From addressing passenger complaints to initiating sanctions on defaulting airlines to certifying Nigerian airports and tackling illegal charter operations in Nigeria, reforms being introduced by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) have continued to reshape the country’s aviation sector.
It is no longer business as usual for airlines that delay and cancel flights for no justifiable reason. The authority has sent a strong message to operators recently by initiating enforcement action against five airlines (two international and three domestic operators) for various violations of Part 19 of the NCAA regulations.
These sanctions were for non-payment of refunds within the stipulated time frame, non-responsiveness to the NCAA’s directives, missing luggage, manhandled luggage, short-landed baggage, and delayed and cancelled flights, amongst others.
He stated that while airlines are not always to blame for flight disruptions, NCAA regulations require them to take specific actions during such incidents. Non-compliance results in various sanctions.
Chris Najomo, the acting Director General of NCAA, confirmed that the NCAA designed a staff training program to equip airline and regulatory personnel with essential skills. The initiative aims to address recurring complaints about delayed or cancelled flights. Moreover, this initiative will help address service failures and improve the overall travel experience.
“We are training our staff, but it’s important to involve all stakeholders to understand how this portal works,” Najomo added, emphasising the need for industry-wide participation in the successful implementation of the system.
Solidifying aviation safety oversight with FDAC
Under Najomo’s watch, the NCAA inaugurated its Flight Data Analysis Centre (FDAC) on December 11, 2024. Minister Keyamo officially commissioned this state-of-the-art facility, praising it as a game-changer in aviation oversight. Describing the centre as pivotal, Keyamo emphasized its role in creating a robust safety data bank and enhancing compliance with international standards.
Najomo, supported by Director of Special Duties Mr. Horatius Egua, led the development of this legacy project. The FDAC’s advanced capabilities include analyzing flight data recorders (FDRs) and cockpit voice recorders (CVRs) to detect anomalies and prevent safety incidents. This proactive, data-driven approach enables the NCAA to address safety concerns effectively, aligning Nigeria’s aviation operations with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards.
Airport certifications
The NCAA recently certified the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja.
Najomo said in March 2001, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Council adopted a new standard that required certification of aerodromes used for international operations.
This standard, Najomo said, became applicable on 27“ November 2003, adding that Nigeria initially complied with this provision by certifying two international airports in 2017.
According to the DG, the 3-year duration of those certificates lapsed in November 2020 in line with the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations in force then.
“At the expiration of NAIA & MMIA aerodrome certificates, a six (6) month extension was granted to FAAN to operate the aerodromes due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which we all remember had devastating effects on the aviation sector.
“However, the extension was granted on the condition that FAAN resolve all outstanding certification CAP items and complete the recertification process within the extension period. To be detailed, there were 136 items for MMIA and 29 items for NAIA, so this was no mean feat.
“Since then, NCAA and FAAN got down to the hard work of ensuring closure of the critical certification findings as required by the regulations,” Najomo explained.
Digitizing operations with the new portal
The NCAA has also made significant strides in digitising its operations. Najomo announced the launch of a new portal that will facilitate the digital processing of approvals, licenses, recertifications, and passenger complaints.
“The digital system is going to be awesome,” said Najomo, referencing the two-year journey that led to the development of the portal. Consequently, this system will enhance the efficiency of the NCAA, allowing for quicker processing and real-time monitoring of airline performance. The portal will also enable the public to view airline service evaluations, offering insights into the best and worst performers.
Tackling illegal charter operations
Thanks to Najomo reforms, illegal charter operations, particularly among high-net-worth individuals and foreign-registered aircraft, have significantly reduced in the sector. Similarly, these operators are complicit in conducting charter services without proper oversight.
Not only do they compromise safety, but they also deny government revenue through their illegality. The NCAA has since cracked down on such activities, enforcing stricter regulations and, similarly, ensuring that charter operators comply with transparent passenger manifesting practices.
The NCAA under Najomo has also taken decisive actions to uphold regulatory standards. Ten airlines were sanctioned for using Permits for Non-Commercial Flights (PNCF) for unauthorized charter operations. This crackdown, led by the Ministerial Task Force, highlighted the misuse of private jets by high-net-worth individuals for commercial purposes, bypassing regulatory oversight.
The NCAA suspended permits for offending operators and initiated a review of all PNCF holders to ensure adherence to licensing terms. This action reinforces the Authority’s commitment to fair competition, safety, and operational integrity in the sector. The airlines sanctioned on July 4th, 2024, include Azikel Dredging Nigeria Ltd, Bli-Aviation Safety Services, Ferry Aviation Developments Ltd, and Matrix Energy Ltd.
Others are Marrietta Management Services Ltd, Worldwide Skypaths Services, Mattini Airline Services Ltd, Aero Lead Ltd, Sky Bird Air Ltd, and Ezuma Jets Ltd. The suspension was due to a flagrant disregard of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations 2023 Part 18.3.4. Moreover, this regulation forbids PNCF license holders from using their aircraft for the carriage of passengers, cargo, or mail for hire or reward.
Updating IDERA procedures for aircraft financing confidence
In line with fostering a favourable environment for aircraft financing, Najomo championed updates to the NCAA’s IDERA procedures. These updates, aligning with the Cape Town Convention, ensure transparent deregistration processes in dispute cases, boosting Nigeria’s credibility among global financiers.
Festus Keyamo, minister of aviation, described the move as essential for positioning Nigeria as a viable hub for aircraft financing and leasing.
Conclusion
As the aviation sector looks to attract investments and boost passenger traffic in 2025, these reforms would need to be sustained and improved on.
Source: Business Day
