The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA)

  • NCAA: July target for Abuja, Lagos airports certification

    NCAA: July target for Abuja, Lagos airports certification

    The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) on Thursday said it was optimistic that the certification of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, would be achieved by July.

    Mr. Sam Adurogboye, General Manager, Public Relations, NCAA, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the certification process of both airports was going on simultaneously.

    He said the regulatory authority was working with representatives of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), Western and Central Africa (WACAF), to ensure the completion of the project.

    Adurogboye explained that there were still some open items that needed to be closed before the airports could be certified.

    He said:“What happens is that the process is in phases and you move from one phase to the other and it is only when the people involved are through that you can move to the next phase.

    “We are actually in the third phase and when we are through, we will move to the fourth phase, which means we are almost getting there.

    “The certification of both airports is being done simultaneously and we are hoping to complete it by July.’’

    NAN reports that the certification of the airports is being done by the ICAO WACAF, under its implementation of the Africa-Indian Ocean (AFI) Plan Aerodrome Certification Project.

    The AFI Plan was adopted by the 36th ICAO Assembly to address the safety status of aircraft operations in the AFI Region.

    It is meant to address focal areas which are: to establish and maintain a sustainable oversight system (infrastructure/capacity building) and assist states to resolve identified deficiencies within a reasonable time.

    The plan also aims to enhance the aviation safety culture of African aviation service providers.

  • NCAA to ensure full compliance with FG’s executive order at airports

    NCAA to ensure full compliance with FG’s executive order at airports

    The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) said on Tuesday that it had put in place measures to ensure full and sustained compliance with the Federal Government’s Executive Order at airports in the country.

    The General Manager, Public Relations, NCAA, Mr Sam Adurogboye, said the agency’s Director General, Capt. Muhtar Usman, had directed all Aviation Safety Inspectors (ASI) to monitor the level of compliance with the order.

    Adurogboye said this was alongside their statutory oversight responsibilities at the airports, as enshrined in the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations 2015 (Nig.CARs 2015).

    “All aviation parastatals under the Federal Ministry of Aviation, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Nigeria Meteorological Agency (Nimet) and Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) have since commenced compliance to the order.

    “On its part, NCAA has prepared a standard document outlining its core functions and services, appropriate charges, fees, licences, waivers and other tax-related processes, in adherence to the order.

    “The schedule contains mode of communication of official decisions to the various applicants for our sundry services,’’ Adurogboye said in the statement issued in Lagos.

    According to him, this information, together with other vital information, for ease of doing business in the Nigerian aviation sector are contained in the official website of the NCAA.

    He said the federal government had handed down the order with the view to eliminate the unnecessary bureaucracy that impedes business activities at Nigeria’s airports.

    Adurogboye added that it would improve safety, security and facilitation of passengers within and around the airports.

    He said the NCAA director general was in constant discussions with the heads of aviation agencies to ensure sustained adherence to the order by the agencies and continuous surveillance by the regulatory authority.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, had on May 18 signed three far-reaching executive orders expected to ease business, fast-track budget submission and promote made in Nigeria products.

  • NCAA orders Ethiopian Airlines to stop collection of unauthorised charges

    NCAA orders Ethiopian Airlines to stop collection of unauthorised charges

    The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has ordered Ethiopian Airlines to stop the collection of  unauthorised charges forthwith.

    The order was contained in a statement signed by Mr Sam Adurogboye, NCAA General Manager, Public Relations, on Sunday in Lagos.

    Adurogboye said these unauthorised charges referred to as” refundable deportation fee” is put at between 75 dollars  and 150 dollars.

    According to him, all South Africa bound passengers on Ethiopian Airlines are compelled to pay this amount before boarding.

    He noted that the authority had been inundated with several complaints from many passengers that have suffered this fate.

    “According to investigation by NCAA, all outbound passengers to South Africa from Murtala Mohammed International Airport, (MMIA), Lagos and Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, transiting through Addis Ababa, are liable to pay 75 dollars.

    “However, if your transiting time is 24 hours or beyond, the passenger will pay 150 dollars.

