MON, MAY 14 2018-theG&BJournal–The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has suspended the Air Operators Certificate (AOC) of First Nation Airways (one of the eight indigenous airlines in the country) indefinitely for violating air safety standards.
The suspension followed numerous cautions and warnings by the NCAA on what it called ‘illegal operations’ undertaken by the airline.
“It was discovered that the Airline had disregarded all warnings and continued with the unauthorised and illegal operations in violation of its AOC terms and conditions of issuance,” the NCAA said. NCAA said it had earlier sent notifications to the Airline that it was investigating these violations including a letter dated August 2017, in which it directed the Airline to stop the ‘illegal operations’ forthwith, with warning that failure to comply would lead to a suspension of its operating authorisation.
The suspension letter conveyed on Friday May 11, 2018 and signed NCAA’s General Manager, Public Relations, Sam Adurogboye, detailed First Nation’s violations of regulatory orders which includes flagrant and continuous violation of the terms and conditions of issuance of it AOC by the Airline.
NCAA noted in the letter that when the AOC of First Nation Airways expired, the airline did not have at least two airworthy aircraft capable of servicing its approved schedule as required by Part 9.1.1.6(b)(2) (ii) of Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulation (Nig.CARS) 2015. It said the Airline’s AOC was, upon renewal, restricted to non-scheduled operation, (Charter) only.
Besides, First Nation Airways ignored all of these admonitions and embarked on scheduled operations with continuous advertisement of its services and sold tickets at its Check-in counters in Lagos and Abuja Airports.
According to the NCAA Memo, “this is contrary to the provisions of Part 9.1.1.4(d) of the Nig.CARS 2015 which provides that “Each AOC holder shall at all times, continue in compliance with the AOC terms and conditions of issuance, and maintenance requirements in order to hold that certificate.”
The NCAA revoked their right to operate air transport business under the authority of the AOC with effect from May 11, 2018.
NCAA said they expect the operators of the Airline to return the AOC to the Authority’s Director of Operations and Training within seven (7) days of receiving the letter.
