Turkish Airlines announced its “2018 Targets”

Dubai, United Arab Emirates – 30 January 2018: After completing 2017 successfully, Turkish Airlines has now set its targets for 2018, the year in which the carrier will move its hub to the 3rd Airport of Istanbul.

According to the non-consolidated 2018 budget that was approved by the Board of Directors under the presidency of M. İlker Aycı, Chairman of the Board and the Executive Committee of Turkish Airlines, the guidance regarding the Incorporation's targets and expectations for the year 2018 are grouped into two: Traffic development and Financial Development (Unconsolidated).

For traffic development, the total number of passengers carried is targeted to reach 74 million including 33 million on domestic routes and 41 million on international routes; while passenger load factor is expected to be in the band of 79% and 80%, total Available Seat Kilometers (ASK) will approximately reach to 183 billion with an increase of between 5% and 6% compared to 2017. Capacity (ASK) increase is expected to be 10% in Turkey, 9% in the Middle East, 6% in Europe, 6% in the Far East, 4% in America and 3% in Africa regions; and in 2018, cargo/mail carried is expected to increase by 21% reaching 1.3 million tonnes.

For Financial Development, jet fuel consumption is expected to increase by 9% compared to 2017; average jet fuel (including fuel hedge) is expected to be 633$/ton in 2018; the Incorporation is targeting to generate 11.8 billion USD of sales revenue; cost per available seat kilometer (CASK), excluding fuel, is expected to increase by between 3%-5%; unconsolidated EBITDAR margin is targeted to be between 21% and 22%, whereas consolidated EBITDAR margin is targeted to be in the band of 23% and 24%.

Med-View Airline says it is not indebted to the Gatwick Airport authorities

Med-View Airline says it is not indebted to the Gatwick Airport authorities

….suspends Dubai operations

Med-View Airline yesterday said it was not indebted to the Gatwick Airport Authorities nor its European handlers, Mendez. This is just as the airline announced the suspension of its Lagos- Dubai operations till March 2018 when it will complete its own aircraft’s refurbishment.

Managing Director of Med-view, Alhaji Muneer Bankole disclosed this at the airline’s corporate headquarters in Lagos while reacting to allegations by an online publication that it was due to debts that its London operations had suffered in the last few days.

 Bankole explained that Med-View has paid the Gatwick Airport Authority about “£1.45million as at today and this can be verified”. According to him, the airport authority asks for money upfront for services not rendered, adding that Med-view “was paying for future operations which is not the same anywhere.”

“Consequently, we have taken measures on our Lagos-London route, which will now be serviced by an alternative aircraft currently in operation. We will also maintain three weekly flights”.

On the suspension of Dubai route, the Med-View Managing Director explained that due to the refurbishment of its aircraft on the route, it will have to suspend the Dubai service.

He said: “We have shut down Dubai operations till March when our aircraft B767-300ER Christened ‘ABEKE’ returns from a complete refurbishment in the United Kingdom. Passengers who have booked with us will be flown to their destinations via interline agreements.”

Bankole also revealed that it had serious challenges with its European partners over aircraft leased stating that it had not met the airline’s requirement in providing the necessary capacity.

According to him:  “while we want to leave the past behind us, it is imperative to say that we have issues with our European partners over aircraft we leased from them. From all indications, this aircraft has not been able to meet our requirement in providing the necessary capacity. The United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority (UK-CAA) has been supportive of our efforts when it dawned on them that the issues had to do with aircraft.”

He also explained that the airline will still continue its Jeddah schedule via Kano explaining that the new biometric requirements by the Saudi Authorities may cause hitches and dwindling traffic but that it will be resolved.

“We will continue to maintain our Jeddah schedule every Thursday via Kano until the issue of biometrics, which is now a requirement, is resolved.”

Planning Committee For Nigeria's Hosting of African Tourism Ministers Inaugurated

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has inaugurated the planning committee for the 61st Meeting of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation/CAF taking place in Abuja, Nigeria, 4th-6th June 2018.

The Minister, who performed the ceremony in Abuja on Tuesday, charged members of the committee to ensure the success of the event.

"Today's inauguration kick-starts our preparation for the hosting of the (UNWTO/CAF Meeting). The task ahead of us is enormous, but with the quality membership of the Planning Committee, we are up to the task and we will host a successful event,'' he said.

"You have been selected based on your knowledge and expertise in content, logistics and planning. Your role is to execute a successful event with professional inputs and assistance from the Ministry and the UNWTO. I have no doubt that you will take your assignments very seriously," Alhaji Mohammed said.