    “While passengers are not given prior notice concerning these charges before arriving at the airports, some were made to sign undertaken to be responsible for all expenses incurred if deported,” Adurogboye said.

    He said consequent upon this, the Ethiopian Airlines’ Country management were summoned by NCAA, where they claimed the fees were always refunded when a passenger was not deported.

    Adurogboye said the regulatory authority however found this unacceptable and viewed it as a violation of the its extant regulations.

    “The Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (NCARs) Part 18.4.1(iii) stipulates that “all air carriers should obtain approval from the authority to introduce or increase add-on charges or surcharges prior to implementation.

    “Till date, the authority has not received any request for fare increase, tariff or add-ons from the airline.

    “On this strength, Ethiopian Airlines has been ordered to stop with immediate effect these illegal charges,” he said.

    Adurogboye noted that the Airline could take advantage of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig.CAR) and obtain necessary approvals from the Authority if it has genuine grounds to increase fares or obtain tariffs.

    The spokesman said :”the NCAA hereby warns all operating airlines to endeavour to adhere to the regulations in all facets of their operations.

    “It is part of our statutory responsibilities to protect the rights of passengers and this we shall continue to do in accordance to the law.”

  • Unruly passengers risk prosecution – NCAA warns

    Unruly passengers risk prosecution – NCAA warns

    The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) on Sunday, warned passengers it described as irate and belligerent, carrying out attacks on airline officials, to desist forthwith or face criminal charges.

    The NCAA issued the warning in a statement signed by its General Manager, Public Relations, Mr Sam Adurogboye in Lagos.

    Adurogboye said the warning became necessary due to preponderance of reports from some of the nation’s airports detailing brutal attacks on officials of airlines.

    According to him, these attacks are embarrassing and discourteous to such affected officials.

    “The NCAA undoubtedly recognises that the operating airlines must at all times uphold the conditions of carriage and contract on each passenger’s ticket.

    “This means that all passengers are conferred with inalienable rights when they are travelling by air, according to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig.CARs 2015 Part 19).

    “It prescribes minimum rights for air travellers on the occurrence of any of the following– no show and overbooking of flight, denied boarding, delay and cancellation of flights.

    “These rights shall apply without prejudice to a passenger’s right under any applicable law or contract,’’ he said.
    Adurogboye, however,said passengers were not expected to take laws into their hands, if and when there were operational hiccups capable of truncating air services.

    He noted that all over the world, overbooking, denied boarding, delay and cancellations similarly occur in extraneous circumstances.

    “As contained in Part 19.7.2, airlines have the obligation to inform passengers on cancellation, an explanation shall be given concerning possible alternative transport.

    “Also in Part 19.7.3, an operating airline shall not be obliged to pay compensation for cancellation, if it can prove that the cancellation was caused by extraordinary circumstances.’’

    He further cited the part by saying that such extraordinary circumstances must be such that could not have been avoided, even if all reasonable measures had been taken.

    “Part 19.7.4, says the burden of proof concerning any question as to whether and when the passenger has been informed of the cancellation of the flight shall rest with the operating airline.”

    The NCAA spokesperson said it therefore meant that passengers should be guided that cancellations and any aforementioned scenarios could occur beyond the control of the airline in certain situations.

    He said when passengers were aggrieved; Part 19.20 states that a passenger may lodge a complaint with the Consumer Protection Directorate, or any other competent person designated by the authority for an alleged infringement.

    “It is on record that the Consumer Protection Directorate (CPD) has handled and resolved several cases from aggrieved passengers to their satisfaction.

    “Therefore, the authority expects aggrieved passengers to recourse to the platform provided by NCAA to file their complaints and seek redress or compensation as the case may be.

    “Subsequently, any passenger found carrying out attacks on airline officials will face criminal prosecution.

    “The NCAA is statutorily empowered to provide an enabling environment for safe and secure air transportation.

    “It will, however, not allow any airline official’s life to be ridiculed publicly or endangered.”

