The Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Musa Nuhu in Abuja on Monday presented the Air Transport License (ATL) to the interim management of Nigeria Air.
Nuhu while speaking during the presentation said that the ATL was a prerequisite for the airline to acquire Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) to start operating. He said NCAA works and supports all operators currently existing and aspiring in the industry to get necessary documents after meeting all the requirements.
However, recall that the same agency had denied the management of Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) an AOC to set up NG Eagle Airline from its many aviation portfolio. AMCON, we gathered has met every test of the agency, has an office space that is befitting of an airline. NG Eagle we also learnt has recruited the management staff and crew members among other factors.
Aside from that, AMCON led by Mr Ahmed Lawan Kuru as Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer has about four aircraft fully branded and ready to fly but has been parked at the Murtala Muhammed Local Airport in Ikeja since around February 2021 because the aviation authorities refused to grant them AOC just as President Muhammadu Buhari and his government has refused to wade into the problem that is costing Nigeria tons of millions of naira. Even at that, NG Eagle was not issued with the AOC to enable it to operate, and recover money for Nigeria
But while the NCAA was presenting the certificate to the prospective airline, the NCAA DG said, “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 fulfilment 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 and in view of Africa Continental Free Trade Area which can make significant contribution to the growth of Nigerian economy, “he said.
He said Nigeria stood to get the best from the AU Agenda 2063 Air programme being one of the largest markets in Africa. He said participating in Single Africa Air Transport Market as a nation would increase Gross Domestic Products (GDPs).
Responding, the Acting Chief Executive Nigeria Air, Mr Dapo Olumide, thanked NCAA for the good job executed leading to present ATL to Nigeria Air. Olumide said the team would definitely double efforts in order to fulfil all necessary processes to receive AOC certificate from NCAA to start flying.
“We already have aircraft identified because, that is one of the requirements for the NCAA. We are waiting for the terms of agreement with Provider of Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM). What we need now is to go through stages to get AOC certificate 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 commercial scheduled operations. The date to start operation is largely based on the process one is following to get the AOC certificate“he said.
