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Tag: NCAA

  • Arik Air gets green light to continue operations

    Arik Air gets green light to continue operations

    The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) says it has not suspended or halted Arik Air’s flight operations, which continued as scheduled and did not affect the airline’s ability to operate remaining fleet.

    This is contained in a statement signed by Mr Michael Achimugu, the NCAA Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, on Friday in Abuja.

    According Achimugu, NCAA is duty-bound to comply with court order attaching Arik Air’s aircraft (5NMJF; 5NMJQ; 5NBKX) following determination of its case at the Supreme Court and to ensure compliance with regulatory and safety standards.

    “Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) refers to the grounding of three (3) Arik Air aircraft following a Court Order/Attachment.

    “It is important to clarify that the action does not include the suspension of Arik Air’s overall operations by either the NCAA or the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development as claimed in some quarters.

    “We appreciate the public’s understanding and patience as Arik Air works through this situation with minimal disruption,” it said.

  • Arik Air: NCAA sends important message to air travellers

    Arik Air: NCAA sends important message to air travellers

    The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has assured air travellers that their rights would be protected following the grounding of Arik Air aircraft and the attendant impact it would have on its flights and intending passengers.

    Arik Air and Atlas Petroleum International Ltd had been embroiled in a legal tussle. The airline was served  an order by the enforcement department of the FCT High Court attaching their aircraft. A notice of public auction of the planes by the court was also attached.

    However, complying with the order of the court, the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) grounded the aircraft involved in the dispute to prevent removing them from the court’s jurisdiction or tampering with them.

    NCAA in a statement signed by Michael Achimugu, Director of Consumer Protection and Public Affairs, disclosed that its consumer protection officers are available at the terminals to monitor passenger handling and to offer information.

    The statement reads: “The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority is well-informed of the grounding of Arik Air aircraft and the attendant impact on its  flights and intending  passengers.

    “While the NCAA monitors the situation and  engages Arik Air on its plans for affected passengers, our   Consumer Protection Officers are available at the terminals  to monitor passenger handling and to  offer information.

    “Air travellers may also walk into the NCAA Consumer Protection offices, identify and speak with our officers for assistance or send email to cpd@ncaa.gov.ng.

    “NCAA  empathizes with all affected passengers and  wishes to  assure  of the protection of their rights as critical stakeholders”.

  • NCAA moves to sanction airlines over deceitful schedules

    NCAA moves to sanction airlines over deceitful schedules

    The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has said it would sanction airlines engaged in deceitful departure time scheduling.

    The Acting Director-General, NCAA, Capt. Chris Najomo made the assertion in a statement signed by the Director, Public Affairs/Consumer Protection, Mr Michael Achimugu, on Tuesday.

    The NCAA warned the airlines to desist from the infraction or face dire regulatory actions.

    “The NCAA now runs a zero-tolerance approach to regulatory infractions.

    “Ease of doing business is the crux of the D-G’s action plan for the NCAA. In line with that action plan, he has made processes for licensing easy for operators.

    “The time to secure AOC is now shorter and less cumbersome than it used to be in the past. The NCAA therefore expects reciprocity from airlines. Chief of which is world-class services to passengers,” he

    Najomo was quoted as saying that, if the NCAA was enabling a business friendly environment for operators, then the operators must satisfy the passengers with superior services.

    “It has come to our notice that some airlines are being reported for advertising deceitful departure times. The NCAA regulation says no airline shall display deceitful passenger departure time at its counter, advert material or on its’ website.

    “We want to make it very clear that the D-GCA has directed monitoring and offenders will face serious regulatory actions,” Najomo said.

    He further stated that the Authority believes in safety, discipline, and economic regulation which is evident in the recent suspension of ten Permits for Non Commercial Flights (PHCF) holders for failing to comply with the recertification advisory issued in April 2024.

    Speaking to the ease of doing business environment at the NCAA, Najomo said the ease of business is an area the Authority would continue to improve.

    “This is evident in our high score on the Presidential Enabling Business Council (PEBEC) ranking. Recently our sister agency scored 96 per cent but the NCAA scored 98.5 per cent which is an extremely high score.

    “This is building from the commendable score of 71.04 per cent the NCAA scored during this year’s ICAO Security Audit.

    “The numbers are improving and we will continue to do what we can to make the industry safer, and more secure for passengers and stakeholders,” he assured.

