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Air Nigeria pilots strike

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Old 1st Jun 2012, 20:38
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Thumbs down Air Nigeria pilots strike

Just heard that Air Nigeria pilots & engineers embarked on an indefinete strike today 1st June over issues bothering on welfare, like unpaid salaries, tax & pension deducted from pilots & not remitted to appropriate authorities.
Here we go again, remember Nicon Airways? The airline that went under when the same chairman of Air Nigeria bought it over, is he going down the same route again?
That will be a great disappointment for the aviation industry in Nigeria & a big shame as the airline had a good pedigree & great potentials.
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Old 2nd Jun 2012, 08:49
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Press article

Air Nigeria Pilots, Engineers Embark On Indefinite Strike
Written by Shola Adekola, Lagos Saturday, 02 June 2012




Flight activities at Air Nigeria have been shut down indefinitely following a face-off between the airline management and its pilots and engineers over lingering welfare crisis.
Following this, all the airline’s domestic flights for yesterday were grounded.
The decision by the two strong professional bodies under the aegis of National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE), Air Nigeria branch, to commence an indefinite strike since yesterday was borne out of the inability of the management to meet the demands raised by the workers.
According to a notice issued by NAAPE, which was duly signed by its chairman, R.M Ahmed and Secretary-General J.U Iyieugbuniwe, dated May 31, 2012 and forwarded to the airline Chief Executive Officer, the association, in defence of its action, said it was embarking on the action due to the refusal of the management to attend to the seven point demands they put before the management since last year.
The notice titled; ‘Notice of Down Tool’ issued by NAAPE, stated that following the failure of the Air Nigeria management to comply with the agreement reached at a meeting held by the two parties on March 31, 2012 in the presence of the Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), who represented the Minister of Aviation, they had no alternative but to down tool.
According to the notice, NAAPE stated in part: “The Minister of Aviation was duly represented by the D.G, NCAA, and matters bordering on the welfare of NAAPE members were discussed and impending down tool was suspended pending the resolution of grievances.
“NAAPE is saddened to inform all parties that as of today May 31, 2012, the issues are yet to be resolved. Issues raised on March 31 are listed as follows; delayed salaries of both local and foreign staff; pension deduction not remitted for over seven (7) months; tax refund and tax clearance issues; co-operative deductions not yet remitted; staff travel unresolved and engineering tier system still pending.”

Air Nigeria Pilots, Engineers Embark On Indefinite Strike
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Old 2nd Jun 2012, 10:45
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All for One and One for All..

"JIMOH IBRAHIM AGAIN"
Well the whole nation and aviation community is watching

Heard from my colleagues over there that the strike is still ongoing as the Big Man has refused to discuss with the union and is spitting fire.

Well this is quite sad and I feel this fellow would be doing himself a big favor by listening and negotiating with them.......

PS: Whats this London they commenced with Egypt Air is it worth the money and beneficial to Air Nigeria or is it worth it for the Egyptian Airline.
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Old 2nd Jun 2012, 14:52
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Balewa, Air Nigeria must have done their homework

First off, Egypt Air, because of the Arab spring, is suffering from reduced traffic, so it's offering it's aircraft for lease at reduced rates. So, there is a cost savings there.

Secondly, there IS a market for travel to London quite distinct from the body of Nigerians attracted to the BA brand. Price figures for these travelers. They fly Turkish, Libyan Arab (when they were here) and the like, and their numbers is considerable.

Remember too, that by the time Virgin Nigeria, this company's predecessor, suspended the London service, they had become number one in terms of numbers carried on the London route. And although that's quite a distinct matter from gross or net earnings on the route or yields per passenger, it does indicate that the potential for Air Nigeria is there.
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Old 3rd Jun 2012, 19:29
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Air Nigeria pilots go on strike on the 1st, allied Air had an accident in Accra on the 2nd with casualities, Dana Air has an accident on the 3rd with casualities; any correlation or mere co-incidence?
When pilots are reluctant to fly due to issues they feel are inimical to safety, even welfare issues, how come operators don't take them serious, but try to coerce, intimidate & victimize them into submission, using management pilots as traitors & back stabbers to weaken their resolve?
Even the CAA at the behest of the management turns a blind eye or even facilitates logistics to help management operate under a strike situation, but when something goes wrong, they then beam there searchlight at the operations of the airline as if they're not aware of all the illegalities which management with connivance of management pilots & engineers have been perpetrating.
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Old 5th Jun 2012, 01:48
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This sucks

