By Sade Williams
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), has said that in view of the high volume of passenger movement within the country and from the diaspora during the yuletide season, its Aviation Safety Inspectors (ASI) have embarked on increased surveillance on Airline operations in addition to its daily Ramp inspection diligently carried out so as not to leave room for anyone to cut corners.
This is just as the Authority has warned all industry stakeholders to avoid anti-competitive practices in the aviation sector.
The Regulatory Authority is expressing concern over recent cases of disinformation prevalent in the industry.
The NCAA said it is unfathomable that some questionable sources have been posting and circulating some cruelly fictitious stories about some airlines – insinuating a crash or claiming a particular carrier does not possess aircraft spares to sustain a safe operations using the online platform.
The Authority noted that it only recently carried out a safety audit on Arik Air and there were no issue of safety concern found, adding that suchh reports should therefore be discountenanced.
“All those involved in this nefarious activity should promptly desist from this course of action as the consequences is seriously detrimental to the industry, particularly the confidence of the passengers.
“The NCAA) is well aware of the high volume of passenger movement within the country and from the diaspora during the yuletide season. NCAA’s Aviation Safety Inspectors (ASI) have therefore embarked on increased surveillance on Airline operations in addition to our daily Ramp inspection diligently carried out so as not to leave room for anyone to cut corners”, Sam Adurogboye, NCAA spokesman said in a statement on Sunday.
On the issue of insurance, the Authoruty said contrary to some claims, it is inconceivable for any carrier/flight crew to carry out any flight operation (private or commercial) without valid or all requisite safety certificates.
According to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (NCARs), 18.11.2 No person shall operate any aircraft in public air transport category without adequate and valid insurance.
“On this strength, the Authority will continue to statutorily provide robust regulation for safe and secure airline operations. The Authority hereby appeal to the passengers to show understanding and not take laws into their hands when it becomes inevitable that flight has to be delayed or cancelled on account of unfavourable weather conditions or any other operational issues such as unavailability of fuel whenever it arises.
“In addition, our Consumer Protection Directorate has been strengthened to enforce the Passengers Bill of Rights as it relates to passengers and the airlines”, he added.
