Virgin Nigeria (threads merged)
Rani I expect better from you. Your knowledge of the industry normally means a rational post, but to blame the airport info displays on on an airline is the sort of thing I expect from AVSEC 
Whilst I am sure that there are genuine complaints on these websites so I am sure that there a few who have hidden agendas in stirring up the muck. VK is a big enough airline with professional people who are trying hard to break the mould of ineptitude often found in Nigerian aviation, but they do not get it right every time. So long as they continue to get it right more often than not then steps forward are being made. As The Rev Network points out VK was forced to give up desks in the International Terminal for a competitor despite VK having done all the work in enhancing the area and paying for it to be done!!
Until the NCAA acts in an unbiased way towards all airlines, and the aviation ministers cannot be bought in the way Boris the Shady appears to have been, I fear that Nigerian aviation will continue to advance at a slower pace than it should in all areas.
Whilst I am sure that there are genuine complaints on these websites so I am sure that there a few who have hidden agendas in stirring up the muck. VK is a big enough airline with professional people who are trying hard to break the mould of ineptitude often found in Nigerian aviation, but they do not get it right every time. So long as they continue to get it right more often than not then steps forward are being made. As The Rev Network points out VK was forced to give up desks in the International Terminal for a competitor despite VK having done all the work in enhancing the area and paying for it to be done!!
Until the NCAA acts in an unbiased way towards all airlines, and the aviation ministers cannot be bought in the way Boris the Shady appears to have been, I fear that Nigerian aviation will continue to advance at a slower pace than it should in all areas.
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I had once raised the matter of VKs customer service in this forum. The VK check in /ticketing agents are arrogant and hardly courteous.I recently asked one of the of the check in ladies in Abuja why she was nt smiling and she replied that the work pressure was too much.
RV,SN, the VK/NAHCO ground staff at KAN,ABV AND LOS are not nice at all.They hardly smile to customers and are rude. This is also the view of most of VK PAX.This also applies to aero in LOS.I stand by what i have written. Do something about it.
RV,SN, the VK/NAHCO ground staff at KAN,ABV AND LOS are not nice at all.They hardly smile to customers and are rude. This is also the view of most of VK PAX.This also applies to aero in LOS.I stand by what i have written. Do something about it.
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Rani,
Doubtless I don't have all the info, but what I was told, was "VK are victims of their own success" and they are working very hard to remedy the issues. Some of the problems relate more to FAAN and what they allow the individual airlines to do or not. You might also know that half of VK's check-in desks at MMIA were taken from them and given to the new bride ARIK, so they are forced to use only 4 desks to check in ALL domestic flights out of LOS(VK is now the largest carrier in Nigeria by pax numbers).
I'm sure there are customer service issues, but whenever I have flown VK the service has been good. Up till the 1st of December 2006, the agents pax would have seen at MMIA would have been NAHCO staff but from that date VK has gone self handling in LOS and hopefully things should improve.
Look out for a new website soon that incorporates details about the Frequent Flyer programme but I will just hint that miles can be spent on at least 3 other international airlines and on VK's services including game reserves, hotel chains, gyms etc.
It is really embarrasing to see the massive lines queueing at the airport to purchase VK tickets, but a lot of it is down to the Nigerian mentality of not buying tickets ahead of time. I think VK should promote and publicize other options like online booking & payment which are already available. I was also told that they are evaluating self-service check in machines for the future.
Doubtless I don't have all the info, but what I was told, was "VK are victims of their own success" and they are working very hard to remedy the issues. Some of the problems relate more to FAAN and what they allow the individual airlines to do or not. You might also know that half of VK's check-in desks at MMIA were taken from them and given to the new bride ARIK, so they are forced to use only 4 desks to check in ALL domestic flights out of LOS(VK is now the largest carrier in Nigeria by pax numbers).
I'm sure there are customer service issues, but whenever I have flown VK the service has been good. Up till the 1st of December 2006, the agents pax would have seen at MMIA would have been NAHCO staff but from that date VK has gone self handling in LOS and hopefully things should improve.
