Maldives Airports Company Limited - MACL’s Post

Well done Etihad & US CBP……we have the only facilities in the UAE & the Middle East (basically anyplace East of Dublin), choose well when flying to the US & fly with Etihad Airways! 🤙🏿😎 ✈️ Did you know the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) operates preclearance sites in foreign countries? 🌍 Here are some intriguing facts about these international CBP locations, which make travel smoother and more secure: 1. Strategic Locations: CBP preclearance facilities are active in 16 airports across Canada, Ireland, the UAE, the Bahamas, Bermuda, and Aruba. Travelers to the U.S. can clear customs before they arrive on American soil. 2. Efficient & Secure Travel: By completing U.S. immigration and customs abroad, preclearance sites reduce congestion at busy American airports, offering a seamless travel experience. Plus, it enables flights to land at U.S. domestic-only airports, adding flexibility for airlines. 3. Historic Roots: The first CBP preclearance opened in Toronto in 1952 to manage U.S.-bound traffic. Since then, the concept has grown significantly, with more locations being added and considered in countries like Japan and Sweden. 4. Collaborative Operations: At some sites, like Shannon and Dublin, CBP works alongside local immigration agencies, so travelers clear both Irish and U.S. immigration simultaneously—a win for passengers seeking convenience. 5. Boosting Trade & Tourism: Preclearance simplifies travel, benefiting tourism and business. In particular, it’s a valuable asset to U.S.-Canada trade, which sees billions of dollars exchanged annually. As international travel continues to grow, CBP’s preclearance program exemplifies a proactive approach to security while enhancing traveler experience. It’s all about making entry to the U.S. more streamlined and secure. #CBP #Preclearance #GlobalTravel #TravelSecurity #Aviation

Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo has prohibited VIPs from using local airports for international travel. Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, has issued a directive banning international flights from operating through local airports. This measure aims to prevent potential smuggling of cash, goods, arms, and possibly individuals by VIPs, who have reportedly been circumventing security checks at designated international airports. Sources reveal that some VIPs have been seeking last-minute landings at local airports, claiming to have arranged for customs or immigration officers to clear them upon arrival. This practice has been ongoing without official intervention until now. The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has circulated a notice detailing the new directive. Signed by Deputy General Manager S.E. Inegbedion, the circular, dated July 17, 2024, mandates that all international flights must operate through official international terminals. Any international flight operations at general aviation terminals (GAT) or private terminals must complete clearances at the international terminals, unless exempted by the National Security Adviser (NSA). Compliance with this directive is mandatory, with violations subject to unspecified penalties. #NaijaComments #NigeriaEditorial #NaijaInterviews #NigeriaProfiles #NaijaReportage

Two Pakistani flight attendants from Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) have recently disappeared in Canada, raising concerns and questions about their whereabouts and motives. Jibran Baloch, a cabin crew member, went missing after completing his duties on PIA's flight PK-782 and failing to return for the return flight. Similarly, Maryam Raza, another PIA air hostess, vanished in Toronto after not showing up for duty on the return flight to Karachi. Authorities suspect that these disappearances are linked to the Canadian law, which permits asylum applications upon entry into the country. The accommodating nature of Canadian law makes it feasible for individuals fleeing persecution or life-threatening situations to seek asylum upon arrival. Efforts to curb such incidents, like asking flight staff to submit their passports upon landing, have proven ineffective. Despite these measures, incidents of PIA crew members "vanishing" upon landing in Canada persist. Last year alone, four PIA crew members disappeared upon arrival in Canada, and with Jibran Baloch's case, the tally rises to three for this year. The challenges posed by these disappearances highlight the complexities of international migration and asylum-seeking, prompting further scrutiny and attention from both Pakistani and Canadian authorities. #pakstartup #startuppakistan #pia #canada #worldnews #world #foryou #fb #trending

It is the Day of the Seafarer today. A day internationally recognized to honor the invaluable contributions of seafarers to global trade and economies. While it is a day of celebration, it's an opportunity to highlight challenges: Shore Leave: The joy of setting foot on land is a rare privilege for many seafarers. Stringent port regulations and tight turnaround times often restrict their ability to enjoy well-deserved shore leave, impacting their well-being and mental health. Dignity in Travel: Seamless travel across airports is a dream. Quite often, seafarers are the ones who are asked "can you step aside, sir" by the immigration and whose bags are opened by the customs. Dignity in Ports: Instances of harassment in ports remain troublingly common.This not only affects their personal experiences but also taints the perception of the maritime industry and the country. Customs coming with a shopping list! PSCOs threatening detention! Port Authorities threatening delays. Criminalization: Seafarers risk of being unjustly criminalized for maritime incidents beyond their control. This is a grim reality that many seafarers face in unfamiliar jurisdictions. While we celebrate The Day, let's also push for tangible changes. The accountability mechanisms in our industry is currently geared to foster mistrust. We need policies that truly support seafarers rights, enhances dignity and develops trust. #DayOfTheSeafarer #Maritime #SeafarerRights