  • NCAA conducts alcohol, drug test on aviation personnel

    NCAA conducts alcohol, drug test on aviation personnel

    The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has conducted a random alcohol and drug tests on 87 licensed aviation personnel in the industry, including airline pilots, cabin crew and air traffic controllers.

    The spokesman of NCAA, Sam Adurogboye disclosed this Monday.

    According to Adurogboye, the exercise was in compliance to a directive from the Director General of NCAA, Capt. Muhtar Usman.

    The directive was duly communicated in an Advisory Circular NCAA – AMS – 004 titled “Drugs and Alcohol Policy for Air Operators Certificate holders, Air Navigation Service Providers and other aviation stakeholders” issued to the aviation industry by the Authority.

    A total of 87 personnel from two airlines, Air Peace, Medview and Air Traffic Controllers (ATCs) of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) were tested.

    They were randomly tested as they were about to embark on flight operations and air traffic control duties.

    There include 29 Pilots, 10 Cabin crew.

    Adurogboye said: “However, out of the 87 personnel tested, only one crew member tested positive to psychoactive substance, Tetrahydro – Cannabinol (Marijuana) and was immediately suspended by the Authority from carrying out further flight operations.”

    “Further investigations were later carried out to ascertain the quantity of the substance in the urine sample of the crew member.

    “The Medical Certificate and License of the aircrew has been suspended for 180 days from April 5, 2017.

    “Accordingly, the respondent shall cease to exercise the privileges of the License for the period of his suspension.

    In addition, the crew member shall within seven days of receipt of Letter of Sanction, hand over the License to the Authority’s Director of Licensing (DOL).

    “The aircrew shall undergo a comprehensive treatment and rehabilitation for psychoactive substance abuse during the suspension period under the care of a Consultant Psychiatrist.

    At the end, the report of the Consultant Psychiatrist shall be reviewed by the Authority’s Consultant Psychiatrist Adviser. This is to enable NCAA consider possible restoration of the suspended Medical Certificate and License.

    According to Adurogboye, while 19 pilots are from Air Peace, Medview Airlines had nine pilots Pilots  and 32 Cabin crew.

    He said: “Others were from Air Navigation Service Providers, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), 16 licensed Air Traffic Controllers and Trainees. As well as many Licensed ATC Trainees from the Control Tower and TRACON Centre.

    “The random drug and alcohol tests for Licensed Aviation Personnel will be carried out periodically to rid the industry of menace of crew members and ATCs conducting flight operations under the influence of psychoactive substance which could jeopardise flight safety.

    “The exercise was conducted by Medical Assessors from the Aeromedical Department of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

    “The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) will continue to carry out consistent surveillance on the aviation industry to ensure full compliance with extant Regulations. Failure will however, attract adequate sanction.”

     

     

  • Arik Air management restates commitment to safety standards

    The new management of Arik Air has reiterated commitment to high safety standards as it continues with the task of re-positioning the airline.

    Mr Simon Tumba, Arik air media consultant, said on Friday in a statement that the new management of the airline is more safety conscious.

    “Irrespective of the enemies of the government and their resolve to transform the career, the management of Arik (under receivership) is not distracted.

    “Arik will continue to maintain the highest operational and safety standards, which the airline has been known for since its inception in 2006,” he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the airline was on Feb. 9 taken over by the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) due to its huge debt profile.

    AMCON had thereafter appointed Capt. Roy Ilegbodu, a veteran aviation expert, to manage the airline under the receivership of Mr Oluseye Opasanya (SAN).

    Tumba said the takeover of the airline by AMCON had not in any way eroded the confidence of the flying public and all other business partners of the largest carrier in Nigeria.

    According to him, the new management of the airline is more safety conscious than the former management which neglected critical details that are needed to run a sensitive business like an airline.

    “Ilegbodu has worked at the highest level as a regulator when he served the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

    “He has successfully managed at least two major airlines in the country, which is why he is well regarded and respected in the airline industry.

    “It would be recalled that when the new Arik management team took over the affairs of Arik in February, they met a depleted fleet and 18 unserviceable aircraft.

    “There was no single spare part in the store, which is highly unethical and dangerous in aviation business.

