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Tag: Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA)

  • NCAA okays return of commercial flights at Ibadan Airport

    NCAA okays return of commercial flights at Ibadan Airport

    The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has approved the commencement of scheduled flight operations at the Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport, Ibadan.

    The NCAA, in a letter dated December 16, 2025, and addressed to the Managing Director/Chief Executive of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), said it has approved the issuance of a provisional interim operational permit for the commencement of scheduled flight operations at the airport.

    The approval followed efforts by the Oyo State Government to upgrade the Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport, Alakia, Ibadan, to an international airport, with the state government having undertaken several projects, including the extension and widening of the runway, improvement of airfield lighting, the construction of a 500,000-litre aviation fuel storage facility, and a new Protocol Lounge, among others.

    According to the letter sighted by newsmen, the NCAA said it gave the approval after reviewing the updated status of safety-critical facilities, operational arrangements, and mitigation measures, which followed recent developments at the aerodrome and the additional information provided by FAAN.

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    It added that it had granted approval for non-scheduled operations in an earlier letter.

    The letter reads in part: “The Authority refers to its earlier correspondence Ref. No: NCAA/DAAS/TECH/008/VOL 1/173 dated 12th December, 2025, regarding the operational status of Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport (SLAA), Ibadan, and the temporary approval granted for non-scheduled operations.

    “Following recent developments at the aerodrome and the additional information provided by FAAN after the issuance of the above referenced letter, the Authority has reviewed the updated status of safety-critical facilities, operational arrangements, and mitigation measures currently in place.

    “In view of the above, and pursuant to the provisions of Nig.CARs Part 12, Volume I (2023), I am directed to convey the Authority’s approval for the issuance of a provisional interim operational permit for the commencement of scheduled flight operations at Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport, Ibadan.”

    The NCAA declared that the provisional interim permit would be subject to strict compliance with salient work plan conditions, including full operationalisation of emergency response arrangements.

  • NCAA to link pilots’ licensing, medical certification to NIN

    NCAA to link pilots’ licensing, medical certification to NIN

    The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has said pilots’ licensing and medical certification will henceforth be linked to the National Identity Number (NIN) through its newly launched digital system.

    The integration of the registration procedures to the NIN is expected to curb fraud, boost security, save time, and streamline paperwork.

    NCAA’s Director-General, Capt. Chris Najomo, announced this at the launch of EMPIC Personnel Licensing and Medical Certification (PEL/MED) and a stakeholder engagement yesterday in Abuja.

    The NCAA boss said the digital platform would strengthen regulatory effectiveness, advance safety oversight, and enable operational excellence in the industry.

    He said the new initiative would be fully operational on April 2, next year, after adequate engagement with relevant stakeholders.

    Najomo said: “For many years, the aviation sector relied on manual and semi-digital processes for licensing and medical certification. While these processes served their purpose, the increasing complexity of our industry, the demand for real-time regulatory oversight, and the expectations of a modern aviation workforce necessitated a shift toward a more robust and technology-driven approach.

    “The deployment of the EMPIC PEL/MED system, a globally recognised, ICAO-aligned software for aviation regulators, is a demonstration of our commitment to adopting world-class digital tools to support Nigeria’s aviation growth. It represents a fundamental modernisation of the way we manage licensing, medical certification, inspector oversight, data integrity, and industry compliance

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    “With this system, stakeholders will now experience a fully digital licensing and medical certification process with improved turnaround times, a unified platform for applicants, inspectors, ATOs, AAMEs, and operators to engage seamlessly with the authority and greater transparency and accountability, supported by traceable workflows and audit trails.”

    Announcing when the system wouldbe fully operational, Najomo said: “The full operationalisation of EMPIC PEL/MED will take place on April 2, 2026.

    “This phased approach is deliberate and necessary to ensure system stability, stakeholder preparedness, data integrity, and regulatory continuity. Between now and the formal operationalisation date, NCAA will complete final data validation and migration activities, and stakeholders will undergo continued onboarding and user support.

