NIGERIA: Overland Airways Now Flying To Asaba From Abuja

Overland Airways, Nigeria's frontline carrier has announced the commencement of its flight services from Abuja to Asaba, Delta State.

The flight services will be operated with Overland Airways globally renowned ATR turboprop aircraft with superior technological design for unmatched performance on short-distance flights in terms of economic reliability, safety and comfort.

It said the airline is Nigeria's longest-serving most consistent scheduled commercial airline providing uninterrupted flight services in Nigeria over the past 14 years.

With expanding routes including Lagos, Asaba, Abuja, Dutse, Minna, Bauchi, Jalingo, Akure, Overland Airways looks to begin regional flights in West African in the first quarter of 2017.

According to Capt. Edward Boyo, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Overland Airways, the accelerated development of the economy of Delta State is strategic to the development of the economies of various regions in the country especially the South-East and South-South regions, which makes air transport an important element in the efforts to develop Delta State.

"Delta State is endowed with great human and sundry resources which should be carefully harnessed by relentless efforts of both the government and the private sector. Overland Airways is dedicated to creating new high-value for the indigenes and visitors to Delta State by providing our trademark excellent, reliable, safe and comfortable air services to Asaba.

"We understand the value of investments and easy access into hinterland economies like Delta State. And we are confident of driving sustainable social and economic development in Delta State as Overland Airways supports the easy movement of investors, tourists, traders and business people to and from Delta State and the adjoining regions such as Onitsha across the Niger. We are in partnership with the people of Delta State. And this is a partnership that works" Boyo said.

NIGERIA: Overland Airways Commences Flight Operations To Jalingo

Overland Airways, Nigeria’s leading commuter airline has commenced flight services to Jalingo, the Taraba State capital, from the airline’s hub in Abuja.
To date, Overland Airways is Nigeria’s most consistent longest serving airline providing uninterrupted flights and opening up Nigeria’s remote economies over the last 13 years.
Speaking on the development, Chief Operating Officer of Overland Airways, Mrs. Aanu Benson disclosed that the airline operates a current fleet of 9 modern turboprop aircraft excellently adapted to its short-distance operations.

According to her, “Overland Airways is an outstanding economic development partner and catalyst in Nigeria creating value for remote cities and communities. Our cardinal objective is to fast-track national development especially at the hinterland level, and we have a deep sense of fulfillment each time we connect another potential economic powerhouse like Jalingo to the main economic hubs.”

“Today marks the beginning of a new economic frontier for Taraba State. Overland Airways is pleased to bring air connectivity to bear on the efforts to accelerate economic development in Jalingo and Taraba State.” she added

She said that Overland Airways was the first-ever airline to launch flights to Jalingo airport, thus opening the state to unprecedented economic development in tourism, agribusiness, small and medium scale industries among others.

This notable feat, she stated was one of several characteristics that single out Overland Airways as an unmatched partner in economic empowerment and development especially in hinterland regions in Nigeria.

Overland Airways is renowned for launching first-ever flights to several Nigerian secondary airports such as Asaba, Dutse, Katsina and Minna, which has effectively created an extensive web of economic development in these regions and their environs.

Speaking further, Benson said, “Overland Airways has the zeal to provide avenue for wealth creation especially in Jalingo and other remote cities in Nigeria. We are passionate about alleviating the challenges facing road commuters, and we are pleased to enhance the movement of economic developers, new investors, tourists, etc. to and from Jalingo.

Residents and visitors of Jalingo and its environs will no longer have to travel to other states to catch a flight to Abuja.”
She said, “We are humbled to see the economic impact of opening up Nigeria’s hinterland destinations; from Ilorin, Ibadan, Dutse, Bauchi to Minna among others.

The benefits of Overland Airways air connectivity are remarkable. We invite you to experience Overland Airways’ on-board hospitality in Jalingo. Our fares start from N25, 000.”

