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22nd June 2018

One yea later, EU Takes Back Ban on Medview Aircraft

In 2017, the EU banned Medview aircraft because of unaddressed safety deficiencies. However, the European Commission has now rescinded on its decision a year after it stopped aircrafts belonging to Medview airline from operating in its airspace,

According to the Air Safety List, a total of 119 airlines are banned from flying to any European Union member country except all air carriers from Indonesia were cleared.

“Today the European Commission updated the EU Air Safety List, the list of airlines that do not meet international safety standards and are therefore subject to an operating ban or operational restrictions within the European Union,” the statement released on Thursday read.

“Following today’s update, all airlines certified in Indonesia are cleared from the list, following further improvements to the aviation safety situation that was ascertained in the country.”

“On the other hand, the airlines Med-View (Nigeria), Mustique Airways (St. Vincent and the Grenadines), Aviation Company Urga (Ukraine) and Air Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe) were added to the list due to unaddressed safety deficiencies that were detected by the European aviation safety agency during the assessment for a third country operator authorisation,” it said.

The airline secured a wet lease from an EU-member state to continue operations on its Lagos-London route,

16th April 2018

Medview Airline Spends N22bn On Aviation Fuel In 5 Years  

Nigeria’s major domestic carrier, Medview Airline, has said that due to the high cost of aviation fuel in Nigeria, it spent about N22 billion on the product in the last five years.

The airline also said that in an effort to streamline its operations, it had to lay off 52 members of staff from both technical and administrative areas of its operation. The Managing Director of the airline, Alhaji Muneer Bankole, in a press conference at the weekend, said the high cost of aviation fuel in Nigeria was depleting airlines’ little profit, adding that the airlines were at the receiving end of all the bureaucracies the commodity go through before being sold to operators. Bankole noted that the prices of the product increase anytime it becomes scarce and due to the hiccups in the supply of aviation fuel to different parts of the country, there is no uniformity, adding that fuel marketers sell at arbitrary prices as the product is deregulated. “We now buy a litre of aviation fuel at N220 in Lagos but up in the North in places like Maiduguri, it is about N260. That is the unfortunate situation we have found ourselves,” he said. He said that the perennial shortage of aviation fuel, coupled with the gridlock faced in moving the product have become a clog in the wheel of domestic airlines as they find it difficult to operate smoothly like their counterparts in other parts of the world. Bankole also said that the price of the product is critical to an airline and also considering the fact that fuel consumption amounts to about 30 per cent of the cost of operation for an airline, there is need to quickly find more reliable ways to ensure the supply and distribution of the product. He also confirmed that the airline has sacked about 52 workers due to the company’s plan to reconsolidate and streamline its operations, remarking that the rationalisation exercise is continuous. Contrary to the reports that the airline leased all its aircraft fleet, the Medview Managing Director said the airline owns the four aircraft currently in its fleet, adding that two of them have been taken out for maintenance.

According to him, “Since we started operations in 2012, we have airlifted 2.8 million passengers, we are very committed to our work, we are safety conscious, there had been no serious incident or accident, we are still operating to our Francophone West African countries. “We currently have four airplanes and Medview owns all because the best way to survive is to own your assets. The aircraft were bought with our money, we were attracted to First Bank by our prudence and with our cash flow, we purchased these aircraft through the bank, we have the bill of sale. In 2015, we bought the B737-500 (5N-BQM) and again, we bought another one christened Abeke and that is currently being reconfigured from 221 to 242 capacity.” Meanwhile, the Kenya Airways at the weekend laid off 22 out of 26 of its Nigerian personnel representing 86.4 per cent of the affected workers. A source close to the airline disclosed that the staff were issued the disengagement letters at the airline’s office in Lagos in the presence of stern-looking police officers who were engaged by the airline to scare away the affected staff and prevent a possible breakdown of law and order. Only four of its Nigerian workers were retained by the management of the airline after the purging exercise and these include the Country Manager, Mr. Afeez Balogun, the Station Manager, and two other members of staff. Report indicated that the sacked workers were only given four weeks wages on disengagement by the management. It was also gathered that the abrupt sack of the Nigerian workers happened when the airline was still negotiating the new condition of service with the industry unions. The source said the carrier’s management took the decision without taking into consideration the Nigeria labour laws, which kicks against unilateral decision by employers when disengaging workers. 

