Airline Company, Cita-Triax Aviation, Into Nigeria ’s Aviation Industry.

A new vista in the bilateral relations between the United States and Nigeria was opened in Abuja , with the introduction of a new Airline, Cita-Triax Aviation, into Nigeria ’s aviation industry.

Speaking on the occasion, the US Ambassador to Nigeria , Robin Renee Sander commended the initiative, which is collaboration between a consortium of American Aviation experts and a group of Nigerian businessmen led by Chief Cliff Ogbede, the Chairman of Cita Travel Agency Limited.

Sanders said that the introduction of the airline, with its renowned expertise and advanced technology, would complement the efforts of the Nigerian government to upgrade and modernise its aviation infrastructure. She said that the participation of the American private sector in Nigeria ’s aviation industry was an indication of the growing confidence of the United States in the economic potentials of Nigeria and its investment climate.

Chairman, Senate Committee on Aviation, Senator Anyim Ude, who jointly unveiled the plaque of the new airline with the Ambassador, commended the promoters of the airline for finding Nigeria a suitable investment destination in Africa.

He expressed delight at the intention of the airline to help build the capacity of the aviation sector in Nigeria through collaboration with the Western Michigan University in the United States . The leader of the Cita-Triax team from the United States , Tom Davis, said that they were coming into Nigeria and the rest of West Africa to contribute their quota to the development of the aviation industry in the sub-region.

He said that the company was in Nigeria to bring new aviation ideas so as to improve existing technology, while providing education with the delivery of timely implementation of skills to Nigeria and West Africa . He disclosed that Cita – Triax Aviation was working with National Air Cargo Group and Western Michigan University College of Aviation in the United States.

Another director of the company, Mr. Howard Hackney, commended Nigerians for the reception accorded the group since they arrived in the country. He pledged that Cita – Triax Aviation Limited would deepen the new relationship to the mutual benefit of both countries.

Ogbede, who is the head of the Nigerian group and a director of Cita – Triax Aviation Limited, said that the group, with its expertise and modern technology, was going to turn around the aviation sector in Nigeria and West Africa . Ogbede is the Vice President of Cita-Triax Aviation, worldwide.

New Arrivals Terminal at Doha International Airport Close to Completion

Doha International Airport (DIA) is preparing to open its brand new Doha Arrivals terminal as the country’s only international airport expands to receive an increasing number of visitors to the State of Qatar.

The new Doha Arrivals terminal is a separate stand-alone facility to DIA’s current Main terminal and will handle all airport passengers arriving into the country.

Residents in Qatar will be familiar with the location of the Doha Arrivals terminal as the site of the temporary terminal erected for the Doha Asian Games in 2006, across the road from Qatar Airways’ Premium Sales office. The new facility is situated on C-Ring Road between VIP roundabout and Ras Aboud flyover and is designed to greatly enhance the arrival experience for people entering Qatar.

The Doha Arrivals terminal forms part of a multi-million dollar DIA re-development plan that will enable the airport to continue its efficient operation as it prepares for the opening of the New Doha International Airport, scheduled for 2012.

Features of the new Doha Arrivals terminal include an increased number of baggage belts, more immigration counters, Duty Free retail shopping, bus and taxi stands, and an enlarged meet and greet waiting area for those receiving passengers at the airport.

Frequent shuttle buses will provide passengers who have parked their vehicles at the Main Terminal – which will be renamed the Departure and Transfer terminal – with transport from the Doha Arrivals terminal on their return.

Soon after the new Doha Arrivals terminal becomes operational, work will begin on reconfiguring the existing arrivals terminal into an expanded Departure and Transfer terminal which will accommodate increasing passenger flows. The additional work will take several months to complete.

Doha International Airport is managed and operated by Qatar Airways, the national airline of the State of Qatar.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker said the changes were aimed at enhancing customer experience ahead of the opening of the New Doha International Airport.

“Over the next few days, Doha International Airport and Qatar Airways will be providing more information on the new facilities to ensure passengers are fully aware of the significant changes taking place,” said Al Baker.

“It was imperative for the continued development of Qatar that the existing airport infrastructure was expanded. The new Doha Arrivals terminal is the latest step in the infrastructure improvements to handle the influx of passengers through the airport.

“We are eagerly awaiting the opening of the New Doha International Airport in 2012, which will provide an even better facility for the people of Qatar and for international travellers flying on Qatar Airways and other airlines.”

Qatar’s only international airport has received several upgrades since November 2006 when Qatar Airways’ exclusive Premium Terminal for First and Business Class passengers opened, and has subsequently seen the expansion of the airport’s Eastern Apron, including increased aircraft parking space, a dual carriageway perimeter road to the Main terminal, and the establishment of a new Satellite Transfer terminal.

In 2008, the main airport terminal was also upgraded with extra boarding gates added to accommodate the increased number of flights departing from Doha. Last year, the Premium Terminal was extended to provide additional space for the growth of the number of First and Business Class passengers flying with Qatar Airways.

new regulator for the aviation industry

The Indian government may have cleared the deck for a new regulator for the aviation industry – the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA) – but in the absence of a new civil aviation policy, its efficacy remains a question, say industry trackers.

