NCAA is open to informed criticisms towards improving aviation —DG

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has reaffirmed its commitment to ensure the continued sustenance of safe and secure flight operations in the nation’s aviation industry.

The Director-General of NCAA, Captain Musa Nuhu, who stated this during an interactive session with aviation journalists in Lagos, confirmed that the regulatory agency would continue the implementation of its statutory responsibilities and duties to retain the confidence of the flying public.

Nuhu used the opportunity to declare that investigations were still ongoing into the operations of the suspended Dana Air even as he maintained that the airline would remain grounded until all the identified issues have been resolved in compliance with Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig.CARs).

While revealing how the regulatory agency had carried out a Financial and Economic Health Audit in addition to Technical Safety Audit of the airline,the NCAA DG disclosed that  outcome of the two audit revealed a weak financial position and grave violations of Nigerian Civil Aviation Rules (Nig.CARs), which he said prompted the immediate suspension of the airline’s Air Transport License (ATL) and Air Operators Certificate (AOC).

Nuhu expressed his dismay at some negative comments on the regulatory body on some social media platforms based on an interview granted to a television station on the NCAA findings during the two audits on the airline.

According to the NCAA DG, the details of these investigations and proactive action showed the professionalism of the apex regulatory agency even as he encouraged industry experts to seek clarification from the Authority in order to make informed and balanced comments, adding that NCAA was open to informed criticisms geared towards improving the industry.

The detailed report of the two audits on Dana showed the determination of the Authority’s staff in ensuring that the safety and security of flights is foremost and overrides all other considerations.

NCAA had in July suspended the operations of Dana Air’s Transport License (ATL) and Air Operator Certificate (AOC) indefinitely because of the outcome of a Financial and Economic Health Audit and a Technical Safety Audit carried out on the airline’s flight operations.

According to NCAA, the airline was no longer in a position to meet its financial obligations and to conduct safe flight operations, adding that its action was made pursuant to Section 35(2), 3(b) and (4) of the Civil Aviation Act, 2006 and part 1.3.3.3(a)(1) of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig.CARs), 2015.