11th April 2018

Medview Airlines to commence flights between Lagos/Houston

Nigerian travellers may soon begin to enjoy the dividends of the Open Skies agreement existing between Nigeria and the United States as Medview Airline has concluded plans to commence flight operations between Lagos, Nigeria and Houston in the US.

This is just as the airline has airlifted over 3.5 million passengers on all the local routes it operates since its inception.

Announcing this at its 2017 Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Lagos, the Managing Director of the Airline, Alhaji Muneer Bankole in the airline’s 2017 annual report and financial statement  said the airline recorded an increase in turnover of 42 per cent at N36.961 billion from N26.039 billion  recorded in 2016 and an increase in profit after tax of 63 per cent at N1.255 billion from N772 million in 2016.

According to Bankole, though there were no exceptional costs within the period, the company’s development was focused on combining controlled growth with managing and reducing business risk.

Speaking on the regional routes the airline operates, Bankole stated: “We fly to Accra (Ghana), Freetown (Sierra Leone) and Monrovia in Liberia. We started flying to the Francophone West African cities of Abdijan, Conakry and Dakar effective October 27, 2017. Our direct international routes cover Dubai, Jeddah and London.

The managing director who categorised the airline’s strategies into three areas, identified its international management skill as one of the reasons the airline is standing tall against all odds.“The company’s management team is committed to achieving the greatest result by offering the best solutions in volatile business environment like Nigerian market. This is characterised by the years of experience in different of aviation, business management and constant staff training. The company has been able to maximize returns thus, surpassing revenue projections.”

Other two strategies include the ability of the company to explore overseas market by expanding its routes to include more regional operations. Efforts are being made to include other major economically viable routes . As promised, the company will deliver on its mandate to be the number one ‘Airline of Nigeria’.

The third strategy according to Bankole is that the company in its quest to compete with the best airlines around the world is “in negotiations to acquire two modern aircraft ,Boeing 777-200 ER and Boeing 737-800 for its international  and intercontinental flight operations.”A combination of stable internal growth and increasing exposure to new investment opportunities give the Board confidence as to Medview Airlines future projects. I a delighted at the milestones achieved in 2017.”

8th March 2018

MAC Interiors Finalizing Full 767 Cabin Modification For Med-View Airlines

MAC Interiors is finalizing its full cabin modification project on a Boeing 767 aircraft for Nigerian-based Med-View Airlines, which a spokesman says is a benchmark project for the aircraft interior specialist. According to MAC Interiors board member Andrius Norkevičius, the project has been special because all of the company’s teams, including parent company Magnetic MRO, joined forces.

6th March 2018

Med-View refurbishes 767 cabin

5th March 2018

Medview Airlines cancels flight to Maiduguri, cites ‘safety reasons’

The authorities of Medview Airlines cancelled Flight VL2108 to Maiduguri from Abuja at the last minute, citing “safety reasons” for the decision on Sunday.

In response, the Consumer Protection Council urged members of the public to remain calm, saying that passengers involved in the incident are “in safe hands.”

The Director-General, CPC, Mr. Babatunde Irukera, made the appeal in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

Irukera said no passenger was hurt after Medview Airlines Flight VL2108 to Maiduguri from Abuja was cancelled “for safety reasons” on Sunday.

He said the CPC has been communicating with officials of Medview airline, and it said at no time was there an emergency, and that passengers were never at risk.

“At approximately 1400 HRS, while attempting to depart Abuja to Maiduguri on the final segment of the sector, the flight had a Ramp Return, that is, return to base after commencing taxiing on account of a safety issue.

“Specifically, an indicator lamp signifying a minor disorder emerged.

