FirstNation Airways suspended indefinitely for illegal operation

Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) on Sunday announced that Air Operators Certificate of FirstNation Airways has been suspended indefinitely.

The suspension was contained in a statement signed by the General Manager, Public Relations, NCAA, Mr. Sam Adurogboye. It stated that the suspension was due to FirstNation’s flagrant and constant violation of the terms and conditions of the issuance of its Air Operators Certificate (AOC) by the carrier, thereby carrying out unauthorised and illegal operations.

The suspension was sent to the airline through a letter with reference no. NCAA/DG/CSLA/RM/1-06/18/2304 and dated May 11, 2018, and signed by the Director-General, Capt. Muhtar Usman.

Noting that the airline has accepted receipt of the letter, Adurogboye added that when the AOC of FirstNation Airways expired, that the airline did not own at least two airworthy aircraft capable of servicing its approved schedule as required by Part 9.1.1.6(b) (2) (ii) of Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulation (Nig.CARS), 2015.

“Consequently, the airline’s Air Operators Certificate was, upon renewal, restricted to non-scheduled operation (charter) only. However, FirstNation Airways embarked on scheduled operations with continuous advertisement of its services and sold tickets at its check-in counters in Lagos and Abuja airports.

“The NCAA had earlier notified the airline that it was investigating these violations. Subsequently, by a letter dated 31st of August 2017, the airline was directed to stop the illegal operations forthwith, warning that failure to desist would lead to a suspension of its operating authorisation,” he said.

Explaining further, Adurogboye said that upon further investigation that NCAA found out that the airline had ignored all warnings and continued with the unauthorised and illegal operations in violation of its AOC terms and conditions of issuance.

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This action he said, was in contradiction to the provisions of Part 9.1.1.4(d) of the Nig.CARS 2015, which provides that ‘each AOC holder shall at all times continue in compliance with the AOC terms and conditions of issuance, and maintenance requirements in order to hold that certificate.

“The authority has therefore determined that, pursuant to Section 35(2),(3) (a) (ii) and (4) of the Civil Aviation Act, 2006, FirstNation Airways is no longer fit to operate air transport business under the authority of the AOC. Accordingly, the airline’s AOC has been suspended indefinitely with effect from the 11th of May, 2018, when it received the notice,” he said.

Adurogboye went further to say that the operators of the airline are expected to return the AOC to the NCAA’s Director of Operations and Training within seven days of receiving the letter.

 

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