    “It was, therefore, only a matter of time for the few serviceable aircraft to be grounded,” Tumba said.

    He disclosed that the maintenance/engineering department of the airline was now alive to its responsibility of ensuring that Arik Air’s fleets are maintained according to airworthiness standards at all times.

    According to him, the new management of the airline has ordered more aircraft spares, which have started arriving and in the coming days more aircraft will become serviceable and ready to join the fleet.

  • Arik resolves industrial disputes, resumes flight operations

    Arik resolves industrial disputes, resumes flight operations

    The management of Arik Airline says it has resolved the lingering impasse with labour unions in a meeting mediated by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

    According to a statement issued on Friday by the Media Consultant to the airline, Mr Simon Tumba, the NCAA brokered the peace meeting held Thursday evening.

    Tumba listed unions at the meeting to include the National Union of Air Transport Employees, Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria and National Association of Aircraft Pilot and Engineers.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the offices of the troubled airline were on Thursday picketed by the three aviation unions.

    According to Tumba, the airline has resumed normal operations with effect from Friday morning on all routes.

    He quoted Capt. Roy Ilegbodu, the Chief Executive Officer of the airline, as saying: “the management apologise to its customers for the disruption of services on Thursday following the picketing of its operations by the unions.”

    He added, “We reassure our customers of timely departure, great travel experience and look forward to welcoming them on board our flights.”

    Meanwhile, Tumba said the airline had reactivated its online platform for customers to book and pay online through all its network.

    He explained that the airline’s on time departure performance had improved by over 80 per cent in the last three weeks.

     

  • Kaduna Airport ready for 24 hours operations – NCAA

    Kaduna Airport ready for 24 hours operations – NCAA

    Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has declared the Kaduna International Airport, Kaduna, is fit and ready for 24 hours local and international operations.

    All necessary steps to ensure that the status of the Airport as an Alternate Airport to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, (NAIA), during the closure have been put in place.

    Spokesman of NCAA, Sam Adurogboye stated this in a statement Tuesday.

    He said navigational equipment have been well calibrated and fully functional to facilitate continuous smooth landings and takeoffs.

    He said: “Therefore, towards a seamless flight operations in line with Standard and Recommended Practices (SARPs), all relevant departments and directorates with full complement of staff have been redeployed to Kaduna from the aviation agencies.

    “The Regional Managers of NCAA Abuja and Kaduna offices are on ground to allow for smooth integration of the additional staff coming to Kaduna.

    “To sustain the safety and security of airline operations, a team of Aviation Safety Inspectors (ASI) from the Directorate of Airworthiness Standards (DAWS), Directorate of Consumer Protection, (DCP), Directorate of Air Transport Regulations (DATR), Directorate of Aerodrome and AirspaceStandard, (DAAS) and Aviation Security Personnel are already at the airport.”

    He said the National Security Committee has designed and got approval for the Security programme to cover the airport and its environs during the six weeks closure.

    Adurogboye said relevant aviation agencies, the Regulatory Authority, (NCAA), Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Nigerian Customs and Excise, (NCS), Nigerian Immigration Service(NIS), Nigerian Police Force and other security services are all at the airport to provide unhindered facilitation of passenger traffic and flights.

    He said: “At the commencement of flights, it is expected that the Ethiopian Airlines (ET) will be the first scheduled airline to arrive the Kaduna International Airport upon the closure of Abuja Airport.

    “The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, (NCAA), wishes to assure all passengers that all hands are deck to conduct a safe and secure air transport operations at all airports in Nigeria.”

    In a related development, DANA Air said  it will commence flights to Kaduna on March 8, 2017.

    The airline said it will operate four daily flights from Lagos to Kaduna  while there will be one flight each from Uyo and Port Harcourt to Kaduna keeping strictly to its scheduled time of departure.

    The Accountable Manager of Dana Air, Mr Obi Mbanuzuo while speaking on the new schedule said: “We will commence four daily flights from Lagos to Kaduna and one flight each from Uyo and Port Harcourt to Kaduna on 8 March, and we intend keeping to our scheduled time of departure. From Kaduna to Lagos, our new schedule caters to the needs of all our passengers .”

