The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has dismissed sundry claims that some airlines are winding down their operations.
On the contrary, these airlines are merely suspending their operations temporarily to enable them undertake certain operational overhaul and strengthen their overall operational outlay, according to NCAA’s Director- General, Capt. Muhtar Usman.
He said in a statement against the backdrop of the decision by Aero Contractors to suspend scheduled services.
Usman said that the airline at present has only one serviceable aircraft which is in contradiction to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations, which stipulates that no airline operator shall carry out scheduled commercial operation with only one aircraft.
The minimum acceptable number is three aircraft, he said.
“In other words, any airline with one aircraft is in contravention of the Authority’s regulations therefore cannot be adjudged to be capable of providing safe operation.
“The only option available is to suspend your operations temporarily while other aircraft arrive in due course.
“However, NCAA’s Regulations provides a window for such operator to embark on non schedule operations in the interim,” he said.
He added that another indigenous carriers, First Nation Airlines is in the middle of an Engine Replacement Programme for one of its aircraft while another aircraft is due for mandatory maintenance “as it is allowable by the Regulatory Authority”.
“In these circumstances, these airlines clearly cannot continue to undertake schedule operations, hence the inevitable recourse to self regulatory suspension.
“The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) wishes to reiterate that on no account will it compromise safety and security of airline operations in the airspace.
“Every facet of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig.CARS) and Standard and Recommended Practices (SARPs) must be adhered to with due diligence. In addition, everything has been put in place to continue our oversight to ensure compliance,” he added.
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