NCAA moves to digitalise operations

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has revealed its plans to digitalise its operations to enhance the discharge of its oversight duties.

Acting Director General Captain Chris Najomo announced this during the launch of a training program for the new Consumer Protection Portal.

Under the new arrangement, the civil aviation  regulator will be deploying the necessary digital platforms for the processing of approvals, licenses, renewal of  recertification as well as the treatment of passengers’ complaints.

He stated that the portal will expedite complaint resolution and assess the performance of airlines operating in Nigeria.

Najomo emphasized that the capacity-building program aims to address common issues like flight delays and cancellations by training both airline personnel and NCAA staff. He noted that digitalization is crucial for modernizing NCAA operations.

“We have gone far. We started this MPIC process two years back and right now we’ve had some trainings. The people have come to train our people and they are deploying this system.

This software that is going to digitalize the whole system. The AOC system, certification, recertification, licensing, you will see it’s going to be awesome.”

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He also mentioned that the Minister of Aviation, Mr. Festus Keyamo, is actively engaging aircraft manufacturers to facilitate aircraft acquisition for local carriers. Keyamo’s efforts include discussions with Boeing, Embraer, and others to secure dry leasing options.

His words, “The  Minister has been doing a lot to assist in this direction by  going round to talk to airplane makers and other players on how to get aircraft.

“He has been engaging Boeing, Embraer, and others on how to secure  dry leasing for our local airlines. And he’s done so much.

“Very soon you’ll see that result will come out so that our airlines will be able to get airplanes and bring them in for use.

“It’s capacity that is making what we’re having, having all these delays and cancellations. And all these airlines will key into it. Air Peace, United Nigeria Airlines,  they’re all doing everything possible to get dry lease aircraft. That is the way to go.”

Regarding the upcoming policy requiring Nigerian carriers to have a minimum fleet of six aircraft, Najomo said adjustments are being made to fit different operational scopes, aiming to encourage more industry participation.

“We are tweaking  that, even though it takes effect from 2025, but we are looking at the regulation very well, whereby it will suit what operation you want to do. If you’re going to go to a full-blown airline, we will look at the regulation and maybe the six aircraft that will come in.

But there are some operators  who just want to do maybe Lagos-Ibadan, Lagos-Ilorin  and all that. So we’ll look at the regulation and say, okay, maybe you should stick back to the three aircraft and see how it is. We want to encourage more people to come into the industry.”

Najomo highlighted the portal’s benefits, including real-time monitoring of airline performance and passenger handling.

“The data gathered will give us, the regulator, you, the service provider, and the public, the end-users, a reliable determination of performing airlines.

Note that the public can see on the official NCA website the performances of all airlines. Everyone will be able to gauge the best and worst performing airlines from a consumer service standpoint.

“Now this portal has not been unveiled, it’s going to be launched, but we have to make sure that this training is key.

We have done our trainings for the staffers, it’s important that we engage all stakeholders to see how this portal works. And I’m sure at the end of this training it’s going to be so beneficial for everybody”, he stated.