The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA)

  • ‘Why domestic carriers are suspending flight operations’

    ‘Why domestic carriers are suspending flight operations’

    The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) on Thursday said domestic airlines are not folding up‎ but merely suspending their operations temporarily.

    According to the Director General, NCAA, Captain Muhtar Usman disclosed in a statement, the suspension is to enable them undertake certain operational overhaul and strengthen their overall operational outlay.

    Usman said Aero Contractors Ltd., at present has only one serviceable aircraft, adding that this in contradiction to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig.CARS) which stipulates that no airline operator shall carry out schedule commercial operation with only one aircraft.

    Usman noted that the minimum acceptable number is three aircraft.

    He said: “In other words, any airline with one aircraft is in contravention of the Authority’s regulations therefore cannot be adjudged to be capable of providing safe operation.

    The only option available is to suspend your operations temporarily while other aircraft arrive in due course.”

    He however, stated that NCAA’s Regulations provides a window for such operator to embark on non schedule operations in the interim.

    He disclosed that the First Nation Airlines on its part is in the middle of an Engine Replacement Programme for one of its aircraft, stressing that another aircraft is due for mandatory maintenance as its allowable by the Regulatory Authority.

    In these circumstances, these airlines he said clearly cannot continue to undertake schedule operations, hence the inevitable recourse to self regulatory suspension.

    “The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) wishes to reiterate that on no account will it compromise safety and security of airline operations in the airspace.”

  • FG engaging stakeholders on Aviation fuel

    FG engaging stakeholders on Aviation fuel

  • Aviation Fuel Scarcity: NCAA advises airlines to scale down operations

    The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has advised domestic airlines to scale down their flight operations following the lingering scarcity of Jet A1, popularly called aviation fuel.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Acting General Manager Public Relations in NCAA, Mr. Sam Adurogboye, gave the advice on Wednesday in Lagos.

    NAN learnt that aviation fuel was currently being bought at exorbitant prices ranging from N160 to N200 per litre by the airlines due to scarcity of the product.

    Adurogboye said that NCAA was concerned that passengers were not made to suffer unduly because of the scarcity of aviation fuel.

    “Our directive earlier when this situation arose is that airlines should cut down their operations to services they are able to procure fuel for.

    “Where they have sold tickets, then they contact the passengers ahead of time to avoid their coming to the airport and be stranded,’’ he added.

    However, Arik Air in a statement by its Communications Manager, Mr. Ola Adebanji, said marketers had assured the airlines that the situation would improve this week as they were expecting delivery of additional stock.

    The statement identified supply and infrastructural challenges of the marketers as some of the key factors responsible for the epileptic supply of aviation fuel.

    “At the root of the fuel supply crisis is low stock due to the inability of marketers to source for the foreign exchange to import more Jet A1 fuel.

    “There is also distribution challenge as the discharging of vessels bringing Jet A1 and other petroleum products are done in the same
    jetty and loading various trucks for distribution to cities like Kano or Abuja takes considerable effort and time.

    “The situation in the north is even more difficult since the product takes longer to be delivered due to the trucking distance.

    “Oil marketers have also resorted to trucking of aviation fuel to the airports because hydrants are not consistently available at the airports,’’ it said.

     

  • Turnaround strategy for Aero could save over N3.56b a year – investigations 

    Turnaround strategy for Aero could save over N3.56b a year – investigations 

    If Aero Airlines must keep afloat, its managers would need to put in place a turnaround strategy of reducing work force to 700 workers from the existing 1, 453, investigation has revealed.

    Apart from cutting down on the workforce by an estimated 51 per cent, sourced hinted that the airline needs serious surgical intervention, including  fleet enhancement to accommodate the lease of eight aircraft and route expansion in Wet and Central African routes alongside some domestic routes.

    The Nation investigations also  revealed that failure on the part of  managers of the airline to carry out financial restructuring to ensure the carrier is able to pay its suppliers as and when due, may sound the death knell for the hitherto solid carrier..

    A source hinted that should the airline carry out the restructuring plan, the benefits will begin to accrue within the next year.

