Aviation
Nigeria Aviation sector on the spotlight as US-FAA begins safety review
ABUJA – The safety status of Nigeria’s aviation sector is being reassessed by the United States-Federal Aviation Administration (US-FAA) as the ‘Category One’ status awarded it about four years ago comes under review. The review operation, which started yesterday, will last for one week.
‘Category One’ (CAT-1) is a safety status awarded by the United States alone to countries whose aviation processes, especially in terms of safety and security procedures, comply with standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
Nigeria got the CAT-1 certification in 2010 after the US visited, examined the books of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) as well as a Nigerian airline, Arik Air, and concluded it was satisfied with the nation’s safety processes.
With the certification, the highest in aviation safety standards, Nigeria became the sixth African country after Ethiopia, Cape Verde, Egypt, Morocco and South Africa to attain the certification.
The status had since enabled Nigerian carriers, Arik Air, for instance, to operate Nigerian-registered aircraft direct to the US, rather than fly to a third country to access it.
It has also given a positive perception to foreign insurance companies that the risk of doing business in Nigeria’s aviation sector is low, thereby offering low insurance premium.
The aftermath of four major accidents in 2005-2006 led to Nigeria’s adoption of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Act and International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP) in 2006.
Under this, the NCAA became autonomous, leading to critical safety oversight on airlines and aviation agencies without interference from government.
The adoption of the CAA and the NCAA autonomy led to the achievement of FAA Category 1 flight safety status for the nation in 2010, thereby enabling Nigerian airlines to fly direct to the US unhindered till date.
Nigeria was thus able to pass all eight critical elements presented by the US to be assessed. The same eight critical elements are being assessed this week, according to Benedict Adeyileka, NCAA director-general.
The elements are Primary Aviation Legislation, Specific Operating Regulations, State Civil Aviation System and Safety Oversight Functions, Technical Personnel Qualification and Training.
Others are Technical Guidance and Tools, Licensing and Certification Obligations, Surveillance Obligations and Resolution of Safety Concerns.
But there are concerns in some quarters over the re-assessment because of a number fatal crashes that have occurred in the country’s airspace in recent years. Also, there are still gaps in security programmes, such as lack of prescribed perimeter fences at major airports, among others.
“Nigeria’s aviation industry is under scrutiny and the success of this mandatory re-assessment is dependent on the documented processes and whether the processes are being followed in line with international practices. The aim of the re-assessment is to ensure that our processes are right,” Fola Akinkuotu, former NCAA director-general, had said.
Only recently, India lost its status after the US re-assessment because of its many safety issues. Experts say since countries like India, Israel and Ghana lost their status after re-assessment, Nigeria needs to brace up in order to maintain the much-coveted rating.
“But the Indians lost it due to government interference and inadequate proficiency of their inspectors, despite not having a major crash during the period. The FAA has a template that must be followed. NCAA should go through it and probably discuss with the Indians and Israelis quickly,” Olu Ohunayo, a travel analyst, advised.
He added that there was need for the presidency, as a matter of urgency, to name and confirm a substantive minister of aviation for a better sectoral outlook.
Meanwhile, the NCAA DG said on Sunday that the exercise that the NCAA would go through in the next few days would help to shape the future of aviation in Nigeria, strengthen its safety oversight capability and provide the re-assurance that the flying public needs.
“It is pertinent to point out that we are ready for the exercise, as we have never relented in ensuring the high level of compliance to safety standards. The NCAA in preparation for this exercise has provided responses to the checklist and forwarded it to the FAA team leader. The FAA team will also visit Arik Air Limited and its facilities during this exercise,” he said.
Adeyileka said that Arik Air Limited, which currently is the only Nigerian air carrier operating directly into and out of the Continental USA, was used for the initial IASA Category One Assessment in 2010.
“This is to assure the team that NCAA is not alone in this programme. We have the full support of the Federal Government of Nigeria, President Goodluck Jonathan, the supervising minister of aviation, the stakeholders, namely the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Nigeria College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB), Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET), the Airlines/Operators, ground handling and allied services providers, the aviation press corps, etc,” he said.
– BUSINESS DAY
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has announced stringent measures against pilots and crew members who work for multiple airlines concurrently, a practice it describes as a serious safety violation.
In a letter dated November 6, 2024, Acting Director-General, Chris Nojomo warned that pilots operating for more than one airline without specific safety protocols pose significant risks to Nigeria’s aviation sector.
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The directive, titled “Prohibition of Ad-Hoc Flight Operators for Multiple Airlines,” noted that NCAA surveillance reports revealed multiple cases of unauthorized cross-airline work by flight crews, which the agency now plans to address.
According to the NCAA, simulator and proficiency checks endorsed on a pilot’s license are valid only for the specific airline and training program under which they were issued.
The letter stated, “With effect from the date of issuance of this directive, all operators and holders of pilot licenses are informed that this action will be treated as a violation of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations.”
The NCAA’s new policy, effective November 11, 2024, warns that violators will face strict enforcement actions. Moving forward, simulator renewals will also be filed directly with individual operators, further tightening the agency’s oversight.
