent premium experience across a wide network by July 2026. For Nigerian travelers, it adds a cabin tier between Economy and Business with more space, upgraded dining, and enhanced airport services.

    Emirates said the A350 fleet will serve key destinations with additional frequencies during peak seasons, reflecting changes in post-pandemic passenger preferences toward comfort and value.

    Premium Times and The Guardian Nigeria also referenced the rollout and expected demand from diaspora and corporate travelers.

    Echotitbits take: Premium Economy is a strategic play for middle-luxury travelers who want comfort without Business Class pricing. Expect strong uptake among corporate travelers and diaspora routes.

    Source: Emirates – https://www.emirates.com/media-centre/emirates-extends-premium-economy-reach-with-expanded-city-rollout/ 2026-01-09

    Photo Credit: Emirates Media

  • Nigeria moves to buy 24 M‑346 fighter jets in €1.2bn deal to bolster counter‑insurgency

    Nigeria moves to buy 24 M‑346 fighter jets in €1.2bn deal to bolster counter‑insurgency

    Photo Credit: Punch
    2025-12-17

    According to multiple reports, the federal government is advancing a €1.2 billion procurement for 24 M‑346 fighter jets as part of a wider push to strengthen air power against insurgency, banditry and kidnapping threats.

    The acquisition is expected to include training, logistics and longer‑term maintenance support, a key factor for keeping aircraft operational in difficult theatres.

    If delivered on schedule, the jets could expand Nigeria’s precision‑strike and surveillance capacity, particularly in the North‑East, while easing pressure on older platforms and improving pilot training pipelines.

    The real impact, however, will depend on basing, sustainment budgets, intelligence integration and rules of engagement — the ‘tail’ often matters as much as the ‘tooth’ in air campaigns.

    Business Insider Africa: “deliveries of 24 M-346FA fighter jets… almost finalised, signalling a major upgrade of its air power.”

    TheCable: “The deal was reportedly worth around €1.2 billion… [and] included… 25 years of logistical support.”

    Analysis/Echotitbits take: Big-ticket defence buys can shift capability — but sustainment is everything. Watch for financing terms, delivery milestones, and whether procurement transparency improves amid broader security spending scrutiny.

    Source: Punch — December 17, 2025 — https://punchng.com/insurgency-fg-to-acquire-24-fighter-jets-for-e1-2bn/

  • United flight to Tokyo returns to Dulles after reported engine issue

    United flight to Tokyo returns to Dulles after reported engine issue

    Photo Credit : Image of a United Airline Aircraft – Indian Times/AFP
    2025-12-14

    According to The Punch, a United Airlines flight bound for Tokyo returned to Washington Dulles after a technical problem shortly after departure, with the aircraft landing safely and no injuries reported.

    The Punch report said aviation authorities opened an inquiry as crews followed standard procedures to return and secure the plane.

    Reuters also reported the aircraft experienced a power loss in one engine and said the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investigating.

    The Associated Press similarly reported the plane experienced an engine problem and later landed safely back at Dulles.

    Analysis/Echotitbits take: Aviation incidents like this often lead to rapid technical review of maintenance history and any component failures—especially if they involve power loss or engine-related warnings. Watch for the FAA’s preliminary findings, any airline maintenance updates, and whether follow-up inspections extend beyond the specific aircraft.

    Source: The Punch — 14 Dec 2025 (https://punchng.com/tokyo-bound-united-plane-returns-to-washington-after-engine-fails/)

  • Reps Demand Lower Airfares Ahead of Christmas Travel Rush

    Reps Demand Lower Airfares Ahead of Christmas Travel Rush

    Photo Credit:Punch Newspapers

    The House of Representatives has urged domestic airlines and aviation regulators to reduce airfares ahead of the Yuletide season, warning that current prices are pushing many Nigerians off air travel. Lawmakers argued that high ticket costs, often justified by foreign‑exchange volatility and fuel prices, are undermining mobility and hurting economic activities.

    The House called on the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority and other agencies to engage airlines on price moderation and transparency, while exploring incentives that could lower operating costs. The intervention comes as millions prepare for festive travel, with concerns over safety, congestion and affordability.

    Source: Punch Newspapers – 11 Dec 2025

    2025-12-12 10:00:00 Punch Newspapers – 11 Dec 2025 2025-12-11

  • Senate Moves to Check Holiday Airfare Shock, Summons Keyamo

    The Senate summoned Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo and industry stakeholders over sharp increases in domestic airfares ahead of the festive season. Lawmakers said soaring ticket prices are worsening the cost-of-living burden on travellers.

    Committees were tasked to engage airlines and regulators and propose consumer-protection measures that balance affordability with operators’ rising costs.

    2025-12-10

    Punch Newspapers

    2025-12-10

  • EFCC Alleges Arik Funds Used to Float NG Eagle

    EFCC Alleges Arik Funds Used to Float NG Eagle

    At the Special Offences Court in Ikeja, the EFCC presented documents alleging that funds linked to Arik Air were used to float NG Eagle Airlines. The trial involves former AMCON officials and corporate entities.

