• NCAA: we’re probing infraction
An unregistered ground handling firm, Menzies Aviation yesterday carried out ground handling operations at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos without regulatory approval.
Investigation by our correspondent indicated that the firm was still undergoing certification processes with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) before it carried out the alleged illegal ground handling operations.
NCAA source said the ground handling agent handled Air Cote d’Ivoire at Lagos Airport. The flight departed from Abidjan.
It was gathered that the ground handling firm has its headquarters in Dublin, Scotland, but has its base in Africa in Accra, Ghana.
Spokesman of NCAA, Sam Adurogboye confirmed the development, adding that the regulator has commenced investigations into the issue.
The source said the unregistered firm used the licence of Precision Aviation Handling Company Ltd (PAHCOL), certified by NCAA few years ago, but could not commence operations due to lack of equipment.
Besides, it was gathered that Menzies Aviation used the ground handling equipment of Arik Air to carry out ground handling operations on the West African carrier. Arik Air is not licensed to do ground handling for another airline, but has the right to handle some of its operations.
The source said: “The handling company came in without an operating licence and they rendered handling services to Air Cote d’Ivoire today (yesterday). It indicates that our airports are porous to the extent that an unregistered ground handling company will operate in our airport. They borrowed Arik Air equipment to commence handling meanwhile Arik Air is not a ground handling company.”