In a bold step to strengthen Akwa Ibom’s position in Nigeria’s aviation industry, Governor Umo Eno announced the addition of two new Bombardier CRJ900 aircraft to the fleet of the state-owned airline, Ibom Air, on Friday.
The two aircraft, registered as 5N-CED and 5N-CEE, mark a milestone in the state’s commitment to strategic investment, with the governor stressing that the acquisitions were fully funded by state resources without loans from financial institutions.
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At a welcoming ceremony attended by local officials and residents, Governor Eno emphasized his administration’s mission to drive revenue-generating ventures for Akwa Ibom rather than relying on debt.
He called the move a step toward breaking the cycle of government investments that only serve to pay off loans, vowing that the state’s funds would go towards projects that bring returns to the people.
The governor challenged Ibom Air to turn a profit by 2025, stating that the airline’s management should ensure routes in and out of Uyo remain dependable to prioritize the needs of Akwa Ibom travelers.
“As long as I remain governor, we will continue to use state funds for the benefit of all, not for private gain,” he said, noting that his administration aims to ensure that public investments deliver real value to the state.
Governor Eno also provided updates on several ambitious state projects, including an 18-story commercial complex underway in Lagos and an upcoming 4-star hotel in Abuja, both designed to generate revenue for Akwa Ibom.
Plans for an international market in Ikot Ekpene and the phased opening of a new terminal at the Victor Attah International Airport were also announced, with the airport terminal set for partial operation by December and full activation in early 2025.
Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Udeme Otong, commended Eno’s financial management, highlighting that the administration has avoided seeking loans over the past 18 months despite launching significant development projects.
Ibom Air’s Chairman, Pastor Imoabasi Jacob, expressed appreciation for the state’s investment in the airline, which has seen its fleet grow to nine aircraft.
Jacob credited the governor’s support with enabling Ibom Air to boost flight capacity, meeting demand on popular routes such as Uyo-Lagos-Abuja.
Captain Mfon Udom, CEO of Ibom Air, stated that the expanded fleet will improve efficiency and allow the airline to scale up its operations in time for the Christmas travel season.
Udom also noted that the airline anticipates the delivery of nine additional Airbus planes, which will further strengthen Ibom Air’s market presence.
Traditional leaders, including HRM Edidem Ita Edet Okokon III of Okobo Local Government Area, lauded the governor’s leadership, pledging continued support from the traditional institutions.
Anie Essienette, Group Manager for Marketing and Communications at Ibom Air, noted that demand for the airline’s services has surged nationwide, with the new CRJ900 aircraft helping meet this increasing need while the airline awaits further fleet expansion.
Nigeria’s Minister for Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo is of the view that there’s no cause for alarm over the approval of a private airstrip for a religious organisation, which attracted the attention of the House of Representatives.
He took to his verified handle on micro-blogging site, X, on Friday morning to shed light on the subject, and explained that it could be a great source of revenue for Federal Government.
Keyamo asserted that the issue was raised by an honourable member at plenary, out of ignorance, but was “unanimously referred to the Aviation Committee to look into.”
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Keyamo expressed confidence that by the time his Ministry was done enlightening them, “they will be satisfied”.
He added that “the privates air strip owners pay the Federal Government handsomely for these services.”
Keyamo wrote, “I think this is not correct. The House of Reps. as a body did not call on the Minister to revoke the license of any private airstrip.
“I think what happened is that someone moved a motion in that regard and it was unanimously referred to the Aviation Committee to look into it.
“Whilst the intention of the Hon. Member who moved it is very patriotic, it was based on a complete lack of knowledge of the aviation sector.
“By the time we explain to them how private air strips work and the processes they undergo by our agencies before the final approval, they will be satisfied.
“The responsibility of the owners of private air strips is just to build the runway and terminal building. But after they build the control tower in particular, it is completely handed over to the Federal Government through NAMA (Nigerian Airspace Management Agency) which is in complete control of the entire airspace in Nigeria. An MOU is usually signed with NAMA in this regard before the airstrip is approved for operations.
“It is NAMA that provides the Air Traffic Controllers and Engineers in ALL AIRPORTS and AIRSTRIPS IN NIGERIA. And the privates air strip owners pay the Federal Government handsomely for these services.
“No object flies into Nigeria without the prior clearance by NAMA and without filing a clear flight plan, eg, where it is taking off from and where it intends to land.
“And I have recently directed that all aircraft coming into the country MUST first land at our international airports where they would be properly processed and checked before they make their local flights into whatever airport or airstrip they intend to go. So, it is COMPLETELY AND TOTALLY impossible for any private airstrip owner to just jump on an aircraft and fly in and out of the country through that facility. The Federal Government does not permit that. You will not be cleared for take off or landing without prior request and authorisation.
“I thank the Member for his patriotism, but I wish he contacted us first to explain to him before rushing to move such a motion.
“I attach herewith for public consumption the NAMA Act that gives exclusive control of the Nigerian airspace to the Federal Government through NAMA.”
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