Look out for a new website soon that incorporates details about the Frequent Flyer programme but I will just hint that miles can be spent on at least 3 other international airlines and on VK's services including game reserves, hotel chains, gyms etc.
It is really embarrasing to see the massive lines queueing at the airport to purchase VK tickets, but a lot of it is down to the Nigerian mentality of not buying tickets ahead of time. I think VK should promote and publicize other options like online booking & payment which are already available. I was also told that they are evaluating self-service check in machines for the future.
Right, the ground agents must
I agree with Flying Touareg, restoring pride and elegance in the airline business should be a priority at VK.PS. What aircraft is VK using for the HAJJ, and any luck with their widebody plans? Cheers!
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Rani I expect better from you. Your knowledge of the industry normally means a rational post, but to blame the airport info displays on on an airline is the sort of thing I expect from AVSEC
Whilst I am sure that there are genuine complaints on these websites so I am sure that there a few who have hidden agendas in stirring up the muck. VK is a big enough airline with professional people who are trying hard to break the mould of ineptitude often found in Nigerian aviation, but they do not get it right every time. So long as they continue to get it right more often than not then steps forward are being made. As The Rev Network points out VK was forced to give up desks in the International Terminal for a competitor despite VK having done all the work in enhancing the area and paying for it to be done!!
Until the NCAA acts in an unbiased way towards all airlines, and the aviation ministers cannot be bought in the way Boris the Shady appears to have been, I fear that Nigerian aviation will continue to advance at a slower pace than it should in all areas.
Whilst I am sure that there are genuine complaints on these websites so I am sure that there a few who have hidden agendas in stirring up the muck. VK is a big enough airline with professional people who are trying hard to break the mould of ineptitude often found in Nigerian aviation, but they do not get it right every time. So long as they continue to get it right more often than not then steps forward are being made. As The Rev Network points out VK was forced to give up desks in the International Terminal for a competitor despite VK having done all the work in enhancing the area and paying for it to be done!!
Until the NCAA acts in an unbiased way towards all airlines, and the aviation ministers cannot be bought in the way Boris the Shady appears to have been, I fear that Nigerian aviation will continue to advance at a slower pace than it should in all areas.
The opinions expressed in quoted text do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the author
Sure thing the Airport Info displays is the responsibility of the airport authority but I don't see this as an excuse! Surely an LCD announcing VK departures is no rocket science to install....Otherwise and as Revnetwork inferred one must wait in line for hours to enquire about schedules.
The same blog site in question is now showing a reply to the VK issue alleging that VK is not listed on the www.virgin.co.uk site because of VK's service quality/level. Intriguing, to say the least! since all the other Virgin brand airlines are listed in the travel section. This reaffirms the urgent need to revamp VK service and bring it up to par with other Virgin brand carriers.
VK use both NAHCO and SAHCOL handling agents split almost 50:50 between their destinations. Whilst I always found the SAHCOL staff at Kano friendly, I agree whole heartedly with the comments re NAHCO staff in LOS.
Very good news that VK have finally been allowed to go self handling at LOS. This was promised in the early days then forgotten about by FAAN/NCAA when the time came round. Well done to VK for persisting.
The LCD would be very useful and easy to install I agree, but I expect permissions have to be granted otherwise it would be installed and then confiscated!!
I doubt the blog is correct re the reason for VK not being on the Virgin website, after all Virgin Rail is on there
Very good news that VK have finally been allowed to go self handling at LOS. This was promised in the early days then forgotten about by FAAN/NCAA when the time came round. Well done to VK for persisting.
The LCD would be very useful and easy to install I agree, but I expect permissions have to be granted otherwise it would be installed and then confiscated!!
