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Tag: FirstNation Airways

  • Appeal panel upholds NCAA’s N33.5m sanctions on FirstNation, Pilot

    Appeal panel upholds NCAA’s N33.5m sanctions on FirstNation, Pilot

    A five-man appeal panel has upheld and reaffirmed the N33.5 million sanctions imposed on FirstNation Airways and one of its pilots by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

    The General Manager, Public Relations, NCAA, Mr Sam Adurogboye, confirmed the development in a statement issued on Sunday in Lagos.

    Adurogboye said the panel had concluded its sitting and submitted its report to the regulatory authority.

    He said FirstNation Airways had earlier filed an appeal following a Letter of Sanction written to the airline on Jan. 23.

    “It will be recalled that violations were detected during a ramp inspection on the airline’s aircraft, Airbus A319 with registration mark 5N-FNE, on Nov. 8, 2016, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja.

    “After the exercise, it was discovered that the Pilot-in-Command (PIC) was not in possession of a current medical certificate.

    “In addition, the airline similarly rostered the pilot to carry out operational flights when obviously his medical certificate had expired.

    “Therefore, the airline and the pilot violated Parts 8.4.1.5 (a), 8.14.1.2 (1), 8.14.9.4 (a) (1) and 8.2.1.8(a) (24) of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig.CARs) 2015.

    “Consequently, in accordance with IS 1.3.3. (1)(14) of the Nig.CARs, 2015, the airline and pilot were fined N32 million  and N1.5 million being moderate civil penalty for the violation,’’ Adurogboye said.

    According to him, the airline, however, swiftly filed an appeal to the NCAA in disagreement with the reported violations and sanctions.

    He said the regulatory authority in its responsiveness and quest to be just and fair to all, constituted an appeal committee to hear the airline’s appeal.

    Adurogboye said the five-man appeal panel had three airline operators, a private legal luminary and NCAA officials as observers.

    He added that FirstNation Airways was represented by four lawyers, the pilot and three management staff.

    Adurogboye said: “After four days of sitting, submissions and deliberations, the panel upheld and reiterated the applicable sanctions meted out to the airline and its pilot.

    “It arrived at the following conclusions in agreement with the NCAA findings prelude to the application of sanctions.

    “The ATRL 1874 License of the Pilot in Command of FirstNation Airways had expired on the Nov. 2, 2016. The PIC was not in possession of the license during the ramp inspection on Nov. 8, 2016.

    “The PIC did not have a valid license and was not properly certified from Nov. 2 to Nov.8, 2016.The PIC operated 15 flights and the airline rostered the PIC 16 times.

    “The PIC operated with expired license from Nov. 2 to Nov. 8, 2016 and there was indications that the airline knew the PIC did not have a valid license.’’

    He said this was a very serious safety issue, therefore, the moderate sanctions applied by the NCAA were reasonable under the circumstances.

    Adurogboye said the PIC’s argument that he had a valid license when he operated the flights was incorrect, as he had no valid Medical Certificate.

    He said the PIC had 14 days according to NCARs to apply before the expiration of the license but however did not apply until Nov. 3, 2016, after expiration.

    Adurogboye said: “the invoice was issued by NCAA on Nov. 3, 2016.

    “The pilot did not do the Cardiac Risk Assessment (CRA) test mandatory for his 62 years age even after he was informed by NCAA the Authorised Aviation Medical Examiner (AAME).

    “He did the medical assessment eventually. The CRA report was dated Nov. 7, 2016 and was sent to the NCAA on Nov. 8, 2016.

    “Therefore, the accusation of delay and inefficiency by the authority is wrong and unfounded. The PIC and the airline did not follow laid down procedure.

    “NCAA received the medical report same day, reviewed it and issued the Medical Certificate same day on Nov. 8, 2016.’’

    He said the panel consequently dismissed dismissed all grounds of the appeal and upheld the NCAAs Letters of Sanctions.

    Adurogboye said the NCAA would continue to provide level playing field to all airline operators.

    “However, failure to adhere to safety regulations shall attract applicable sanctions,’’ he said.

