…Gives Arik Air safety clean bill
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has said it is inconceivable for any carrier/flight crew to carry out any flight operation (private or commercial) without valid or all requisite insurance and safety certificates.
The agency’s general manager, public relations, Mr. Sam Adurogboye said in a statement issued in Lagos that the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (NCARs) 18.11.2 stipulates that “No person shall operate any aircraft in public air transport category without adequate and valid insurance.”
However, he said NCAA’s safety inspectors “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.”
“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,” he added.
NCAA also warned all the stakeholders in the aviation sector to desist from anti-competitive practices, especially as they concern the recent false information making the rounds in the sector.
Particularly, he said NCAA had investigated the issue related to the rumour about the safety of Arik Air’s operations and found the airline not wanting.
“The authority only recently carried out a safety audit on Arik Air and there were no issue of safety concern found. Such reports should therefore be discountenanced,” he said.
He added: “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 operation using the online platform.
“All those involved in this nefarious activity should promptly desist from this course of action as the consequences are detrimental to the industry, particularly the confidence of the passengers.”