I doubt the blog is correct re the reason for VK not being on the Virgin website, after all Virgin Rail is on there
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Vk Still No Idea Of Timetable
Why are VK so often late? I made a flight from Owerri to Lagos which I am sure was not legal on the behalf of Virgin. The aircraft taxi out in the dark at nearly 7 pm and there is no lighting or any such thing at Owerri. Can this be legal? I think Owerri is for daytime flight only, no? They are starting to behave like any other secon-rate Nigerian airline if this is what they now are doing 
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I was in a Virgin Blue 738 landing at Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport in Northern australia about a month ago. The a/c missed the approach on initial attempt around 19:45 local. There was no runway lighting WHATSOEVER. Hell, there was no lighting anywhere near the airport or vicinity. It seemed like we were approaching a blackhole. The lady sitting next to me said the airport was almost shut on several occasions because the local ATC took coffee breaks outside the airport during radar vectors! To add icing on the cake, the crew managed to touch down but to my shock the taxiway had no proper lighting, just a few of what appeared to be 60W light bulbs somewhere in the bush! I was really astonished to learn that Virgin Blue were operating in these apaling conditions. Did I mention the dozens of wallabies that invaded the ramp as we went down the stairs?! That was thouroughly entertaining I must admit!
And we thought Nigeria was that bad!
If I'm not mistaken a/c may takeoff without full runway illumination - but I suspect that landings are not officially allowed in such conditions. This is as far as ICAO recommended practice goes, of course
And we thought Nigeria was that bad!
If I'm not mistaken a/c may takeoff without full runway illumination - but I suspect that landings are not officially allowed in such conditions. This is as far as ICAO recommended practice goes, of course
Having a knowledge of the people looking after VK's airworthiness and safety dept I would doubt very much that they are sanctioning anything that is illegal. They are a highly professional bunch of people working very hard to ensure that VK remains safe.
I don't know Owerri at all but if there is centreline lighting this wouldn't necessarily be seen by a pax sitting in the back of the a/c................maybe someone who operates from/to Owerri could comment?
I don't know Owerri at all but if there is centreline lighting this wouldn't necessarily be seen by a pax sitting in the back of the a/c................maybe someone who operates from/to Owerri could comment?
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Owerri
Owerri is for daylight operations only. It has no runway or ramp lighting whatsoever . I can't believe VK have been so foolish as to take off from there in total darkness. Surely not safe even if it is legal - which I doubt
. I can't believe VK have been so foolish as to take off from there in total darkness. Surely not safe even if it is legal - which I doubt
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I know VK does not land in Owerri in the hours of darkness. I'm sure there are limits for take off in darkness (what was the visibilty like?) and I am very certain that the pilots would have followed these if they elected to take-off.
A few days ago, I was on a VK flight to Abuja. After we had boarded, it was discovered that a checked-in pax was not on board so his lugagge had to be offloaded. This caused a 30minute delay. While we were waiting, 2 pax already on board, then decided they didn't want to travel and offloaded themselves!! Their lugagge also had to be found and offloaded. In the end, we left 1hr 45mins late.
Of course this would not have been apparent to the pax waiting in Abuja to get on the return flight.
A few days ago, I was on a VK flight to Abuja. After we had boarded, it was discovered that a checked-in pax was not on board so his lugagge had to be offloaded. This caused a 30minute delay. While we were waiting, 2 pax already on board, then decided they didn't want to travel and offloaded themselves!! Their lugagge also had to be found and offloaded. In the end, we left 1hr 45mins late.
Of course this would not have been apparent to the pax waiting in Abuja to get on the return flight.
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I have made some enquiry and a Nigerian pilot friend have sent me the electronic Nigeria AIP. The section for Owerri says Operational Hours are 0600 - 1800, ATS 0600-1800, Approach and runway lighting - NIL. Are anyone here seriously trying to tell me that NCAA can pass ICAO SAFETY audit and allow aeroplane to depart with no lighting AT NIGHT on a schedule passenger flight? If so, Nigeria have a long, long way to go before it is a safe place to fly.
Is this permited in the Virgin operations manual? Do you think that a Virgin Atlantic flight would be permit to depart from London if they have total electric failure at night? I think not! 
Is this permited in the Virgin operations manual? Do you think that a Virgin Atlantic flight would be permit to depart from London if they have total electric failure at night? I think not!
