Don't Miss


Home   >   Business   >   Industries   >   Aviation   >   NCAA may suspend more airlines over safety issues

NCAA may suspend more airlines over safety issues

By on January 16, 2015

More airlines in the country may be sanctioned by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority over safety and operating issues.

The NCAA had on Tuesday announced the suspension of the operations of Discovery Air over safety issues.

Investigations by our correspondent revealed that more domestic airlines might soon be suspended by the aviation regulator.

It was gathered on Wednesday that the NCAA was carrying out comprehensive audit of the operations of most of the airlines and that airlines that failed the scrutiny would come under the regulator’s hammer.

An official of the regulator said, “There has been an intensive review of the activities of the airlines by the NCAA and some of the airlines have been issued with warnings as a result of some default in their operations.

“And so, airlines that are found wanting and fail to address the issues raised will be sanctioned by the regulator as was done to Discovery.”

The official explained that it was important for the airlines to adhere strictly to all safety measures as stipulated by the regulatory authorities.

The Deputy General Manager, Public Relations, NCAA, Mr. Sam Adurogboye, confirmed in a statement that the airlines were being audited.

He said, “In pursuit of its oversight responsibilities as stipulated by law, the NCAA has lately carried out a review of the operations of some domestic airlines after which letters of warnings were served on defaulters.

“As much as it is not the desire of the NCAA to regulate any airline out of existence, the Authority, however, views any violation of safety regulations seriously.”

Meanwhile, the Chairman, Discovery Air, Mr. Babatunde Babalola, has said that the carrier will address all the issues raised by the regulatory agency.

Babalola said the suspension of the carrier’s Air Operator’s Certificate was not connected with any technical issue but with passengers who could not be airlifted during the Christmas holiday.

He said the airline had reached out to the passengers who were affected by flight cancellations on December 24 and 25, 2014.

 

[Punch]