The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has suspended the Air Operators Certificate (AOC) of First Nation Airways indefinitely.
Spokesman of NCAA, Sam Adurogboye disclosed this on Sunday.
According to the NCAA , the suspension was conveyed to the Airline via a letter with reference no. NCAA/DG/CSLA/RM/1-06/18/2304 dated 11th May, 2018, signed by the Director General.
The letter titled:” NOTICE OF SUSPENSION OF AIR OPERATORS CERTIFICATE” , was delivered to the Airline on Friday, 11th May, 2018 and First Nation Airways has acknowledged receipt.
The suspension, the NCAA said is sequel to the flagrant and continuous violation of the terms and conditions of issuance of it AOC by the Airline thereby carrying out unauthorised and illegal operations.
The letter revealed that when the AOC of First Nation Airways expired, the airline did not have at least two (2) 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.
Consequently, the Airline’s Air Operators Certificate (AOC) was, upon renewal, restricted to non-scheduled operation, (Charter) only.
However, First Nation Airways embarked on scheduled operations with continuous advertisement of its services and sold tickets at its Check-in counters in Lagos and Abuja Airports.
The Authority had earlier notified the Airline that it was investigating these violations. Subsequently, by a letter dated 31st August 2017, the Airline was directed to stop the illegal operations forthwith, warning that failure to desist would lead to a suspension of its operating authorisation.
On further investigation, 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.
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 Authority has therefore determined that, pursuant to Section 35(2),(3) (a) (ii) and (4) of the Civil Aviation Act, 2006, First Nation Airways is no longer fit to operate air transport business under the authority of the AOC.
Accordingly, the Airline’s AOC has been suspended indefinitely, with effect from the 11th May, 2018, when it received the notice.
In addition, the operators of the Airline are expected to return the AOC to the Authority’s Director of Operations and Training within seven (7) days of receiving the letter.
However, anytime the Airline demonstrates ability and willingness to comply with the extant regulations, the Authority shall review the Airline’s operations and restore the AOC to enable it commence operations.
Adurogboye said :” The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) wishes to restate its zero tolerance for violations of the Nig.CARS and shall continue to enforce compliance through application of appropriate sanctions for any infractions. “
Tag: Firstnation
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NCAA suspends FirstNation operations Airways over “illegal operations
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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 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.
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FirstNation resumes flight operations
FirstNation Airways yesterday resumed operations. The flights resumed at 4 p.m.
It suspended flights to enable the aircraft fleet undergo engine maintenance.
Capt. Chimara Imediegwu, the airline’s Director of Flight Operations, on September 6, told reporters that a team of engineers were coming to Nigeria to service the planes.
Imediegwu had debunked the claim that the airline was on the verge of folding up, stressing that it voluntarily grounded the aircraft to await the arrival of the manufacturer’s team.
He said: “The FirstNation management planned well ahead and kept the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) informed of the progress of the maintenance of its aircraft.
“The airline planned this maintenance action well ahead. We notified passengers and flights are currently loaded online, effective Sept. 15.
“This will ensure that passengers continue to enjoy safe and reliable services that the airline is reputed for.”
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‘Forex scarcity, others cripple aviation’
FirstNation Airways yesterday said its inability to access foreign exchange (forex) for the maintenance of its aircraft is one of the factors crippling airlines operations in the country.
Its Director of Flight Operations ,Captain Chimara Imediegwu who spoke in Lagos said instability in the exchange rate was also having ripple effect on airlines’ maintenance schedule.
He said the delay at getting clearance approvals for aircraft spare parts at the ports is another major hurdle affecting airlines.
He however assured that barring any hitches, FirstNation will return to schedule flight operations September 15.
He also spoke of plans by the airline to increase its fleet size, adding that the officials of the aircraft manufacturer will arrive the country in two days to replace the engine of its faulty airplane.
The airline had in a statement stated that it suspended flight operations because it was carrying out maintenance on its A319 fleet.
He said: “The airline planned these maintenance action well ahead and notified passengers. This will ensure that passengers continue to enjoy safe and reliable service that the airline is reputed for.”
Imediegwu stated that having contended with these challenges, the airline has planned ahead and kept the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) informed on the progress of the maintenance of its aircraft.
“In order to remain within the triple SSS-Safety Schedule and Service boundary, effectively regulating ourselves, FirstNation voluntarily grounded these aircraft as we await the arrival of the manufacturer’s team,” he said.
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‘FirstNation back in airspace next week’
FirstNation Airways will return to the airspace next week, its Director of Flight Operations Captain Chimara Imediegwu, said yesterday.
He identified inability to access foreign exchange for the maintenance of its aircraft as one of the factors militating against the growth of airlines.
He said instability in the exchange rate is having ripple effect on airlines’ maintenance schedule.
Imediegwu said delay at getting clearance approvals for aircraft spare parts at the port is another major hurdle affecting airlines.
He however assured that barring any hitches, FirstNation airways will return to schedule flight operations on September 15.
He spoke of plans by the airline to increase its fleet size.
Officials of the aircraft manufacturer will arrive Nigeria this week to fix engine replacement on the airline’s faulty airplane.