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Alghaita Ganga,
Having read your posts on this forum, i have formed the opinion that you have nothing nice to say about Nigeria, or its aviation industry.
I really don't need patronage, but if you don't have something constructive to say to either remedy your complaints or make things better, i'd think you should keep your narrow minded opinions to yourself!
You have gone on and on about how useless the industry is and how far Nigeria is from actually realising the reality of a sane environment with out actually providing suggestions or at least an opinion that goes in the direction of damage control.
I must at this point, ask why you are in Nigeria to start with if you think Nigerians don't do anything right?Why do you seek business there then? Why dont you remain in YOUR country where you don't have to complain and make all the money you want?
If you lack better things to do, look for a news-caster job mate!
Having read your posts on this forum, i have formed the opinion that you have nothing nice to say about Nigeria, or its aviation industry.
I really don't need patronage, but if you don't have something constructive to say to either remedy your complaints or make things better, i'd think you should keep your narrow minded opinions to yourself!
You have gone on and on about how useless the industry is and how far Nigeria is from actually realising the reality of a sane environment with out actually providing suggestions or at least an opinion that goes in the direction of damage control.
I must at this point, ask why you are in Nigeria to start with if you think Nigerians don't do anything right?Why do you seek business there then? Why dont you remain in YOUR country where you don't have to complain and make all the money you want?
If you lack better things to do, look for a news-caster job mate!
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Mr LJT,
I am not your mate, mate, nor have I any desire to be! My opinion are not narrow-minded. It's the likes of people like yourself who cannot take criticism of your industry who are narrow minded. If you don't like it because I say VK may have taken illegal flight, then refute it and prove I am wrong. There were all seats taken on a flight which takes off in complete darkness from a daylight only airfield and all passengers saw and wondered. Tell me this is a good thing and should be hidden away. It's people like you who will accept such practice who will hold back a safe Nigerian aviation industry. If I can get seat with Aero, I will always fly with them because I have always find their service good (except for very rude chek-in staffs).
I am in Nigeria to buy your produce which I then try to export to other African countries and Europe, thus making money for Nigeria as well as for me. Are you even there - your address say you are in UK. I travel around much of Africa doing bsinesses where, unlike you it seems, I have live all my life. I used to be pilot and since my retrait I am doing business.
If you want something constructive, then let Nigerian airlines do something to improve their safety and time keeping. Let them improve maintenance standards, build hangars and maintenance facility and send all pilots for annual simulator training. Let them have well maintained airports, with secure perimeters. Let Nigeria actually have most of its ground-based navigation aids working and actually implement the TRACON project.
I am not your mate, mate, nor have I any desire to be! My opinion are not narrow-minded. It's the likes of people like yourself who cannot take criticism of your industry who are narrow minded. If you don't like it because I say VK may have taken illegal flight, then refute it and prove I am wrong. There were all seats taken on a flight which takes off in complete darkness from a daylight only airfield and all passengers saw and wondered. Tell me this is a good thing and should be hidden away. It's people like you who will accept such practice who will hold back a safe Nigerian aviation industry. If I can get seat with Aero, I will always fly with them because I have always find their service good (except for very rude chek-in staffs).
I am in Nigeria to buy your produce which I then try to export to other African countries and Europe, thus making money for Nigeria as well as for me. Are you even there - your address say you are in UK. I travel around much of Africa doing bsinesses where, unlike you it seems, I have live all my life. I used to be pilot and since my retrait I am doing business.
If you want something constructive, then let Nigerian airlines do something to improve their safety and time keeping. Let them improve maintenance standards, build hangars and maintenance facility and send all pilots for annual simulator training. Let them have well maintained airports, with secure perimeters. Let Nigeria actually have most of its ground-based navigation aids working and actually implement the TRACON project.
