Five airlines get NCAA’s approval, set to commence operations
The Director General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, (NCAA) Capt. Chris Najomo, has disclosed that it has approved five Air Operating Certificates (AOC) in one year, signalling the commencement of five new airlines in the Nigerian aviation industry.
Capt. Najomo made this disclosure during a stakeholders’ meeting, headed by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, in Lagos on Friday.
Air Operating Certificate (AOC) is an operating license for airlines venturing into air commercial transport, hence the approval of AOC by the NCAA infers that five prospective airlines have been approved to commence commercial flight operations in the country.
NCAA boss explained that during the process of approving the AOCs, he ensured the applicants did not cut corners and all safety demands were met before handing the certificate over to them.
Commenting on aging aircraft in Nigeria, Capt. Najomo said it is not how new an aircraft is that makes it safe but how well the aircraft is maintained.
According to him, “The NCAA is carrying out surveillance on all aircraft operating in Nigeria to ensure these aircraft are maintained. Brand new aircraft still take offering and crash. So, the age of an aircraft doesn’t determine how safe it is.”
Commenting on the scarcity of jobs in the aviation sector, NCAA DG affirmed that the NCAA is doing its best to ensure airlines bring in more aircraft, adding that the presence of more aircraft would mean more jobs for the industry.