India’s proposed aviation policy, which seeks some far-reaching changes in regulations governing the sector, is already delayed by five years, and runs the risk of getting delayed even further with six states going to the polls this year, followed by parliamentary elections early next year, says Marc Martin, senior adviser for aviation at global accounting firm and consultancy KPMG.

“I don’t see the new aviation policy taking shape,” Martin said. “How AERA has to be brought effectively on ground level is again a big task ahead. AERA has to partner with the industry,” he said.

A former regional director of the Airports Authority of India too said AERA would not materialise in the near future.

“It (AERA Bill 2007) is yet to get presidential consent. A notification has to be issued after that; this will be followed by a process for enactment of the regulator at the ground level. All this will take time,” he said.

A committee set up under former civil aviation secretary Naresh Chandra had prepared a blueprint and set the ground rules for the entire aviation sector in November 2003.

But the draft policy had to be deferred as the country went to the polls in early 2004. The new aviation policy has been on hold since then.

The AERA Bill 2007 got India’s cabinet nod in May 2007, but it was cleared by parliament only late last month.

A senior ministry official blamed private airport developers and airline operators for delaying the policy as it would impose restrictions on them.

The airline industry is clueless about AERA’s role. “I have no clue. I can’t say how effective AERA will be in the absence of a clear cut aviation policy,” said Aditya Ghosh, president of low-cost carrier Indigo Airlines.

The ministry official said in the absence of an effective aviation policy, aviation regulator AERA is toothless.

The prime objective of AERA will be to create a level playing field and foster healthy competition among airports, encourage investment in airport facilities, regulate fares and protect the interests of users.

US Airlines To Cutting Capacity of Air Flight Traffic in 2009

It appears United Airlines, Northwest Airlines and American Airlines were the carriers most serious about cutting capacity this fall.

United cut 14.2 percent of its capacity, or about one-seventh of its flying, in November compared to the same month in 2007. Northwest was down 10.1 percent, followed by American with a 9.3 percent reduction.

Only Southwest Airlines showed an increase in capacity, and it was a measly 0.4 percent. But all airlines showed a decrease in traffic, and only AirTran Airways and Delta Air Lines reported that they filled a greater percentage of their seats this November compared to last.

The big capacity cutters were also the big traffic losers, led by United’s 17 percent drop in traffic measured by revenue passenger miles. If you count passengers, United lost 17.8 percent of its actual passengers – or more than one passenger in six compared to November 2007.

Below are charts showing traffic, in revenue passenger miles; capacity, in available seat miles; and load factors, or percentage of seats with paying passengers in them. RPMs and ASMs are in thousands.

Travel Costs Dropping as Economy Squeezes Spending

If you are planning on taking your family on a vacation this year, think big. In fact, think about finally going on that dream vacation that you have long wished for. Chances are you will be able to afford it.

I talked with several travel agents who say they are seeing travel discounts and perks in record amounts. The deals include the high-end packages such as luxury Mexican resorts, European vacations and Alaskan cruises.

“For people who feel secure in their jobs and can afford it, there are some great deals throughout the summer time,” says Stuart Carroll, owner of Carroll Travel in Washington, D.C.

Tom Crosby, a spokesman for AAA Carolinas, says the economy has hurt some popular tourist spots. A number of the bigger resorts are no longer getting the same volume of convention business, so they have extra beds to fill, he says.

Crosby says he is seeing discounts across the board. “You can save 25 percent to 40 percent on cruises, 10 percent to 15 percent on hotels and 10 to 25 percent on package tours,” he says.

Darcy Grimes, manager for travel marketing for AAA Carolinas, says that in 2007 she was booking seven-night Alaska cruises on Holland America Line from $799 per person. Now she’s booking the same cruise for as low as $499.

Similarly, in 2007 a five-night Western Caribbean cruise rate was $599 per person. Grimes found the same cruise last week starting at $249 per person.

In addition to the lower rates, Grimes says that cruise lines are offering additional bonuses to help stimulate sales.

“Most have cut out the fuel supplement charge, and others are offering reduced deposits or onboard credits if consumers book by a certain date.

Grimes is finding similar deals for European trips. Because the dollar has strengthened against the euro, she is seeing up to a 100 percent savings on hotel stays.

“If the room cost you $200 a night last year, it will probably cost $100 this year,” she says.

Carroll of Carroll Travel says he has booked people at The Royal in Cancun for as little as $800 a week. That’s about a 50 percent savings, he says.

“Hotel rooms are a perishable thing,” Carroll notes. “Once the night goes, they can never sell it again.”

To fill those rooms, hotels are also offering other specials. Some are waiving the minimum night requirement. Others are offering an extra free night if you stay a certain number of nights.

Some resorts are lowering the down payment and offering air credits and meal credits.

There is one caveat though: Finding a flight to your dream vacation site may be challenging. A number of airlines, in an effort to reduce expenses, have decreased the number of flights they are offering to certain areas. So book early.

Here are some other tips to help secure great vacation deals:

- Use a travel agent. Agents can check several deals at once and it doesn’t cost you anything.

- Check cruise lines two weeks before departure date. Some cruises will offer last-minute deals.

- Ask about travel insurance. This will protect you in case there are changes in your travel plans or your financial circumstances.