    “Upon operationalisation on April 2, 2026, EMPIC PEL/MED will become the official and mandatory platform for all applicable personnel licensing and aviation medical certification transactions, in accordance with NCAA regulations.

    “This is part of our broader vision to create a modern aviation environment that is competitive, efficient, and compliant with global best practices.”

    Najomo urged stakeholders to actively participate in the post-Go-Live transition activities and prepare for full adoption upon operationalisation.

    The NCAA boss added that the transition would ensure a smooth, transparent, and internationally aligned regulatory environment.

    The Director of Aerodrome and Airspace Standards (DAAS), Godwin Balang, said the system has lots of quality assurances to guard against mistakes.

    He also said there would be four biometric data centres in Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt and Kano for easy access by operators and other stakeholders.

  • NCAA reviews Ibom Air unruly behaviour case

    NCAA reviews Ibom Air unruly behaviour case

    The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has opened a regulatory review into the recent case of unruly behaviour aboard an Ibom Air flight on the Uyo to Lagos route.

    On Wednesday, August 20, 2025, the Authority met with the airline’s management and members of the flight crew at its Abuja headquarters. 

    The session was chaired by the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Mr Michael Achimugu, and gave what officials described as “a fair hearing” to the crew members involved in the incident.

    One of those heard was air hostess Juliana Edwards, who was reportedly assaulted while on duty.

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    On Thursday, August 21, 2025, passenger Mrs Comfort Emanson, accompanied by her lawyer, appeared before the NCAA at its Lagos Regional Office to present her side of the story. 

    The meeting was chaired by the Director of Operations, Licensing and Training, Capt Donald Spiff and attended by officials from the Consumer Protection Office and the Legal Department.

    Although Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo (SAN), has mediated and resolved the matter between the parties, the NCAA insisted that the regulatory process must still run its full course.

    In a statement, the Authority explained: “We will review all submissions to a logical conclusion. This regulatory step ensures the system is strengthened, gaps are addressed, and safeguards put in place to prevent similar incidents in the future.”

    The NCAA assured the flying public that the case would reinforce the standards of discipline and safety in the sector, noting that the lessons drawn would serve both airlines and passengers.

  • NCAA threatens to sanction foreign airlines over failure to declare currencies above $10,000

    NCAA threatens to sanction foreign airlines over failure to declare currencies above $10,000

    The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has threatened to sanction all international airlines operating inbound flights to Nigeria over failure to comply with the currency declaration requirements for inbound passengers.

    The NCAA while directing all international airlines operating inbound flights to Nigeria to strictly comply with the directive, explained that it was in line with Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) framework, in accordance with international standards and obligations.

    The Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu of NCAA, in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday, reiterated some of the directives all international airlines are to abide by.

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    The statement reads: “Make in-flight or pre-landing announcements informing passengers of their legal obligation to declare any currency or Bearer Negotiable Instruments (BNI) exceeding $10,000 or its equivalent upon arrival in Nigeria.

    “Distribute currency declaration forms onboard for passengers to complete before landing”.

    Achimugu stated that the NCAA has received reports indicating that some airlines are yet to comply with this directive.

    He stated: “Please note that the cooperation of all international airlines operating in Nigeria is critical to supporting the country’s efforts to align with global financial standards. Accordingly, the Authority emphasises that full implementation of this directive—particularly as it concerns inbound passenger declarations—is of utmost importance.

    “Compliance will be closely monitored, and non-compliant airlines will face appropriate sanctions”.

  • Nigeria loses slot in Africa’s aviation body to intrigues

    INTRIGUES among officials of the Ministry of Aviation and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) have denied Nigeria the chance to have a representative in the continent’s regulatory body, African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC).

    AFCAC’s responsibility is to foster a safe, secure, efficient, cost effective, sustainable and environmentally friendly civil aviation industry in Africa.

    Investigations by The Nation revealed that the politics of succession into the office of the Director General cost Nigeria the slot of its representatives.