    He said :” With  our on-time performance still unrivaled, our desire is to ensure that passengers connecting Abuja from Kaduna meet their appointments and commitments, while those visiting Kaduna can trust us to take them there on-time.’’

    Meanwhile, another domestic carrier: Air Peace said it has deployed  staff  to  Kaduna Airport to ensure smooth operations .

    In a statement the airline’s Corporate Communications Manager, Mr.  Chris Iwarah said the carrier has already deployed its staff to the Kaduna International Airport in readiness for diversion of Abuja-bound flights to the facility from March 8, 2017.

    Iwarah assured that Air Peace was fully prepared to operate flights into and out of the Kaduna airport during the shutdown of the Abuja facility.

    He confirmed that the airline would operate flights from Lagos, Port Harcourt, Enugu, Benin, Calabar, Owerri and Sokoto into and out of Kaduna.

    Iwarah urged air travelers to frequently visit the airline’s website, www.flyairpeace.com and social media platforms to get daily information on its flight operations during the closure of the Abuja airport.

    The airline’s staff, he added, would be available at all its offices to assist air travelers and provide up-to-date information on the Kaduna flight operations.

  • 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.

  • Rwand Air Airbus 330-200 lands in Lagos 

    Rwand Air Airbus 330-200 lands in Lagos 

    •  High Commissioner says intra – African connectivity will boost trade, tourism
    In an effort to capture the African air transport market, Rwand Air newly acquired Airbus 330-200 on Monday landed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
    The aircraft flew in passengers from the Kigali, the capital of the East African country ; its major hub into Lagos, its hub for West Africa.
    The new aircraft is the latest addition in the fleet of nine airplanes by the ambitious carrier set to take over the African skies with new product offerings ranging from competitive fares to extra luggage allowance for its teeming passengers .
    Speaking at an  impressive  welcome ceremony at the international wing of the Lagos Airport, Rwand Air , Country Manager, Ms Ibiyemi Odusi said the arrival of the Airbus 330 – 200 is one the steps taken by the airline to consolidate on the Nigerian route with attractive packages that would make the carrier the preferred choice by passengers .
    She said the configuration of the Airbus with Flat Bed on the Business Class,  luxurious space at the Premium Economy Cabin and other seats in the Economy Cabin makes the 244 passenger seat aircraft the best on the Nigerian – Kigali and other routes the best .
    Odusi called on Nigerian passengers to continue to patronise Rwand Air to destinations within and outside Africa to enable the airline resolve the lingering challenge of flight connectivity within Africa .
    She said Rwand Air will next month take delivery of another new aircraft to enable it actualise its plans to open new routes within Africa into the Middle East and Asia as well as open new routes into Europe in 2017.
    Also speaking at the event, the Rwandan High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ambassador Stanislas Kamanzi described the arrival of the Airbus into Nigeria as a milestone by the East Africa carrier, saying the aircraft is part of efforts to improve the national carrier of the country in offering seamless connections into and out of Africa.
    He said Rwand Air will take delivery of another aircraft next month to enable the airline contribute its quota in growing air transportation in Africa.
    Ambassador Kamanzi said: “We have to thank Nigeria for accommodating Rwand Air, and for allowing our airline develop Lagos as a hub over West Africa. From Lagos, we have expanded our operations into Ghana, Conakry, Abidjan.
    “There is the necessity for Africa to be inter connected by air. A situation in which African countries still have problems of intra-country flight connectivity is unacceptable. Such difficulties in intra-African connectivity remains a huge challenge, wasting valuable time, resources that could be used to develop Africa.
    “With this aircraft, people and business could move across borders.”
    In his comment, the General Sales Agent (GSA), and Chief Executive Officer of APG, Mr. Babatunde Adeniji said the arrival of Rwand Air Airbus 330 – 200 into Nigeria will add value to air travel in terms of quality of service .
    Present at the event is the Director , APG Global Associates , Mr. Femi Adefope and a Director with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority ( NCAA), Captain Abdulahi Sidi.