“The Captain, exercising the appropriate abundance of caution and in compliance with applicable safety standards, aborted the flight and returned to base for technical assistance.

“All passengers disembarked in an orderly manner, returned to the lounge and were catered to by the airline in accordance with relevant Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations regarding treatment of passengers during delays.

“Engineers are presently concluding minor repairs so that the aircraft can become operational,’’ he said.

Irukera said the flight to Maiduguri was expected to operate later on Sunday (today), either by same aircraft, or a redundancy or recovery plan that Medview had informed CPC that was in place.

25th February 2018

Med-View Airline to Embark on Cabin Reconfiguration Project of its boeing 767-300er Aircraft

The Management of Med-View Airline is pleased to formally INFORM shareholders and other stakeholders that the Airline has contracted MAC interiors to reconfigure the cabin of its Boeing 767-300ER (5N-BON) aircraft. MAC interiors is a United Kingdom-based leading aircraft interior specialist that has also successfully served as a total technical partner with input from Magnetic MRO, to cover every aspect of the aircraft and ensuring its airworthiness. The invigorating project started with cabin reconfiguration from a 2 Class to 3 Class of (30 Business Class and 191 Economy Class to 12 Business Class, 39 Premium Economy Class and 191 Economy) Med-View Airline then amplified the scope to include galley refurbishment, lavatory updates, installation of surveillance cameras and lighting throughout the entire cabin, installation of carpets, curtains and new class dividers, stowage installation and GPS installation.
Major input from Magnetic MRO, owner of MAC Interiors which is a global Total Technical Care maintenance and asset management organisation, was provided to support the project. Magnetic MRO's design and production teams contributed to the project by manufacturing soft furnishing and modifying interior kits. With the joint know-how of MAC Interiors and Magnetic MRO, everything is expected to be concluded smoothly.

MAC Interiors recruited Cardiff Aviation, a UK MRO to handle the on-wing work of the aircraft and to also facilitate the release of the whole aircraft after completion. Med-View Management expressed their delight to have teamed up with MAC Interiors and Magnetic MRO in the reconfiguration project.

Med-view Airline recognizes the importance of creating memorable experience and comfort for passengers. The reconfigured aircraft will give esteemed passengers a wonderful flying experience of international standards.

1st February 2018

Med-View Airline suspends Dubai operations till March

Med-View Airline on Monday announced the suspension of its operations to Dubai till March 25.

The Chief Executive Officer of the airline, Alhaji Muneer Bankole made the announcement at a media briefing in Lagos. Bankole explained that the suspension was to enable the airline sort out issues with its partners, Euro Atlantic, over leasing of aircraft for its operations. He said the airline would resume its Dubai operations when its own aircraft, B767-300ER, christened `Abeke’ returns from complete refurbishment in the United Kingdom. Med-View The airline boss promised that its passengers who had booked Dubai flight would be flown to their destination through interline arrangements. Bankole further explained that the airline had issues with its European partners over aircraft it leased from them. “From all indications, this aircraft has not been able to meet our requirement in providing the necessary capacity. “The UK Civil Aviation Authority has been supportive of our efforts when it dawned on them that the issues had to do with aircraft. “Consequently, we have taken some measures to our Lagos-London route which will now be serviced by an alternative aircraft currently in operation,’’ he said. Bankole noted that the airline would also maintain its three weekly flights on the London- Gatwick.

He said it would continue on its Jeddah schedule every Thursday through Kano until the issue of biometric, which was now a requirement, was resolved. According to him, on the West Coast, the airline is currently operating on Tuesdays and Saturdays to Anglophone countries, and Mondays and Fridays to Francophone countries. Bankole thanked airline passengers who stood by them throughout this period.

 

December 2017

Med-View Airlines opens international route with 166 passengers

Med-View Airlines has inaugurated a new international route, with direct flight from Kaduna to Jedda, Saudi Arabia.

The Managing Director of the airline, Munir Bankole, inaugurated the flight on Sunday night in Kaduna with 166 passengers on board.

