Director general of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt Musa Nuhu, has issued an air transport licence to the interim management of Nigeria Air.
Nuhu said in a statement in Abuja that the ATL was a prerequisite for the airline to acquire air operation certificate to start flying.
“NCAA works and supports all operators currently existing and aspiring in the industry to get necessary documents after meeting all the requirements.
“This ATL has gone through all the processes. So, at this point in time, I will like to do the presentation. We look forward for the fulfillment of the AOC process so that we can hand over AOC certificate to you.
“As the regulator, we work with operators. That is a goal to promote the growth of the industry. It is important to have strong airlines in Nigeria in view of the Single African Transport Market (SAATM), also, in view of Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) which can make significant contribution to the growth of Nigerian economy,” Nuhu said.
The director general said Nigeria stands to get the best from the AU Agenda 2063 air programme being one of the largest markets in Africa.
He said participating in SAATM as a nation would increase Gross Domestic Products (GDPs).
Responding, the acting chief executive of the new airline, Capt Dapo Olumide, thanked NCAA for the good job that resulted in the issuance of ATL to Nigeria Air.
Olumide said the team would definitely double efforts in order to fulfill all the necessary processes to get the AOC.
“We already have aircraft because that is one of the requirements by the NCAA. We are waiting for the terms of agreement with the provider of original equipment manufacturer.
“ What we need now is to go through stages to get the AOC from NCAA. No magic in the process; it is not something that can be issued because they like your face. “When you have an AOC and ATL, you can commence scheduled commercial operations. The date to start operation is largely based on the process one is following to get the AOC,” Olumide said.
