The NNPC Ltd has clarified that beyond the three bodies found in the ill-fated helicopter operated by East Winds Aviation that crashed on Thursday in Port Harcourt, no other bodies have been recovered.

This was contained in a statement in Abuja on Sunday by the Chief Corporate Communications Officer, NNPC Ltd, Olufemi Soneye.

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“The Company further notes that intensified search and rescue operations for the remaining bodies along with relevant authorities is still ongoing.

“Once again, our hearts and prayers are with family members of this unfortunate incident,” the statement added.

On the 24th of October 2024, about 11:22am, we lost contact with the Helicopter – Register Number: 5NBQG, engaged by NNPC Limited, that took off from Port Harcourt NAF Base en route the FPSO – NUIMS ANTAN. The helicopter was operated by East Winds Aviation, the NNPC  Ltd has stated.

This was contained in a statement in Abuja by the Chief Corporate Communications Officer, NNPC Ltd, Olufemi O. Soneye.

He explained that there were 8 persons on board (6 passengers and 2 crew members). The appropriate authorities have been contacted, including the Ministry of Aviation, who have since issued a press statement.

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He added that search and rescue missions are currently ongoing. So far, three (3) bodies have been recovered.

We shall continue to monitor the situation and provide regular updates as the events unfold.

Our prayers are with the passengers, crew and their respective families at this very difficult time.

We will continue to do everything possible to support the ongoing search and rescue operation.

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has attributed the persistent flight delays and cancellations across the country to a severe shortage of aircraft among local airlines, highlighting the industry’s struggle to meet growing passenger demand.

Michael Achimugu, the NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, made this revelation during an event organized by the agency in Abuja on Wednesday.

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He noted that the lack of adequate capacity within Nigerian airlines is the primary driver behind the ongoing disruptions.

“In Nigeria, we have a capacity problem. We simply do not have enough aircraft to fly people around the country,” Achimugu said.

“The Honourable Minister has stated this. The most important solution is what the minister has facilitated with the signing of the Cape Town Convention, allowing more planes to enter the country.”

This comment comes amid increasing frustration from passengers over widespread flight delays and cancellations, which have become a regular occurrence in Nigeria’s aviation sector.

Achimugu confirmed that the recent signing of the Cape Town Convention (CTC) practice direction by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, is a key step towards addressing the capacity issue.

The agreement will allow domestic airlines to access aircraft through dry lease arrangements, potentially increasing the number of operational planes in the country.

“This will help alleviate the shortage and improve service delivery,” Achimugu stated, adding that capacity constraints frequently result in delays that cascade across multiple routes throughout the day.

Additionally, the NCAA official disclosed that the federal government is making plans to recalibrate airports nationwide, which would further reduce operational disruptions.

These measures come at a time when Nigeria’s aviation industry has achieved an improved global standing.

Minister Keyamo recently announced that the country is no longer blacklisted internationally, with Nigeria’s aviation safety rating rising to 75.5 percent.

This improvement is expected to boost confidence in the sector as efforts to resolve operational challenges continue.