    Investigations also revealed that Aero Airlines this year obtained a loan running into over N120 m from the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), to stop aircraft lessors from repossessing some aircraft from the carrier.

    Aero, investigation further revealed may not get additional loan from AMCON, without carrying out staff rationalisation of about 51 per cent.

    Currently, Aero operates two Boeing 737 and additional two Dash 8 aircraft with a staff strength of 1, 453.

    The overloaded staff strength according to industry analysts puts the ratio to the four aircraft at 363 workers per airplane, a figure experts  say is too high for an airline in desperate need of restructuring.

    Investigations also reveal that Aero may be struggling to keep afloat, raising posers in the industry over what happened to its many aircraft many years ago  as one the leading domestic carriers.

    A source queried: “Aero has a strong safety heritage which is a strong asset to the airline, with its strong customer base.”

    A few months ago, AMCON appointed former Director General of Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Captain Fola Akinkuotu to turn around the airline.

    Capt. Akinkuotu said he was pleased to be given the opportunity to turn around Aero Contractors, adding: “AMCON has given us a lifeline which is an opportunity for us to succeed. This option is a huge opportunity we must take as there’s no other option. I believe we can make Aero Contractors a success story.

    “Aero is a premium Nigerian legacy brand, and I am determined to ensure that this airline continues to serve the Nigerian market efficiently, reliably and with its safety record intact.”

    In April, 2016, the management of the airline took bold steps to commence the initial phase of restructuring by erasing some jobs, but aviation unions challenged the action.

    Investigations revealed that the personnel affected by the planned restructuring were workers whose services were no longer required.

    AMCON, earlier this year dissolved the board of Aero Contractors and appointed a manager to oversee the affairs of the airline.

    AMCON also engaged a reputable accounting firm to undertake a forensic audit of the airline’s accounts over the last five years.

    A statement issued by the public relations firm handling the airline: SY&T explained that the takeover of the airline by AMCON is in furtherance of the statutory responsibility of acquiring Eligible Bank Assets and putting them to economic use in a profitable manner.

    Currently, the Asset Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON) owns 60 percent of the company with the remaining 40 per cent held by the Ibru family.

    The statement reads: “AMCON has also engaged a reputable accounting firm to undertake a forensic audit of the airline’s accounts over the last five years.

    “AMCON is both the majority shareholder and creditor of Aero.

    “An Industry based management team will be put in place to provide the highest level of professional competence which would ensure a quick repositioning of the company.

    “The management of AMCON decided to make changes in the management of the airline to protect the brand heritage of the airline.

    “AMCON also maintains that its intervention is in the public interest to sustain and improve the robust and premium quality service which Aero is known for in the country.

    “AMCON would like to assure the regulatory authorities, the traveling public and key stakeholders that the airline will continue to operate on the solid foundation of safety and security with excellent customer service.”

  • Singapore trains 13 Nigerian Aerodrome safety inspectors

    The Singapore Civil Aviation Academy has trained 13 Aerodrome safety inspectors working with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

    The training hitherto carried out in Singapore took place at the NCAA conference facility in Lagos.
    According to the public relations head of NCAA,  Sam Adurogboye,  this will be the first time such a programme will hold in Nigeria.

    He described the programme as the pilot edition of  the Safety Oversight Inspectors Course (Aerodrome) in Lagos.

    The Aerodrome course hitherto offered in Singapore Civil Aviation Academy was taken to diaspora for the very first time in its existence.

    He said: “This is  cognizance of the importance of the course to global aviation safety, 40 participants from 15 African countries were in attendance for this maiden edition.

    “Nigeria provided the highest number of participants.”

    According to  Adurogboye, there were 13 persons from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and three from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).

    He said  14 other countries were similarly in attendance.

    They include: Burkina- Faso, Cameroon, Niger Republic, Congo, Mali, Cote De Voire, Togo, Senegal, Chad, Egypt, Kenya, Uganda, Gambia and Sierra Leone.

    The five-day Course was organized by the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC) in collaboration with the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS).

    The training had as its focus vital areas of Aerodrome Oversight functions.

    Some of  which include an overview of the states’ Safety Oversight Obligations, Critical Elements of Safety System, Safety Management System (SMS), Airport Emergency Planning, Operational Services  and Maintenance Practices, physical characteristics (runways, taxiways, clearways, stop ways and holding bays).