  • FirstNation, pilot fined for violating safety regulations

    FirstNation, pilot fined for violating safety regulations

    FirstNation Airways has been handed a N32 million fine by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) for violating provisions of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (NCARs).

    The NCAA also fined one of the airline’s Pilots-In-Command (PIC) N1.5 million for breaching the safety regulations.

    The authority made the disclosure in a statement by its General Manager, Public Relations, Mr Sam Adurogboye, and obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Sunday.imagegen

    The statement said the Letter of Sanction conveying the penalties has been sent to the airline’s management.

    It said the NCAA had carried out a Ramp Inspection on the airline’s Airbus A319 Aircraft with registration mark 5N-FNE at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA).

    According to the statement, it was discovered during the inspection that the PIC was not in personal possession of a current medical certificate, neither was it readily accessible’’.

    “Consequent upon this, a Letter of Investigation was sent to the airline and the pilot.

    “However, in their response, the pilot admitted violating NCARs, while the airline demonstrated a lack of thorough knowledge of the requirements of the regulations,’’ the statement added.

    It said the airline contravened the regulations by allowing a flight crew member to be rostered to operate a total of 16 scheduled flights between Nov. 2, 2016, and Nov. 8, 2016.

    “These operations were carried out while his medical certificate had expired since on Nov. 1, 2016, thereby rendering his Pilot License subsequently invalid from that date.

    “In the light of these, the airline is hereby sanctioned in accordance with IS 1.3.3 (14), while the Pilot suffers similar fate in line with IS 1.3.3(11) (15) (e), in lieu of suspension under IS 1.3.3(11)(15)(a) of the Nig.CARs 2015.

    “On this strength, the airline is required to pay a total sum of N32 million only, while the pilot will pay N1.5 million only, being a moderate civil penalty for the violation,’’ the statement said.

    According to the statement, the fine must be paid within seven days of receipt of the letter from the authority.

    It said: “The NCAA, therefore, wishes to advise all airline operators to acquaint themselves properly with the NCARs to guide their operations as violations are viewed seriously.

  • FirstNation Airways gets IOSA certificate

    FirstNation Airways gets IOSA certificate

    The International Air Transport Association (IATA) at the weekend, presented its  International Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) certificate to FirstNation Airways.

    The certificate was presented to the airline’s Director of Flight Operations, Capt. Chimara Imediegwu by IATA’s Area Manager, South West Africa, Mr Samson Fatokun, in Lagos.

    The IOSA programme is an internationally recognised and accepted evaluation system designed to assess the operational management and control systems of an airline.

    “Created by IATA in 2003, IOSA uses internationally recognised quality audit principles and is designed to conduct audits in a standardised and consistent manner.

    “Successful companies are included in the IOSA registry for a period of  two years following an audit carried out by an organisation accredited by IATA,” Imediegwu said.

    According to him, with the presentation, FirstNation Airways has now joined Arik Air and Aero Contractors as the only IOSA certified airlines operating in Nigeria.

    Imediegwu said the process of certification began in January 2014 when the airline received a request to enroll for the programme.

    He said this was in line with the Abuja Declaration of 2012 that all African airlines should complete their IOSA certification by December 2015 towards enhancing air safety in the continent.

    According to him, out of the 10  airlines chosen to undergo the certification, FirstNation Airways was the first to complete the process.

    Imediegwu thanked the staff of FirstNation and its customers for the support and patronage, stressing that the airline would not relent in its quest to enhance safety.

    Congratulating FirstNation for achieving the feat, Fatokun said many airlines which started the programme could not complete it due to its rigorous nature.

    He said: ”It is a thing of joy for any airline on this part of the globe to be on IOSA register. That means you are operating on the same level of safety with other globally known airlines on the IOSA register.

    “It takes a lot of hard work to be able to go through the process. So, we want to congratulate the FirstNation management and staff for achieving this IOSA certification.”

    Fatokun urged the airline not to rest on its oars because the register is reviewed by IATA every two years, adding that they should work assiduously to remain in the register.

    He further urged them to strive to become formally registered with IATA in order to be able to play on a global level and be an example to others.

  • FirstNation Airways gets IOSA certificate

    FirstNation Airways gets IOSA certificate

    The International Air Transport Association (IATA) at the weekend, presented its  International Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) certificate to FirstNation Airways .