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I have made some enquiry and a Nigerian pilot friend have sent me the electronic Nigeria AIP. The section for Owerri says Operational Hours are 0600 - 1800, ATS 0600-1800, Approach and runway lighting - NIL. Are anyone here seriously trying to tell me that NCAA can pass ICAO SAFETY audit and allow aeroplane to depart with no lighting AT NIGHT on a schedule passenger flight? If so, Nigeria have a long, long way to go before it is a safe place to fly. Is this permited in the Virgin operations manual? Do you think that a Virgin Atlantic flight would be permit to depart from London if they have total electric failure at night? I think not!
Is this permited in the Virgin operations manual? Do you think that a Virgin Atlantic flight would be permit to depart from London if they have total electric failure at night? I think not! Dear mr alghaita ganga,in your earlier post you mentioned,that vk took of at almost 7pm.
the times you just quoted are in zulu,therefore 1800z is 7pm,how have they broken rules?
By the way where you in the cockpit where a detailed asssement as to the go/no-go descision was taken based on the available visibility,and lightning?
you have not mentioned anything about sunrise and sunset times,a bible by which legal operations are allowed into any airfield,different from airport operational hours which is what you quoted.
some airfields do not open,till late in the morning and closes early evening at a time that is earlier than what is legal to fly into it.
shells osubi closes at 6pm,but it is still legal to land there post 6pm,as its is not yet sunset time,mind you you will be suprised at how dark it can look and its still not sunset time yet.
osubi is not equiped for night landing,but pls sir mount guard at that airport for just one week,and come back to this forum,and see if you will still feel that landing after approved hours is speciality of vk!
i shall not mention names,but we all know the exclusive two operators
in conclusion its a lot more technical than you rushed to judge this landing and take off into airport with limited facilities
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18L
Okay, I have undertaken of some research and if you want specific details, the flight depart at 1853 local. On the day in question sunset was at 1822 local. At that lat/long civil twilight lasts for 23 minutes, so it was official civil dark at 1845 local. So according to your bible the operation was possibly not legal.
Civil twilight ends when the center of the sun is 6° below the horizon. At this time in the absence of moonlight, artificial lighting or adverse atmospheric conditions, the illumination is such that large objects may be seen but no detail is discernible. Twilight is generally shorter at the equator, where the sun's path toward the horizon is more nearly vertical than at higher latitudes; at Owerri it last 23 minutes
If you are meaning where was I - I was in the cabine. Were I in the cockpit - no. There was no lightning and there was also no lighting - Owerri has none on either the parking ramp, the taxiway or the runway. I have checked. I do not know if Osubi have any lighting, but you tell me no, so I believe you. I believe you when you say that this happens, but is still not right for scheduled flight. I did not rush to judge; I used to be pilot, I have flown from bush strips in the dark. I have never flown scheduled air transport, but I shall now do research to see if this is legal at night with no lights.
I was grateful to leave Owerri, but it does not mean it was right. VK were in the wrong being late and maybe the crew wants to get the aeroplane back so they don't upset the schedule in the next morning. This still does not mean it is legal or right. I know that many of you here are now saying I am wrong, but if so, it shows me that there are too many peoples in Nigeria who do not want to advance. Believe me, I wish Nigerian aviation to be very good and safe - after all I visit often on business and as a passenger I want myself and all other passengers in Nigeria to fly safe also. So please, don't keep saying its wromg of me to highlight these thing - it is only by showing the wrong things they can be put right. I have said before good things about Virgin too, but if something is wrong, I shall also say that thing. 
Okay, I have undertaken of some research and if you want specific details, the flight depart at 1853 local. On the day in question sunset was at 1822 local. At that lat/long civil twilight lasts for 23 minutes, so it was official civil dark at 1845 local. So according to your bible the operation was possibly not legal.
Civil twilight ends when the center of the sun is 6° below the horizon. At this time in the absence of moonlight, artificial lighting or adverse atmospheric conditions, the illumination is such that large objects may be seen but no detail is discernible. Twilight is generally shorter at the equator, where the sun's path toward the horizon is more nearly vertical than at higher latitudes; at Owerri it last 23 minutes
If you are meaning where was I - I was in the cabine. Were I in the cockpit - no. There was no lightning and there was also no lighting - Owerri has none on either the parking ramp, the taxiway or the runway. I have checked. I do not know if Osubi have any lighting, but you tell me no, so I believe you. I believe you when you say that this happens, but is still not right for scheduled flight. I did not rush to judge; I used to be pilot, I have flown from bush strips in the dark. I have never flown scheduled air transport, but I shall now do research to see if this is legal at night with no lights.