I am yet to finish my CPL exams and I am already disenchanted by all the horror stories I've heard about fixed wing air operators in this country. Our national carrier going through this crises is a big disgrace. Guess I'll have to find a way to get a loan and travel to the uk for a JAA conversion and start applying for jobs there. Too many horror stories about Arik, dana, aero and now Air Nigeria! Is there no competent carrier in the country? NIGERIA! Kmt!
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Old 5th Jun 2012, 04:36
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Dee43sucks.....
Dude, you know nothing yet!
Think a little bit before you come here and denigrate your country and the airlines without having had any first hand experience of flying in Nigeria.
People are mourning lost friends and relatives from Sunday's crash, so show some respect to the people who lost their lives and those left behind to try to pick up the shattered pieces of their lives, before you come here to spout nonsense about what you know little about.
Here is some free advice, as you are already disenchanted by the horror stories you have heard, do yourself and us all a favour by not becoming a pilot anymore.
Instead, miss out on the 'crises' at Air Nigeria and enjoy the parties and beaches at Port Alfred, try your hand at surfing or something, you might be able to make a success of yourself.
You won't be missed!!
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Old 5th Jun 2012, 06:18
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shut up. and go suck a lemon

If our bloody national carrier can be going through this kind of nonsense, what is the benchmark for private operators? Its part of what fueled my outburst on here to start with. Operators victimize and pressure pilots into flying unserviceable A/C, the NCAA circumvent rules at the drop of a hat at the slightest opportunity to make a fast buck! These are the horror stories I was bemoaning. So, if you have nothing encouraging to say, keep quiet!
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Old 5th Jun 2012, 13:40
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I agree with both of you. First, lets not make this matter about the people who lost their lives in the latest crash, or even the crash in Accra which took lives as well. I agree to show respect to these people that lost their lives and those who miss their loved ones.

However, fact is that Nigeria has been worse than it is now and I am not saying the job is done in lifting safety in the country but it is well on the way. Imagine where Niageria`s aviation was at 10 years ago?! I have experienced it. And I can tell you stories funny and not so funny.

Going to the EU and getting a JAA will help you but will not put you into the cockpit of a EU airline. 1st hand experience!!

Do not waste your cash like that. Evaluate first of all what Nigeria has to offer. From a realistic point of view and then look around the continent before going to Europe. Europe`s market is difficult to get in as it is now. Let alone in 1 years time.

But good luck for your plans!
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Old 5th Jun 2012, 14:16
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Dee43sucks, AirNigeria is not our national carrier

It is one more airline like Arik, Aero, the unfortunate Dana, IRS, and the rest.
In fact the verdict is out on what constitutes a "national carrier".
At one time, it meant the sole airline that represented a country when it negotiated bilaterals with other countries.
Others saw it as the government-owned airline that provided a national service and flew patriots abroad, like when we had Nigeria Airways, Ghana had theirs and Ethiopia had and retains theirs'.
But in this era of market driven economics, it seems the ability to paint the flag on your fuselages is enough to render you a national carrier: you don't even have to fly across int. borders.
Ultimately, I'd think there is no yardstick for determining what's a national carrier.
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Old 5th Jun 2012, 15:13
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thanks for your contributions @whitedove @flareout

Your replies are encouraging and I appreciate your contributions. Checked out the EU option and apparently pilots from flybe and ryan air are being poached by the bigger carriers so a vaccum has been created. Qatar and cathay pacific have come recruiting down here but with the whole politics goin on down in SA.... I will explore the options back home before looking elsewhere though, better to live like a king in my country than serve in another is my opinion but not at the expense of my life and the life of my Pax because of greed.
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Old 5th Jun 2012, 16:44
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Go suck on a lemon?
I'm glad to see that the standard of your English seems to be improving
Better than going through "this crises"
As Flareout BC points out, Air Nigeria hardly fits the definition of a National carrier and as it is owned by Mr Jimoh Ibrahim it is one of the private operators supposed to be setting benchmarks.
Shows how much you know
By all means go to Europe to get a JAA licence with your 200 hrs from SA, no type rating and no time on type if you do get one, then let us know how you get along.
If you do get a job, please let us all know which airline it is so I can avoid them.
With your attitude I'm sure your CRM skills will be of the highest calibre and you'll be a joy to share a cockpit with!!
Unlike you I know that a pilot has the right to refuse to fly an airplane if he considers it unsafe, yes commercial pressure will be experienced but it is our right as pilots to resist such.
The worst thing that can happen to a pilot is that he will lose his job but he will still be alive to find another one.
Please tell me which rules that the NCAA have been circumventing, I'm very interested in learning how they are doing so, the people making fast bucks and how much they have made! I'd like to hear actual examples.
Do not come here and make unsubstantiated allegations when you are not even in the country to see what is happening.
It is easy to talk from the comfort of your flying school but come out into the real world and see for yourself how things are before you talk about that which you know nothing about.
You say I shouldn't talk if I have nothing encouraging to say?
Try to follow your advice Good Sir!

