*The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority asserts its commitment to ensuring compliance with the civil aviation regulations, restating the agency’s determination to rid the country’s aviation industry of illegal operators in compliance with the Civil Authority Act 2022

Isola Moses | 绿帽献妻

In line with its avowed “zero-tolerance approach to regulatory infractions” and protection of consumers’ interest, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has threatened to sanction airlines that schedule departure times for prospective travellers deceitfully.

Mr. Chris Najomo, Acting Director-General of NCAA, asserted this in a statement Michael Achimugu, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection of the aviation regulatory agency signed and issued Tuesday, July 9, 2024.

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

How NCAA promotes Ease of Doing Business in aviation sector: Ag. Acting Director-General

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

鈥淓ase of Doing Business (EoDB) is the crux of the D-G鈥檚 action plan for the NCAA. In line with that action plan, he (Najomo) has made processes for licensing easy for operators.”

Achimugu stated: “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.”

According to Najomo, if the NCAA is enabling a business-friendly environment for operators, then the operators must satisfy the passengers with superior services.

The NCAA acknowledged “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.

鈥淲e want to make it very clear that the D-GCA has directed monitoring and offenders will face serious regulatory actions,鈥� Mr. Najomo said.

He further stated that the authority believes in safety, discipline, and economic regulation, evident in the recent suspension of 10 Permits for Non Commercial Flights (PNCF) holders for failing to comply with the recertification advisory issued in April 2024.

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

鈥淭his 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 percent which is an extremely high score.

鈥淭his is building from the commendable score of 71.04 percent the NCAA scored during this year鈥檚 ICAO Security Audit.

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

On the difficulty of airline refund processes, Mr. Najomo said all airline refunds must be completed without undue delays and should conclude in 14 working days regardless of the mode of purchase of the tickets.

On suspension of operational licences of 10 private airlines for infractions

In respect of the recent suspension of 10 operators鈥� Permit for Non-Commercial Flight (PNCF) licences, he explained that they had been advised to commence the recertification process since April 2024, but they refused to comply, leaving the agency with no option but to sanction them.

绿帽献妻 had reported Mr. Achimugu, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at NCAA, disclosed the development July 5 via a statement on the agency鈥檚 official X page.

The NCAA has reportedly warned industry stakeholders, that it is illegal to engage PNCF holders for commercial purposes.

The affected private jet owners include Azikel Dredging Nigeria Limited, Bli-Aviation Safety Services, Ferry Aviation Developments Limited, Matrix Energy Limited and Marrietta Management Services Limited.

Others that have their Permit for Non-Commercial Flight (PNCF) suspended are Worldwide Skypaths Services, Mattini Airline Services Limited, Aero Lead Limited, Sky Bird Air Limited and Ezuma Jets Limited.

Citing relevant provisions to justify its decision to suspend licences of the 10 affected private jet operators, Achimugu noted the NCAA Regulations 2023 Part 18.3.4 forbids holders of Permit for Non-Commercial Flight (PNCF) from using their aircraft to carry passengers, cargo or mail for hire or reward (commercial operation or charter services).

Sequel to flagrant disregard of this regulation, the aviation sector regulator said it had earlier directed all holders of PNCF to undergo re-evaluation, which should have been concluded by April 19 this year.

The statement also noted: “To this end, the NCAA has suspended the Permit for Non Commercial Flights of Azikel Dredging Nigeria Ltd, Bli-Aviation Safety Services, Ferry Aviation Developments Ltd, Matrix Energy Ltd, Marrietta Management Services Ltd,.

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

The NCAA warned that engaging PNCF holders for commercial purposes is illegal, stressing it will not hesitate to initiate enforcement actions against any PNCF holder found guilty of illegal operations in the country’s aviation space.

Achimugu stated: 鈥淔urthermore, NCAA officials have been deployed to General Aviation Terminals (GAT) and private wings of the airports to monitor activities of the PNCF holders.”

NCAA鈥檚 actions guided by Civil Aviation Act 2022, says Najomo

Meanwhile, Najomo has discussed a recent publication, among other accusations, purporting that the law surrounding the suspension of 10 PNCFs is not “in vogue”.

In response to the insinuation, the Acting Director-General of NCAA described the allegations as those based on either ignorance or mischief, as they are “fluid and unfounded”.

The Director-General of NCAA rather explained that his regulatory agency鈥檚 actions were well guided by the Civil Aviation Act 2022.

Najomo further stressed the NCAA鈥檚 action was part of its mandate to ensure compliance with the civil aviation law establishing it and the attendant regulations.

In sanitising the aviation the sector of the economy, the NCAA reaffirmed its stance to rid the industry of illegal charter operators.

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