    On the difficulty in refund processes by airlines, Najomo said all refunds by airlines must be done devoid of undue delays and the process should conclude in 14 working days regardless of the mode of purchase of the tickets.

    On the suspension of PHCF licenses of ten operators, he explained that they were advised since April 2024 to commence the process for recertification but they refused to comply this they left the Authority with no option than to sanction them.

    Najomo also cleared the air on the misconceptions and misinformation in a recent publication alleging that the law surrounding the suspension of 10 PHCFs were not in vogue among other accusations.

    Describing the allegations, which he believed to be done in ignorance or mischief as fluid and unfounded, Najomo explained the Authority’s actions using the Civil Aviation Act 2022.

    He said that the action taken by NCAA was part of its mandate to ensure compliance with the civil aviation law establishing it and the attendant regulations.

    In order to sanitize the sector, NCAA re-affirmed its stance to rid the industry of illegal charter operators who might have inspired the publication.

  • NCAA suspends 10 private jet operations

    NCAA suspends 10 private jet operations

    The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has suspended ten private jet operations over failure to begin recertification process.

    This is contained in a statement signed by Mr Michael Achimugu, Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection on Friday in Abuja.

    The agency said the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations 2023 Part 18.3.4 forbids holders of Permit for Non Commercial  Flights (PNCF) from using their aircraft for carriage of passengers, gargo or mail for hire or rewards  (commercial operation or charter services)

    “As a result of flagrant disregard of this rule, the NCAA had earlier directed all holders of PNCF to undergo re-evaluation which should have been concluded by the April 19,  2024.

    “To this end, the  NCAA has suspended the PNCF of Azikel Dredging Nigeria Ltd, Bli-Aviation Safety Services, Ferry Aviation Developments Ltd and Matrix Energy Ltd.

    ”Also Marrietta Management Services Ltd, Worldwide Skypaths Services, Mattini Airline Services Ltd, Aero Lead Ltd, Sky Bird Air Ltd and Ezuma Jets Ltd.

    “The public is hereby notified that it is illegal to engage PNCF holders for commercial purposes. The NCAA will not hesitate to initiate enforcement actions against any PNCF holder found guilty of illegal operations,” the agency said.

    The agency said that its officials had been deployed to General Aviation Terminals (GAT) and private wings of the airports to monitor activities of the PNCF holders.

  • NCAA to sanction Turkish Airlines

    NCAA to sanction Turkish Airlines

    The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), has said that it would not hesitate to invoke relevant sections of the organisation’s  regulations to sanction Turkish Airlines over mistreatment of Nigerian passengers.

    NCAA’s Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Mr Michael Achimugu, disclosed this to newsmen on Wednesday in Lagos.

    Achimugu said that President Bola Tinubu had directed NCAA, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and relevant agencies, to ensure that the rights of Nigerian passengers were protected at all times.

    He said the NCAA was currently mediating on the feud between the European carrier and aviation labour unions, who picketed the airline’s operations at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

    According to him, the agency will not hesitate to roll out stiff penalties and sanctions to Turkish Airlines as Nigerian passengers, are still stranded at the airport, following its failure to airlift them to Istanbul.

    Achimugu said the Federal Government and its agencies would spare no effort to call to order any airline that violates the rights of Nigerian passengers.

    According to him, the Director-General of NCAA, Capt. Chris Najomo, had in a virtual meeting on Tuesday from the United Kingdom initiated reconciliatory  moves between the Country Manager of Turkish Airlines and the unions.

    He, however, said the representative of the airline exhibited some traits of impudence, which the regulator deemed amounted to lack of regard for the system.

    Arising from the infraction, Achimugu said the Federal Government would not hesitate to look deep into the impasse with the possibility of extracting the right punishment if the carrier is found culpable.

    The Federal Government, he said, would take every step to ensure the rights of Nigerian passengers are not trampled on by any carrier, including foreign airlines, in taking the right steps to address any infractions on their conditions of operations into the country.

    He confirmed that over 300 passengers had been trapped in the imbroglio involving the Turkish Airlines, and aviation unions, as the carrier had canceled flights out of and into Nigeria until Thursday.

    Achimugu said that, though, the carrier claimed to have communicated with passengers through electronic mail on the on-going hitch concerning its operations into and out of the country, some passengers still turned up at the Lagos Airport.

