NCAA suspends First Nation Airways' air operators certificate until further notice

DOMESTIC airline First Nation Airways has had its air operator’s certificate (AOC) suspended indefinitely by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) for what it described as the flagrant and continuous violation of its terms and conditions.

In a letter dated May 11and  signed by the director-general of the agency, Captain Muhtar Usman, the NCAA said First Nation was carrying out unauthorised and illegal operations. NCAA spokesman Sam Adurogboye, said the letter titled Notice of Suspension of Air Operators Certificate was delivered to the airline and receipt acknowledged by the domestic operator.

According to the letter, it was revealed that when the AOC of First Nation Airways expired, the airline did not have at least two airworthy aircraft capable of servicing its approved schedule as the minimum number required. Consequently, the airline’s AOC was, upon renewal, restricted to non-scheduled operation or charter flights only.

It added: “However, First Nation Airways embarked on scheduled operations with continuous advertisement of its services and sold tickets at its check-in counters in Lagos and Abuja airports. On further investigation, it was discovered that the airline had disregarded all warnings and continued with the unauthorised and illegal operations in violation of its AOC terms and conditions of issuance."

However, the NCAA noted that anytime the airline demonstrates the ability and willingness to comply with the extant regulations, it shall review the airline’s operations and restore the AOC to enable it commence operations. Reacting to its suspension, First Nation said in as much as  it does not want to join issues with NCAA, it is currently working assiduously on fleet expansion and confident that it would grow its fleet this year.

First nation spokesman Rasheed Yusuff,  said: “We are reluctant to join issues, in the media with NCAA, as we believe that regulation through media sensationalism will ultimately not serve the industry well, except to reiterate that we respect regulations and have immediately complied with NCAA’s directive. It is also a matter of fact, that we presented two airworthy aircraft, to the authority as far back as September 2017.

"It is therefore apparent that the context of our operation vis-a-vis compliance with the extant regulations and government’s policy   have been misconstrued. Be that as it may, we will seek reconsideration and review of the suspension, in the light of facts that will be made available to the authorities and will cooperate with the NCAA in good faith, to address all concerns and the alleged infractions to reach resolution."

He added add that it was i9mportant to point out that the allegations are not safety related and their operations achieved above industry dispatch reliability of over 95% and are reputed for on-time performance and schedule integrity.  Mr Yusuff pointed out that First Nation operating aircraft and crew hold the relevant, safety critical approvals and authorisations too.