There can be few better examples of what can be achieved through industry cooperation than the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) preclearance offered to business jets flying through Shannon Airport. Since 2010, Business Jet passengers have been able to preclear US customs and border requirements at Ireland’s Shannon Airport. EVA Magazine in this article reveals the background to the much-valued facility. There's huge credit due to various officials in U.S. Customs and Border Protection in Washington DC and also CBP Port Directors based in Shannon Airport who worked to make Shannon CBP  Preclearance the success that it now is. CBP were innovative in their thinking and worked closely with industry and airport officials to iron out the initial process issues. Great article by Paul E Eden Editor at EVA Magazine! #businessaviation #ShannonAirport #Bizav #aircraft #airtravel #aviation #Shannon #aviationindustry #aviationnews #preclearance #cbp #homelandsecurity #privatejet #luxurytravel #Ireland #IBGAA #nbaa

A concise outlook on Bilateral Air Service Agreements (BASA) in #Nigeria and areas that need to be addressed, by the appropriate professionals. https://lnkd.in/dhTkFVqX

𝐔𝐀𝐄 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐔𝐒 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐒𝐢𝐠𝐧 𝐀𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐔𝐀𝐄'𝐬 𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐆𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥 𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐞. The UAE and US governments have signed an important agreement to make travel easier for UAE citizens. This deal starts the process to add the UAE to the US Global Entry Programme by October 2024. Read more: 🔗 https://lnkd.in/dPnfmhKq #UAE #US #GlobalEntryProgram #TravelAgreement #ArabTimes #ArabTimesNews

Ukraine's Passport Regulations: Maritime Sector Impact On April 23, 2024, the Ukrainian government adopted a new resolution restricting the provision of certain consular services for men abroad. Starting from April 25, 2024, Ukrainian men aged 18 to 60 will only be able to extend or obtain a travel passport on the territory of Ukraine. Authorities issuing documents to Ukrainians in other countries halted the issuance of ready-made passports as early as April 23. Upon expiration of the travel passport, Ukrainian men eligible for military service age will not be able to move freely between countries. It’s important to mention that Ukraine ranks 6th in the world in terms of the number of working seafarers and 2nd in terms of the number of senior officer staff. Since the beginning of the full-scale war in Ukraine, men aged 18 to 60 has been restricted to leave the country, especially felt in the maritime industry. The shortage of officers and engineers has led to an increase in wages and forced crewing agencies to seek alternative sources of qualified maritime personnel. In September 2022, the Ukrainian government decided to allow sailors to travel abroad to work on ships, but in practice, this has presented challenges. Most of the sailors who found themselves in occupied territories left the country through the territory of the Russian Federation, while others refused to return to the country after completing their contract on board. As of today, according to various estimates, about 10% of active Ukrainian sailors are located on the territory of Ukraine, while the rest have found a new home in other countries.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection Announces Japan as New Global Entry Partner U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has officially welcomed Japan as a partner in its Global Entry program, marking a key milestone in the expansion of this trusted traveler initiative. This partnership is expected to enhance both travel efficiency and security for citizens of Japan and the United States, streamlining entry processes and strengthening cooperation between the two countries. Global Entry, a program designed to expedite the screening process for low-risk international travelers, allows participants to bypass long customs lines and enjoy faster entry into the U.S. With Japan’s inclusion, U.S. travelers can now enjoy similar expedited entry benefits when traveling to Japan, further improving the travel experience and reinforcing the close relationship between the two nations. This move underscores the continued efforts of CBP to foster stronger security and travel partnerships globally, as well as to support the growth of international trade, tourism, and diplomatic ties. By expanding the Global Entry program, both countries aim to provide their citizens with enhanced travel convenience while maintaining rigorous security standards. Japan joins a growing list of Global Entry partner nations, continuing the program's global expansion and enhancing cross-border collaboration. For more details on the Global Entry program and how to apply, visit the CBP website. https://lnkd.in/d34V_QGp Rk#rnplegalnews#rnplegalimmigration#rnplegalreporting#rk

For most of the year, Nigeria 🇳🇬 has 5 international airports, but this number technically increases temporarily to 15. This is because up to 10 airports technically gain the status of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority's classification of an international airport. This happens during the HAJJ season, when the National Hajj Commission (NAHCON) in conjunction with aviation authorities & airlines a of thousands of pilgrims & officials to & from Saudi Arabia within 2 months, in an Operation called the HAJJ Operation. The aviation sector is considered the most sensitive part of Hajj operation. This is due to the tight flight schedule issued by GACA - General Authority of Civil Aviation - Saudi Arabia with a Window of 74 days for the arrival & departure of 2m+ pilgrims from around the world. Another reason for this is the number of flights required for an airlift would significantly increase traffic at the existing International airports as Nigerians in Diaspora also return for Eid-el-Kabir. NAHCON coordinates hajj flight Operations in conjunction with the Saudi Embassy, GACA, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NAMA, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, NIGERIA IMMIGRATION SERVICE(NIS), Nigeria Custom Service , state pilgrims boards & Airlines. This involves months of planning to ensure pilgrims depart from Nigeria & return safely & on time. NAMA even releases a special Aeronautical chart, highlighting dedicated routes for the operation. 15 airports have been designated for the 2024 Hajj operation. This year's first Hajj flight from Nigeria is scheduled to take off from Sir Ahmadu Bello International Airport (SABIA) Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi state today, the 15th of May 2024. Two other flights are scheduled to take off on the same day as the inaugural flight with Nasarawa and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) pilgrims from the Abuja International Airport. Subsequently, two flights would take off each day in the days following the inaugural flight to gradually increase to five flights daily. According to NAHCON, the airlift to Saudi Arabia will last until the 10th day of June or hopefully earlier. About 65,047 pilgrims from public and private sectors are expected to participate in the 2024 Hajj. #aviation #aerospace