    Others are, visual aids for navigation, indicators and signaling devices, markings, lights, signs and markers, Aerodrome operational service, equipment and installations,  rescue and fire-fighting, training programme (review, records and documentation),  training of apron drivers, runway incursion prevention, wildlife and foreign object damage management inter alia.

    During the closing ceremony, the Director General, NCAA Capt.Muhtar Usman informed the Aviation Safety Inspectors (ASI) that the essence of the course was to enhance their Safety oversight management capacity of Aerodromes through a comprehensive system approach.

    The DG also posited that this opportunity given to the African Continent by delivering the course in Nigeria will enhance better understanding of roles and responsibilities of Aerodrome inspectors. It is expected that their knowledge of Aerodrome certification and surveillance will impact on safety and security of airline operations in Africa.

    In the areas of training and partnership, he said that NCAA has been a progressive partner with CAAS and AFCAC in different areas, specifically on Human Capital Development. Inspectors of the Authority have participated in several courses organized by these bodies; the most recent was the Dangerous Goods training in Niger Republic.

    Capt.Usman therefore commended the management of CAAS and AFCAC for granting NCAA the honor and privilege of hosting the course.

    He expressed optimism that the partnership will continue for the mutual benefit of all parties.

  • Lagos: Factional NLC protest disrupts aviation activities

    Lagos: Factional NLC protest disrupts aviation activities

    • Airlines operate skeletal flights amid cancellation
    Unions in the aviation industry yesterday joined factional wing of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), acting under the aegis of Joint Action Front to disrupt vehicular and passenger activities around the Lagos Airport as part of protest against the deregulation of the downstream sector of the petroleum industry.
    The unions are the National Union of Airport Transport Employees (NUATE) and the Association of Senior Services Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN).
    This is just as they threatened to shut down the Lagos Airport on Thursday, should government fail to reverse the increase in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), otherwise known as petrol.
    The factional wing of NLC, led other protesters to block major roads leading into the Lagos Airport occasioning traffic gridlock on the Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way, Ikeja.
    They took possession on the road in the early hours thus depriving limousine cab operators from taking passengers and airport workers to the airport.
    Besides the protest, some domestic carriers including DANA Air, Arik, Aero, First Nation Airways, Med-View operated skeletal services.
    Most of them had to cancel or re-schedule flights because of limited passengers.
    Most of the aviation agencies including the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), opened their offices for normal activities.
  • NLC protest disrupts aviation activities at Lagos Airport

    NLC protest disrupts aviation activities at Lagos Airport

    Unions in the aviation industry Wednesday joined factional wing of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), acting under the aegis of Joint Action Front to disrupt vehicular and passenger activities around the Lagos Airport as part of protest against the deregulation of the downstream sector of the petroleum industry.

    The unions are the National Union of Airport Transport Employees (NUATE) and the Association of Senior Services Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN).

    This is just as they threatened to shut down the Lagos Airport on Thursday, should government fail to reverse the increase in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), otherwise known as petrol.

    The factional wing of NLC, led other protesters to block major roads leading into the Lagos Airport occasioning traffic gridlock on the Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way, Ikeja.

    They took possession of the road in the early hours thus depriving limousine cab operators from taking passengers and airport workers to the airport.

    Besides the protest, some domestic carriers including DANA Air, Arik, Aero, First Nation Airways, Med-View operated skeletal services.

    Most of them had to cancel or re-schedule flights because of limited passengers.

    Most of the aviation agencies including the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), opened their offices for normal activities.