    The NCAA is yet to send a replacement for its former Director General, Fidelis Onyeyiri, who was Nigeria’s representative in AFCAC for a decade.

    Onyeyiri was sent to AFCAC by the Federal Government in 2006, following his ouster as former helmsman of NCAA.

    Following the completion of his tenure as the country representative a few years ago, the NCAA is yet to send another representative for Nigeria.

    The reason for the delay, investigations revealed, followed the intrigues and politics surrounding succession plan for the office of the director general for NCAA.

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    A source hinted that some individuals in NCAA, who are interested in the slot, have allegedly colluded not to send the name of any representatives after Onyeyiri completed his tenure.

    Another Nigerian, who is and staff member of NCAA and works at AFCAC, Ms Iyabo Sosina, is said to be a ready replacement for Onyeyiri.

    She was seconded to the office of the President of International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

     

     

     

  • Reps Summon Minister, NCAA, Ethiopian Airlines, over stranded passengers

    Reps Summon Minister, NCAA, Ethiopian Airlines, over stranded passengers

    The House of Representatives Wednesday mandated its committee on Aviation to invite the Minister of Aviation, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and Ethiopian Airlines to appear before and give reasons for the excessive delays in bringing back Nigerians stranded in Saudi Arabia

    The Green Chamber flayed the airline for the recent long delays and disrespectful behavior towards Nigerians and other nationals from Saudi Arabia to Nigeria by the Airlines and said flight delay compensation be paid to them according to global aviation rules.

    The resolution of the House was sequel to the adoption of the prayers of a motion by Hon. Zakari Mohammed on complaints against Ethiopian Airlines.

    The lawmaker while moving the motion noted that Ethiopian Airlines due to the backlog of delays have left Nigerians stranded in Jeddah for over one week with most running out of funds to survive.

    He said the airline’s refusal to offer a reasonable explanation for the delay was worrisome, and also in violation of Article 2 of Ethiopian Airlines passenger commitment.

    According to him, it made reservations for three persons to occupy one hotel room in overnight delays again, in violation of Article 11 of the Ethiopian Airlines passenger commitment published on their website.

    He said passengers had to incur more expenses by making hotel reservations for themselves. due to the inconveniences caused by the airline,

    Mohammed also said over one thousand Nigerians who were due to be back in the country on 27 June, 2017 were stranded in Jeddah for 4-5 days.

    The House thereafter mandated its committee on Aviation to invite the Minister of Aviation, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and Ethiopian Airlines to appear before and give reasons for the excessive delays.

    The House also resolved that Ethiopian Airlines should apologize through two national dailies, to the affected passengers.

  • Abuja Airport closure: First Nation seeks compensation

    Abuja Airport closure: First Nation seeks compensation

    First Nation Airways has appealed to the Federal Government to address the issue of compensation for airlines over losses incurred as a result of closing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

    The airline made the plea in a statement signed by its Manager, Corporate Services, Mr. Rasheed Yusuf on Wednesday in Lagos.

    The Federal Government on March 8 closed the Abuja airport for a period of six weeks to carry out a major rehabilitation of its runway.

    Yusuf said the airline was in total support of the on-going repair of runway and commended government’s efforts at addressing infrastructure decay, especially in the aviation sector.

    He said that the closure of the airport had affected the operations of the airline, adding that this informed the airline’s decision to temporary reschedule its operations.

    According to him, this was to accomplish crew training and other important capacity building exercise that would further raised quality raise of service and enhance safety.

    “It is our prayer that the government will urgently address the issue of financial compensation to airlines for losses incurred as a result of the closure with the same fort rightness being displayed with respect to the runway repair.

    “We also acknowledge that within the last 30 days’ Foreign Exchange constraints continue to ease.

    “However, the current 60 days forward bid is more suited for bill for collections and foreign airline remittances but challenges remain for airlines headquartered in Nigeria, who have to also wait 60 to 90 days for value.

    “We hope that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) will start offering a mixture of spot foreign exchange availability to ease planning as forward transactions is unduly prolonging airlines maintenance, training, and thus compounding planning.”