Bankole said the airline introduced the flight for the benefit of families travelling to Saudi Arabia for Ummra (Lesser Hajj) as well as those travelling for their businesses.

Bankole said he started his career in Kaduna and he owed it a responsibility to bring back some of his live benefits to share with people of the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the route has added to Med-view’s existing international routes.

During the inaugural flight, malam Balarabe Sa’id, the Chief Of Staff to Gov Nasiru El-Rufai, commended the airline for having confidence in Kaduna State Government and the people.

Sa’id said the state government had invested more than N3bn to upgrade facilities at the Kaduna International Airport.

He assured the airline and others operating international routes, of the state government’s support, to ensure their success.

27th December 2017

MedView Airlines begins direct flights to Jeddah

MedView Airlines  has commenced direct flight to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia for Muslims performing lesser Hajj in the holy land.

The flight took off from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), the operational hub of the airline in Lagos  is routed via Kaduna and Kano in the North West.

The Boeing 737-800 aircraft conveying the passengers had a full load mostly Muslim Ummah traveling to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for lesser Hajj.

The flight which took off from Lagos was welcomed with a ceremonial water shower at Kaduna International Airport by the officials of the Airport Fire Service in commemoration of the inaugural flight to Kaduna.

Before now, the airline has been operating scheduled flights from Lagos – Kano to Jeddah but has now added Kaduna state to the Jeddah network amidst excitement from tour operators in the region.

26th December 2017

Med-View Airlines opens international route with 166 passengers

Med-View Airlines has inaugurated a new international route, with direct flight from Kaduna to Jedda, Saudi Arabia.

The Managing Director of the airline, Munir Bankole, inaugurated the flight on Sunday night in Kaduna with 166 passengers on board.

Bankole said the airline introduced the flight for the benefit of families travelling to Saudi Arabia for Ummra (Lesser Hajj) as well as those travelling for their businesses.

Bankole said he started his career in Kaduna and he owed it a responsibility to bring back some of his live benefits to share with people of the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the route has added to Med-view’s existing international routes.

During the inaugural flight, malam Balarabe Sa’id, the Chief Of Staff to Gov Nasiru El-Rufai, commended the airline for having confidence in Kaduna State Government and the people.

18th December 2017

Breaking the Dubai Route Jinx

Medview Airlines would be the third Nigerian airline to operate to Dubai. The airline marked its inaugural flight to the Middle East business hub on December 7, recording high load factor of over 85 per cent.

That was an encouraging figure and may be a prologue to successful flight operation to Dubai by the airline, which for now flies three times a week to United Arab Emirates commercial city.
But many Nigerians familiar with the Dubai route are uncertain whether Medview would succeed in the route or not. This is because two Nigerian airlines had operated the route with such high hope and none lasted more than three months.

Few years ago, the defunct Virgin Nigeria Airways started Lagos-Dubai flights and about three months after, the airline stopped its flights to the destination. According to industry observers, Emirates, which is the host airline in Dubai lowered its fares when Virgin Nigeria started flights to the city and because the Nigerian carrier could not lower its own fares, passengers gravitated to the Middle East carrier and within three months Virgin Nigeria could not sustain its operation to Dubai.

Also in 2014, Arik Air started operation to Dubai and only lasted three months on the route. Inside sources told THISDAY that one of the major factors that forced the Nigerian airline out of the route was its inability to sustain the load factor with which it started. The number of passengers continued to go down until it became economically unrealistic to continue flights to Dubai.

“After the initial high load factor in the first two months, passenger figures started dropping. Even at that, we were still number two in terms of market share from Lagos to Dubai,” Arik insider told THISDAY.

Another factor attributed to the failure of these Nigerian airlines to operate long and profitable flights to Dubai was the fact that many Nigerian passengers going to Dubai have their final destinations beyond Dubai. So while the Nigerian carriers operate point to point (from Lagos to Dubai), Emirates with its hub is Dubai carries passengers farther to their final destinations.

