…As IATA Predicts Cash-Negative Trend In 2021
BEVERLY HILLS, March 01, (THEWILL) – Both local and international carriers across the world are gradually shifting towards narrow-body aircraft, which are today found in all the rage in the commercial aviation circle. The accommodation of these smaller aircraft are readily seen when it comes to fleet upgrades, giving a room for replacements.
According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), each new generation of aircraft is on the average 20 per cent more fuel-efficient than the model it replaces. Most experts have, however, attributed diversion to smaller aircraft to cost savings. Beyond the cost savings, there are clear environmental advantages to flying the most modern planes.
Traditionally, narrow-body aircraft have been used for short and medium-haul flights. But technological advances are making it possible to fly them longer distances. The fuel efficiency and smaller capacity make these aircraft a pervasive tool for long-haul flights to secondary airports with lesser demands.
For instance, one of the biggest airlines in Nigeria, Air Peace, recently took delivery of the first brand new E195-E2 aircraft in Africa, from Brazilian aerospace conglomerate, Embraer. This is one out of 13 E195-E2s ordered by the airline in 2019, with purchase rights for 17 of the same aircraft type.
Speaking on the choice of the aircraft, the airline’s Chief Operating Officer, Mrs Oluwatoyin Olajide, told THEWILL that the E195-E2 is uniquely configured to offer a superior travel experience to Air Peace’s customers.
Olajide, who made this disclosure at a media interview, explained why the airline chose the E195-E2 aircraft model, which is a 124-seat capacity state-of-the-art jet with impressive economic performance. She stated: “Now, why have we introduced the E195-E2? The E2 is a brand new aircraft, super-efficient, an aircraft that is for the future and even now.
“This is because a lot of money will be saved as regards the operating cost; there are savings on fuel, bearing in mind the high cost of aviation fuel in Nigeria. These aircraft coming into the country will help lower operating cost. The performance is awesome. A lot of Nigerians who hitherto were apprehensive of travelling by air, can now be rest assured. This is the plane for them. Once onboard this aircraft, you will feel transported to a world of luxury and comfort and most importantly, safety. This is what Air Peace represents. This is the Air Peace Experience”.
Describing the cabin configuration, Olajide said: “The interior is excellent. The staggered seats that we have in the Business Class are second to none. Furthermore, there is an innovation with the table – it has an iPad holder”. She emphasised that Air Peace wants the Nigerian flying public to experience the enhanced comfort, increased privacy and beauty offered by the brand new E195-E2, which is considered the best in its segment.
Olajide further revealed that one of the strong points of this plane is its advanced fly-by-wire system which enables the aircraft to adjust seamlessly through turbulence in such a way that the passenger is oblivious to it.
Embraer’s President and Chief Executive Officer, Francisco Gomes Neto, in describing the new aircraft acquired by Air Peace, also said that “The E2s are really fantastic airplanes. Your engineering people are going to love the technology. Your crew are going to love flying them.
“Your accountants are going to love the operating economics, and your passengers are going to love the stunning interior, especially those sitting in business class with the staggered seat layout. That innovation is an industry first, and we’re so pleased that Air Peace will showcase it to the world and, of course, that you’re the first airline in Africa to fly an E-195-E2”.
Similarly, another new entrant into the Nigeria’s aviation industry, United Nigeria Airlines, on resumption of Flight Operations few weeks ago, opted for a smaller aircraft.
The new airline, on the 12th of February, 2021, conducted its inaugural flight with an EMB145 aircraft type from the domestic wing of Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MM2) in Ikeja, Lagos and terminate it at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport Enugu, the operational base of United Nigeria.
Explaining the rationale behind the choice of Embraer, Chairman of United Nigeria Airlines, Dr Obiora Okonkwor confirmed why they have settled for Embraer brand of aircraft for their operations.
Dr Okonkwor said, “There is no person who would go into any business of this nature without a business plan. Perhaps, if one has not gone through this and getting to the point of AOC maybe I have given what you said a taught but just coming out of the process I can tell you that it doesn’t have to do with lack of business plan. There are more to that. There are a whole lot of issues that have to be straightened out from all the sectors and parties that are involved, it is a very crucial area of business but I think it breaks us and protects us, it need more protection and shield from all who are involved, from the regulators, from the government policy and all that. I don’t think that lack of business plan make airlines fail.”
“We took a business decision to start with the Embraer to test the market, develop our routes and as soon as that is done in the next three months, we will take decision appropriate to our business plan”, the airline operator stressed.
Corroborating the airlines’ reasons for their aircraft types for flight operations, Chief Executive Officer of Ropeways Limited and a former Managing Director of Virgin Nigeria, Capt. Dapo Olumide, said airlines’ problems are self-inflicted with the use of the wrong type of aircraft for domestic operations.
Capt Olumide, an aviation expert added that, by the end of this year, there is the likelihood that fewer Nigerian airlines would be in operation because of their overhead and associated costs”.
Meanwhile, IATA has predicted that airlines financial prospects are worsening as governments tighten travel restrictions.
.Speaking at a recent media briefing, Director General /CEO of IATA, Alexandre de Juniac stated that burning a further $75 billion to $95 billion this year, is not something that the industry will be able to withstand without additional relief from governments.
According to the international body, the expectation that the industry will not turn cash-positive until 2022 is yet another reminder of the severity of the crisis. Juniac however, opined that the dawn is being heralded by good news on vaccine distribution and growing testing capacity.
He opined that whether the vaccination timelines lead to an early re-opening or a late one, there is urgent need that the work ahead of stakeholders is the same, which includes: need to plan for the recovery; need for a way to digitally manage health credentials, and need to secure global standards to record test results and vaccinations.
“We need global standards to record vaccinations and test results. Speed is critical. Fraudulent COVID-19 test results are already proving to be an issue. And as vaccine programs ramp up governments are using paper processes and differing digital standards to record who has been vaccinated. These are not the conditions needed to support a successful restart at scale when governments open borders”, Juniac emphasised.
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