Last edited by ediks; 5th Jun 2012 at 18:50.
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Old 5th Jun 2012, 20:01
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This article (see link below) is causing a lot of questions to be asked:

"Air Nigeria" Is A Flying Coffin, Former Executive Director Says | Sahara Reporters

Now, big Jim sends his propaganda machine to work (see below):

National Mirror - Air Nigeria debunks false rumours by Nnorom, ex-finance director

Now me thinks:

Anyone who knows real propaganda will know that this airline is using its sister company (National Mirror) to publish incorrect information and mislead Nigerians.


The money for any maintenance that takes place in the airline (if any) must have been sourced through the finance director, so there must be an element of truth in his accusations. The ex-director didn't appear to claim that he knows much about aircraft maintenance but i want to believe he wasn't an 'illiterate' when it came to paying for aircraft maintenance.


If Nnorom is incorrect, how come the airline's core staff have been on strike since last week? If its because of any of the issues Nnorom has highlighted, then let's lean towards believing him. If he's stolen any money, that's another matter, quite irrelevant to be honest. What goes around comes around.

Without knowing too much about what goes on in Air Nigeria, I have advised those i know to stay away and use more suitable options.
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Old 9th Jun 2012, 06:53
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Latest reports indicate that Jimoh Ibrahim, through threats, coercion, intimidation & blackmail & through his DFO/CP has broken the pilots strike, without making any commitment, either concerning the safety issues raised or those bothering on their welfare.
After the DANA & Allied Air incidents, one would except that operators would genuinely address any issue, especially those raised by pilots & engineers that have to do with safety.
Can the Nigerian CAA also say they are not aware of the safety implications of the Air Nigeria situation?
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Old 9th Jun 2012, 17:41
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whitedove2:
One would hope that Sunday's terrible and tragic accident will show those concerned the truth in the saying "If you think safety is expensive, wait until you have an accident!!"

Last edited by ediks; 9th Jun 2012 at 18:08.
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Old 9th Jun 2012, 18:20
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Careful Guys lets get the Facts correct here.

Reasons and only reasons for Air Nigeria Strike action

1. Late Payment of salaries.
(Actually had an agreement with AirNigeria management that salaries would be paid by the 1st of the month. Witnessed by the DG NCAA, NAAPE and the Minister for Aviation 2 months ago)

2. Non remittance of pension contribution to the Pension fund bank.
(Even though it was collected from their salary every month)

3. Extremely high Tax deductions.
(Demanded individual Tax review and Tax certificates for their Pilots and Engineers after failure to prove why such high taxes and non payment of deducted taxes to the government.

4. Re-instatement of Staff Travel
(Which was promised by Chairman and not effected)

Now here are the reasons for the strike people. Strike was not due to Mr. Nnoroms Saharareporters article. That fella took full advantage of the strike with his allegations.

Unfortunately for the guys at Air Nigeria the DANA crash occured during the strike and here we are relating it to their strike

QUOTE -by NAIJANINJA
"Without knowing too much about what goes on in Air Nigeria, I have advised those i know to stay away and use more suitable options."

Not fair NAIJANINJA..I expected ........from you...

I have some very professional colleagues in Air Nigeria and I am also a member of NAAPE and can say that Air Nigeria maintains a Professional operation when it comes to safety and maintenance.

My only beef with them is that Jimoh fellow....
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Old 9th Jun 2012, 19:06
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Balewa, pls let Whitedove cry out