    He further expressed optimism that the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) would continue to engage the government on how to improve the operating environment of the industry.

    “First Nation remains bullish about her future outlook and will return to Kaduna and Port Harcourt as from March 29 when we anticipate that traffic would have stabilised in preparation for Easter season,” Yusuf added.

    NAN reports that the airline had temporary suspended its operations as a result of low passenger demand which it claimed was due to the diversion of Abuja flights to Kaduna International Airport.

    The General Manager, Public Relations, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Mr. Sam Adurogboye, confirmed the development in a text message to aviation correspondents.

    Adurogboye, however said the airline grounded its operations because it did not have “flight crew who are current” at the moment.

    The NCAA spokesperson had also in a recent interview with newsmen confirmed that First Nation was operating with only a single A319 aircraft instead of the prerequisite two aircraft.

    Adurogboye said the airline was granted waiver for a few months to use one aircraft due to the unserviceable nature of its second aircraft, adding that the NCAA was closely monitoring its operations.

    The airline in Aug. 2016 voluntarily suspended operations for two months, due to lack of operating aircraft.

     

  • Stakeholders fret over plans to amend Aviation Act

    Stakeholders fret over plans to amend Aviation Act

    •NCAA’s autonomy intact, says ministry

    Stakeholders have called on the National Assembly to exercise caution in its planned amendment of some sections of the 2006 Civil Aviation Act, granting autonomy in regulation to the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

    According to industry players, a revision of the act may affect NCAA’s autonomy. They raised concerns over plans to tinker with some sections of the act, which may reduce NCAA’s powers, thereby bringing about laxity in the oversight duties of the authority.

    The Ministry of Aviation has denied plans to remove NCAA’s autonomy, affirming that the authority has been given free hands in line with the provisions of the 2006 Act to carry out its oversight duties.

    Media assistant to the Minister of Aviation, Mr Joe Obi said: “There is no truth in information making the round that there are attempts by the Ministry of Aviation to strip the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) of its autonomy and removing the responsibility of issuing Air Operator Certificates from the Regulatory agency.

    “The ministry places very high premium on the autonomy of the NCAA as the regulator of the sector and will not do anything wittingly or unwittingly to whittle down its powers. In fact, the new Aviation Policy that is currently being fashioned out is intended to strengthen the NCAA to place it in good stead to perform its regulatory functions as well as safeguard its autonomy.”

    In a position paper , the Airline Operators of Nigeria( AON), the umbrella body of domestic carriers speaking through its Secretary-General, Captain Mohammed Joji, said nothing was wrong with the Civil Aviation Act, adding that tinkering with some of its provisions may have ripple effects in the industry.

    Joji said: ”The proposed Civil Aviation Act, as it were, is a new document. It is still extant, serves as the basis of various Civil Aviation Regulations, which underpins aviation business in the country.

    “While time and developments have thrown up new issues demanding attention, particularly in economic regulation and consumer protection, the Act is modern and in no way defective.

    “Only a few years ago (2007 – 2008), the Act was evaluated by both ICAO, FAA and other such world bodies and was confirmed to be in tandem with global standards and best practices. Therefore, what is required is only Amendments rather than a new Act.”

    Besides, he said the existing non-defective one is even more confusing as it is not as encompassing as the extant Act.

    He said the question to ask is: “What is wrong with the Act that the Proposed Act is seeking to replace?”

    He said: “The Proposed Act is by standard; content, depth, and coverage, inferior to the existing Act. Rather than strengthen the regulatory body, it further tends to weaken it by not only removing some of its functions, but also eroding its autonomy by surreptitiously narrowing the insular corridor between it and the ministry.

    “This will move us many steps back in the global aviation community.”

    The AON scribe alleged that the proposed act seeks to hijack the responsibility of economic regulation of airlines from the NCAA and hand it over to the Ministry of Aviation.

    He said: ”Unless the Ministry intends to create another agency to handle economic regulations and related issues, which will run contrary to the Act, the present Act should be amended to the ill-advised Proposed Act of 2013.