    He said: “The NCAA is currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the inability of Turkish Airlines to operate flights out of Lagos Airport, due to the picketing of its operations by aviation unions.

    “We will ensure that the rights of Nigerian passengers are not violated.

    “President Bola Tinubu has directed the NCAA, FAAN and relevant agencies to ensure that the rights of Nigerian passengers are protected.

    “Currently, the NCAA is engaging officials of Turkish Airlines, but we have observed some degree of insolence of the Country Manager, who engaged our D-G in a shouting match, he was even banging the table.

    “This behaviour to the NCAA is unacceptable. At the end of our findings, if the airline is found culpable, we will invoke the relevant parts of our regulation Part 17,  to met out the right punishment,” he said.

    Achimugu on Wednesday evening visited the stranded passengers at the new terminal of the international airport, where he conveyed the message of the D-G to them, saying hat the authority would not rest until they were transported to their various destinations.

    One of the stranded passenger, Obiekwe Ngozichukwu, a Guttenberg, Sweden resident, said he was afraid of losing his job as a top official of one of the hotels in that country, because the company had been calling him to resume work.

    He said he visited Nigeria for his mother’s burial, but could not go back because of the cancellation of his flight, and had been sleeping on the floor at the airport for two days.

    “We don’t know when we are leaving here, I appeal to the authorities to intervene and save us from this  experience.”

    Another passenger, a Germany based construction worker, Charles Ifeanyi, also appealed to the Federal Government to intervene, to save the situation, lamenting that the authorities must not allow Nigerians to be maltreated anywhere in the world anyhow.

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) had began the picketing of Turkish Airlines in Lagos.

    The picketing is to ensure that the carrier reinstates staffers, who were dismissed, forced to abandon duty or forced to resign under duress, including those victimised for their union membership in 2020.

  • Sacked workers picket Dana Air

    Sacked workers picket Dana Air

    No fewer than 100 sacked employees of Dana Air, on Tuesday in Lagos, picketed the head office of the airline over alleged unpaid salaries and outstanding pensions, among others.

    The protesters were seen carrying placards with various inscriptions, such as: ‘Expatriates not paid for three months’; ‘Pension deductions not remitted since 2008’; ‘Say No to tyranny’ and ‘7 aircrafts, only one serviceable’, among others.

    The airlines’ former Training and Cabin Services Manager, Mrs Magdalene Onyeukwu, who was also among the protesters, expressed dismay over the laying-off of the workers, accusing the airline management of lack of empathy.

    Onyeukwu also accused the management of not making adequate settlements before relieving the workers of their jobs.

    “I have been working with the airline since 2008 and I participated in the demo flight which got them their Air Operator Certificate (AOC).

    “I and others like me have been dedicated, even in the face of challenges. When salaries were not paid, we were committed until the runway incident of April 23.

    “It is normal for Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to audit the airline but before we knew it, we got WhatsApp messages that our services were no longer required.

    “The Chief Executive Officer of Dana Air, Mr Jacky Hathiramani, should address us. We want our gratuities, while our April salary and one month in lieu of service should be paid,” she said.

    Another protester, Mr Eze Chidi, a former Aviation Security (AVSEC) Supervisor, condemned the action of management of the airline on the workers, describing it as uncalled for.

    Chidi urged the Federal Government to intervene on the alleged victimisation, enslavement, exploitation and unaccountable management, among other acts.

    The Dana Air management officials were, however, not reachable for comments.

    NCAA had, on April 24, suspended the airlines’ AOC, following a runway skid of its MD-82 aircraft, with registration number 5N-BKI on April 23.

    The suspension of the AOC was to allow NCAA to carry out a comprehensive audit of the company.

    Consequent upon the ongoing audit, the airline had, in a statement on May 11, stated that some of its employees had been ‘temporarily disengaged’.

  • NCAA sets up dedicated unit to regulate usage of drones

    NCAA sets up dedicated unit to regulate usage of drones

    The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has set up a dedicated unit to regulate the usage of Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS), popularly known as drones, in the country.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports creation of the dedicated unit, known as UAS Integration Unit, was approved by the Acting Director General of NCAA, Captain Chris Najomo.

    According to the NCAA, the UAS Integration Unit will act as a hub for the registration, licensing, and monitoring of the Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS).

    This, the agency said, is to effectively integrate the use of UAS into the national airspace.