The airline had in an online statement stated that it suspended flight operations, because it was carrying out maintenance on its A319 fleet .
The airline said the maintenance will be completed on or before September 15, 2016.
He said : “The airline planned these maintenance action well ahead and notified passenger. This will ensure that passengers continue to enjoy safe and reliable service that the airline is reputed for,” Imediegwu added
The Director Of Flight Operations, stated that having contended with these challenges, the airline has planned ahead and kept the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) informed on the progress of the maintenance of its aircraft.
“In order to remain within the triple SSS; Safety Schedule and Service boundary ,effectively regulating ourselves, Firstnation voluntarily grounded these aircraft as we await the arrival of the manufacturer’s team,” he said.
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Firstnation Airways resumes flight operations Sept 15
FirstNation Airways has promised its traveling passengers that the airline would return to normal scheduled flight operations by Sept. 15.
A statement by the Head, Corporate Affairs of the airline, Mr Rasheed Yusuff stated that the carrier’s current fleet was undergoing engine maintenance for safety operations, in line with global practice in the industry.
It denied reports that the company was on the verge of folding up, stressing that taking aircraft out for maintenance was not the same as winding up operations.
“FirstNation is not on the verge of folding up. In reality, since the airline launched services in 2011, the airline has built a strong followership and has been rated consistently as market leader on safety and schedule integrity.
“This reputation was reinforced by Firstnation’s achievement of International Air Transport Association (IATA) Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) certification, which is the airline industry global bench mark for world class safety standard in record time of 12 months,” it added.
The statement further stressed that the award of IOSA certification, within 12 months of application by FirstNation remains unrivalled in West and Central Africa.
It noted that this international attestation of FirstNation’s safety and operational standard, was contrary to the false and damaging impression that the media attempted to paint in the publications of Sept. 1.
The statement emphasised that the planned maintenance was orderly arranged with advance notification to passengers.
It stressed that service would be reinstated on or before September 15, 2016.
“We are working to grow the fleet as well. All our aircraft have recently undergone C-Check and returned contrary to the blatant lies contained in the said publication.
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AON pledges to pay NCAA all unremitted funds in full
The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has pledged to ensure that all outstanding debts are paid to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) as agreed.
This assurance was given during a meeting between the management of the regulatory authority led by the director general, Capt. Muhtar Usman and the Airline Operators at the NCAA Conference Room yesterday .
Speaking on behalf of the operators, the AON Chairman, Capt. Noggie Meggison remarked that it is incontrovertible that operators are heavily indebted but promised that all unremitted funds will be fully paid.
He thanked the director general for holding a series of meetings with all operators, a move he said was long expected. Meggison therefore requested for similar fora¨ where the Authority’s vision will be properly articulated from time to time to enable us key into it.’’
He, however, called for a retreat where stakeholders will meet to brainstorm on some knotty challenges which operators and the entire industry is confronted with.
In his response, Capt.Usman enjoined the airlines to comply as agreed because the issue of Ticket and Cargo Sales Charges is sacrosanct. According to him, this is to enable the Authority and other benefiting Agencies effectively carry out its regulatory and Statutory responsibilities.
The Director General and the NCAA management emphasized the need for automation by operators which will offer real-time and transparent transaction. He directed that all reconciliations must be done within the 60 days window provided.
He advised the operators to forward all required documentations to verify conflicting claims.
Capt. Usman admonished the operators to be alive to their responsibilities and challenges.
He urged operators to take advantage of various Bilateral Air Services Agreements (BASA) entered into by the federal government to compete with their foreign counterparts thereby generating the much needed foreign exchange.
Usman assured the operators that there will be a broader stakeholders’ forum very soon where various grievances could be looked into and addressed and charge the operators to fully embrace the automation for the sake of transparency and an end to discrepancy over figures forthwith.
Over 20 airlines chief executives and their representatives attended the meeting. These include Arik Air, Medview, FirstNation, Chanchangi, Kings Airlines, Overland among others some of who also contributed richly to the issue of the day while the meeting lasted. -
Firstnation blames FAAN for ground incident
Firstnation has attributed the ground incident collision of two of its aircraft last Friday to lack of diligence on the part of marshallers employed by the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).
It said the collision would have been avoided had the marshallers been ‘diligent to avoid marshalling the aircraft wrongly.”
The airline tasked FAAN to “retrain the marshallers as we understand that the marshallers at MMA2 are deployed by FAAN under an MOU with Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited, the operator of MMA2, Ikeja.”
Its spokesman, Rasheed Yusuff, in a statement yesterday, also called on the regulatory authorities to enhance oversight of the marshallers and their authorisation to arrest the growing incidents of aircraft damage on ground.
Describing the situation as embarrassing, the airlines lamented that ground incident, which it said was avoidable, was making affected carriers to suffer economic losses.
Recalling that a similar incident involving Emirate aircraft occurred only a couple of days ago, Firstnation assured it takes the safety of passengers seriously.
While stating that the NCAA had been informed of the incident, the airline said the affected aircraft was undergoing repairs.
It pledged that it would ensure the aircraft return to service “in strict compliance with the highest safety standard in accordance with industry best practices.”