    The matter was adjourned into early January 2026 for continuation of proceedings.

    Source: Vanguard, 2025-12-09

  • Nigeria Grants Flight Resumption to Air France/KLM, Lufthansa & Qatar Airways

    Nigeria Grants Flight Resumption to Air France/KLM, Lufthansa & Qatar Airways

    The President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government Tuesday informed Air France/KLM, Lufthansa and Qatar Airways that they could now resume their international flight operations in and out of Nigeria.

    The notification for the Federal Government’s approval to these airliners were confirmed in a tweet by the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika.

    The minister also explained the effort of the Ministry of Aviation in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, Coalition against COVID-19 (CACOVID) and the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 to ensure that some other three airports in Nigeria are reopened.

    According to him, “We are working with Ministry of Health, CACOVID and the PTF to open Kano, Port Harcourt and possibly Enugu airports before the end of the year.

    “Also Lufthansa, Air France/KLM have been given go-ahead to resume operations.

    “Qatar Airways is approved to start Abuja.

    “Thank you for your patience.”

    The Federal Government had March 2020 shut down all airports to curb the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the country.

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

    Idowu Sowunmi

  • International Flight Operations Resume in Nigeria Aug 29, Says FG

    International Flight Operations Resume in Nigeria Aug 29, Says FG

    The President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government Monday announced August 29 as the resumption date for international flight operations, months after the aviation space was shut due to global novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

    The Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, who announced the date on behalf of the Federal Government, explained that international flights would first resume at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos and Nnamidi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.

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    He indicated that other international airports would resume operations in due course.

    According to him, “I am glad to announce the resumption of international flights from the 29th of August, 2020.

    “We shall begin with Lagos and Abuja airports as we did with the domestic flight resumption.

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    “Protocols and procedures will be announced in due course.

    “We thank you for your patience.”

    Meanwhile, the management team of Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has commenced inspection of facilities at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos to ensure preparedness ahead of reopening.

    Idowu Sowunmi

  • FG lifts ban on Executive Jets Air for violating COVID-19 lockdown

    FG lifts ban on Executive Jets Air for violating COVID-19 lockdown

    The Federal Government of Nigeria Monday lifted the ban placed on the Executive Jets Air Services for violating the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)-induced lockdown order.

    The private airline was suspended indefinitely on June 16 by the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, for operating a controversial flight, conveying Nigerian popular musician, Azeez Fashola, otherwise called Naira Marley, and ex-BB Naija housemate, Kim Oprah, from Lagos to Abuja and back to Lagos for a concert.

    The flight was said to have been approved for a different purpose at that time to convey a serving judge on official assignment from Lagos to Abuja and back to Lagos.

    Disclosing the lifting of the suspension order during the bi-weekly Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 briefing, Sirika explained that the Muhammadu Buhari administration decided to lift the ban following the compliance of the airline with sanctions imposed on it.

    “Today, we lifted the ban on Executive Jets Air Services Limited. The firm has complied substantially with all of our imposed sanctions.

    “The airline has paid parts of the fine and brought forward a payment plan for the balance. So, we have lifted the ban and the airline will continue to do its business. These kind of things are not punitive, they are things to make our industry work better and keep all of you safe,” the minister said.

    Sirika added that he has not received the report of the investigation into alleged violations of the COVID-19 protocols by dignitaries who have been alleged to violate COVID-19 safety protocols at airports.

    Some Nigerians including serving and former governors among others have been accused of violating COVID-19 safety protocols and the ban on air travels using private and official planes.

    “As to the VIP offenders which are undergoing investigation, the report will be on my desk this week hopefully and we will keep Nigerians posted,” Sirika assured.

    By Idowu Sowunmi

  • COVID-19: 14 airports reopen for domestic operations – Aviation Minister 

    COVID-19: 14 airports reopen for domestic operations – Aviation Minister 

    The Nigerian Government has approved the full reopening of 14 airports in the country for domestic operations from July 8 to July 24.

    The Minister of Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika, made the announcement in his official Twitter handle, @hadisirika, on Sunday.

    Sirika pointed out that the inspection on the airports had been completed.

    “Glad to announce that the following airports are open for full domestic operations, hence ministerial approvals in and out of them is not required.

    “These include private and charter operations. We will keep you informed on the other airports in due course, please,” he said.

    According to the Minister, the reopened airports, are Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos; Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja; Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano; Port Harcourt International Airport; Sam Mbakwe Airport, Owerri, Victor Attah Airport, Uyo.

    Others are Maiduguri Airport, Margaret Ekpo Airport, Calabar, Kaduna Airport, Yola Airport, Sultan Abubakar Airport, Sokoto; Birnin Kebbi Airport, Yakubu Gowon Airport, Jos and Benin Airport.

    These approvals for resumption of domestic flight operations, Sirika said was given for at different dates from July 8 to July 24.