    “It is better to move our country forward rather than to regress. Power of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to regulate the industry must be upheld in order to move the industry forward.”

    The law, which is an Act of parliament gives power to NCAA to regulate the industry. In so doing, the regulatory authority published two fundamental guiding documents, which can be amended periodically by the operators and other stake holders and the NCAA vide seminar, under what is called Proposed Notice of Amendment (PNA). The initial publication is called Proposed Notice of Rules making (PNR).

    He said: “It is also our humble opinion that there is nothing wrong with the 2006 Act, since most of the recent feats achieved by the Aviation industry were as a result of the adequate provisions contained in the Act. We however, do not object to an amendment of the existing Act to take care of identified flows, provided all stake holders shall be consulted for input during the amendment exercise.”

  • How to save domestic airlines, by experts

    How to save domestic airlines, by experts

    How can domestics airlines operation be saved from going insolvent? It is by providing them low interest loans from foreign lenders, some operators have said

    The Chief Executive Officer of Overland Airways, Captain Edward Boyo and the Managing Director of Aero Airlines, Captain Akin George said high interest rates by local lenders were killing airlines.

    Boyo and George lamented the low funding of the sector, which they affirmed is hampering aircraft acquisition

    Boyo said until operators are able to manage the right equipment, in terms of aircraft suitable for some routes, the industry would continue to struggle.

    The airlines, he said would only experience organic growth if the relevant agencies, including the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), carry out due diligence on would-be airline operators before commencement of flight operations.

    Most operators, he said, often ran into problems because they do not do an analysis of the expected yield in their operations, arguing that the inability of operators to understand the cost benefit analysis in the sector, has led to the collapse of many airlines.

    He said: “Airline operators must get their economics right before venturing into services and ensure that issues such as maintenance, personnel, market capacity and revenue management must be taken into consideration.

    On government’s role to grow the industry, Boyo said: “Government should continue to invest in improving security and ensure that there is improvement in oversight capacity and regulatory services. Government should implement waivers on taxes and import duties on aircraft’s spares.

    “Government should also consider the establishment of aircraft hangar, and ensure that there is a deliberate policy aimed at growing the domestic market. The government must implement the domestication of the Cape Town Convention, which ought to make it easier for lessors of aircraft to repossess their airplanes and also facilitate the acquisition of modern ones less cumbersome for Nigerian airlines.”

    On his part, George said: “Without trying to make the issues complicated, airlines need to have access to funding. It is pure and simple. If government could do that, the problems will soon be over for domestic carriers and their managers.

    “If you have access to funding to sort out your problems, you need to reduce your costs. The main costs are the government taxes. Once that is taken out, government could go a step further by improving infrastructure at the airports. Infrastructure itself is cost to the airlines; if government could improve that it takes out the other costs.

    “If we have access to funding to do our business, we make more money, reduce the cost of operations, and then the equation is balanced. The idea is that everybody wants this to happen overnight, it is not going to work that way.

    “What government needs to do is to ensure that measures put in place to improve the business and operating environment for airlines must be long lasting. Not quick fixes. That will not solve the problems of the aviation sector.

    “In Nigeria, we like to do things over and done with, when we rush for quick fixes we tend to forget that whatever we do affects our neighbours. And that is why the ministry of aviation must take a holistic look at how to generally improve the industry,” he stated.

    He said everybody would wish that aircraft maintenance is done in Nigeria, because of the cost implications, which also allows operators to bring in the expertise into the country. And when you get technically minded-people, when you go back home, it not only affects aviation, it also affects the country as a whole. Our aim is to increase the pool of Nigerian airlines with the required technical expertise to carry out aircraft maintenance locally.

    “But, it will always remain a high cost business, because aviation is not cheap, and we should not be looking at everybody doing aircraft maintenance at home. That is not to mean that it should also be made unnecessarily expensive and that is what we are doing at this time. Make it relatively not too expensive, but the business the airlines that have the capacity could make some profit from.