The Minister said the hosting right of the event, which was given to Nigeria, has clearly demonstrated the confidence of the CAF member states and the UNWTO in the country.

Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, and members of the Planning Committee for the 61st meeting of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation/Commission for Africa at the inauguration of the committee in Abuja on Tuesday.

He said the highlight of Nigeria's relevance and acceptance by the Organization, within two years of its return after a period of absence, was further shown in his election as a Vice Chairman of the UNWTO General Assembly at an election held during the 22nd session of the UNWTO General Assembly in Chengdu, China, in September 2017.

Alhaji Mohammed said the UNWTO meeting will afford the country the unique opportunity to project its image as a safe and desirable destination for leisure and business as well as promote the country’s tourism products and services.

He said the meeting will also provide a platform for tourism stakeholders to interact with their counterparts from other countries, generate foreign exchange through accommodation in hotels, airfares and souvenirs purchased by foreign delegates, create direct and indirect employment, thereby alleviating poverty, and provide the platform for the training for public and private sector tourism officials.

Membership of the planning committee cuts across the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture, Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Federal Capital Territory, extra-ministerial departments and agencies as well as the private sector.

New GM rolls out plans to reposition former Ibom Le'Meridien hotel

New GM rolls out plans to reposition former Ibom Le'Meridien hotel

THE new General Manager of Ibom Hotels & Golf Resort (formerly Ibom Le Meridien Hotels & Golf Resort) Mr. Ronald Stilting has stated his plans to reposition the property for increased patronage and improved profit for the state.

Speaking with newsmen yesterday at the Hotel Stilting said the first steps which have already been taken to improve the hotel and its marketing would be launched soon.

He added, "This will include improving the golf course, golf tournaments, a face-lift for the hotel and new concepts. The golf course is an important aspect of this property and we are determined to make it work.

"Our vision is to make the hotel become one of the top-5 hotels in Nigeria before the end of 2018. And we intend to achieve this through proactive service in a unique environment.

"I strongly believe that Ibom hotel & Golf Resort is a property with great potentials which can surely reach former glory."

The Dutch National whose African experience in Hotel management stretches from Ghana, Tanzania, Liberia, Kenya and Nigeria, noted that the new concepts of Eat & Swim family lunch buffet at weekends, Valentine's Day and Special dinner as well as a new website would be launched in February this year.

He added that also key to improving upon the hotel was intensifying guest interaction through the social media and Messenger.

He also identified staff training as another aspect of the action plan, even as he disclosed that no staff was laid of in the course of recent changes.

"In recent developments all the good things remain the same. For instance 99percent of the staff still remain. Only the weak aspects will be improved upon.

"Incentives will be given to staff as a way of motivation especially those at the lower rank. We are going to embark on serious staff training because we inherited them. We have identified lapses because they were not trained"

"We are also going to embark on massive marketing and publicity. We are interested in achieving results", he said

Ronald Stilting was appointed by Akwa Ibom State government on January 1, 2018 after Starwood Groups former managers of the property were dismissed.   

Sheraton Abuja launches BBQ night Saturdays

Nigeria As the year begins to unfold, Sheraton Abuja Hotel is once again helping to energize the minds of the customer’s still hung up on the holiday spirit with the introduction of the grilling seasons BBQ nights at the Hotel’s Poolside.
The Executive Chef for Sheraton Abuja Hotel -Nicholas Geba and his team have put in efforts towards creating a tasty assortment of BBQ flavours for food and entertainment enthusiasts within the F.C.T.
According to the General Manager for the Hotel –Nouman Irshad “our BBQ night is set to launch on the 13th of January 2018 at the Poolside and will take place every Saturday. We are offering this well thought out leisure activity from 3pm-9pm and it will be truly an elevated experience for both our in-house guests and customers”.
“We have made the best selection of various live band entertainers within Abuja City so there will never be a dull moment. Our special free-flow-salad will be available for all diners. For beverages, you will be spoiled for choice with our compelling selection of wines, beers, soft drinks and cocktails”. And for your added pleasure, we have Shisha with various flavours- on request”.

“Last but not least our collection of fun and interesting board games such as Ludo, whats, chess, local Ludo, scrabble and draft are available for you to have an interactive and engaging time with new or old friends; the idea is that this creates the perfect activity during family bonding time”.

“A relaxed evening around the most transformative ambience with great food and inspiring music is what we offer our loyal