Despair does not begin to describe the feelings out there, about safety in Nigerian skies.
Some of the wealthiest and most gifted in the land favoured Dana with their custom, and perceived it was one of the safer ops in Nigeria. And now, we have this crash, in which BOTH engines fail in the air?
The specter of engineering/technical failures/shortcomings at Dana is enough to make our people scared, that's the point I'm trying to make.
Granted, we should not condemn before proof of guilt, but raising the bar as a preemptive tool, given the consistent lapses, failures and questionable events that define aviation in Nigeria just now, certainly is in order. Read, sirs, that from now on, we can't afford to be too careful. Therefore, if anybody suspects there just might be safety issues at any operator, by golly, let them holler!
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Old 9th Jun 2012, 22:10
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Having flown in Nigeria, and also all over the world, from Europe to the USA, and elsewhere, I can safely say that Nigerian Air space is by far the most dangerous place I have ever operated an aircraft. I have also flown through out Africa and again Nigeria is by far the most dangerous. Pilots in naija must deal with poor ATC, bad weather, poor maintenance, bad and inadequate regulations, purposely written in a way that leaves a lot of loop holes for interpretation. The flight time and duty limitations are totally inadequate for the operation in Nigeria. Minimum rest of 9 hours and which can be further reduced to 8 hours after a 14 hour duty day. Most countries have at least 12 hours rest after duty and a minimum rest of 11 hours of which 10 hours must be spent in the hotel. Not so Nigeria, it is 9 which can be reduced to 8 for unforeseen circumstances, yet pilots are rostered 8 hours minimum rest which is illegal. ATC, is at best horrible, total chaos just like Lagos traffic. What you see on the roads in Lagos is exactly what happens in the skies over Nigeria. Total chaos, in-descipline, poor RT, and the list goes on. Working in Nigeria as a pilot is totally stressful, and it ages you 5 years for every year you're in the air. But to top it all off, the passengers in Nigeria are also overbearing, they are aggressive and rude. If a pilot decides to delay his departure due to weather or some other issue, then it is almost a riot on board with some passengers even attacking the crew. So even when you try to do the right thing and err on the side of caution, you have to face management threats and passenger anger and threats. I can go on and on, but I will just say, it saddens me about the crash of Dana and the lives lost, it is truly tragic and my prayers and thoughts go out to the crew, passengers and those who died on the ground. Sad to say though, but I honestly don't believe that anything will improve after this crash. The NCAA will do what they do best, they will react and just shut down the airline, they won't try to fix all the issues, poor ATC, navaids, airport lighting, pilot training, checks, FTDL, maintenance. The DASH will still rule, some airlines will continue to DASH to get their way, so that the inspectors or someone in the NCAA will turn a blind eye to the rule breaking. The bogus master roster will still be around as usual, everything will look good on paper but what happens now will continue. Pilots will be bullied to fly illegally, planes will continue to fly with 5-10 snags in the tech log, pilots will be their worse enemies and continue to shout BREAK BREAK to get in a word instead of letting people transmit their position reports or make their request. Pilots will still have to give paxs on board, fuel on board, estimates to every way point, every time they speak to a new area control. ATC will still say STANDBY even when they haven't even heard the request of the pilot and then of course STANDBY never comes back to you to ask what the request was. All in all it will be business as usual, crash or no crash. Before anyone says am bashing nigeria, let me just say, am only stating the facts, this really is the way things are in Nigerian aviation. The more things change, the more they will remain the same. Ain't nothing will change in Najia after this crash. Money talks, plain and simple. I pray that God helps my nigerian and foreign aviators who fly the chaotic skies of Nigeria. Oh and to top it all off, the owners and operators treat their pilots like **** and don't even pay them properly, or on time. Do I hear ARIK, and Air Nigeria, Dana? Sad Sad Sad.
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Old 10th Jun 2012, 12:10
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Kudos, Vicar of Bray

I can modify just one of the brilliant points you made.
Passengers could do with sensitizing about the intricacies of aviation, especially as found in the retarded environment we call our own. They need a better grasp, and it is incumbent upon government, given the critical role commercial aviation plays in the drive to develop Nigeria, to teach the (traveling) public, the factors acting upon efficient delivery of aviation services to Nigerians.
May I also add, humbly, that the current head of Nigeria's CAA, apart from being a seasoned professional, is known to be conscientious and God fearing. He wouldn't take bribes, compromise standards or deliberately remain stagnant in a dynamic industry. The problem likely is with the inspectors, who are alleged to take bribes, and accept questionable practices by operators.
More saddening is the fact that government can't find a suitable replacement for him, evidently. If they could, he would have been retired (honourably), when his term expired last February
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Old 10th Jun 2012, 12:23
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Vicar of Bay,
While readin through your post, I started thinking "here comes another Naija basher". Then I thought again, and realized you are only telling the truth. Got my first job in th Nigerian skies so I guess I'm used to the BS and don't see anything wrong.
Runway lights in ABV have been U/S for 2 days. Yesterday only the first 1000m were working.
Climbing out of PHC, you are cleared to FL190, and stuck there cos you can't contact Lagos for higher except you get a relay. Either the PHC controller is too lazy to contact Lagos or he has no form of contact with them.

Hear the NCAA is auditing Air Nigeria to make sure the workers' demands are met before they can resume ops. Explains why the strike has been called off and they still ain't flying.
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