I was grateful to leave Owerri, but it does not mean it was right. VK were in the wrong being late and maybe the crew wants to get the aeroplane back so they don't upset the schedule in the next morning. This still does not mean it is legal or right. I know that many of you here are now saying I am wrong, but if so, it shows me that there are too many peoples in Nigeria who do not want to advance. Believe me, I wish Nigerian aviation to be very good and safe - after all I visit often on business and as a passenger I want myself and all other passengers in Nigeria to fly safe also. So please, don't keep saying its wromg of me to highlight these thing - it is only by showing the wrong things they can be put right. I have said before good things about Virgin too, but if something is wrong, I shall also say that thing.
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Alghaita Ganga,
Again, i see you miss the point completely. You don't seem to know the difference between criticism and constructive criticism.
Your response was adequately loaded with the kinds of solutions i'd expect from an ex-pilot
and not the earlier which sounded to me like you were just been malicious!
Then again, if you were so verse as to the happenings in Nigeria, you'd know that it remains one of the few countries in the world that requires pilots to attend SIM bi-annually .
The purpose of actually talking to you is not to get chummy with you, lest you get the wrong ideas, but to help guide your utterances in a direction that offers solutions to identified problems.
You may choose differently of course, it's a free world!
Again, i see you miss the point completely. You don't seem to know the difference between criticism and constructive criticism.
Your response was adequately loaded with the kinds of solutions i'd expect from an ex-pilot
and not the earlier which sounded to me like you were just been malicious!Then again, if you were so verse as to the happenings in Nigeria, you'd know that it remains one of the few countries in the world that requires pilots to attend SIM bi-annually
.The purpose of actually talking to you is not to get chummy with you, lest you get the wrong ideas, but to help guide your utterances in a direction that offers solutions to identified problems.
You may choose differently of course, it's a free world!
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Mr LJT,
Merely posting a reply in very large letters does not mean you have anything to say. Even though English is not my first, or even second, language I know perfectly what criticism is. It is for you in Nigerian aviation to react to these criticism by putting the things which are wrong right. Because I have pointed out that something may be illegal, all you seem to be able to do is rush to make personal attack on myself, rather like Nigerian politicians are doing all the time at this moment. You, yourself have made no constructive comment.
My response was not 'loaded' with any solutions - I made none, but merely clarified my earlier post. I was not 'been' (sic) malicious, but expressing my discomfort at a flag carrier, such as VK, not operating in a manner befitting one in such position. There are some airlines from which I expect no better, but VK is not one of them. When they do things which may be wrong it must be pointed out so they do correct them in future. My constructive comment would, thus, be to operate properly, safely and legally. When I am paying for my flight on a scheduled air transportation this is what I expect of the crew.
Your comment 'if you were so verse as to the happenings in Nigeria, you'd know that it remains one of the few countries in the world that requires pilots to attend SIM bi-annually' even with my poor English, does not seem well phrased. I suppose you are meaning 'averse'. I am not averse to Nigeria and I am well aware of the need for pilot to attend sim training, something which the civil aviation in most countries requires.
As you say, it is a free world so in the spirit of 'Liberté, égalité, fraternité' kindly stop lowering yourself to make personal attacks on myself when I say something you don't like. I notice you have posted nothing like 'oh it is perfectly legal for scheduled flight to take off completely in the dark'.
Merely posting a reply in very large letters does not mean you have anything to say. Even though English is not my first, or even second, language I know perfectly what criticism is. It is for you in Nigerian aviation to react to these criticism by putting the things which are wrong right. Because I have pointed out that something may be illegal, all you seem to be able to do is rush to make personal attack on myself, rather like Nigerian politicians are doing all the time at this moment. You, yourself have made no constructive comment.