She stated that in the difficult operating environment in Nigeria, it takes great courage and professionalism to venture into remote routes with low yield.

Overland Airways, she explained relies on its excellent fleet choice, professionalism and outstanding management and discipline to sustain its vigorous spread in Nigeria’s hinterland destinations.

Chief Operating Officer stated the airline would operate thrice-weekly flights;;Monday, Wednesday and Friday between Abuja and Jalingo, adding that Overland Airways provides scheduled domestic passenger services in Nigeria and is a leading charter services operator in West and Central Africa.

Governor Darius Ishaku of Taraba State expresses delight at the launch of flights to Jalingo which provides a strong boost to economic development efforts in Taraba State.

Sitting in the tropical belt with a vast geographic area featuring mountains, hills and lush grasslands and high-yield arable land, Taraba State has huge agricultural, tourism and other potentials for investment.

The State is known to produce some of the world’s best quality tea cultivated on the Mambila Plateau. Cassava, yams, potatoes, (sweet/Irish) cocoyam, rice, maize, cotton, cowpea, millet, sorghum, ground nut oil, sesame, and soya bean are produced in large quantity in the State.

Taraba is a major producer of sugar cane, coffee, cocoa, coconut, palm produce, citrus, mango, apple and tomato.
Taraba’s vast rice fields hold potentials for Nigeria’s self-sufficiency in rice production.

Interestingly, processing of fruits and vegetables, palm oil and timber as well as diary and livestock farming, meat processing, tannery and leather processing make Taraba a potential economic hub in the region.

Taraba State also offers a rich variety of mineral deposits including graphite, calcite, barites, quarzite, tin ore, kaolin, topaz, uranium and various gemstones. Taraba has borders with Bauchi, Gombe, Plateau, Nasarawa and Adamawa.

With air connectivity, these potentials could more easily be accessed and exploited for the benefit of the State and its citizenry. This is the ultimate goal of Overland Airways in as it opens up Jalingo and the larger Taraba State.

NIGERIA: First Nation Airways Secures IOSA Certification

First Nation Airlines, one of the few surviving domestic airlines has secured the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) Certification.

This achievement by the airline brings to three the number of Nigerian domestic airline that have passed IOSA certification.
The other two airlines that had earlier secured IOSA certification are Arik Air and Aero.

However, there are still four domestic airlines that have not secured IOSA certification. They include Azman, Dana Air, Air Peace and Overland Airways.

The attainment of the feat by the airline was disclosed in an online statement signed by the Director, Flight Operations, Capt. Chimara Imediegwu and made available to journalists in Lagos.

Imediegwu stated that First Nation is now the first out of the 10 airlines across the African continent, chosen by IATA in 2014 to undergo the prestigious IOSA certification, to successfully complete the certification process and achieve IOSA registration within the timeline.

First Nation, he stated has joined the elite group of airlines across the globe holding IOSA certification, adding that the fact that the airline was able to attain this certification within record time attested to the airline’s robust structure.

First Nation from launch has assembled young crop of dynamic and motivated professionals which has resulted in the airline building a strong brand with respectable market presence within a relatively short period.

The airline, he said was currently working on aircraft fleet expansion that would see the airline grow aircraft fleet and route network.

Recalled that the 22nd Ordinary Session of the African Union (AU) Executive Council held on January 25th-26th, 2013 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia endorsed the Abuja Declaration and Associated Plan of Action on Aviation Safety in Africa, making it a requirement for all African Airlines to successfully complete IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) certification by end of 2015.

IOSA programme is an internationally recognised and accepted evaluation system designed to assess the operational management and control system of an airline.

IOSA certified airlines have the highest safety standard worldwide in 2014 and as such IOSA has become a global standard recognised well beyond IATA membership.

The certification will help to enhance African airlines safety and operational standards to world class and in line with industry best practice.

Meanwhile, as at the time of compiling this report, it was not clear if the remaining four airlines would be able to beat the 2015 deadline.