    TNG reports UAS, operated with various degrees of autonomy, remotely controlled by human operators, were originally used for missions too dull, dirty or dangerous for humans.

    While the UAS were mostly deployed in military operations, their use has expanded to commercial, scientific, recreational, and agricultural purposes such as policing, peacekeeping, surveillance, cargo delivery, aerial photography and agriculture.

    They are also used in smuggling, film making, oil and gas exploration and drone racing.

    According to the NCAA in a statement, UAS is an evolving prospect that will present Nigeria with job and wealth creation benefits as well as an impending alternative in air transportation.

    “To effectively integrate the UAS into the National Airspace, the Acting Director General, Civil Aviation Nigeria, Captain Najomo recently approved the creation of a dedicated UAS Integration Unit in the NCAA to act as a hub for the registration, licensing, and monitoring of the Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS).

    “The UAS Integration Unit will partner with relevant stakeholders in the aviation industry to oversee the increasing use of drones in Nigeria and ensure that they are used subject to NCAA rules regulating the sub-sector.

    “There is an urgent need to strike an equilibrium, a balance between innovation and safety. Hence the move to integrate, facilitate, embrace and regulate this emerging trend,  arising from the development and deployment of this fascinating technology,” the statement reads.

  • No airline can survive 28% interest rate – Ex-NCAA D-G

    No airline can survive 28% interest rate – Ex-NCAA D-G

    Dr Harold Demuren, a former Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, (NCAA) , says no airline can survive under the current 28 to 30 per cent interest rate charge on loans by commercial banks.

    Demuren stated this  at the Aviation Safety Roundtable Initiative (ASRT) Q1 Business Breakfast Meeting on Thursday in Lagos.

    According to him, an airline is dead even before starting business with such an interest rate.

    “You borrow money from the bank at what, 28 per cent and 30 per cent, how do you win?  You are dead from the beginning.

    “These are the things we should look at. Government gives agriculture a special interest rate, why is that and not also to aviation?,” he noted.

    He said there was need for government funding as regards safety.

    “When people are safe, they will tolerate you, otherwise, they will not like to fly. Aviation is crucial to our survival”.

    He noted that training was pivotal to development and that with no training, the sector would not achieve its goal.

    Demuren recalled how big he was with training during his time as D-G.

    Mr Benedict Adeyileka, an Engineer and  former NCAA D-G, delivered a paper on “Manpower Strategy, Training, Succession and Development in Aviation”.

    Adeyileka said that according to Boeing, Africa needs 67,000 pilots, technicians and cabin crew to solve manpower problems.

    “According to the Aviation Industry Global Skills Survey (GSS) conducted in 2022 by IATA, it was concluded that the perceived gap in aviation is a quantitative staffing gap rather than a qualitative skill gap,” he said.

    Demuren and four others were inaugurated as a patrons of ART, while Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi, Chairman of Juli Pharmacy, was awarded the Grand Patron of ART.

    In his remarks, Adelusi-Adeluyi commended the initiative and expressed his passion for aviation, stating that more should be done as it concerned membership, funding and programmes in the sector.

    Also, the Nigeria College of Aviation Technology (NCAT) disclosed that its N16 billion Boeing 737NG simulator had remained inactive due to NCAA certification concerns.

    Capt. Ambursa Abbas, the College Simulator Director, said that CAA’s incapacity to certify the 2020-acquired equipment had stalled the optimal use of the technology.

    According to Abass, Boeing 737NG simulator potential goes beyond Nigeria as several proposals from Middle Eastern companies have continued to roll in to make use of the simulator.

    “We have not had any users of our simulator; however, we have proposals. We have companies waiting for us.

    “So, it is not about the relevance. As I speak, we have more than five (5) companies in the middle east that are waiting for us.

    “As far as there is no certification, there is nothing we can do. But the NCAA, with NCAT, has sent people out to get certification,”he said.

  • NCAA to compensate travellers for flights disruption

    NCAA to compensate travellers for flights disruption

    The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has assured air travelers of prompt payment of compensation for any flight disruption and baggage issues.

    Mr Michael Achimugu, NCAA Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection gave the assurance at a News conference on Monday in Abuja.

    According to him, the NCAA would ensure prompt resolution of customers’ complaints and compel default airlines to act immediately.

    He said the authority had been rebranding its Consumer Protection Department for public awareness and effective service delivery.