My response was not 'loaded' with any solutions - I made none, but merely clarified my earlier post. I was not 'been' (sic) malicious, but expressing my discomfort at a flag carrier, such as VK, not operating in a manner befitting one in such position. There are some airlines from which I expect no better, but VK is not one of them. When they do things which may be wrong it must be pointed out so they do correct them in future. My constructive comment would, thus, be to operate properly, safely and legally. When I am paying for my flight on a scheduled air transportation this is what I expect of the crew.
Your comment 'if you were so verse as to the happenings in Nigeria, you'd know that it remains one of the few countries in the world that requires pilots to attend SIM bi-annually' even with my poor English, does not seem well phrased. I suppose you are meaning 'averse'. I am not averse to Nigeria and I am well aware of the need for pilot to attend sim training, something which the civil aviation in most countries requires.
As you say, it is a free world so in the spirit of 'Liberté, égalité, fraternité' kindly stop lowering yourself to make personal attacks on myself when I say something you don't like. I notice you have posted nothing like 'oh it is perfectly legal for scheduled flight to take off completely in the dark'.
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LJT,
I think AG has a point and you have not made any constructive criticism yourself. Your profile says you have an ATP and are in UK. So tell me; under JAA UK rules, would Virgin Atlantic be allowed to depart on a scheduled passenger flight at night from an airfield with no ramp, taxiway or runway lighting? If MM airport suffered a total electric failure at night and the standby generators also failed, do you think ATC would clear an aircraft to taxy out and depart on a night flight? If you can honestly put your hand on your heart and say 'of course' then maybe you have a point. If not then maybe you need to agree that something wrong occurred and get off his case.
I think AG has a point and you have not made any constructive criticism yourself. Your profile says you have an ATP and are in UK. So tell me; under JAA UK rules, would Virgin Atlantic be allowed to depart on a scheduled passenger flight at night from an airfield with no ramp, taxiway or runway lighting? If MM airport suffered a total electric failure at night and the standby generators also failed, do you think ATC would clear an aircraft to taxy out and depart on a night flight? If you can honestly put your hand on your heart and say 'of course' then maybe you have a point. If not then maybe you need to agree that something wrong occurred and get off his case.
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Fani-Kayode decides to unilaterally evict VK domestic ops from the international terminal?
At the "$200 million" new domestic terminal with 6 parking stands including 3 aviobridges, it's going to take some creativity to handle all that traffic!
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Airport terminal to be ready in February, says minister
THE new multi-million-dollar terminal building at the domestic wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos will not be ready for use till February 2007.
The Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, disclosed this yesterday in Lagos, while addressing newsmen.
The new world class terminal, which has so far gulped about 200 million dollars, was earlier billed for inauguration this month.
Fani-Kayode, who inspected project at the airport, stated that the completion of the facility would end the problem of congestion associated with the present local terminal.
The minister said he was very impressed with the facility and that the aviation authorities would relocate two airlines currently operating local flights from the international airport to the new terminal.
Arik Air and Virgin Nigeria now operate local flights from the international airport, a development, which had continued to pitch other domestic operators against the aviation authorities.
http://www.ngrguardiannews.com
At the "$200 million" new domestic terminal with 6 parking stands including 3 aviobridges, it's going to take some creativity to handle all that traffic!
---------------------------
Airport terminal to be ready in February, says minister
THE new multi-million-dollar terminal building at the domestic wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos will not be ready for use till February 2007.
The Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, disclosed this yesterday in Lagos, while addressing newsmen.
The new world class terminal, which has so far gulped about 200 million dollars, was earlier billed for inauguration this month.
Fani-Kayode, who inspected project at the airport, stated that the completion of the facility would end the problem of congestion associated with the present local terminal.
The minister said he was very impressed with the facility and that the aviation authorities would relocate two airlines currently operating local flights from the international airport to the new terminal.
Arik Air and Virgin Nigeria now operate local flights from the international airport, a development, which had continued to pitch other domestic operators against the aviation authorities.
http://www.ngrguardiannews.com