    The certificate was presented to the airline’s Director of Flight Operations, Capt. Chimara Imediegwu by IATA’s Area Manager, South West Africa, Mr Samson Fatokun in Lagos.

    The IOSA programme is an internationally recognised and accepted evaluation system designed to assess the operational management and control systems of an airline.

    “Created by IATA in 2003, IOSA uses internationally recognised quality audit principles and is designed to conduct audits in a standardised and consistent manner.

    “Successful companies are included in the IOSA registry for a period of  two years following an audit carried out by an organisation accredited by IATA,” Imediegwu said.

    According to him, with the presentation, FirstNation Airways has now joined Arik Air and Aero Contractors as the only IOSA certified airlines operating in Nigeria.

    Imediegwu said the process of certification began in January 2014 when the airline received a request to enroll for the programme.

    He said this was in line with the Abuja Declaration of 2012 that all African airlines should complete their IOSA certification by December 2015 towards enhancing air safety in the continent.

    According to him, out of the10  airlines chosen to undergo the certification, FirstNation Airways was the first to complete the process.

    Imediegwu thanked the staff of FirstNation and its customers for the support and patronage, stressing that the airline would not relent in its quest to enhance safety.

    Congratulating FirstNation for achieving the feat, Fatokun said many airlines which started the programme could not complete it due to its rigorous nature.

    He said:”It is a thing of joy for any airline on this part of the globe to be on IOSA register. That means you are operating on the same level of safety with other globally known airlines on the IOSA register.

    “It takes a lot of hard work to be able to go through the process. So, we want to congratulate the FirstNation management and staff for achieving this IOSA certification.”

    Fatokun urged the airline not to rest on its oars because the register is reviewed by IATA every two years, adding that they should work assiduously to remain in the register.

    He further urged them to strive to become formally registered with IATA in order to be able to play on a global level and be an example to others.

     

  • FirstNation gets two aircraft

    FirstNation gets two aircraft

    FirstNation Airways has taken delivery of two Airbus 319 aircraft with registration number 5N-FND and 5N-FNE, as part of its plan to re-launch its operations this month.

    According to an official of the airline, Luke Terver-Uzer, told reporters in Lagos, that the A319s are new and part of a nine-aircraft programme.

    He said the delivery was historic, because of the first sets of A319 to come on Nigerian register, adding that the A319 has the same optimised cabin cross section as the A320, which is the widest single aisle fuselage in the market and set the standard for passenger cabin comfort.

    He said: “The A319 continue to prove its versatility to enable airline around the world like British Airways, Lufthansa, Iberia, Air France, South African Airways, American Airways, Delta Airlines, Virgin American Airways etc, benefits from range option and versatility.

    ‘’The airline will re-launch service in August, this year initially serving domestic Nigeria between Lagos.”

    The aircraft, he said, were installed with Automated Flight Information Reporting System (AFIRS) 220 iridium satellite global communication equipment, one of the very few aircrafts with this state of the art Satellite Navigation (SATNAV) equipment operating in West Africa.

    Terver-Uzer added that SATNAV provide crew reliable voice and simultaneously connect to aircraft systems analysing performance in-flight and that this allows the airline to track aircraft system performance in-flight from the ground.

    “This is one of the most advanced SATNAV systems that support the airline flight operations quality assurance oversight. Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) is actively encouraging airlines to upgrade their fleet with this equipment,” he added.

    On the classes in the aircraft, he said the FirstNation Airbus A319’s cabin layout is in two class of 12 business class legroom pitch of 42 inches and the rear cabin in comfort class with legroom pitch of 32 inches, adding that the aircraft offer the widest seat pitch for regional operation within West Africa today.

    He said the Airbus A319 registration 5N-FND is named “Faith” while 5N-FNE is “Endurance”.

    Meanwhile, as part of efforts to reinforce its management, the airline has appointed, John Brady, an Irish as Chief Engineer in addition to the appointment of Rolando Gatchalianas as Quality Manager.

    Terver-Uzer, also disclosed that the airline is currently undergoing several refresher programmes and drills in readiness for world class re-launch this month.