    He further said that efforts had been made towards ensuring better passenger experience for Nigerian passport holders flying foreign airlines.

    Achimugu stated that a lot had been accomplished within the four months stewardship of Capt. Chris Najomo as NCAA Acting Director General.

    He said the engagement of NCAA in February with foreign airlines had resulted to foreign airlines unblocking their inventory fares and making cheaper fares available.

    Listing other achievements of the agency Achimugu said with the efforts of the Federal Government, Air Peace has commenced Lagos-London operations.

    `Base on the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo and NCAA Ag. DG`s sojourn to the UK, buoyed by the commitment of Mr President, Air Peace was able to finally commence the Lagos-London operations,’ he said.

    “A complete re-evaluation of holders of Permit for Non-Commercial Flight (PNCF) is on-going to ensure holders are adhering to the terms and conditions of their permits.

    “ Relocation of the Procurement Department from the Director -General’s office to the Directorate of Corporate Services to promote transparency and accountability in procurement matters,” he said.

    He said the authority had been able to pay off the backlog of housing arrears to all members of staff that had accumulated from 2019 till date.

    He added that a ministerial approval was secured for inter-directorate deployment, to open up bottlenecks in structure and subsequent promotion of stagnated workers from Grade Level 14 to 15 as general welfare.

    Achimugu said the management had been operating open-door policy and regular engagement with the unions to ensure peace and stability in the workforce.

    He said the NCAA would take legal action against media houses that publish false information about the organisation.

     

  • NCAA denies buying N250m vehicle for DG

    NCAA denies buying N250m vehicle for DG

    The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has denied procuring a vehicle worth N250 million for its Acting Director-General, Captain Chris Najomo,

    without due process.

    Spokesman for the Authority, and Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection Directorate, Mr. Michael Achimugu denied the allegation on Tuesday.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the Daily Nigerian had released an investigation on the illegal purchase by the NCAA.

    However, Achimugu said the report was not only fabricated, baseless and untrue, but also a figment of the imagination of the Daily Nigerian reporter, who failed to do due diligence on his ‘investigative story.’

    Achimugu, while addressing the press at the NCAA Corporate Headquarters in Abuja on Monday, April 29,2024, stated that the Ag. DGCA has not purchased any vehicle since he assumed office in December, 2023.

    He promised to resign his appointment as Director and “advise the Ag. DGCA” to do the same if the Daily Nigerian can provide proof of purchase, mulling a likely legal action against the medium and the reporter for publishing falsehood.

    “NCAA has not paid any amount of money for any vehicle in the world since Captain Najomo came into office and I challenge the writer to present evidence and I will tender my resignation immediately and not only that I will ask the DG to do the same as well,” he emphasised.

    The NCAA mouthpiece further stated that Captain Najomo has no operational vehicle since assumption of office, as the suspended DGCA, Capt. Musa Nuhu left with the vehicles in his custody, adding that the Ag. DGCA has not bought operational vehicles for the Directors of the Authority either.

    Achimugu disclosed that the Authority’s helmsman chose to prioritize staff welfare over and above personal comfort, as demonstrated in the payment of overdue staff entitlements and the promotion of stagnated staff of the Authority.

    On the alleged approval of N1b for staff training, Achimugu clarified that the payments made were in respect of training in the 2023 calendar year.

    He explained that the foreign training component has not taken place because of the embargo on foreign travels by the Federal Government (FG), and assured that the foreign training will commence at the expiration of the embargo.

    Concerning the blocked funds by the FG, Achimugu explained that the situation was not peculiar to the NCAA, but that several agencies of government are experiencing the same thing, adding that in spite of the new Treasury Single Account (TSA) policy and the 50 percent upfront deductions by the FG, NCAA has not stopped remitting funds into the TSA account.

    Achimugu stated that Captain Najomo runs an open door policy, therefore, rather than writing baseless and malicious reports aimed at tarnishing the good image of the NCAA, media practitioners should always seek clarification from the Authority before going to press.

    In the course of the media parley, the Director enumerated a long list of achievements recorded by Captain Najomo within his four months in office.

    Topping the list are staff welfare, training and re-training, re-orientation of staff, simplification of the certification and licensing process, granting of new Air Operator Certificates (AOC) and renewal of at least four AOCs.

    Others include enhancement of surveillance and revamping of the Consumer Protection department with marked results.