     

     

  • Airspace violation: NCAA to sanction illegal drone operators

    • Issues safety guidelines

    The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has warned over growing proliferation of the use of Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA), otherwise known as drones in the airspace.
    The NCAA said the useof drones without approval/ permit in the Nigerian airspace constitutes threat to safety,
    It  has,  however, issued safety guidelines over the use of the equipment in the airspace without permission.
    Spokesman for NCAA, Sam Adurogboye in a statement yesterday  said in recent times, RPA/UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) are being deployed for commercial and recreational purposes in the country without adequate security
    clearance.
    He noted that with the preponderance of these operations particularly in a non – segregated airspace, there has to be proactive safety guidelines.
    The authority further stated that the development of the use of RPA nationwide has emerged with somewhat predictable safety concerns and security threats.
    He said: “The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) is yet to publish Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs), as far as certification and operation of civil use of RPA is concerned.”
    He noted that the NCAA has therefore put in place Regulations/Advisory Circular to guide the certification and operations of civil RPA in the Nigerian airspace.
    “This is contained in the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig.CARs 2015 Part 8.8.1.33) and Implementing
    Standards (Nig.CARs 2015 Part IS.8.8.1.33).
    “Therefore no government agency, organisation or an individual will launch an RPA/UAV in the Nigerian airspace for any purpose whatsoever without obtaining requisite approvals/permit from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority
    (NCAA) and Office of National Security Adviser (NSA),” he added.
    Adurogboye reiterate that all applicants and holders of permits to operate RPA/Drones must strictly be guided by safety guidelines.
    In addition, he said operators must ensure strict compliance with the conditions stipulated in their permits and the requirements of the Nig.CARs.
    Violators shall be sanctioned according to the dictates of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations.

  • Asaba Int’l Airport to be closed temporarily- Okowa

    Asaba Int’l Airport to be closed temporarily- Okowa

    Governor Ifeanyi Okowa on Wednesday said that the Asaba International Airport would be closed down temporarily, when work on the runway reached an advanced stage.

    The governor spoke when he inspected the ongoing construction work at the airport runway.

    He expressed satisfaction on the work done, adding that the contractor would handle the work in three phases.

    He said that for now, only smaller aircraft were allowed to land, because work was ongoing on one side of the runway, adding that later the contractor will move to the other side, before working on the middle.

    According to him, work on the runway became necessary in order to meet the standards set by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

    “We recall that the airport was downgraded by the NCAA because the runway was not in the best of shape.

    “Work on the runway is being taken in phases; it is in three phases of one kilometre on either side and the middle 1.4 kilometers.

    “But when work gets to the middle, we will close down the airport within the period that it will take them to complete work on that section.

    Okowa who had earlier inspected roads constrictions and drainage projects in Asaba metropolis and Okpanam Road, said rainfall would not disrupt ongoing work.

    He said though there was funding challenge, the contractors have been mobilised to do their work, adding that some of the projects would be completed in April before the heavy rains set in.

     

  • Dana air begins daily low cost flights from Lagos to Accra

    Dana air begins daily low cost flights from Lagos to Accra

    As part of its ongoing domestic route network expansion plans, Dana Air has commenced daily flights from Lagos to Accra. The addition of Accra brings the current route network of the airline to five destinations – Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Uyo and Accra.
    According to the Accountable Manager of Dana Air, Mr. Obi Mbanuzuo, “business and leisure travelers to the beautiful city of Accra in Ghana, will experience the Dana Air -hospitality as we extend our operations to the cosmopolitan city of Accra.

     

    “We are working with the objective of integrating other cities from Accra into our route network and making air transport accessible by developing new routes and linking same to our existing routes.”
    He stressed that, with Dana Air’s far-reaching domestic route network in Nigeria, guests arriving Lagos from Accra will also benefit from a choice of onward connections from Lagos to Abuja, Port Harcourt, and Uyo.”
    Speaking further Obi said: Accra is a preferred destination for Nigerian businessmen and women and Dana Air’s foray into the city will further boost investments in the city and deepen the bilateral relationship between the two countries.”

     

    He noted that Dana Air’s daily flights to Accra will bring options, comfort and relief to its teeming guests who have been longing for an airline with superior on-time performance and world-class in-flight service.”

     

    The airline has also set an introductory online fare of N22,000 to boost leisure and business trips from Lagos to Accra.
    Only recently, Dana Air marked its 7th anniversary announcing more customer-friendly initiatives like online check-in, frequent flyer program for loyal guests and was also recently unveiled as one of the 100 most respected companies in Nigeria by BusinessDay.
    The airline is the only domestic airline to have undergone an operational audit conducted by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and its foreign partners – flight safety group.