Jamie Fly Aviation

International airports have developed overtime into key nodes in production and enterprise through agility, speed and connectivity. These transportation hubs are able to dramatically stimulate local economies by attracting aviation related businesses and  their peripheries and resulting in what John Kasarda, a US academic who studies and advises governments on city planning issues, has dubbed the “ Aerotropolis .” The Aerotropolis li k e any other traditional city, consists of a central core with rings of development permeating outwards; unlike a traditional city, however, the city’s core is an airport and all neighboring development supports and is supported in turn by the airport industry. Several airports around the globe have organically evolved into these airport-dependent communities, generating huge economic profits and creating thousands of jobs, but what Kasarda is arguing for is a more organized and purposeful approach to the development of these Aerotropo...

The federal government has again on Saturday suspended the operating licence of Dana Air. The airline resumed operations on January 4 this year. Dana Air in a statement said: We regret to announce the temporary suspension of our flight operations following a directive from the Ministry of Aviation through the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) on Saturday, 16th March, 2013; No specific reason was given for the action. A meeting is, however, scheduled between the management of Dana Air, the Ministry of Aviation and the NCAA on Monday 18th March and we will update you as we get more information. We thank you for your patience and understanding, and we look forward to having the pleasure of welcoming you on board again shortly. It would be recalled the former DG of NCAA, Harold Demuren was fired and replaced with Captain Fola Akinkotu, Rector of the International Aviation College. The recent happenings in the Nigerian aviation industry all boils down to the resolution b...

The Maintenance Repair Overhaul (MRO) facility in Uyo Airport is nearing completion. On the request of the Akwa-Ibom State Government, the facility will be made a national hanger by the federal government. As good as the idea of a national hanger is for Nigeria, beyond the size of the facilities, the question is are there sufficient manpower to run the facilities? The NCAA has stated the need for a maintenance hanger in Lagos. Major airlines such as Arik and Aero Contractors have their own maintainance facilities. Also new hangers constructed for private and business jet owners habour a number of approved maintenance organisations.

Beechcraft on 19 February emerged from bankruptcy with a new business plan and a restored management team but without its business jet division, Hawker. During the 10 month period, the company shed $2bn debt in a financial restructuring process.

Airbus has started fitting sweepin g winglets to the first A350 XWB ahead of its first maiden flight later this year. The winglet will give the airplane a totatal wingspan of 64.8m (212ft). Airbus is aiming to test fly the airplane in mid 2013. Its Rolls Royce Trent XWB has been delivered to Toulouse for installation and podding