“Many passengers going to Dubai are going farther than Dubai, so we needed to have another airline on code-share that could take our passengers farther than Dubai but we didn’t have. Then another thing is that Nigerian passengers going to Dubai is seasonal, so you may not have high number of passengers every day going to Dubai.
“Also, when we started, Emirates reduced its flight from Lagos to Dubai to one flight daily from two flights a day but increased it later on. When we started, we were making 80 to 90 percent load factor but shortly after the number of passengers started going down,” the Arik source told THISDAY.

The source also noted that Medview may operate the route successfully because of the experience of the management of the airline and the other services the airline might attach to the route, which include operating tourism services and sourcing visa for passengers.
“Arranging tours, getting visas for the passengers may give Medview an advantage,” the source said.

A travel expert and industry consultant who spoke on condition of anonymity, told THISDAY that it would be good for Nigeria if Medview succeeds in the route, considering the fact that the airline has employed hundreds of Nigerians and their future depends on the success of the airline. He also noted that Medview would help to stamp Nigeria’s presence in the United Arab Emirates business city.

However, he noted that Medview would struggle to succeed and projected that Emirates would drop fares and Etihad Airways, which is based in Abu Dhabi, would fight back.
“Ethiopia Airlines has the Asian market locked so it can play with prices on Dubai. Then what will be the niche market for Medview? They will succeed if they connect Kano from Lagos to Dubai or they connect Mumbai from Dubai. They need a niche market to survive; if not, they might go by summer next year,” the industry source predicted.

But THISDAY learnt that the airline has prepared well to sustain its operations to Dubai. The Managing Director of Medview Airline, Alhaji Muneer Bankole has almost 15 years flight operation to the Middle East. Medview has operated Hajj service to the Holy Land in Saudi Arabia for over 10 years and in addition to airline operation, Medview has four ancillary services it provides, which would serve as boost to scheduled flight services to Dubai and other destinations in the Middle East.

Industry observers seem to be optimistic about Medview’s success in the Dubai route, pinning the success to the airline’s invaluable Middle East experience.
During the flight, Bankole who expressed gratitude to passengers for their unflinching support to the airline reminded them that the success of the airline is the success of Nigeria and with that patriotic fervor; he offered that every passenger that flew with the airline five times to Dubai would have a free ticket to that destination. Also the airline offers every passenger special free baggage allowance.
He said as a Nigerian carrier, there is need to encourage the citizens to remain loyal to the company and patronise it, as it offers the best services on all its routes.

“We have a special free baggage allowance, with two pieces of 25kg each, which gives 50kg, that is a wonderful gift as well and we want to say to you coming onboard this flight, we will continue to remember you, this is the beginning of good things to come to the country called Nigeria”, he said.

Many Nigerians share the high expectation that Medview Airline would succeed on the Dubai route. That success will be treasured by all Nigerians.

14th December 2017

Medview operates inaugural flight to Dubai

The monopoly of airlines from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on the Lagos/UAE routes particularly on the lucrative Lagos/Dubai route may have been broken as Nigeria’s domestic airline, the Medview Airlines has commenced full operations between the two countries.

This is just as many Nigerian travelers on the route have appealed to the federal government to ensure it provides all necessary support to the Nigerian carrier to succeed on the route.

Medview Airline which operated its inaugural flight into Dubai last Thursday operated almost full load with high hope of better days to come.

The commencement of flights between Nigeria and Dubai by the Medview Airlines came two years after another Nigerian carrier suspended flight operations on the route.

Arik Air operated on the Nigeria/Dubai route via Lago/Abuja/Dubai route for almost nine months before it suspended flights owing to unclear reasons.

4th December 2017

Medview Airline To Begin Dubai Flights Dec. 7

2nd November 2017

Med-View Airline Plc Commences Flights to Abidjan, Conakry and Dakar

Med-View Airline Plc. notified the general public, Stakeholders, Investors and Regulatory bodies that the inaugural flight to the above destinations commenced Friday, 27th October, 2017 with departure time of 7:30 am.

The flights will be on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays